Nav Map updates

[larrylwill]

Has anybody gotten the email about new Nav map updates 2014? $149 They think there worth as much as a GPS with newer, better, more accurate and free for life updates including the GPS itself.

Has anybody updated from 2013? I would think that if I buy a car in 2014 I should be entitled to at least the 2014 maps, not 2013, So in essence I bought a 2014 car with 2013 maps and have to pay $149 to get current with the car year.

Not very fair.

 

[Easy Rider]

But that's the way it IS.

Not much you can do about it except get the update cheaper from the "grey market" somewhere like Ebay.

 

I saw an ad today for a new Garmin with lifetime maps for $89........and your passenger can program it on the fly.........and you can take it inside with you to plan tomorrow's trip.

 

I HATE OPTION "PACKAGES" ON NEW CARS. I never would have had a built-in GPS in my car.....never, never, never......but the model I wanted had it as part of a "package".

Both my Fusion and my Prius. SIGH.

 

I have several portable ones that I probably should sell off now.

[Waldo]

The maps are not tied to any "year". They come out roughly once a year and they include data that was frozen at a particular point in time. That point in time isn't the day before the map is available, it's something like 6-10 months earlier. So the "new" map likely has data frozen in calendar year 2013. And even then the data is not always 100% updated at that point in time. For example there's been a bunch of construction on major roads around my house over the last few years. My 2014 Fusion came with an A4 card that does not have any of these new roads in it, even though some of them were completed in 2011. I drove a car with the new A5 card last weekend and noticed it does have the 2011 road in it, but not the ones that were completed in 2013.

 

So my point is, trying to tie the map to a specific date is pointless. Your car came with the latest card that was available on the day it was built. Why would you expect anything else? I mean Michelin/Goodyear have made tires that have a newer date code than the ones on your car, would you expect Ford to update those as well?

[murphy]

What I expect is for Ford to do the same thing that Garmin does. I get 4 updates a year for FREE and my Garmin cost about 1/4 of what the nav in the car did.

[Waldo]

What I expect is for Ford to do the same thing that Garmin does. I get 4 updates a year for FREE and my Garmin cost about 1/4 of what the nav in the car did.

 

But that's not fair to Ford, Garmin doesn't have to follow the long list of regulatory requirements related to navigation and other things that Ford does.

[Easy Rider]

 

But that's not fair to Ford, Garmin doesn't have to follow the long list of regulatory requirements related to navigation and other things that Ford does.

Really ?

How about being a little more specific about those additional "requirements" ?

Except for disabling input while the vehicle is moving, I am not aware of ANY.

[murphy]

Those "regulatory requirements", that I don't believe exist, don't work very well since multiple people have reported that their car is shown to be far away from where it actually is located. My Garmin has never given me an incorrect location once it has locked onto at least 3 satellites.

[acdii]

Well I do know that Dancing Hippos in TuTu's are forbidden on the dash while the car is in motion. Maybe thats why I can never find them when I have the TomTom.

[Waldo]

Really ?

How about being a little more specific about those additional "requirements" ?

Except for disabling input while the vehicle is moving, I am not aware of ANY.

 

Did you know that you can't have a touch-scrolling map while moving? I can't remember if the MFT is the same way, but it used to be that if you put your finger on the map while stopped, the map would continually scroll in the direction of your finger, but if you touched while moving, the map would just re-center around your finger.

 

But more generically, I'm talking about all the regulations like CAFE, emissions, crash and so on that Ford has to subsidize in order to be able to legally sell vehicles. The high-margin options like Navigation have to offset those costs, because customers don't want to pay for emissions performance It may seem like it's robbing Peter to pay Paul, but it's all part of the business model. In other words, if Ford charged less for or gave away free map upgrades, they would have to make up that lost revenue in some other way. Garmin doesn't have that problem.

[Waldo]

Those "regulatory requirements", that I don't believe exist, don't work very well since multiple people have reported that their car is shown to be far away from where it actually is located. My Garmin has never given me an incorrect location once it has locked onto at least 3 satellites.

 

That was just a bug in the software which was fixed by a TSB. How well does your Garmin work while driving through tunnels? My MFT nav keeps my route active and accurate as I drive through a mile long tunnel every day.

[murphy]

 

That was just a bug in the software which was fixed by a TSB. How well does your Garmin work while driving through tunnels? My MFT nav keeps my route active and accurate as I drive through a mile long tunnel every day.

I can state with absolute certainty that I won't get lost while driving through a tunnel. The Garmin states that it lost sync with the satellites but the map does not disappear and the route resumes when I exit the tunnel.

