Ford offering Navigation after trial - is it worth it?

[crzyhawk]

What is Waze doing with Police/radar that Google isn’t? When I’m on a Google Maps route, I see the speed limit displayed on the map plus my own speed which will appear red if I’m over. I get “police ahead” , object on road, traffic slowdown ahead, and all kinds of advance warnings and it will ask me to confirm “Police still there?”. You can report any of these things yourself. Is this stuff better on Waze?

Nothing as far as I am aware. I didn't like google maps, but I started using waze before I even knew about google maps. Now I stick with what's familiar. Waze has some limitations though, such as not being able to set multiple waypoints, and I have been stuck without cell service when I went out exploring and ended up having to use the built-in nav in just dead map mode to help find my way back to known locations where I could get a cell signal and use Waze again.

I just reupped the sub for the built in nav last night because of this thread, and saw it was on sale, so that was nice. I'm getting ready to make a trip out to Illinois next month, might see how it works for multiple way points.

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[demos1970]

Pro tip if it hasn't been mentioned, you can download areas in Google Maps to your phone so that if entering an area with spotty or no cell service, your maps still work.

I have no idea why car companies continue to offer NAV other than to possibly have the equipment installed so they can track your vehicle or for the three people still using flip phones. Apple Maps, Google, WAZE are all far more capable and with the implementation of AI that's coming, will be far more convenient.

Earlier in my career, I did a lot of driving, usually two to three new places per day that I'd never been to before and had to learn to navigate by map. I'd look the quadrant up and then figure out how to get there efficiently, memorize it and be on my way. This smart shit definitely makes us dumber. Remember when you knew everyone's phone number by heart? Yeah, the good old days.

I look back, somewhat nostalgically, and think we all just paid attention to the world around us a whole lot more back then.

Oh yeah. I remember having maps in my glove compartment for local or other state maps if I had plans to travel. Things have drastically changed. Mostly like a microwave moment. Has to be instant and accessible at all times. They even eliminated how to write in script. Kids these days don’t even know what that is and much less how to place a call with a rotary phone. Lol

 

[dougcjohn]

For the past week, I’ve been receiving emails from Ford to extend the use of my Navigation because the one year trial expires today. Is it worth to pay the annual fee of $49.95 which includes their$30 promotional.

Has anyone pay to renew this service or just use their phones?

Looks like I'm one of the few for the Navigation.

Yes, I use it in both my BRaptor and F450... and previously in other vehicles.
Previously the OEM Navigation systems got out dated and poor navigation.
For the added benefit, I feel the cost is minimal. As an old guy, I like the new technology in vehicles and normally subscribe to the features.

Today's Navigation Offering is updated often, and I've found it much quicker to recalculate a route compared to both my iPhone and Android phones if you miss an exit or change course. Ford's product really is very good, about equal to a Non-RV Garmin Unit. All phone apps to me are slow to update or fail to provide information quickly when changing routes or rerouting due to construction, etc.

At first I didn't like the inability to enter a destination "manually" while moving down the road, later discovered the ease of speech and Alexa. Just drive, and request directions, and it routes the directions and map.

I've also compared simultaneously, I'll run Apple Play with Navigation and the same destination with Ford's Navigation. The Ford is easier to read & follow, better zoomed in route points, and as previous... faster. Plus I like the large screen for both day & night driving.

I like the cabin WiFi, connection service, Navigation and Sirius XM.

 

[Ape Factory]

Oh yeah. I remember having maps in my glove compartment for local or other state maps if I had plans to travel. Things have drastically changed. Mostly like a microwave moment. Has to be instant and accessible at all times. They even eliminated how to write in script. Kids these days don’t even know what that is and much less how to place a call with a rotary phone. Lol

I'm almost embarrassed to say it but I went to wash the mud off the Bronco the other day. I turned the hose on and got hit with that slightly metallic smell of cool water running through a hot hose which brought back a lot of memories including, of course, drinking from a hose when we were young and savage.

I sucked in a deep breath, puffed out my cheeks, held it there for a second and let the air out slowly. Remembering the past, its simplicity of life and not having a care in the world did bring out a sigh but eventually a smile and a desire to take a sip of water. I resisted, remembering the latest water quality report from our municipality. Good times.

I did have a conversation with an amazingly well-adjusted Gen Z teen and explained the rotary phone thing to her, being able to leave the phone off the hook if we didn't want calls and having to get an extra-long cord so I could talk to my girlfriend in private and not in the middle of the kitchen. At one point, she was making fun of millennial parents being inappropriately protective which was rather refreshing. Her parents are Gen X, as am I, so maybe that helped but it's likely more diffuse than that.

 

[demos1970]

I'm almost embarrassed to say it but I went to wash the mud off the Bronco the other day. I turned the hose on and got hit with that slightly metallic smell of cool water running through a hot hose which brought back a lot of memories including, of course, drinking from a hose when we were young and savage.

