Hello all!

I recently purchased a 2003 Ford Expedition with the Radio / Navtech Navigation system (factory option). I have 2 questions about it.

#1 - It has a little phone icon on the button. Can this connect to my cell phone via Bluetooth, or is this something that has to be built into the car. If it can connect to my cell via Bluetooth, can someone point me in the right direction to set this up (not as far as my phone, but as far as the radio).

#2 - On the top center of the radio it has what looks like an infrared port. Is this for a remote control or something? None came with the truck.

Thanks in advance for your help!
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Welcome Milkman! I don't have any personal experience with the systems you speak of; however, I suspect someone will come along who does. Again, welcome to the forums.

 

I don't have the nav system in my '03, but the "phone" button is a mute button that will shut the sound off so you can talk on a cell phone. If you happen to have a cell phone hands-free hard mount on the dash, you can wire the phone so the phone calls come thru the stereo--very much better volume than the phone itself--and the phone will auto shut off the stereo and say "phone" on the digital display. This option has to be wired by the installer of the phone and there is an extra wire harness that goes between the phone and the stereo. I have had it on an '02 250 and now my '04 350 and its kinda neat. All calls in/out auto cancel the radio--when the call is complete, the radio comes back on.

 

I just got an '06 with the NAV. The phone button does not attenuate on mine, it simply says "no phone installed" on the screen when pressed. According to my manual this button has no function and is a place holder for future improvement. Ford has a bluetooth kit out for phones, perhaps it will work with that kit?

 

Bridge:

How does the '06 nav system work? Do you like it, can you compare it to any other you have seen? Thinking about buying an '06 LTD also.

 

The only other NAV system I've used is the PharosGPS on my pocketPC, so I don't really have anything to compare the Expy's NAV to. But here goes...

PROS:
Easy to use...the wife can even use it.
Integrated with the RSE system.
Somewhat acurrate
Voice directions are better than others I've heard
Chooses routes better than my Pharos unit

CONS:
Screen is small for a $2K option
Graphics are somewhat antiquated
CD-ROM based, not DVD.
Not touch screen
Can't select new destination or POI while moving (anyone know a work around?).

It would be nice if it had a bluetooth connection and all the colors of the Pioneer units with 3-D navigation. I don't really think it's worth $2K. If I thought I could get that much out of it I'd probably sell and go with the Pioneer Z1. I might still do that one of these days if I figure out how to integrate the stock RSE with it.

 

I have an 04 eddie X an I had the nav raido. After having problems and going back and ...and back to the dealer. I just chucked the system an got a new raido/dvd/cd/nav by garmin/i-pod/tv/xm or sirus/hd-raido. My systems is rocking...and loving it ! (get smart)

I have 2 amps 2 dvd players one is built in the raido and the other is in the over head. and one sun visor that I bought on live for a very...very good price. When I can I will put up a few pic.

 

My 03 has the button with the phone icon on it, I install a bluetooth car kit in myself. If the system has the phone button it means you can install a bluetooth or wired car kit in your system and it will muted the stereo upon receiving a call and the conversation will be piped through your car speaker, when the call is finished the radio will resume. It will also display phone on the radio display. You can almost install any bluetooth car kit but to make the task smooth and quick , you need to get a cable from ford this cable is about $49.00 it plug in the back of your radio, then your harness plug into it, You have four wires coming off of it and they are label accordingly. Very simple operation.