Hello all, I am picking out a new s-crew from my dealer on aug 27.
Questions are,, Is the entertainment system option a good choice ?
Is it worth the money ?
I have no desire to purchase an aftermarket system at all, so if the verdict is "Not to buy" I'll just pick another option or something.
People that have, or have seen the ford system please reply with your valuable first hand info.
Thanks,,, 4rdfan.

 

It depends on what you want. I believe the entertainment system Ford sells is VHS only.


Here is what I did this year for our vacation trips in our Expy. (I have two boys under age 6) I took an Apple iBook and purchased a power converter, external speakers, external mouse, and a stand that mounts under the rear seat bolt. The computer sits between the front seats so both can see it. They watched DVD movies, TV shows (converted to QuickTime Movies and stored on the hard drive), and played computer games (all the games are educational). They used the computer less than six of the ten hours on one trip. The other trip was five hours and they only watched one movie.

With an entertainment system installed ... it is always there. Do the kids really need to watch a VHS tape on the way to store? How much do you think it is going to be used?

If we went on a three hour road trip every other weekend, I would consider purchasing an entertainment system now.

There are a lot of options out there ... Goto http://www.caraudioforum.com for some more ideas. The next big thing I believe will be systems that control all of the different digital devices (ie: computers in the car with satelite connections, DVD input and output controls, stereo controls, back up (reverse) monitors, MP3 Players, CD Changers and hooked up to directional speakers {the driver and all of the passengers could listen to a different audio source} it is only going to get more amazing.)



JM$.02 ... YMMV ....

 

My advice... if you have kids BUY IT! We have one in our Expy and you would not belive how much more pleasant even a trip to the store can be. We have a 9 and 7 year old and it virtually eliminates the "shes loking at me"... "shes touching me"... "are we there yet" stuff. I bet we could drive from Atlanta to LA and as long as there's a movie playing the kids would never notice

 

We take trips to get AWAY from the TV....

 

Here's my thoughts.

I chose the sunroof. I can enjoy it every day. I can't enjoy the "entertainment system". I can't watch it while I drive. You can't get both from the factory. That's why I picked the sunroof. I'll admit, it's a little selfish...

Now, I've got 2 kids, 5 and 8. When we take LONG trips (One a month - 3 hours one way), I've got a 9" TV/VCR that fits real nice on the console between the seats. Cost me less than $200. Much cheaper. I can use it elsewhere and can take it out. As Screwfun said, there are alot of other options out there. Find one that works for you.

I've got some friends with the Ford system in an Expy. The one thing I don't like about the "built in" systems is that everytime the kids get in the truck, they want the system on, arguing over the selection of shows, what game to play, etc. All kinds of arguing for a 10 minute trip to school, the store, etc.

May be asking for a new set of problems.....

 

Thanks for all your comments,, I think I am leaning towards buying the factory system.
We do not have any kids to keep occupied or anything but we do travel fairly long distances with another couple quite often, (Nascar Races) and I think it will give the Ladies something to do while my buddy and I share the driving duties on those 13-16hr trips. But I need to know if the front radio/cd can be played at the same time the girls are watching & listening to taped re-runs of "As the stomach turns". (Mine if the audio isn't separate)

Like I said before, I am not interested in after market stuff and now I am wondering if anyone can report on actual performance of the system. I have seen and read very little on the package from Ford, the accessories brochure says :

"The base system features a VCR to provide the entertainment, a Nintendo64 game system is included in the top-of-the-line model. Each system can provide audio through the vehicles speakers or through the stereo headphones included in this package."

Is this the same type of system that is factory installed? Is there a Nintendo game included ? Anyone have any pictures or experience with either system (factory/accessory).

Thanks again,,,4rdfan

 

As far as the factory system goes, you can listen to the audio from the entertainment system two ways... over the stereo speakers or through wireless headphones. So in your case the ladies can watch a movie and listen to it through the headphones and you guys and listen to the radio or a CD. If it is not a factory installed system many Ford delaers are installing units made by Visteon and they basically work the same way.

 

I would have to have DVD capability only...don't like tapes, quality of video and sound sucks compared to DVD, and they take up too much space....I'm going aftermarket...

just my 2 cents

 

I'm not sure how much you are going to be shelling out for the factory setup, but I have an alternative. I found a system in Summit racing catalog for $600. It comes with a "flipdown" screen, VCR w/ TV tuner (you can get TV stations), Remote control, 2 wireless headphones, and a modulator to allow the TV to play through the stereo. When I had mine installed I had the guy put "pigtails" into the RCA jacks in the back of the VCR and I plug my Playstation or whatever else I can into it. It sits in the armrest next to my 6 disc changer. Sorry, no pictures yet, but I love it and it keeps family in the back seat happy FOR HOURS!!!

 

4RD,

You ought to give serious consideration to aftermarket. I have two children and got the factory entertainment system in our Pontiac Montana when we bought it last year and loved it.

Now I was evaluating the F-150 SCrew for the factory system before buying it a couple of weeks ago. The system can be installed at the dealership for $1300. For that money I have found I can go to local audio/video stores and get a custom setup that I can upgrade rather easily if I wish in the future. With the factory that isn't such a clean cut answer.

If you want to know what ones to look at for your SCrew, let me know. Aftermarket on it is the way to go.

 

Thanks all,,,, I have picked out the S-Crew with the factory system on Monday, it should be delivered from the factory (Oakville) by Thursday. I stated before that I wasn't interested in aftermarket stuff, but a lot of you still suggested the aftermarket. Let me tell you why, my past experience (very poor) with local installers of aftermarket stereos, speakers etc have me very nervous about letting them loose on my new $44330.00 truck.(Canadian msrp). There are no dealers inside a two hour drive that even have any video stuff in stock, no experience installing one and no real head office in Canada that I could write or visit when the thing melts down. I hope that I will have better luck with my local dealer and Ford Canada.

I'll post again with my impressions of the factory system and hopefully a few pictures for anyone who might be interested after I take delivery.


All this for the above mentioned price,,,,
XLT, 4X4, 5.4, buckets, pwr seat, heated seats, 6-pack cd, ent system, payload pkg, trailer tow, 3:55LS, 2-tone

 

I have it and LOVE it!