2016 Ford F150 Lariat with Sync 3 (updated today) but doesn't come with new maps. On the Ford website it takes you to a page to sign up for subscription or one time payment. Why are these not free?

 

Ok, I'll bite.

They are free for a period, then they are not free. Why? Because the company that makes them wants to make money.

 

Thanks @Ricktwuhk . Total crap in my opinion. It should be just part of the software update.

 

@Ricktwuhk is correct. Although navigation update is sold through Ford, it is a product of a third-party vendor. I recently updated both our '18 Explorer Sport and '17 F150XLT; 2 completely different downloads to upload into 2 different vehicles. I ran into (operator error) problems and Ford passed me to the third party vendor who's techs were most helpful.

 

I use the cyan labs updater to get the maps and latest sync 3 software. I've updated numerous times and never had an issue. https://cyanlabs.net/applications/syn3updater/

 

I'm running the latest build of Sync 3.4 and newest navigation and have only spent $20 which was a donation.

https://cyanlabs.net/applications/syn3updater/

I've updated multiple times and never had a single issue.

 

Yup. I support these guys with donations because they seem to be the only ones that seem to care to support the software in my truck.

 

Fantastic, thanks for that link. I too am a bit miffed after 3 years, no updates. I tend to use Google maps anyhow, but always want a backup plan that feeds off of a satellite. So is it as simple as download to a thumb drive and install? I'm taking a road tripsoon, that would be a great time for me to install. thx

 

How the hell do you use the Cyan Labs website. Seems confusing. But then again, I spent like 15 seconds looking at it haha

 

Ford buys maps from a 3rd party who smells an opportunity.

Deliberately bought my XLT w/o factory navigation. Glued a mount to the dash and put a Garmin SmartDrive 61LMT there. Found for $120 refurbished, one of the best GPSs I have used at any price. 7" display. Free lifetime map updates. Paid something like $20 for lifetime of Garmin traffic/weather relayed by smartphone back in 2016. Works on all my GPSs when my phone is present. The traffic isn't as good as Waze, but often good enough.