[Waldo]

I can state with absolute certainty that I won't get lost while driving through a tunnel. The Garmin states that it lost sync with the satellites but the map does not disappear and the route resumes when I exit the tunnel.

 

How could anyone, ever, get lost in a tunnel? There's only one way out that isn't where you came in! But the tunnel I go through is often backed up and I come to a stop for minutes at a time. I can still see my time to destination, add waypoints, and do all that stuff.

 

There are other places like downtown Chicago with a network of underground streets where you could easily get lost while your Garmin is "down". I'm not saying that's worth the premium, just saying it's something different.

[GrySql]

My #1 gripe with the MFT Nav, in this particular car, is that it's been in the shop with the battery(s) disconnected so many times I've given up trying to keep a list of destinations.

If that info could be backed up via USB a customer could save all the Nav presets and not have to do a finger input if the data is lost.

The Sync/MFT does that for your phone contacts, why not for the Nav data on a USB stick?

Now, tell me that is possible and I'll feel silly - then thank you.

 

My Garmin connects to my computer, I download all the destination (and POI) files to a folder and can upload them to a different Garmin without typing any of them into the device.

Yes, if you've just purchased your first Garmin you have to type your destinations into the device, but after you back it up to your computer they are available for future use.

I back mine up every so often just to save the GPX or CSV files.

Hence, I have two Garmin's with identical data - one in each car, all backed up.

Edited November 13, 2014 by GrySql

[FordIVTteam]

Has anybody gotten the email about new Nav map updates 2014? $149 They think there worth as much as a GPS with newer, better, more accurate and free for life updates including the GPS itself.

Has anybody updated from 2013? I would think that if I buy a car in 2014 I should be entitled to at least the 2014 maps, not 2013, So in essence I bought a 2014 car with 2013 maps and have to pay $149 to get current with the car year.

Not very fair.

 

 

Hi larrylwill,

 

Your vehicle should have had the A4 card installed in it (if you have the maps for USA/CAN). The complexity of the features of the embedded navigation system require time to build each new map update. HERE, our map provider, is continuously working to shorten lead times and deliver the most current information available. If you notice any map information missing on your current version, you can report missing or incorrect map data at: www.here.com/mapcreator Keep in mind that map updates are completely optional. If you would prefer to hold off on buying one now, you can always check back for new map updates in the future at: www.Navigation.com

 

What I expect is for Ford to do the same thing that Garmin does. I get 4 updates a year for FREE and my Garmin cost about 1/4 of what the nav in the car did.

 

Hey murphy,

 

HERE and Ford work together to bring you a high quality map product at the best possible price. Map updates for your vehicle have more complexity than PND and smartphone updates, because it is for a factory-installed navigation system. This adds to the cost of updates.

 

My #1 gripe with the MFT Nav, in this particular car, is that it's been in the shop with the battery(s) disconnected so many times I've given up trying to keep a list of destinations.

If that info could be backed up via USB a customer could save all the Nav presets and not have to do a finger input if the data is lost.

The Sync/MFT does that for your phone contacts, why not for the Nav data on a USB stick?

Now, tell me that is possible and I'll feel silly - then thank you. ...

 

Hello GrySql,

 

Don't forget to post your suggestion at: http://social.ford.com/archive/your-ideas/?searchterm=save+navigationand have others vote on it! :)

 

Kim

[murphy]

Kim,

 

Then why is the map on the HERE website correct as to the location of my house, which was built in 1957, but the the map in the car has no clue where my house is located. They are republishing old maps at a fancy price. I don't buy it. It's a rip off plain and simple. If you look at the POI table on the back of the letter I received they removed a huge number of POIs. Not that it matters since I have no use for POIs.

[larrylwill]

Kim:

Im sorry I just do not buy that more complexity argument. Its just a map update nothing more. My stand alone gps has more than 12 million POI's nobody even knows how many the Ford one has, I doubt its even 1 million. On the road I searched for Waffle house restaurant and it found typically less than 1/4 the ones my stand alone found., I drove by most of them untill I started using my stand alone. Also It doesn't even have 1/2 the gas stations and stores around here. In addition my map still says I'm driving on an unmapped area or what ever that message is. Google has updated street view at least 3 times since I bought this house in 2007 which was built in 1962 and the road has been here since the 20's and has been paved since then. Not to mention it doesn't have 1/2 the custom-ability as my stand alone does. If I can figure out how to mount a 7" GPS on a swing down mount in front of the screen I will buy one. I like the backup camera but sure wish I could get a refund for the GPS.

