Sync3 + music - best option?

prydey · 24-03-2021, 05:44 PM

About to take delivery of a new Ford Escape and wondering what the best way to have on board music is. My FG and now territory had an ipod plug but obviously this has given way to usb plugs and Bluetooth.

The options we're looking at is buying a used ipod with Bluetooth (nano 7th gen onwards I believe) or just using a flash drive or similar. Looking for something that can be left in the car, rather than use phones. We're both a bit old school and don't have music on phones or use streaming services.

I like the fact that with an ipod the music can be searched via various different headings. By title, by artist, by genre, play lists etc.
If music is loaded on to a flash drive, can it be searched in the same way? Does sync do any indexing /sorting of its own or is it all to do with the device the music is stored on?

What's the best way to get music in the car?

Thanks in advance.

**Peuty** · 24-03-2021, 06:06 PM

Load up a flash drive. You can set them up in folders on the PC before you take it to the car, but it can certainly be searched via the car's interface as well.

prydey · 24-03-2021, 08:20 PM

I read on the Ford site that sync will 'index' any digital media device that is plugged in, and then you can search via song title or artist or genre etc, similar to how my ipod works in my territory. Then it has a little asterisk and in the fine print says 'dependant on device'.

If I load a whole list of songs on a flash drive, will it still be as user friendly as an ipod?

Citroënbender · 24-03-2021, 08:23 PM

It’s what - a $15 experiment?

**DFB FGXR6** · 24-03-2021, 08:26 PM

I have music either stored on my phone or streamed from my phone, no need for a USB so I just use Bluetooth.

CyberWasp · 24-03-2021, 08:55 PM

I am old school in this way as well.
I bought the smallest physical sized USB Memory Stick I could find.
Sandisk as shown below - Can't remember if it is 32 or 64gb.
It can't be seen once plugged in if on the dashboard plug.
Works brilliant in Sync 3. They do get warm so I don't put it in the center console outlet.
Rip all you music into folders into a file on your PC for a Master File. (Important if USB gets corrupted - mine did once when I went to add more music on)
I created a folder for each Artist then create a sub folder for each album of that artist.
Do a test 1st of 2 artists before you go crazy and test it in the car .
You might have to tweak how you name things a bit in the folders.

I like to have albums in year order and tracks in track order but that is just me.

You can then say Play ACDC or Play Track Name ect.

It is funny sometimes how Sync Pronounces things sometimes in confirmations.

prydey · 26-03-2021, 07:05 PM

Actually I've realised I've had a massive seniors moment

My territory doesn't have the ipod connection. I forgot my ipod used a normal usb A connection. Don't mind me.

Having said that, at least with the Territory the usb outlets are inside the console bin whereas the escape are not so you end up with an unsightly cable if using a device that needs a cable connection.

First world problems I guess.

MITCHAY · 26-03-2021, 07:47 PM

Spotify. Unlike USB you can stream whatever you want.

**M&Ms** · 26-03-2021, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

I am old school in this way as well.
I bought the smallest physical sized USB Memory Stick I could find.
Sandisk as shown below - Can't remember if it is 32 or 64gb.
It can't be seen once plugged in if on the dashboard plug.
Works brilliant in Sync 3. They do get warm so I don't put it in the center console outlet.
Rip all you music into folders into a file on your PC for a Master File. (Important if USB gets corrupted - mine did once when I went to add more music on)
I created a folder for each Artist then create a sub folder for each album of that artist.
Do a test 1st of 2 artists before you go crazy and test it in the car .
You might have to tweak how you name things a bit in the folders.

I like to have albums in year order and tracks in track order but that is just me.

You can then say Play ACDC or Play Track Name ect.

It is funny sometimes how Sync Pronounces things sometimes in confirmations.

image

I had one of those (128GB), and it would get boiling hot and at times stop being read by the stereo. Got rid of it and replaced with a Samsung
FIT Plus 3.1, runs much cooler. Was worried the heat of the Sandisk could cause some kind of damage, not worth the risk IMO.

To the OP, if you're used to the iPod way of life, just continue to use it straight into the USB port.

CyberWasp · 26-03-2021, 08:56 PM

I will check out the Samsung.