I have a '17 Lariat and in 2019 I fell for the Nav update advertisement. Here are some things I discovered:

In 2019 the Nav update that I received was from 2018. So, one year more recent than the version that came with my truck.

If you read the fine print, the version that comes on a thumb drive has an installation warranty. If you opt to save a few bucks and download to your own thumb drive then all bets are off. No warranty whatsoever. If it won't install - oh well!

When you purchase the preloaded thumb drive version, you have to provide your vehicle's VIN. That number is "baked into" the drive you receive and can only be installed on that vehicle. It can. however be reinstalled on the same vehicle if necessary.

Had I known that I was going to get a year old version of the map file I wouldn't have bothered. In my part of the country there is very little change in roads and as far as POI's, etc. go, I can use Google maps on my phone for that - or just use Android Auto in the first place. It's actually sooo much better than Ford's Nav.

 

It can be nice to have a truck based map if you're in remote areas that may not have cell coverage.

 

Lots of places here in Texas that have bad or no cell coverage. I have Nave in all my vehicles. ( they just happen to be Fords)
TJ

 

When we tow the fifth wheel we bring along the large screen Garmin RV600 GPS which has lifetime map updates included. Normally Garmin publishes map updates about every 6 months. That's nice when the full rig is about 60 feet long and 14 feet tall!! Hate to get stuck in a bad location.