Is The Navigation Necessary on an S550?

[PrabhtheStig]

Hi Fellow Mustang Freaks. I was just wondering before I buy, do you feel the almost $800 option for Nav is necessary in a GT prem? I always have my phone on me and google maps is quick and easy. Of course nav. looks great on a car but is it worth the money? thanks

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[Surtur]

got it with mine but you could get a nice garmin standalone navigation unit for cheaper that will probably work better.

 

[Coaster]

I don't think so.

It's not just the $800 up front either. If you want maps that are anything close to up to date your going to spend $$$ every year or two for updates. Even those updates are usually with data that is 6 months to a year out of date already.

The other question is how long will the Mfg. still offer map updates. Once they stop it gets more and more useless every day.

It's stupid that a $100 handheld GPS can come with lifetime map updates and an $800 in car system doesn't even include a single update.

 

[fionic]

I bought it, but have only used it once. Works okay. I only bought it to retain additional resale value (should I ever need to sell it).

I'd say your phone is perfectly adequate.

The nav is nice to have when you have no signal or no charger (for some reason).

 

[Asonitez]

The more I'm hearing is that aftermarket solutions will be better. I've seen quite a push in many aftermarket companies to make products that integrate seamlessly into cars these days. The mustang has some challenges but I think aftermarket will be the way to go. I did NOT opt for the Navi as it didn't come stock with my base model V6. I have since discovered a great mount and google nexus 7 HD tablet with WAZE which stomps all over the OEM unit. Throw in Torque and the bluetooth ODBII reader and you have a formiddable GPS/Music/Performance headunit. What you DON'T have is seamless integration.

 

[Br725]

I have it and love it. It's nice not using up tons of data on my phone when I'm going somewhere far, plus i don't have to mess with placing a standalone unit on my windshield or putting on my lap etc. I think it's nice to have.

 

[Coaster]

What you DON'T have is seamless integration.

This is all I want from a car. They need to just provide a standard interface to the vehicle sound system, ODBII info, antennas, and screen. Let companies compete at building the hardware and interface. How nice would it be when you buy a car if you could choose what OS it ran and switch easily.

Apple, Google, Microsoft would all jump all over this and move in car tech to the next level.

 

[Jeeden]

I'm trying to get one with 400a package and NO NAV and it is a real problem. There are only a few out there in the color I want and the dealers aren't willing to trade with my dealer.

Personally, the Mustang isn't our road trip vehicle (explorer is) and I don't need the NAV. The few times I want it for traffic or going to meetings for work that I'm not familiar with the location of, I just use google maps. It also bugs me about purchasing updated maps for so much money each year (understand this isn't Ford only and I don't purchase them).

Future sync is supposed to port google maps through the screen from your phone I believe.


Bottom line, I don't think you need it, but you may have a hard time getting other options without it unless you special order.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

I have the factory nav in my '14 GT, also have a Garmin portable GPS, and have Google Maps on my iPhone. No lack of nav in my car! My wife has MyFord Touch in her '14 Fusion Energi with nav, but she has Google Maps on her iPhone, as well. That said, we both prefer using the factory nav in our cars as the screen is much bigger and easier to see and use. The Ford nav works very well.

 

[wildsailor]

Navigation in any car is never 'necessary.' People have been rolling down roads ever since the wheel was invented although they used the stars back then and we don't have a sunroof...okay, I know, no more stupid jokes.

I opted for Nav in my car and have not used it yet. I figured after checking the box for $3,500 in options what was $795 more. However, from a usefulness point of view there is an Escort radar detector built into a navigation unit for less than $500. That may be a better tool.

I thought I read there was a real time traffic display on the Ford nav screen and have not gotten into it yet. For me the car will not go on trips (my wife's SUV is for that) but traffic to and from work is something I can really use.

 

[imjuslazy]

I have the factory nav in my '14 GT, also have a Garmin portable GPS, and have Google Maps on my iPhone. No lack of nav in my car! My wife has MyFord Touch in her '14 Fusion Energi with nav, but she has Google Maps on her iPhone, as well. That said, we both prefer using the factory nav in our cars as the screen is much bigger and easier to see and use. The Ford nav works very well.

You prefer factory nav over google maps? Easier to use? You're kidding me right? :headbonk:

 

[Jeeden]

I thought I read there was a real time traffic display on the Ford nav screen and have not gotten into it yet. For me the car will not go on trips (my wife's SUV is for that) but traffic to and from work is something I can really use.

Realtime traffic and weather overlays on the nav are done by Sirius traffic.

 

[Chameleon]

Not needed. I just use maps app.

 

[JonnyMustang]

Maybe they've fixed it in an update or other models, but the nav in my 2013 Flex won't let me put addresses in unless I'm in Park. I can only scroll through a list of favorites or view POI. It's a pain and I end up using my phone anyway. I kinda get the safety reason behind it, but it should be able to detect weight in the passenger seat and unlock that feature so a passenger can input an address while driving.

 

[vt89gtvert]

I got the nav and think it is well worth it. Being a Convertible being able to see the weather radar is really nice, as is the gas price checker. I don't know for sure but I don't think it comes with those options without the nav option. I also just think it looks so much better to have the built in GPS, but that is a vanity thing. I hate the look of having cords running to a GPS unit on my dash like I have to do in my altima

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