ha! I would not suggest a factory nav install after the fact. Even if it sounds easy.

 

I would never buy Nav again as a factory option. Between my father an i we have had 3 different vehicles with Nav and they all suck compared to how the Garmin and some of their competitors perform. I would definitely not feel a loss for your decision.

 

I only wanted nav for anice big screen for the cam and maybe watch a movie. Does anyone have any sugestions on aftermarket unit that can do these functions ?

 

You guys know you can get in-dash computers that can do just about anything?

 

Computers?? Please explain.,, aftermarket?,,or ford work solutions?

 

Aftermarket

 

NAV , DVD

Amazon.com: Pioneer AVIC-X920BT 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback, Built-In Bluetooth and Widescreen Display: Automotive


Wholesale 6.5'' Car PC System with DVD ,GPS,Bluetooth,FM Touch Screen


Wholesale 6.95 inch in dash double din car PC with GPS WIFI


Wholesale 7inch In Dash Car PC for VW support DVD bluetooth gps navigation game Mechanical Hard Disk : 160G


Wholesale 6.95 inch in dash double din car DVD support GPS 3G DVB T


Wholesale 6.95 inch in dash double din car PC with GPS WIFI Digital TV



I don't know if any of these were meant to fit in a SD, but just to prove they exsist....

 

People have been building and installing SBC (single board computers) in vehicles for years.

Car PC, 12V Vehicle Computers, the makers of VoomPC

 

I know,

but now you can buy complete units that go in the dash, without "building" anything.

 

You have to decide how much you want to tinker with it and how much functionality you want from it in a reliable form. I have been up and down this road (not to mention back and forth) dozens of times in vehicle after vehicle. I have probably spent more time debating the pros and cons of different approaches than I would care to admit. I also see some cool feature someone has implemented and I think I must immediately have it. When you peel back the onion as it were and really think hard about how useful something would be, you might not think so after further reflection.

Yes, there is some amazing aftermarket stuff out there, but does it offer the level of INTEGRATED CONVENIENCE you can get direct from Sync? Probably not.

Last I heard, the Ford factory "computer" was on a permanent vacation, and even if it was available, it probably wasn't what you wanted anyway. It ran Windows CE, which is an embedded version of Windows and has serious limitations for what you likely wanted. Do you want an in-dash car PC that crashes with a BSOD because the audio driver had an issue? I know the factory Nav leaves a lot to be desired, but I just want to jump in the truck and go. I don't want the hassle of a reboot, etc.

I have owned some spectacular double-din head units from Kenwood, etc. that included Navigation, etc. They are great if you can get them installed cleanly, but there are just so many moving parts to the equation if you truly want to do the job right. I have fought interface issues to retain the factory steering wheel controls, etc. The list goes on and on.

When it came to my '11, I briefly toyed with pulling out the factory nav, but then found out sync would die and there was no elegant way to tie it to an aftermarket head unit.

I know everyone has different opinions and tastes, but I have reached a point where the factory Nav is "good enough" for me and I am looking at replacing the factory speakers and tweaking things downstream from the factory head unit. Other than not being able to do mobile video from an iPod, etc. It does everything else I really want it to do.

Just make a list of the things you really honestly expect from your ICE (in car entertainment) system and then evaluate your options from there.

I solved my mobile video "problem" by getting a RAM mount for my tablet and mounted it to the chair rail on the passenger's side with a quick-release I can easily remove when I have someone with me. I now have mobile internet, mobile streaming audio and video all on my tablet in easy view from my seat whenever I want it. I can stream the audio for the video over bluetooth to the factory head unit, or just use the line-in if need be.

Just my opinion, and I realize the OEM factory nav/audio system leaves a lot to be desired, but it is a fairly bulletproof implementation you won't spend chasing your tail with endless tweaking on, perhaps to never quite reach the level of stability and trouble-free operation from the factory system.

-Rob

 

I "window" shopped for nearly a month before I bought, while I waited to see what would happen with my other truck. So when they finally said, "Totaled!" I knew what I was looking for. That being said, the one thing on my list of wants that this truck does not have is the "man step and stripper pole." Will I regret it one day? Maybe, but I didn't have one before, and meanwhile I figure crawling up in the bed the hard way counts as exercise so that's less reps I have to do on the elliptical!

 

I got everything. My biggest regret might be buying a Ford. I have about 4000 miles on it and its in the shop for the third or fourth time now. Hopefully they get it fixed this time. I have had factory nav in my past 3 vehicles and often use an aftermarket one stuck to the windshield that a passenger can play with while moving. The factory unit in the Acura does not lock you out while driving.

 

Run along now, Troll...

 

Sorry, I like my Ford. I am just a little pissed that I have to use the old Duramax to do what I bought the Ford to do. I am sure they will eventually get it fixed - then I won't have any regrets.

 

What is this "Lock Pick"? I am trading my '09 Cabelas Edition in on a 2011 Lariat with Nav, and my wife's Expedition Ltd has Nav as well. I hate having to pull over to enter addresses when the passenger could do it just fine without having to stop.