Is there one option that you think is a useless one?

[67L48]

-Factory NAV is garbage. But it came with the 360+. [...]

I haven't done much looking at the Nav system in the BS, but my experience with my 2019 F-350 may give you some hope.

From the factory, the SYNC3 Nav system in my F-350 was practically worthless. I lived outside of the Denver Metro area and it's not exactly a rural setting. The Navigation frequently gave me poor directions ... whether I was going across town to a store or going up into the mountains towing a camper. I'm pretty computer-savvy, so I know about the various settings and preferences; it wasn't user-error. It was my first real experience with a Navigation system that literally gave wrong directions; it was mind-numbing that in 2019, after decades of navigation devices, I had a system that was so flawed. It was pretty much worthless.

Then I upgraded the maps. 180-deg turn. The Nav went from boat anchor to reliable navigation system. It's taken me a couple years to get over my trust issues, but I use it all the time and it's as solid as any maps program I have on my phone.

The process of upgrading maps in SYNC modules is slow and clunky, but fairly straightforward. If you haven't looked into this, it might make a big difference in the utility of the factory Nav system. Again, I don't know about the maps in the BS, but it was a massive difference in 2019.

Even if you still prefer your device through Carplay or Android Auto, it's nice to at least know that you have a reliable backup in the factory navigation system.

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[Blue oval fan]

I haven't done much looking at the Nav system in the BS, but my experience with my 2019 F-350 may give you some hope.

From the factory, the SYNC3 Nav system in my F-350 was practically worthless. I lived outside of the Denver Metro area and it's not exactly a rural setting. The Navigation frequently gave me poor directions ... whether I was going across town to a store or going up into the mountains towing a camper. I'm pretty computer-savvy, so I know about the various settings and preferences; it wasn't user-error. It was my first real experience with a Navigation system that literally gave wrong directions; it was mind-numbing that in 2019, after decades of navigation devices, I had a system that was so flawed. It was pretty much worthless.

Then I upgraded the maps. 180-deg turn. The Nav went from boat anchor to reliable navigation system. It's taken me a couple years to get over my trust issues, but I use it all the time and it's as solid as any maps program I have on my phone.

The process of upgrading maps in SYNC modules is slow and clunky, but fairly straightforward. If you haven't looked into this, it might make a big difference in the utility of the factory Nav system. Again, I don't know about the maps in the BS, but it was a massive difference in 2019.

Even if you still prefer your device through Carplay or Android Auto, it's nice to at least know that you have a reliable backup in the factory navigation system.

Downloading an updated map now. Will give it a go. As you mentioned it would be nice to have a backup.

 

[TEdison]

I'll probably get flamed for this.

I find the rear hatch opening window useless because of the size of the actual opening. I would prefer a non-opening window that had a better field of view (even just not having the big bump for the latch assembly).

To be honest, I'm surprised it wasn't one of the first things that got axed to cut costs.

Good point. I've opened mine exactly once since I got my BS...just to see if it works.

 

[Txsurfer13]

Good point. I've opened mine exactly once since I got my BS...just to see if it works.

I find it super handy for getting small stuff in/out of the back, but I have the shelf. Without the shelf, I can't think of why I'd want the lift glass. Anything long enough to stick out the back is going on the roof.

For overlanding, stuff under the shelf will be stuff that I need to get at less often, and stuff I need to have readily available will be above the shelf. I'm planning on using the lift glass alot when camping.

 

[PugDad]

I know one useless feature I could do without......beating the dead horse for the 4Hundredth time...or rather the tinyest details of some insignificant BS (not the Bronco Sport).

I'd much rather hear about the details of installing stuff or work arounds on mods....or cool accessories and the issues with installing them......hidden features.... or what cool places you guys and gals have taken your BS (Bronco Sport).

Just sayin!

I hear you, but it keeps everyone young!

 

[PugDad]

I don't know why anyone would get flamed for having an opinion on this topic. Disagreement, yes. Flamed? Why?

Speaking of disagree, I like the window for those times where you may have to load loose, rolling items in the cargo area. You can open the window and check to make sure nothing is going to fall on your feet when you open the liftgate.

See, no flame. Just a different opinion. Cheers!

I couldn't agree more, had a gallon of paint jump out began painting parking lot one day, after
I opened the hatch on my RAV4 . Hence the reason I ordered the Cargo Management System with my new BS....best $200 i will ever spend.

 

[PugDad]

Useless features/options:

• Bottle opener (to me) - I’m not a big tailgater or anything and scenarios where I’d drink a bottled beverage that didn’t have a twist off cap I’d have a bottle opener anyways.
• Auto-start stop - Ford has to do this to eke out 1-2 extra MPGs on the EPA fuel efficiency test, but in practice it’s just annoying and doesn’t help mileage. (Auto start/stop eliminator is worth the price - I know some people say “just push the button” but that’s an irritating thing to do thousands or tens of thousands of times over the ownership of the car])
• Phone pouch - phone is too big, I plug it in for CarPlay and charging. I saw others say they use it for a garage door opener but I have that built into the visor.
• Wireless charging - I use CarPlay and have to plug in the phone anyways, which charges the battery faster, with less heat (less wear on the battery).

