SYNC map update

[JRHEXP]

I just got a letter from Ford about a map upgrade. Is it worth $109 to do it? A little disappointed that they want to charge for it. Thanks in advance for responses.

 

[Ghostwolf]

I just bought a 2016 and its Sync3 system was waaay back at version 1, with equally out of date maps (from the previous map vendor). I purchased the map upgrade and installed it as a matter of course.

 

[bobmbx]

I just got a letter from Ford about a map upgrade. Is it worth $109 to do it? A little disappointed that they want to charge for it. Thanks in advance for responses.

Not to me. Use Waze instead.

 

[RogerD1959]

If you have SYNC 3.0, a Android or IOS (assumption it will work), Smart Phone. Go over to Google and download Android Auto. Next you will need a DATA/Charging cable, get it from BestBuy, Office Depot, Staples, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, any one of those places will set you up with the right cable, less than twenty bucks. In a 2016 its the top USB port under the center armrest lid. Instead of a Blue Tooth connection to the system, you are umbilically connected in to it. It puts Android Auto on the SYNC System, Google Maps, Cell Phone Google Navigation meaning your phone sorts it all out, not the SYNC System, and Ford can suck a tuna on that $109.00 up charge.

If you really want to blow your mind, get a OBDLink MX+ shove that into the OBD-II connector, pair it to the smartphone, with the phone running the FORScan Lite app, or Dash Command. It will still run Android Auto too, Anything happens, lights up, or generates a code, all you have to do is say, "OK, Google," What's a P-????? OBD code? How do I???????, what does this mean???????? This lovely British Lady comes over my phone, quite matter of fact, telling me the answer to what ever it is I want to know about. This British Lady even has concern built in. I got popped for doing 90 in a 65! While the officer was running my credentials, I'm worked up over the huge fine I am probably going to get! I say out loud, "Oh, God! I just want to die!" I poop you not! The British Lady in my phone asks, "Is everything all right?" I was flabbergasted! a minute later, I had not said diddly, she quips, "Please don't worry, I am sure everything is going to be just fine.! It totally caught me off guard! She got me out of the ticket too! The officer was taken back by what the phone did when I showed him. I got off with a very stern warning, I genuinely deserved, do not drive 90 through Des Monies Iowa EVER! It was 2 am when he let me go on my way.

 

[chuck s]

$109 can probably buy a nice Garmin with "lifetime maps and traffic." Maps get updated several times a year, not once every 5 years. I think the maps in my '17 Expedition are no newer than 2015.

When I bought my '17 Expedition and moved to a different state two years I kept the Garmin from my '07 on top of the dash as well as the built-in GPS in my '17 Expedition. The Garmin is a better unit. When they disagree I take the Garmin's route.

-- Chuck

 

[JasonH]

In Houston new subdivisions and roads are constantly being added. The Sync nav unit can't keep up. I prefer Waze and Android Auto for real time traffic and road condition warnings.

 

[barrydu4]

I purchased a big Garmin instead of the maps updates. I also use it in my 2013 F150.

 

[Boose]

Waze through Android Auto for me... 70K truck and they can't update the maps for us as part of the SYNC updates. Not to mention the fact that I've had my truck for 2 years now and this is the first update offer I've received. No way am I dropping 100 plus for an update that will be outdated in a month. The Android Auto/Apple Car Play capability will eliminate factory navigation soon.

 

[chuck s]

Just got the email this morning.

Any information on the map dates in this upgrade? Doesn't appear too many are jumping on this, but I'm still curious.

I'm guessing the data is 18 - 24 months old judging from this:

"*Data points above represent the changes in the HERE Map Database between Q1 of 2017 and Q1 of 2018. Exact data may vary by product."

Q1 of 2018 was at least a year and a half ago.

-- Chuck

 

[mossback]

I did the update a few months ago. The update brings the map data current as of Q1 2018. Previously it was at Q1 2015. It's an approximately 14.5GB download.

For $110 it was worth it for me. I also use a phone along with google maps and waze but a lot of my work is in areas with no mobile/internet coverage and the built in nav system has got me out of a few jams, especially at night.

 

[MADEXP]

I did the update a few months ago. The update brings the map data current as of Q1 2018. Previously it was at Q1 2015. It's an approximately 14.5GB download.

For $110 it was worth it for me. I also use a phone along with google maps and waze but a lot of my work is in areas with no mobile/internet coverage and the built in nav system has got me out of a few jams, especially at night.

This is a good explanation that brings a balanced opinion on spending the $$ or not. I am a Waze fan and 99% of the time am within cell phone coverage...so for me, no update needed.

 

[snellemin]

My other option for no cell phone coverage, is downloading the area map through google maps and use that.

 

[Modelcarguy]

Unfortunately if you own an 08 or older (not sure about where the cut off is for newer models) Ford stopped updating the CD maps for my system in 2014.

so it can be absolutely hilarious driving down a new stretch of freeway or a new road and look at the Nav system to find yourself in the middle of an unmarked field some where...

we use our phone’s GPS almost exclusively now.

but I’d say if Ford kept updating the CD or if we had the download option we’d use it.

 

[bobmbx]

You'd think by now that Ford would have learned that their navigation system mapping process is unsatisfactory and shifted to some other form of mapping system.

 

[Keaton Taylor]

Amazon is your friend if you have the Nav SD card, A10 is $40.

 

[chuck s]

Thanks for the map date confirmation. $110 for map data nearly 2 years old...