Subscription fee for Navigation system

[Limpetman]

So my 'active navigation' system trial subscription has just finished...I had assumed (incorrectly) that the subscription just covered updates to map accuracy, weather and traffic...but no...it will no longer allow me to enter addresses, search for addresses etc. So now I just have a pretty moving map when I drive. I can use Android Auto for navigation when needed but I'm a tad surprised that I need to. My wife drives a new Dodge Durango RT and she doesn't have to pay for her navigation system to be functional...I know, I know...no point complaining but it does make me feel just a little bit better.

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[CJSimmons]

$80 a year for it. Not too bad if you are in spotty cell service areas

 

[Limpetman]

$80 a year for it. Not too bad if you are in spotty cell service areas

$120 up here in the Great White North

 

[RagnarKon]

Yeah there are two "levels" of Navigation.

• "Connected Navigation"
  • Available in Mid/High package.
• "Connected Built-In Navigation"
  • Only available on the Lux package.

The Connected Navigation basically operates like your cell phone... it requires a data line to function, which Ford uses AT&T for. When you pay for the subscription you are basically paying for map updates, routing functionality, weather/traffic, etc... which is all delivered through that AT&T data line.

The Connected Built-In Navigation has a more traditional TomTom / Garmin style GPS unit—the map/address data is cached on the Bronco. When that service expires you'll lose access to weather & traffic data, and you won't get map updates. BUT... you'll still have the "Point A to Point B" navigation functionality.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Yeah there are two "levels" of Navigation.

• "Connected Navigation"
  • Available in Mid/High package.
• "Connected Built-In Navigation"
  • Only available on the Lux package.

The Connected Navigation basically operates like your cell phone... it requires a data line to function, which Ford uses AT&T for. When you pay for the subscription you are basically paying for map updates, routing functionality, weather/traffic, etc... which is all delivered through that AT&T data line.

The Connected Built-In Navigation has a more traditional TomTom / Garmin style GPS unit—the map/address data is cached on the Bronco. When that service expires you'll lose access to weather & traffic data, and you won't get map updates. BUT... you'll still have the "Point A to Point B" navigation functionality.

And just a point of clarification in that the Built-In Navigation is included in the Lux package, but it is also a stand-alone option for $695.

Understanding how Ford dumbs-down the nav without a subscription, I felt the Built-In option was well worth it to retain functionality long after the 36 months.

 

[RagnarKon]

And just a point of clarification in that the Built-In Navigation is included in the Lux package, but it is also a stand-alone option for $695.

Understanding how Ford dumbs-down the nav without a subscription, I felt the Built-In option was well worth it to retain functionality long after the 36 months.

Shhhh ... not many people know about the stand-alone option because it was (is?) missing from Build & Price for whatever reason... and for a period of time last year you couldn't order the stand-alone option. But yes, it's an option on Mid pkg and higher.

In my opinion it's not worth the added cost—comes out to be 8-9 years of just paying for the subscription. But... obviously Ford could always increase the subscription cost, and some people don't like worrying about subscriptions, so there is definitely an argument to be in made in favor.

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