Useful:

• Cubby in the middle of the dash below the screen - I’ve put the key there, my wallet, parking garage slips etc. and everything stays.
• Factory navigation - 99.9999% of the time I don’t use this, but in a case where you end up in a very remote region and don’t have the entire US downloaded on your phone GPS app, it can be worth it alone. I wouldn’t have bought it separately, but it came included in my trim with the B&O audio.
• Auto high beams - makes it easier to not blind people. Actually most of the Copilot and Copilot 360++ features I like, although I don’t have them all on all the time.
• Moonroof. As others have said, this is a polarizing one. I generally have it open for extra light, and sometimes, for fresh air. Unlike some smaller cars, the BS has a lot of headroom already, so the adaptations to make the moonroof fit (lower headliner) isn’t drastic like it is in some other vehicles (which will irritate taller drivers.)
• Liftgate button in the vehicle. Yes, it’s not a power liftgate, but if you pop the lift gate for someone to load their bags (passenger) or groceries/whatever (curbside pickup), they will hear the mechanism and just lift the lift gate open. Without it you have a 50/50 chance that they’re going to open the glass by mistake, and since it requires a decent non-intuitive amount of force to close without the “liftgate/glass ajar” message in your dash, likely having to call them to repeat opening and closing the glass.
• Rain sensing wipers can be useful when rain is really wacky. It’s definitely not a necessary feature, but it is nice to have, and like the ambient lighting, I don’t know why the Badlands doesn’t have it.

No opinion:

• B&O audio. It’s okay. It’s definitely lackluster compared to other upgraded premium sound systems, but I can’t judge it against the stock BS sound system as I’ve never heard it.

No strong opinion:

• Ambient lighting. I had it in my last car and enjoyed it, I’m puzzled why the Badlands doesn’t have it. I’ve heard that it’s weaker lighting and that newer cars ship without cupholder lighting too.

Map updates are done via USB. I've heard that Ford generally does 1-2 updates free, then charges. It's all a moot point because Syn3 Updater (not made by/endorsed/etc. by Ford) can get the latest maps and create the USB free of charge for you, but Ford hasn't put out new Sync 3 maps since May of 2021.



GM is going back in the opposite direction and removing Carplay support in EVs 2024 onwards in favor of Android Automotive. They said something like Google Maps navigation would be free for 8 years. I see it as a way for automakers to get a stranglehold on controlling the radio and making you buy a new car to get new tech features (vs. a smartphone that people generally upgrade every 1-3 years and having it drive the screen). I will resist this strongly - Carplay support is make or break on a vehicle purchase for me.



For price you can't beat a standalone GPS on sale, but for the strength of the GPS signal (larger GPS sensor), dead reckoning (taking last position and extrapolating potential location from steering wheel movement, speed, etc. when in a tunnel or other no signal situation), and being cleanly integrated into the radio, it is nice to have factory nav. I wouldn't buy it separately, but it was included in the premium package on the Badlands with other features I wanted.

(It is also possible to upgrade the APIM - the module that is the "brains" of sync 3 - to a navigation version. A new APIM programmed for your vehicle with nav is like $899 from 4D Tech, but if you were to acquire a cheaper navigation enabled APIM [perhaps eBay for one pulled from a totaled BS], they would do the required programming via email for $40 to make it work in your car. However, this requires some substantial dashboard disassembly to actually swap the part, and even if you found a cheap nav enabled APIM, a standalone GPS with lifetime map updates would be cheaper.)

Is it really a phone pouch? Or maybe just a pouch that you can use to store countless items that will fit in it?

 

[Bucko]

Is it really a phone pouch? Or maybe just a pouch that you can use to store countless items that will fit in it?

Or, was it put there to make us all mad into thinking what is it for?

 

[PugDad]

Or, was it put there to make us all mad into thinking what is it for?

Mad? Upset? It's a pouch, reminds me of my pants pockets, they have served me well. I don't over think it, I just do.

 

[Bucko]

Mad? Upset? It's a pouch, reminds me of my pants pockets, they have served me well. I don't over think it, I just do.

I meant mad, as in insane

 

[Mark S.]

Is it really a phone pouch? Or maybe just a pouch that you can use to store countless items that will fit in it?

Well, it's certainly not big enough for a Joey, so it must be for a phone.

 

[PugDad]

Well, it's certainly not big enough for a Joey, so it must be for a phone.

I am sure you can put a phone in there as well as a plethora of other items....everthing in this world just doesn't revolve around your hand held device.

 

[Bucko]

I am sure you can put a phone in there as well as a plethora of other items....everthing in this world just doesn't revolve around your hand held device.

Tell that to the folks I see at restaurants and other events who apparently cannot function without them in their hands. I love it when they can't walk across the street in a crosswalk without their face glued to their phone.

 

[Txsurfer13]

Well, it's certainly not big enough for a Joey...

Are we 100% sure about that? Has this been proven, empirically?

I've searched the entire forum, and found nothing; so this is what I propose:

One of you Aussies needs to pop out to the back garden and grab a Joey. Then send us a video of you putting it in the pouch (or not, as the case may be).

For science, of course.

 

[Bucko]

Are we 100% sure about that? Has this been proven, empirically?

I've searched the entire forum, and found nothing; so this is what I propose:

One of you Aussies needs to pop out to the back garden and grab a Joey. Then send us a video of you putting it in the pouch (or not, as the case may be).

For science, of course.

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