Navigation preference Ford or Apple?

[dbsb3233]

Apple. No question.

I keep my Mach E screen in dark mode. I find it far too bright + distracting in light mode. I find the Ford maps very hard to read in dark mode. Lines are too thin, contrast is way too low. There is no way to glance at it and see where you are/what’s going on.

In comparison Apple Maps is very easy to read because everything is a reasonable size and contrast ratio.

I also FAR prefer the visual aesthetic of Apple Maps. I have Siri. I can show the map and my podcast player on the screen at the same time. I still get the binnacle direction integration. The only missing thing is preconditioning, but I basically never need that as I rarely roadtrip.

That’s all secondary. Maps I can’t read easily in a car without pulling over are worthless to me. And that’s unforgivable.

Compare these two shots (sorry, hard to find pics online)

That's part of the reason I'm 100% Android Auto (Google Maps). It would be my choice anyway just because I'm all-in on Google Maps the rest of the time (cell phone and desktop). But the drab look of the Ford map is a letdown too. Especially since I love to run AA in satellite view. It's like driving with a drone overhead. Both cool and functional to see the actual terrain and structures. (Sorry for the glare.)

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[Teslaeata]

I rarely use maps as I've been driving pretty much locally but tried the Ford nav today and was pleasantly surprised to see turn directions show up on my center screen. And those were dead on accurate.

CarPlay also provides turn directions on driver’s screen.

 

[ctenidae]

If I had to pay $ for Ford maps, I’m not sure I would be able to justify the cost.

Totally agree

 

[Psifire]

I usually use Google Maps or Waze for my day-to-day driving.

For longer trips, I do some pre-planning on ABRP, use Google/Waze for driving, and Ford Nav to get the battery setup for charging.

 

[Chris D]

Have used Google Maps exclusively in all my previous cars, as it was much better than the built-in ones.

Not with the Mach E though, now I fully swithed to the Ford navigation.
It works great, clear overview on the center screen and on the driver screen, plus good voice instructions.

Also get info on speed camera's which seems well up to date all the time as is the case with live traffic updates.

Having access to android auto via a split screen below the Ford nav would be a plus though. Would allow to place calls and operate Spotify directly without switching screens. Similar to the Andoid Auto screen itself, but then with the choice of using Ford Nav instead of Google Maps.

 

[astronut325]

Apple Maps. Almost exclusively. I would never use the Ford Nav if the Apple Maps could pre-condition the battery for a DC charge.

 

[Silver Pony]

I have been using the Ford nav system since I bought the car a year ago this past February and have been happy with it.

 

[MellowJohnny]

100% Apple. Love the integration, although with the iOS 17 beta the CarPlay directions and the directions appearing on the IC are completely different, so that's been "fun"

Also, the Ford Nav occasionally tries to navigate somewhere secret for me, completely without asking. I turn on the car and it starts to give me directions. Yesterday it wanted to send me to the movie theatre. And when I say "OK Ford, cancel navigation" it tells me we are not currently navigating...

I may start calling the car Christine...

 

[khbkhb]

Just wondering what most Mache owners use for navigation.

Waze, Apple Maps, Ford ... depending on trip.

Waze still seems to have the best traffic monitoring/routing at least in the areas we mostly drive these days. Apple Maps, gives directions with respect to lights and stop signs (vs. Waze feet, or Google Maps randomly switching between fractional miles and feet). Ford's app is "just there" (don't need to have connected phone).

We seldom (read "never") charge en route, so ABRP and Ford savvy about available charge stations isn't a factor. If/when that were to occur, we'd have to try multiple until we found what was giving us the most useful local info.

 

[sdoo25]

Ford nav for road trips where DC fast charging is needed. Apple Maps for all local travel.

 

[ThomF]

I am an Android user and almost always use Waze via Android Auto. (AA) I really like the appearance of the Waze navigation screen.

I was once out in the boonies and couldn't connect via AA. The Ford system came through for me; nice to have it.

I used to like the appearance of the Ford maps when Downtown, because of the 3d buildings, but that feature seems to have disappeared with a more recent update. Has anyone else notice this?

 

[txaggies07]

Ford Nav never finds the POIs I search for.

 

[ericNdfw]

I was a Waze user 100% from back in the pre-Google ownership days but once Apple Maps implemented EV integration I switched and like it much better. I do wish it had the battery pre-conditioning ability but I so rarely DCFC that it's not a worry for me.

Ford Nav is okay for long distance I suppose, I like the range "circle" it annotates on the map and, as mentioned, the battery pre-conditioning is great. But I rarely use it otherwise.

 

[TTF]

So much better than a Newton...

I am quite partial to my Axim X51 myself... ( man, I miss that thing )

 

[Teslaeata]

I have been using the Ford nav system since I bought the car a year ago this past February and have been happy with it.

I just cannot get on with car maker’s Sat nav’s & mapping.

It’s always really very interesting and great to see how our preferences differ, we experience things differently and have different opinions on the exact same thing for our own reasons and is good we all share all this and embrace each other’s experiences, advice, opinions etc.

This community ?

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