Im guessing most of you will say its not worth doing, and Ford has been pestering me with emails and letters in the mail to do it. But I want to know how drastic the nav update is? There are a few roads in my area that have been re-routed since the original map software was installed and theres also a few POI's that arent listed. Im wondering if any one has done it and what you think. Its $109 for a USB download (and thats the cheapest option)

 

No idea but I'd like to know.

The map in my wife's '19 is questionable at best, and in fact insisted that we could go across a bridge that had definitely been permanently closed for a few years (signs driven into the concrete, vines and trees overgrowing it, etc.). So yeah, I'd really like to update hers but if it isn't worth it then I don't really want to pay the money.

That said, I have heard that map updates for most in-car GPS systems are done by one company and are generally 3-5 years behind what is actually going on.

 

I never updated my 2011 maps until 2017, and that was only because my son started college then and when I drove through NYC, some of the exit numbers had changed. I got the update, but some exits were still off.

So.....not really worth it in my case at least.

 

Soundwave, I did it. The down load was free. I bought my own USB Drive. it wasn't difficult, it did take about three hours to down load it to my computer and USB. and two hours of the truck running to get it to the truck. I don't know if its worth it, your cell phone is always up to date. I don't know if i would do it again.

Just my two cents

 

I do have my phone and Apple Car Play, but I prefer the Sync 3 system due to the feed being via GPS and not a cell tower. AT&T cell coverage always seems to suck for me. But thank you.
How were you able to get it for free? I have a USB drive to download it to. It says to have them send you a loaded USB its $150, or $109 if you download it yourself from the Ford Owner site

 

Good point re: cell phone. Just use that as a back up/verification. That’s how I knew my NYC exit numbers were wrong.

 

soundwave, it came through my ford pass, with that I had a choice of buying the USB right from Ford or getting a link from ford and downloading it to my computer and loading it on my own USB. I don't know why they are selling the down load to you. Unless it's because my truck is still under a factory warranty??
You make a great point about GPS/Cell service, living out here in the mountain west we run out of cell service really quick.

I hope this helped.

 

It’s free for I believe 18 and newer F150’s but 16 and 17 owners have to pay. I’m not suee why we have to pay but it is what it is.

I also received the same email.

In my opinion it’s a waste of money and you will not notice much of a difference in the update and it’ll still be out of date compared to something like Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, etc, etc.

The navigation app that I use most is Magic Earth so take a look at it.

You can download any or all States and it can be used off or online and the images are just as good as Google.

Yes, it’s free.

 

'16 and '17 owners can get the latest map update free as well. Have to update to sync3 version 3.4. Official software, unofficial update process.
​​​​​​
https://cyanlabs.net/applications/ford-sync-downloader/

Do some reading, it's really a piece of cake to do.

 

Old news and not worth the hassle to update to 3.4 just to get a new and “out of date” map update.

 

Because this isn’t coming directly from the Ford owner site, and it’s free, are there any bugs or malfunctions? I’m skeptical but curious to try.

 

Whether you think it's worth it or not, OP wants a nav update. This thread is fairly new, so I'm assuming OP doesn't know about cyanlabs. Thought I'd mention for him. But thanks for your input.

 

It doesn't come directly from Ford, but it's the official Ford Sync3 software.

Think of it as official software obtained in an unofficial manner.

The only bugs would be the same ones if newer Ford owners downloaded the update from Ford direct. Personally I haven't found any bugs as of yet.

 

It’s not “officially” released from Ford for 2016 and 2017 F150’s so download at your own risk from said website that is said to be from Russia.

Many but not all owners who have downloaded it have had success despite some bug issues with it.

Some who have downloaded it have also bricked their SYNC 3 system.

Good luck if you go this route.

 

Already have. Everything works fine.