Does Ford Navigation ever update?

[EasyPass]

How do you trust the nav map in an unfamiliar area? You don't 100% trust it! It is a driver aid, and the ToS likely states something to that effect.

You'd be well served to have a secondary map source for coroboration. As well, utilize common sense methods like compass mapping and the like. Blindly following nav directions without including gray matter insight can lead to a bad outcome.

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[ChasingCoral]

Driving locally I can tell that it has not been updated. If it is not up to date locally, how am I to trust when I am travelling?

What makes you think it hasn't updated?

 

[milepost1]

The Ford nav sucks. It has taken me to wrong place 3x. Can't find anything. Even typing let alone speaking, unless ypu have exact name. Even then sometimes cant find it. Start typing see correct place flash, stop typing and display switches to other places. And traffic routing is crazy. It has routed me 3 miles out of the way to "avoid" traffic to end up in same traffic jam. The jam is a traffic light. 3 miles and 4 extra traffic light to end up at same light? Trying to find charge stations is next to impossible. When I say EA, Electrify America, evgo or some other, I would expect closest one. EA stations fairly close to house, will not show station unless I explicitly "Electrify America outlet mall Auburn" if I say anything else, leave any word out, say EA, even typing, it won't show up. Sometimes even if i have exact name cant show up unless i type it. On trips will want to route me to a 1 cord 50kw EVGO charger, there are an EA 4 plug 150-350kw, 12 tesla 250kw, 2 100kw circle k. All with in 2 miles. In fact the 50kw charger is the most out of the way and slowest. Fortunetly stop there often, but what if i didnt know? Be sitting waiting for 50kw when there are 18 others that are faster? Google never taken me to wrong place, can find places if I get most of it right, doesn't route me to slowest charger in city. Beyond worthless. But hey been using gps maps for years, give them time. Lol Thanks for letting me rant.

 

[roamtheworld]

The map is only updated twice a year by the vendor.

This is the most useful comment on this post so far. Thanks!

As others have stated, other than battery preconditioning, the built-in maps have very little value over Apple, Android, and/or Garmin (anything else). I'm pretty sure I've seen preconditioning might be coming to CP or AA in the future, and if true, that pretty much makes spending $80 a year worthless. FYI _ I've never used preconditioning on road trips in the past, and it hasn't bothered me at all.

 

[Space_Pony]

It's my understanding that Android Auto/Google Maps already provides Preconditioning.

 

[ChasingCoral]

The map is only updated twice a year by the vendor.

Where did you get this information?

 

[bbhaag]

I found this on Fords website. Take it for what it's worth......It is Ford after all.

 

[SeattleSteveMe]

Ahh yes! Really miss my Thomas Guide! ?

I just tossed mine while clearing out my previous car. I'm not sure I ever looked at it in the 20 years I owned that car.

 

[IndyJeffrey]

What makes you think it hasn't updated?

A road in my area was reconfigured with a new roundabout over six months ago. It is not reflected in Ford Maps. Six months seems like a long time for a subscription based product.

 

[Mach1E]

A road in my area was reconfigured with a new roundabout over six months ago. It is not reflected in Ford Maps. Six months seems like a long time for a subscription based product.

Curious if the roundabout shows up on other maps (google etc)?

It’s not like Ford has employees driving around looking for changes. They get the data set elsewhere.

But like was posted above, sounds like we only get annual updates.

 

[IndyJeffrey]

Curious if the roundabout shows up on other maps (google etc)?

It’s not like Ford has employees driving around looking for changes. They get the data set elsewhere.

But like was posted above, sounds like we only get annual updates.

I'm certain it's updated on Apple Maps and pretty sure Google Maps.

I get that it's not updated regularly, but the fact that very low costs apps (Apple, Google) are updated faster than a subscription service is what is a bit maddening.

Sigh.

 

[ChasingCoral]

It’s not like Ford has employees driving around looking for changes. They get the data set elsewhere.

Correct. Garmin.

 

[FPLiptak]

Correct. Garmin.

And it should be noted that Garmin provides updates 3 or 4 times per year. Also, many of their model come with LIFETIME Traffic and Maps.
The only model of the Garmin Smart Drive 76 that is available without lifetime maps is the 5" model for $149.99. The 5" model is also available for $169.99. The 6" ($249.99), 7" ($299.99) and 8" ($349.99) models all come with lifetime maps.

I know I've said this before but the navigation system was about a $500 option and to charge an annual or bi-annual fee is really ridiculous.

 

[Mach1E]

I'm certain it's updated on Apple Maps and pretty sure Google Maps.

I get that it's not updated regularly, but the fact that very low costs apps (Apple, Google) are updated faster than a subscription service is what is a bit maddening.

Sigh.

Because advertising. Google is a free app because they make billions on ad revenue.

I would guess that the $80/yr is a money loser for Ford.

But yes, it’s hard to compete with “free” with any subscription model. Ask the local newspapers how that worked out for them.

The good news? You have options. Ford NAV, Apple, android etc.

I feel bad for other people who drive cars where the built in NAV is their only option.

Personally I use the Ford NAV. It was also free for 3 years and then I used my free FordPass points to renew for another year (so still free).

 

[Charge_Rob]

The underlying map data comes from HERE Maps, if there are inaccuracies in HERE's data, the faster they fix it, the faster the Connected Navigation updates will include it. Does HERE's web map have the same mistake? https://wego.here.com/

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