I have a 2017 with the SYNC 3 and am getting emails from ford about new map updates for $150.00. Im mostly under the impression that if I spend 65k on a truck I should get free map updates but Ford doesn't agree with me.
The SYNC maps now are OK at best, has anybody updated theirs and been able to tell if it makes much of a difference?

 

The carplay and android auto nav stuff is free. I'm not sure why people use the factory nav system given how good AA and carplay are.

 

Well, you should've bought that $65k truck in 2018.
All the updates do as far as I know is update the attractions, roads (not all), speed limit info. I've got a vehicle with 2012 maps and ain't got lost in it yet.
Funny you can buy a phone for $50 that has the map updated practically weekly.

This implies there are five years of free updates to Sync3 but I do not know the validity of it.
https://ford.welcome.naviextras.com/..._update_EN.pdf

 

Anyone know where Ford sources their maps?

I think carplay and android auto connectivity is a sign of the end. It's hard to compete against services that don't charge a fee to update. Stand-alone nav sales has taken a nose dive since the late 2010's and for some the only thing keeping them alive is boat, plane, and sports unit sales. At some point in the very near future it will become too expensive for Ford to maintain a mapping system at a reasonable price point.

 

The fact that they're integrated in your phone, the UI is worlds better than any factory nav product, they are updated by apple/google/waze frequently, they have much better real time traffic data. Being able to enter address data using your phone provides a way better experience, it's safer and faster, etc. I could go on.

 

I would only consider if if I were traveling cross-country.

I would use my phone if a road is different 8 hours from my house because I'd stop and look at my phone maps. But I wouldn't want to be bothers to have to stop for the phone use if I were travelling for several days in one direction, then back.
My truck is '16 -probably has outdated maps for somewhere in the United States by now.

 

I have a 2019. I downloaded and installed the latest through Ford Pass, got a free license, and updated the guidance map. I drive past a new interchange that was built 2-3 years ago between two towns as the state closed the old intersections into a small town due to numerous accidents with traffic crossing a four lane highway. This is not an interstate but it is the main highway between Dubuque Iowa and Madison Wisconsin. I used this as a gauge of how good the update is and it failed. This is Ford's latest and greatest guidance software. It is not showing the new exits or round-a-bouts yet that were finished two years ago. I have a 6 inch Garmin that sits in the cubby hole at the top center of my dash that is easy to look at without taking my eyes off of the road as much as I do with a factory console guidance system. I have the same issue with the guidance in my Chevy Equinox. Manufacturer's guidance system are not worth it compared to a Garmin with free lifetime updates. You asked if it is worth buying an update and the answer is NO. You are spending money on not quite up to date info plus you have to let your truck run for a good hour straight during the process. I got side tracked in Madison because of a closed road. I turned into a subdivision to take a shortcut to another road. The subdivision was less than 5 years old. The guidance system showed I was driving offroad in green space.

 

I am disappointed I payed for it when I ordered my 2020. I did get it at 1/2 price with some rebate, but still, I NEVER use it. I find it a joke to use. Talk to Google maps, viola, off and headed to the races. I hope that one day I am in some remote area and the satellite is my best option for map service, but if I'm that remote, the likelihood of it being worthwhile is yet to be seen. Obviously, I am one that would not pay for a map update, and I think I get them as stated above for a while for free.

 

This^

Google Maps is infinitely better, and free.

Even the user interface and usability, when using android auto or apple carplay on a 2017+ F150, is superior to the built in

 

I just did the Sync update just for the Halibut and I cannot see what it did other than waste an hour plus worth of gas installing it. It takes over an hour. At one point, my car just shut off since it had been idling too long. I see no change at all in anything.