We are fortunate

[Marty1000]

I keep wondering if the DH GPS will not function at all after the 3 years when the free subscriptions expires. Bottom line there is always GOOGLE maps and my phone. If I had to grade the performance of the GPS console and the black background with white lines for roads I would have to give it a D- . They should have used Garmin instead of what they have there for software and hardware.

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[Wiley Marmot]

I'm fairly sure your NAV will still function; its the map/traffic updates you won't get when your subs expires.

 

[Gregs24]

I keep wondering if the DH GPS will not function at all after the 3 years when the free subscriptions expires. Bottom line there is always GOOGLE maps and my phone. If I had to grade the performance of the GPS console and the black background with white lines for roads I would have to give it a D- . They should have used Garmin instead of what they have there for software and hardware.

It is really clear on the Ford website, you don't need to wonder or guess

The map supplier has nothing to do with how it is displayed

 

[Thomas]

How do these technology features add cost?

Well...they add to the base cost of the car. Or in the case of many manufacturers, you can still select them as an add-on package. You are not "getting them for free".

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Well...they add to the base cost of the car. Or in the case of many manufacturers, you can still select them as an add-on package. You are not "getting them for free".

Thats kinda like saying power windows and cruise control add to the cost of the car and we're getting mugged. Sure in 1985 it did. Now its standard equipment. Same with air bags and anti lock brakes. Things like Android Auto and remote start are becoming standard equipment in the same way. And Id argue that the cost of a simple softwear programming feature is much cheaper to develop in the grand scheme of things. The fact that some manufactureres are charging subscriptions to use these basic functions and Ford is not, is definitely a win.

 

[Thomas]

Thats kinda like saying power windows and cruise control add to the cost of the car and we're getting mugged. Sure in 1985 it did. Now its standard equipment. Same with air bags and anti lock brakes. Things like Android Auto and remote start are becoming standard equipment in the same way. And Id argue that the cost of a simple softwear programming feature is much cheaper to develop in the grand scheme of things. The fact that some manufactureres are charging subscriptions to use these basic functions and Ford is not, is definitely a win.

The point isn't that features add cost.

Its the fact that people are already rationalizing a manufacturer not forcing you into paying for something you already have, as a "win". That's a loss. A HUGE one. I wasn't even aware the subscription model had become so prevalent that people were already thinking this way. Its a step towards you not owning your car at all. Not only do they make you pay for the base car (which is only gets more expensive and includes all the complex hardware costs to support the electronic eco-system), but to really be able to use it you have to rent other basic features from that eco-system. Your car becomes a smartphone for lack of a better analogy, with features that you used to just get being apps.

I'm am also glad Ford isn't doing this. Yet. But that is an incredibly low bar and I don't think people realize it.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

The point isn't that features add cost.

Its the fact that people are already rationalizing a manufacturer not forcing you into paying for something you already have, as a "win". That's a loss. A HUGE one. I wasn't even aware the subscription model had become so prevalent that people were already thinking this way. Its a step towards you not owning your car at all. Not only do they make you pay for the base car (which is only gets more expensive and includes all the complex hardware costs to support the electronic eco-system), but to really be able to use it you have to rent other basic features from that eco-system. Your car becomes a smartphone for lack of a better analogy, with features that you used to just get being apps.

I'm am also glad Ford isn't doing this. Yet. But that is an incredibly low bar and I don't think people realize it.

Let me guess. You dont own a S650 and drive a 20 year old car right?

 

[Thomas]

Let me guess. You dont own a S650 and drive a 20 year old car right?

Just a lame old S550 GT500. I do however, enjoy using physical maps still despite being a millennial

Either way, my point stands. We are too accepting of being taken advantage of as long as we don't perceive it that way.

 

[roket]

Just a lame old S550 GT500. I do however, enjoy using physical maps still despite being a millennial

Either way, my point stands. We are too accepting of being taken advantage of as long as we don't perceive it that way.

i think that's just kinda the nature of people. we like something better if it's given to us for seemingly free, even if it raises the base price, rather than having to pay additional for something that's already possible, just not activated

 

[Thomas]

i think that's just kinda the nature of people. we like something better if it's given to us for seemingly free, even if it raises the base price, rather than having to pay additional for something that's already possible, just not activated

Very true, but this isn't even that. The base cost of the car does not go down when you choose a subscription. Its the worst of both worlds. Your paying for it AND then paying more through a subscription to use it.

 

[LouG]

It's the same old BS. Gas going up fast and down slow. Same with mortgage rates. Telcos giving deals to new customers while loyal ones get the finger.
Shrinkflation, I'm don't have a sweet tooth, but the size of todays chocolate bars are a joke.
Actually, to be fair, my modem/router just got dementia from old age. My provider was going to charge $15 monthly rental and a delivery fee for a new one. When I pointed out I'd been with them for 20 years they sent it free.

 

[MidwayJ]

The only thing that I can see that requires a subscription is navigation and that is irrelevant because of google maps.

With my '26 GT, Ford offers something called Ford Connectivity that requires a subscription. Besides navigation, it makes your vehicle a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices and allows you to use streaming apps without your phone. I didn't subscribe to it.

 

[Snakebyte]

I learned when travelling to "safe ground" in advance of hurricane Ian, my phone GPS apps (Waze, Apple Maps, and Google Maps) went haywire preventing arrival to a destination I had never been. That is where a Mustang GPS comes in handy.

Additionally, I learned about GPS vulnerability, underscored in the Ukraine and Iran wars, and other nefarious hacking, and I now choose to not to put all my eggs in a digital basket.

I keep paper maps in my vehicle in case of such digital failures while on trips. (I purchase a new paper map every 2 to 3 years so I can at least know major routes available). I like to visually know secondary road alternatives when interstates shut down. Actually, Last year my wife and I found the paper atlas helpful in northern Georgia when confronted with an interstate shutdown. Unfortunately this is becoming increasingly commonplace.

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