Tech package... is it worth it?

[Dr. Zaius]

I think I've actually used the truck NAV only once, and that was to try out the "bread crumbs" feature.

Kinda neat but 3rd party apps do it better.

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[Dgc333]

Maps works for me and they are always up to date.

I always get a chuckle when folks say Google is always up to date. There have been three new housing developments built in my area in the past that are over six years old now. None of them showed up on Google Maps for for over a year after folks were living there. They showed up in the following years Sync maps.

So yes Google is updated much more frequently but I would venture a guess that 90% or more of the updates are points of interest not actual changes to roads. I have a couple 2000 vintage TomToms that haven't been updated since probably 03 or 04 and they will still get me to where I need to go 99.99% of the time.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Phone nav ALSO uses GPS satellites. The only reason it might need cellular data is if it needs to download maps or live traffic information. Some apps cannot store maps if you turn the truck off (like Waze). Others can do this (such as Google Maps). And others (like Gaia GPS) can store the maps and nav data even longer.

Not saying that there aren't other reasons that factory nav might have its place. But getting the facts straight first is important. If you don't know how it works, you can't make educated decisions.

Maybe it does, but my phone struggles with nav and GPS inside the vehicle while in the mountains and backwoods whereas the factory nav does not.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I also need to add on my 2019 I ended up getting factory nav for free. At the time, the dealer adjusted a stock order for me and I had them remove the tech package. Anyhow I don't know what happened, but the adaptive cruise was removed, but somehow the navigation stayed on the build sheet and it was installed, but I was never charged.

I ordered the tech package on my 2022 XLT Tremor.

 

[mtbikernate]

Maybe it does, but my phone struggles with nav and GPS inside the vehicle while in the mountains and backwoods whereas the factory nav does not.

GPS hardware in phone varies. Some are better than others in this regard, but there is no question that phones have their own GPS hardware and they use it for nav apps. As I said in another thread, you can get external bluetooth GPS receivers to boost nav performance of your phone. if you have an app that stores maps, then it's fine.

The truck's onboard nav has 2 benefits. One being antenna placement. It'll be located higher than your phone and less obscured by other stuff. The other benefit, and it's a big one, is that the truck's GPS hardware is less constrained by the limitations of the small phone. Both the size of the hardware and power consumption. The truck's hardware is free to be bigger and more power hungry, which is likely to result in improved reception.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I wouldn't get the Tech package for the Nav as it's pretty average.

The other stuff in the package is worthwhile though. I like the adaptive cruise far better than I thought I would.

As far as nav goes, the aftermarket nav in my Jeep is better than the Carplay/Android Auto nav if for no other reasons than @mtnbikernate mentioned.

It's an aftermarket PX6 full Android head unit that can run any navigation app on the app store. It can also run CarPlay but the third party nav apps are much better off road than Google/Waze/Apple Maps. I use Locus, Maverick, and Polaris, though now that they're switching to a subscription model instead of one and done I'll probably revisit Gaia.

It has an external antenna that I mounted up under the dash cover and I always have clear view of at least 20 satellites.

It makes for a killer stereo too ?

 

[vitacura]

Love how a thread can be revived after nearly three years and the conversation seamlessly continues flowing.

I actually really like the Adaptive Cruise feature, makes a drive along I-4 in Central FL bearable. I would get the tech package for that feature alone.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Love how a thread can be revived after nearly three years and the conversation seamlessly continues flowing.

I actually really like the Adaptive Cruise feature, makes a drive along I-4 in Central FL bearable. I would get the tech package for that feature alone.

It has only been 3 years since OP asked.

Maybe he hasn't decided yet ?

 

[CP0861]

Having had some extra bells and whistles in my Lariat F150 and now going slightly more "bare bones" on a new Ranger, here's my .02 on options.

I've had heated power seats in my F150 and in my Pilot. They're nice, but ehhh, not a biggie. Driver side quit heating in both vehicles and power stopped working in my F150. I'll be the only one driving my Ranger, and I'll play with the adjustments when I first get it and then leave it. I went with the 301 package (+black appearance) and added the remote start and a door entry keypad. Won't miss the power heated seats myself. Also, I had a sliding rear window in my F150 and basically never used it. Maybe 5 times in 200k miles and usually only opened it just because it was there.

As far as tech package, I don't need the ACC....won't miss it if I've never had it. Rarely use CC now. I always use my phone for GPS.....

Also, a moonroof....had one on my F150 and it leaked. Pretty sure my Pilot is leaking now also. And like the rear window, I rarely used it. I told myself I'd never get another.

From my F150, I'll miss the leather - but I can just get covers. I love the keypad on the Lariat, it's actually held up great and has never malfunctioned in 200k miles, so I added it also. Lariat features aren't worth it to me.

But at the same time, everyone is different and factors like locations, roads traveled, GPS reception and climates vary....so what makes sense to some might not make any sense to others.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

It has only been 3 years since OP asked.

Maybe he hasn't decided yet ?

Maybe they’re still waiting for their truck to get built?

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