Android Auto Google Maps vs. Built in Nav
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,975
Likes: 6,035
From: SE Michigan
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 10
From: Lacombe, AB
I'm doing a factory build so I would have to add it to my XLT at a cost. The cost is not a player in my decision making. It does comes with a 3 year free trial of "online" nav meaning has current traffic, construction, closures and all that stuff. After the 3 years the "online" feature goes and you are left with the embedded "offline" stock navigation.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,975
Likes: 6,035
From: SE Michigan
I'm doing a factory build so I would have to add it to my XLT at a cost. The cost is not a player in my decision making. It does comes with a 3 year free trial of "online" nav meaning has current traffic, construction, closures and all that stuff. After the 3 years the "online" feature goes and you are left with the embedded "offline" stock navigation.
1) SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link services - this is a 5 year free subscription per Sirius. https://www.ford.com/technology/siriusxm/ This is for 2020 and prior vehicles.
For 2021 vehicles, it appears to be a 3 year free subscription, and not directly via Sirius.
2) Ford navigation maps - this is the "built-in" navigation. Map updates used to have to be downloaded from a 3rd party site, and cost money. Now they are available from Ford, and are free for a number of years (haven't seen anything exactly stating how long, but I just updated my 2018, purchased in 2018). https://syncnavigation.com/ford/home
Last edited by Ricktwuhk; Mar 23, 2021 at 05:06 PM.
has left the building
Joined: Jan 2020
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I purchased a truck on purpose with NAV.
Yes I can use my phone, but I'm not going to.
I'd have to get whatever truck was what I wanted but omitted NAV which wasn't my plan.
If you can get a truck that meets you needs in every other manner, then use your phone maps and be happy.
For me though, I'd rather have the built in. I'm an interesting candidate though because I'm one of the few who drives off without making a phone connection to the truck -I'm just a person that has no need to have a phone connected is all.
I've used it to navigate to unknown (to me) locations and it worked perfectly. I did use my phone to look up businesses but that was more convenient to locate what I wanted before I got into the truck then I could enter that into the SYNC NAV and it guided me perfectly.
One thing I'd to see different though is earlier advance warnings of arriving at the destination.
Yes I can use my phone, but I'm not going to.
I'd have to get whatever truck was what I wanted but omitted NAV which wasn't my plan.
If you can get a truck that meets you needs in every other manner, then use your phone maps and be happy.
For me though, I'd rather have the built in. I'm an interesting candidate though because I'm one of the few who drives off without making a phone connection to the truck -I'm just a person that has no need to have a phone connected is all.
I've used it to navigate to unknown (to me) locations and it worked perfectly. I did use my phone to look up businesses but that was more convenient to locate what I wanted before I got into the truck then I could enter that into the SYNC NAV and it guided me perfectly.
One thing I'd to see different though is earlier advance warnings of arriving at the destination.
Last edited by 16IngotFX4; Mar 23, 2021 at 12:04 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2018
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I've used it to navigate to unknown (to me) locations and it worked perfectly. I did use my phone to look up businesses but that was more convenient to locate what I wanted before I got into the truck then I could enter that into the SYNC NAV and it guided me perfectly.
One thing I'd to see different though is earlier advance warnings of arriving at the destination.
But in older trucks that do need plugged in for full android auto/apple car play, what you described is still easier using Google Maps. You plug in and when you tap the screen the business you looked up earlier will already be there, no need to enter it. Betcha it's takes less than half the time it takes to enter it manually into factory nav.
And it will even have up to date hours of operation and easily let you call them right from that screen too if you want.
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Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Buffalo New York
I have an 2018 not a 2021 but here's my take on it. The factory Nav is nice to have when staying local. Even if I'm not using it for turn by turn directions its nice to have it up on the home page. You can see a little bit of where you are and it also gives you the speed limit on the road that you are on. I have used it a few times for local directions (I've only had the truck 3 months now) and it has never failed me but I have notice that some new housing developments are not on the map system. I think I can update the system but I haven't looked into it enough.
If I where to go on a long road trip I would plug my phone in and use google maps or waze or both because I would want the most up to date information on traffic and construction.
If I where to go on a long road trip I would plug my phone in and use google maps or waze or both because I would want the most up to date information on traffic and construction.
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Joined: Oct 2017
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The 2021's don't even need to be plugged in you know.
But in older trucks that do need plugged in for full android auto/apple car play, what you described is still easier using Google Maps. You plug in and when you tap the screen the business you looked up earlier will already be there, no need to enter it. Betcha it's takes less than half the time it takes to enter it manually into factory nav. And it will even have up to date hours of operation and easily let you call them right from that screen too if you want.
But in older trucks that do need plugged in for full android auto/apple car play, what you described is still easier using Google Maps. You plug in and when you tap the screen the business you looked up earlier will already be there, no need to enter it. Betcha it's takes less than half the time it takes to enter it manually into factory nav.
And it will even have up to date hours of operation and easily let you call them right from that screen too if you want. That being said, the Sync4 nav actually DOES stay up to date with traffic and closures real-time, and the voice command using steering wheel button is excellent. Like another user said it brings up a list of hits and you just say the number. So far it seems to work but I have only used it twice. Need more than my just 1 week with the truck before I fully figure out the pros and cons! But as I mention, the negative you are saying I completely agree with on Sync3 but may not apply to the Sync4 in the '21s...
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Joined: Aug 2018
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Are you still using Sync3 nav? My 2017 Sync3 nav was trash, that's why I only used it for gas stations, bread crumbs, and just a quick "where am I". The entering in destination was waaaay clunky and the voice command was completely useless. Google maps is amazing and I love the pre-searched history so I can just click when I get in the truck.
That being said, the Sync4 nav actually DOES stay up to date with traffic and closures real-time, and the voice command using steering wheel button is excellent. Like another user said it brings up a list of hits and you just say the number. So far it seems to work but I have only used it twice. Need more than my just 1 week with the truck before I fully figure out the pros and cons! But as I mention, the negative you are saying I completely agree with on Sync3 but may not apply to the Sync4 in the '21s...
That being said, the Sync4 nav actually DOES stay up to date with traffic and closures real-time, and the voice command using steering wheel button is excellent. Like another user said it brings up a list of hits and you just say the number. So far it seems to work but I have only used it twice. Need more than my just 1 week with the truck before I fully figure out the pros and cons! But as I mention, the negative you are saying I completely agree with on Sync3 but may not apply to the Sync4 in the '21s...
Does Sync 4 nav update live continuously over the air for construction, closures, traffic, changing business hours, etc?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 10
From: Lacombe, AB
I just watched a YouTube video of how the voice command works and that's pretty handy for getting directions without having to pull over to use built in Nav, or type it on Google maps while driving which isn't the safest thing to do. Once you learn the basic commands to get on the fly directions it seems very convenient.
I think I'm going to go with the Nav system. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I appreciate all your input. I'm new to the 150 world but already feel this forum is a great place to be for things just like this.
I think I'm going to go with the Nav system. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I appreciate all your input. I'm new to the 150 world but already feel this forum is a great place to be for things just like this.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 10
From: Lacombe, AB
It comes with a 3 year free trial of "online" navigation which is current traffic, construction, closures. After 3 years it's a paid subscription if you choose.