Another point, Ford sells them for $150 and I just bought a A5 card off Ebay for $55 and there are many sellers selling for between $60 and $100

Edited November 15, 2014 by larrylwill

[machoman1337]

Yeah, never been much of a fan of in-car nav systems. It is convenient not to have to hide your Garmin every time you park though. I've known people who forgot to remove their Garmins when parked and next thing they know, they're missing one window as well as their Garmin :(

 

Still, I'd prefer a MFT that lacks built-in nav but lets you use the USB or video input to "clone" your Garmin's or smartphone's screen. You'd get the best of both worlds - an easy-to-update (and free to update) GPS, as well as a big 8-inch LCD. Plus you don't have to keep the garmin/phone stuck on your windscreen.

 

Like a few here, the only reason I have navigation is because I wanted a lot of the other stuff and the car that was available on the certified pre owned lot happened to include navigation (it also included a sunroof which I didn't want either but that's a different rant). If the car had everything else minus the navigation, I would've still bought it.

 

Thanks for the tip larrywill - I'll check ebay for A5 SD cards now. Hopefully they ship to Canada for reasonable prices... if not it's time to make a drive down to Point Roberts to open my PO box.

Edited November 17, 2014 by machoman1337

[larrylwill]

 

 

Still, I'd prefer a MFT that lacks built-in nav but lets you use the USB or video input to "clone" your Garmin's or smartphone's screen. You'd get the best of both worlds - an easy-to-update (and free to update) GPS, as well as a big 8-inch LCD. Plus you don't have to keep the garmin/phone stuck on your windscreen.

 

 

Yes That would be my wish also. I said that in one of my first posts.

Edited November 17, 2014 by larrylwill

[Waldo]

Yes That would be my wish also. I said that in one of my first posts.

 

Yes, and as I've said many times, that would be illegal for Ford to sell.

[acdii]

For the same reason lockpicks are illegal. Anything that gives the ability for a moving picture to be displayed where the driver can see it is illegal in any motor vehicle. Only exception to this is the navigation system. If MFT had the ability to display what is on your phone, given the fact that the phone can play movies, while the vehicle is in motion would be against most state laws. IOW you will never see something like this in any car, from any manufacturer.

 

Word of advice to anyone thinking of lockpicking your MFT, DONT! If you are involved in an accident with an injury, or worse, a death, even if not at fault, and it is found you have such a device, lawyers will be all over your ass, and you will be in a world of hurt for a very long time. With black boxes in cars now, and investigations of accidents involving injury tending to go over everything in all parties vehicles, why take the risk?

 

Found this, http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/telematics/

Edited November 17, 2014 by acdii

[larrylwill]

 

Since Gps's use a sd card making the Ford compatible with Garman or Magellian you'd just have to sway gps cards. I had a generic gps years ago and if you knew where to look you could hack the system and update the maps, even the operating system just with software.

 

[machoman1337]

Since Gps's use a sd card making the Ford compatible with Garman or Magellian you'd just have to sway gps cards. I had a generic gps years ago and if you knew where to look you could hack the system and update the maps, even the operating system just with software.

 

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 50LM in the US and discovered it lacked Canadian maps... a trip to a certain website which I will not name (you can probably guess what it is) solved the problem for me for free. It also gave me access to Euro maps, so I can use the same system in a rental in Europe too :)

 

I don't think the Ford SD card is compatible with a Garmin though... you test this out? I believe it's actually write-protected too.

[larrylwill]

 

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 50LM in the US and discovered it lacked Canadian maps... a trip to a certain website which I will not name (you can probably guess what it is) solved the problem for me for free. It also gave me access to Euro maps, so I can use the same system in a rental in Europe too :)

 

I don't think the Ford SD card is compatible with a Garmin though... you test this out? I believe it's actually write-protected too.

I just copied my A5 card, I also copied the A4 card to my computer, just in case. It sure would be nice if the Garman is compatible with the Ford system. I also have the 50LM

Edited November 17, 2014 by larrylwill

[murphy]

Garmin and Ford both get their maps from HERE (ex Navteq).

I just got an email from Garmin touting their latest product and proclaiming their maps come from HERE who does 2.7 million updates to the map every day.

 

I wonder why they don't know where my house is? It has been in the same place since 1957.

[larrylwill]

Wow that's some mpg. How do you do it. Is your house down hill from 2 directions?

Yes my neighborhood is un mapped or something. I get the message every time I put in a destination.

I will check the card and compare it to some old updates I have. I can conform that the new SD is 0.4gb larger than the A4. I am copying the A5 to another card to see if it will work in the car..