Hello all,

I'm wondering if anyone has purchased the map/GraceNote update from Ford. I have a 2011 FX4 and the map version I have shows as 3.1x and the newest is 9.0. It runs about $150 bucks but if there are significant improvements then I'm all in.

Just wanted to see if anyone else has it and input.

 

As we all know these NAV map updates are stupid expensive compared to the little stick on ones.

But with that said.....

I have an '09 that I bought new. I have never updated due to cost. My software version was 1.0x.

I recently had my first break down that let me sit. There is no cell service around where I live and only 50% coverage where I travel to mostly for grocery runs.

Without going into the whole ordeal, I went ahead and bought the update just last week and installed it this past Sunday. There is a huge amount of new stuff on my maps now - the road that I live on wouldn't even take in the system before (by far not a new road or area).

What they push about the updates are new POIs (points of interest). This is what got me to upgrade. When I was broke down, the POIs didn't show the nearest Ford dealer which has now been there for 4 years, and showed no towing companies in the area that I was. Now it shows 6 towing companies.

I didn't want to pay the $85 for AAA so updating my maps is my plan for any future breakdowns. To be able to contact the nearest Ford dealer, a towing company, and find a rental car place is now very important to me.

I figured after 7.5 years I would pay for the update since I plan on keeping this truck for the foreseeable future. This equals about 2 years of paying for the AAA service so I will be ahead of it after that.

 

It certainly isn't worth yearly updates, but every few years it is. A lot of things change.

 

I just updated from 6.0 to 9,0. Saw several area roads that were under construction now show complete. I definitely wouldn't update every time, but 3 versions I would consider well worth it. Of course I killed my battery while loading them, luckily it finished OK. Ended up replacing my battery last week, so the old one wa son its last legs anyway.

 

The more I think about it, I'm gonna bite the bullet and update. I'm surprised I haven't traded the truck but it's paid for and the prices they want (and get!) for new ones!

 

For 150 bucks you can buy a Garmin GPS with lifetime map updates..........and you can take it with you no matter what you are driving.

Just saying.

 

Well, I guess I could use Google maps for free.

 

That's what I do with my Android phone.

 

That's fine if you have cell service - not around here.

 

Got wifi?

https://www.androidpit.com/use-your-google-maps-offline

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...linemaps&hl=en

 

That would necessitate a cell phone though.

Thanks - would be a viable option but of course I have no reason to own one.

 

Yea, I bought it; mostly for the updated POI's because some of it was outdated on the original factory install of my 2011.

Other than that, I didn't notice a whole lot of difference for the actual maps themselves or the functioning or features of the whole system; and during a long trip half way across the country, some of it was still out-of-date for areas that were clearly very old. But I will say it was for out-of-the-way areas, like the western rim of the Grand Canyon (Skywalk) on an Indian Reservation, or the side roads near a gas station along the I-10 in west Texas. Though the HOV lane back in San Diego that has been in place for at least 10 years is still not recognized and I keep getting a warning message to take the next exit to get back on the freeway (but this also happens with Google Maps on my phone).

 

I have an '11 Lariat. I've updated mine twice. First was in '12 to version 5.1, then in '14 to version 7.0. Point of Interested had more, Gracenote updated some of my music media I have saved on the Jukebox, and I also noticed some slight changes on the map direction display. Like the red arrows changed a bit. I'm undecided if I'm going to update again, or wait another year. The only real traveling I do is out to my place in West Virginia. But some of the roads are changing, getting repairs and interchanges to other routes. Plus some times I do get into some traffic jams and getting around them can get....well, annoying at times.