I sucked in a deep breath, puffed out my cheeks, held it there for a second and let the air out slowly. Remembering the past, its simplicity of life and not having a care in the world did bring out a sigh but eventually a smile and a desire to take a sip of water. I resisted, remembering the latest water quality report from our municipality. Good times.

I did have a conversation with an amazingly well-adjusted Gen Z teen and explained the rotary phone thing to her, being able to leave the phone off the hook if we didn't want calls and having to get an extra-long cord so I could talk to my girlfriend in private and not in the middle of the kitchen. At one point, she was making fun of millennial parents being inappropriately protective which was rather refreshing. Her parents are Gen X, as am I, so maybe that helped but it's likely more diffuse than that.

I had to laugh at some of the things you wrote. Brought me back too when I drank water out of a hose especially on those hot summer days. Life was more simple and less stressed. I also remembered those very long cords that would knot up but that’s the price to pay for privacy. This new generation would think we’re from the stone ages with these old technologies. I loved leaving home without having to carry a monitor (cellphone) then comeback at the end of the day and check the voice recorder to see who called, what messages were left and if I didn’t care to respond, simple erase should do the trick. Lol

 

[ptgptg]

Also, the only thing you lose without the paid subscription is:
• live traffic patterns
• yelp reviews
• use of weather radar with live feed

Everything else, with the Nav, such as directions (including 4x4 road options) are still available, without paying.

I do not think the above is true. When mine ran out recently, I no longer had the ability to enter a destination. I had the map and that was it. If I am wrong, apologies.

 

[Thatguylegit69]

I do not think the above is true. When mine ran out recently, I no longer had the ability to enter a destination. I had the map and that was it. If I am wrong, apologies.

Mine ran out 2 months ago, but I can still enter a destination (both regular & 4x4 maps), have predictive map data, those red breadcrumbs, and several other features.

If youre not supposed to be able to access any of that, once it runs out, im lucky as Hell.

 

[Ted Miller]

When mine ran out, all the buttons you push to enter directions, favorites, etc. were grayed out so you couldn't use them. Once I paid for the subscription they all became usable again.

 

[ptgptg]

When mine ran out, all the buttons you push to enter directions, favorites, etc. were grayed out so you couldn't use them. Once I paid for the subscription they all became usable again.

This is what happened to mine as well. I was NOT happy. My other bronco 23 OB (stolen by my wife) has three years of nav, mine 24 WT only got one year. I made the mistake of calling Ford. I should have just banged my head against a wall.

 

[Nc211]

What is Waze doing with Police/radar that Google isn’t? When I’m on a Google Maps route, I see the speed limit displayed on the map plus my own speed which will appear red if I’m over. I get “police ahead” , object on road, traffic slowdown ahead, and all kinds of advance warnings and it will ask me to confirm “Police still there?”. You can report any of these things yourself. Is this stuff better on Waze?

Sounds like they’re the same! I didn’t know Google does that too. I haven’t messed with Google and can’t compare, but I do find that Waze is very ease for me to use, plus I like having Morgan Freeman as my guiding voice!

This is my first car with easy use of CarPlay. It’s all I use and totally hooked on it. I would consider it a serious downgrade if a new car didn’t have it now. And really love the large 12 square screen the Bronco has for it!

 

[gbub]

Garmin Overlander is all I need for cities, highways and wilderness. It is not perfect because sometimes it shows old trails that don't exist anymore and not updated some new trails. That is not a common occurrence but I always keep it in mind when in remote wilderness. Free updates keep the pavement routes pretty reliable. I can download trails also, like Backcountry Discovery Routes and other routes like that.

It also does tracking so if I get lost, I can always backtrack to get out. I still carry paper maps and a compass as a back up.

 

[demos1970]

Back tracking is a great tool. You wonder which apps have it. I used to own a BlackBerry and it had the entire map downloaded to the phone. It was great because GPS satellite will show your location and you don’t have the need to have signal.

Those were the days.

 

[demos1970]

Today I took my Bronco out for a spin and went to the nav tab. Saw the search, favs and history unaccessible. When I tapped on it. If gave me this message then Ford followed up with an email that very same time I tapped those buttons.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

The number of times I have used the built-in navigation in any vehicle...

I can count on the fingers of one foot.

 

[crzyhawk]

I've used the built in nav on my Bronco a couple of times out of desperation. I went out exploring, and used Waze...which was great until I lost signal before I got to the trail I was looking to check out. I ended up having to pull up the build in nav so I could at least see what the roads looked like around me and find my way the rest of the way. Had to fall back on dead maps a couple of times out exploring.

I just turned it back on, going to use it for a coming trip to illinois and see if it will take the the route I want to use

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