So I get this "Offer" in the mail..........

 

I get this "Special" offer in the mail....
FREE SHIPPING!!!! for an Upgrade for my Ford Escape Navigation Package!!!!

FOR ONLY $199.00!!!!

So I called them, 1-877-628-6274 and asked the following questions:

1. Is this a One Time or Lifetime Upgrade??? One Time!
2. Does this Upgrade include the option to ignore gravel roads? (Current one has no option to do this [Unlike Garmin]) NO, it doesn't!!
3. Does this Upgrade include the option to load custom POI's? NO, it doesn't!!!

So tell me, WHY Would I want to do this???

"So your kids don't knock the garmin off the dash"

My Kids are 40 and 38.....

Discuss....... Call them for me if you like!!

Ridiculous!

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A 2689LMT in both our cars that we love... and a Nuvi 660 with Lifetime Maps that we have had literally forever.... And a 2011 Ford Escape with Nav System that is totally ignored!

Warm ...

@JanJ,
I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling from you on this! smile

--
Harley BOOM GTS, Zumo 665, (2) Nuvi 765Ts, 1450LMT, 1350LM & others | 2019 Harley Ultra Limited Shrine - Peace Officer Dark Blue

Darn! I thought I was

Darn! I thought I was hiding it (not at all well)!!
smile!

Anyway, I made no attempt to hide my name, and gave her the 'code' that was on the letter addressed to me, and told her to please contact me when the offer is for a lifetime upgrade, with the ability to load in custom POI's!

She said she'd make a note on my file.....

I turned down FREE SHIPPING!!!

Actually, I really like the Escape, but I can't trust the Nav Package because it consistently takes gravel roads when we are in the boonies...

You know... I forgot to ask them if it included traffic updates....... I'll imagine NO smile!

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A 2689LMT in both our cars that we love... and a Nuvi 660 with Lifetime Maps that we have had literally forever.... And a 2011 Ford Escape with Nav System that is totally ignored!

sounds about right

From what other people with build-in GPS wrote it sounds like standard deal for upgrade you can buy for those systems. New is probably only mail-in form. It was probably sent according to info they get from dealership. As not many people are eager to come back to dealer and buy this update they trying to sell it differently. Some people may think it's special deal and buy it.

Sounds good

$200 for a map update????

Sounds good to me!!!

Such A Deal!!!

That's $200 for a one time update, with no user POI's, and no option to ignore gravel roads!!

BUT!!! You get free shipping!

My 660 is looking better every day!!

jackj180 wrote:

$200 for a map update????

Sounds good to me!!!

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A 2689LMT in both our cars that we love... and a Nuvi 660 with Lifetime Maps that we have had literally forever.... And a 2011 Ford Escape with Nav System that is totally ignored!

And a new GPS with lifetime

And a new GPS with lifetime updates is even less.

Offer

NavTeq is offering their annual update for the Honda cars for a "reduced" rate of $99.

A coupel of years ago they were $199.

So at least they are heading in the right direction.

that is why

pratzert wrote:

NavTeq is offering their annual update for the Honda cars for a "reduced" rate of $99.

A coupel of years ago they were $199.

So at least they are heading in the right direction.

I almost always use my HTC EVO 4G with Google Maps and the My SYNC in my Mustang wink

--
"Ceterum autem censeo, Carthaginem esse delendam" “When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

$200 for 1 time

I think is a lot ,for a 1 time map update ? I do not think is a such very good idea,,Thanks but no thanks

I have a net cost for the two map and POI updates of $35

pratzert wrote:

NavTeq is offering their annual update for the Honda cars for a "reduced" rate of $99.

A coupel of years ago they were $199.

So at least they are heading in the right direction.

I have updated the maps in the GM Nav system in my Corvette twice in the last two years and after selling the prior years update on eBay I have a net cost for the two Map and POI updates of $35 total for both. The POI database as I recall is over 12 million POI's and seems to be far more current than the much smaller database on my Garmins.

The discs can be used in any compatible GM nav system so there is a very good resale market. The discs are not tied to any particular nav so they can be resold over and over unlike the maps on a Garmin that become tied to a units serial number.

The only time I use any of my Garmins now is when I'm in a car without nav such as a rental car or with a friend in their car without nav.

--
Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

HAHAHAHAA

HA HA HA HA HA Hangup on that offer. ASAP

--
Garmin 205, 260W, 1450LMT, 2460LMT, HEREwego for iPhone ... all still mapping strong.

