I'm going through the final details of my build for my very first F150 before submitting it and I can't decide if I want/need the built in Nav knowing I'll have access to Google maps through Android auto.

Do you guys have pros and cons that could help me make a better informed decision?

 

the navigation is nice to have. not just for setting destinations but its nice having the map in the center screen. can come in handy when approaching roads that you either aren´t familiar with or don´t know the name of

 

​​​​​​I never thought of the bonus of having the directions come up right in front of you in the gauge cluster. Thank you.

 

You'll be glad you have it!

 

What are your pros for having it over Google Maps capabilities?

 

That would be the only one.

 

Does it not come with a free trial subscription for all trims? I thought it was included...

Regardless, I like having both. Sometimes I just want to see where I am and which street will get me out of a neighborhood, and I've already had one time that in my first week of ownership where android auto stopped working, and I had to restart sync to get it to work again. Also, if I want to let another person in the car play dj I can let them bluetooth and still have my sync nav if I want. Also, the sync nav supposedly introduced RV/Trailer specific routing, something which google STILL doesn't have, surprisingly. The integration into the instrument cluster is nice, too! And the popup inset window of the exact exit shape is pretty cool. Nothing wrong with google maps though it is solid! I'm playing with both still to learn the pros and cons.

Anyway, I like having both and when the free trial runs out, I'll decide at that point if I want to keep subscribing.

EDIT: Almost forgot!! I like to have the default sync nav view include 2 things: Gas Stations and Bread Crumbs. I can pull up the sync map at any time without disturbing my google route, and just scan for upcoming gas stations because it is already my default view. The bread crumbs are sometimes VERY valuable to find which way you came in to where you currently are, if you need to retrace to get out, or you passed by something you want to go back to.

 

I've got both. There are times when I use both if I am unconvinced about one "just not seeming right". Also avoids data charges.

 

I'm comfortable with the stock nav. I had android auto on my phone and it would immediately open in the truck which I didn't want. I've disabled it.
I was running an errand yesterday and I wanted to go to the nearest Ace Hardware. Used voice command, it pulled up a number of them, I indicated which one and it automatically routed me. That would never happen with my Ram Limited.

 

Google maps is better in every conceivable way.

Manufacturer on board maps are never even legitimately up to date. If you're planning on driving through an area where you don't get cellular reception, BTW, you can download maps to your phone for offline use. You could even do this to use Google maps with an older or non-activated phone. I downloaded basically the entire east coast to our phones and smaller tablets just as a matter of general prep, no issue with not having more up to date maps than built in nav, whether we have cellular or not.

I may be bias after I tried to use my built in nav and literally within 1 or 2 days of getting the truck I had to turn around and backtrack because the built in maps did not know about a road closure due to construction and tried to tell me to go where it was physically impossible due to road being torn up and blockaded. Switched to Google maps and fixed it right up. I knew better, but...thankfully it only cost me a few minutes and now I really learned my lesson