Serial to install tied to VIN

I thought the PIN to install the update was tied to the VIN of the vehicle. Chrysler sends out discs for the upgrade without asking, but in order to install it, you have to call and get a serial number. You can pass the disc around all you want but without the PIN number it is useless. Is this different for GM? They want $199 I believe for their upgrades.

I Would Run From Built-In

My business partner drives a Lexus mini-van with a built-in navigation system that he got several years ago. When he told me what it would cost to update the maps, it was a price that would allow you to buy a mid-range Garmin. Someday when I am in the market for a new vehicle (hopefully many more years to go), I will make it a point to avoid a manufacturer installed navigation system. You are basically a captive to whatever they want to charge. At least if I get tired of Garmin, I can always go to Magellan or Tom-Tom.

--
I support the right to keep and arm bears.

openstreetmaps

Why not just install free openstreetmaps to update your Garmin?

I used the openstreetmaps of southern Florida which had much more detail of the Everglades and it worked fine.

I imagine it would work for modified roads elsewhere, too.

GM unit doesn't actually install the maps into the unit

robert5733 wrote:

I thought the PIN to install the update was tied to the VIN of the vehicle. Chrysler sends out discs for the upgrade without asking, but in order to install it, you have to call and get a serial number. You can pass the disc around all you want but without the PIN number it is useless. Is this different for GM? They want $199 I believe for their upgrades.

With my GM unit it doesn't actually install the maps into the unit, the map DVD stays in the unit and the unit reads the DVD when necessary. When you go to a new map version you just eject the old DVD and put the new one in. There are no pins or any input needed and you can take the disc out and put it into another compatible cars unit and it will work there. The map DVD's are never tied to any single head unit. They even suggest that you make a copy of the disc as a backup just in case it should get damaged.

As far as cost the map DVD runs $199 but the GM maps site has them on sale periodically during the year for $149. I buy mine then and found no problem reselling the prior years disc on line for between $125 and $150 so updates usually run me $10 to $20 net cost.

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Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

Will they sell you more than

Will they sell you more than one? LoL

Unbelievable...and unfortunately it is almost all the auto makers.

I received a FREE update for my Edge

It may have been discussed before, but about two weeks ago I received a package in the mail with a thumb drive containing a major firmware upgrade to my MySync and a new, upgraded, navigation SD card.
This was for my 2011 Ford Edge and it was sent to me as an owner free of charge. I don't ever expect it to happen again but I do appreciate the updates. The system as it was was expensive to purchase, unreliable, much more difficult to program than my Garmin. It is probably at least as distracting as texting. I hope it is better now.

was there a cruise package

was there a cruise package as well?

I didn't get that with my

I didn't get that with my 2011 Escape!

I tried both GPS's (Escape and Garmin 660) during our trip last June, and Escape couldn't find our hotel in Indianapolis, and later on, kept selecting Gravel Roads... Garmin is much easier to use than NAV on Escape.. and doesn't select Gravel roads...

The Ford Syn Upgrade wasn't hard to install, but it scrambled the phone directory and strangely 'forgot' how to understand the word "Home" after the upgrade: Home, Bill Home, Our Home, Sandy Home, Jeanne Home, Cathy Home.... showed up as: Our, Bill, Sandy, Jeanne, Cathy.. I could say Home till I was blue in the face, it STILL won't recognize that word since the upgrade...
Made for strange phonecalls until I editing each listing to remove the word 'Home'.....

I love the car, but the Nav needs a Garmin in it's place....

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A 2689LMT in both our cars that we love... and a Nuvi 660 with Lifetime Maps that we have had literally forever.... And a 2011 Ford Escape with Nav System that is totally ignored!

Major update

javafool wrote:

It may have been discussed before, but about two weeks ago I received a package in the mail with a thumb drive containing a major firmware upgrade to my MySync and a new, upgraded, navigation SD card.
This was for my 2011 Ford Edge and it was sent to me as an owner free of charge. I don't ever expect it to happen again but I do appreciate the updates. The system as it was was expensive to purchase, unreliable, much more difficult to program than my Garmin. It is probably at least as distracting as texting. I hope it is better now.

This is a major update (firmware and software) from Ford to take care of some major issues they were having.
11A01, 11A02 and 11A03 - 03/05/2012
Customer Satisfication Programs- Application Performance Upgrade Programs 11A01, 11A02, and 11A03: Certain 2011 Model Year Explorer, 2011-2012 Model Year Edge, MKX, and 2012 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with SYNC® with MyFord/MyLincoln Touch™
-Performance Upgrade

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE MY FORD/MY LINCOLN TOUCH
PERFORMANCE UPGRADE FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS
Ford is introducing a new Field Service Action program type “A”, which covers system
application software upgrades and may include a customer option for self-repair.
This Performance Upgrade requires reprogramming of the Accessory Protocol Interface Module
(APIM), and the installation of an upgraded Navigation Map SD card for Navigation equipped
vehicles. To simplify repair and claiming instructions, the vehicles have been assigned to the
following separate FSA programs:
- 11A01 Contains early VIP software level vehicles that require the full APIM image
reprograming using IDS. For Navigation equipped vehicles, dealers are authorized to claim a
Navigation Map SD Card against the FSA.
- 11A02 Contains stock and certain sold vehicles identified as fleet and retail that will be
upgraded by the dealer through the use of a USB flash drive. For Navigation equipped
vehicles, dealers are authorized to claim a Navigation Map SD Card against the FSA.
 Copyright 2012 Ford Motor Company
- 11A03 Contains sold vehicles for which the vehicle owner will soon be provided the
option to perform a self-installation of the system upgrade by using a USB flash drive, or
have the upgrade performed by their dealer.
- Initial Launch
- Dealers will perform upgrades through the use of a USB flash drive
- For Navigation equipped vehicles, dealers are authorized to claim a
Navigation Map SD Card against the FSA.
- Planned Future Bulletin Supplement (To follow completion of owner mailings)
- USB Flash drives and Navigation Map SD Cards will be sent to vehicle
owners.
- Vehicle owners have the option of performing the upgrade themselves, or
having their dealer perform the upgrade.
- For Navigation equipped vehicles, the Navigation Map SD Card will need
to be brought into the dealer by the vehicle owner in order for the dealer to
perform the upgrade

This is for Canada, I imagine the US will be similar.

--
All the worlds indeed a stage and we are merely players. Rush

your pick

JanJ wrote:

So tell me, WHY Would I want to do this???

"So your kids don't knock the garmin off the dash"

Either kids knock the few hundreds dollars Garmin (highest end model) off the dash, or you pay several thousands dollars with an optional built-in GPS unit with the cost for update the map once a year for as long as you own that car.

PT Barnum

I'm sure more than a few chumps will bite at this 'offer'.

HA!!! to the3 cruise comment!

Chrysler navs?

Metroparker wrote:

Why not just install free openstreetmaps to update your Garmin?

I used the openstreetmaps of southern Florida which had much more detail of the Everglades and it worked fine.

I imagine it would work for modified roads elsewhere, too.

I looked over the website but it doesn't appear you can use it in the factory nav units, at least for chrysler anyway. Anybody tried it?

Not sure about new unit

rjrsw wrote:
robert5733 wrote:

I thought the PIN to install the update was tied to the VIN of the vehicle. Chrysler sends out discs for the upgrade without asking, but in order to install it, you have to call and get a serial number. You can pass the disc around all you want but without the PIN number it is useless. Is this different for GM? They want $199 I believe for their upgrades.

With my GM unit it doesn't actually install the maps into the unit, the map DVD stays in the unit and the unit reads the DVD when necessary. When you go to a new map version you just eject the old DVD and put the new one in. There are no pins or any input needed and you can take the disc out and put it into another compatible cars unit and it will work there. The map DVD's are never tied to any single head unit. They even suggest that you make a copy of the disc as a backup just in case it should get damaged.

As far as cost the map DVD runs $199 but the GM maps site has them on sale periodically during the year for $149. I buy mine then and found no problem reselling the prior years disc on line for between $125 and $150 so updates usually run me $10 to $20 net cost.

My old dodge also kept the disk in it, but still required a serial to update. My new dodge is a hard disk drive based unit and it doesn't keep the disk in it(i think), i'll check later to make sure. That is why they can send the disk without asking, it makes people more likely to upgrade if they just have to call for a serial.

If your kids are at the age

If your kids are at the age where they might knock something off the dash, they're probably required to sit in the back anyway.
It's nice of them to watch out for you that way though. If I knew they would have free shipping on updates, I would have gotten the built in naivgation.

Free Shipping!

That's too funny. Thanks for the chuckle. grin

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And now, back to your regularly scheduled forum - already in progress . . .