Mondeo sat nav (2012-2014) any good?
Discussion
I am in the market for a Modeo estate manual say 2012-2014.
I have a garmin sat nav in my Focus, but dislike trailing cables up to the dashboard top, so would prefer a built in job.
I only do 5,000 miles a year, so petrol over diesel version seems favoured ivo potential clogged dpf etc.
Mondeo petrol versions are rare and sat nay (typically business edition) on petrol rarer still.
1 Are the installed sat navs any good:
2 Are they awkward to use - long way to reach into centre?
3 Do they give good/best directions.
4 Do they include traffic delays sensibly (ie time of day sensitive).
5 Is software updateable - that's how it works/functions, and the maps.
6 Is it easy to see below dashboard level compared to after market dashboard top model where road vision is still in line.
Or.. would an after market job on the dash be a better choice?
Feedback appreciated.
Best wishes.
Dave.
I have a garmin sat nav in my Focus, but dislike trailing cables up to the dashboard top, so would prefer a built in job.
I only do 5,000 miles a year, so petrol over diesel version seems favoured ivo potential clogged dpf etc.
Mondeo petrol versions are rare and sat nay (typically business edition) on petrol rarer still.
1 Are the installed sat navs any good:
2 Are they awkward to use - long way to reach into centre?
3 Do they give good/best directions.
4 Do they include traffic delays sensibly (ie time of day sensitive).
5 Is software updateable - that's how it works/functions, and the maps.
6 Is it easy to see below dashboard level compared to after market dashboard top model where road vision is still in line.
Or.. would an after market job on the dash be a better choice?
Feedback appreciated.
Best wishes.
Dave.
I have one in my 2009 focus...
1 Are the installed sat navs any good:
Yes and no... see below !
2 Are they awkward to use - long way to reach into centre?
In the focus this is not a problem for me...
3 Do they give good/best directions.
I have no issues with my system. Its nice to see the directions on the screen where the clocks are. Also another benefit is when speaking directions it lowers the volume of the music.
4 Do they include traffic delays sensibly (ie time of day sensitive).
Mine does yes.... not sure if all do...
5 Is software updateable - that's how it works/functions, and the maps.
Yes mine is but i have never updated it...
6 Is it easy to see below dashboard level compared to after market dashboard top model where road vision is still in line.
Again this is not an issue for me but everyone is different. I also have a large TomTom which i tend to use more than the built in system...
I would not buy a car based on the fact it having to have a built in system.
1 Are the installed sat navs any good:
Yes and no... see below !
2 Are they awkward to use - long way to reach into centre?
In the focus this is not a problem for me...
3 Do they give good/best directions.
I have no issues with my system. Its nice to see the directions on the screen where the clocks are. Also another benefit is when speaking directions it lowers the volume of the music.
4 Do they include traffic delays sensibly (ie time of day sensitive).
Mine does yes.... not sure if all do...
5 Is software updateable - that's how it works/functions, and the maps.
Yes mine is but i have never updated it...
6 Is it easy to see below dashboard level compared to after market dashboard top model where road vision is still in line.
Again this is not an issue for me but everyone is different. I also have a large TomTom which i tend to use more than the built in system...
I would not buy a car based on the fact it having to have a built in system.
Thank-you Elliotff.
Do you know if your unit is the same box of tricks as the Mondeo for fair comparison?
" I also have a large TomTom which I tend to use more than the built in system..."
To play along with the music? ;-)
Could you elaborate please why you prefer the TomTom.
I believe the built in jobs are 7" so I'm guessing the display size is not the reason for your TomTom preference?
For ref, photo of mondeo sat nav on this page (if link posting allowed:
http://www.carshop.co.uk/used-car/FORD/MONDEO/BT63...
P.S. Just found this 2009 focus - which appears to be a smaller display than 2012-4 Mondeo, I guess that's why you prefer the TomTom
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Do you know if your unit is the same box of tricks as the Mondeo for fair comparison?
" I also have a large TomTom which I tend to use more than the built in system..."
To play along with the music? ;-)
Could you elaborate please why you prefer the TomTom.
I believe the built in jobs are 7" so I'm guessing the display size is not the reason for your TomTom preference?
For ref, photo of mondeo sat nav on this page (if link posting allowed:
http://www.carshop.co.uk/used-car/FORD/MONDEO/BT63...
Edited by DR_SMITH on Friday 23 October 10:41
P.S. Just found this 2009 focus - which appears to be a smaller display than 2012-4 Mondeo, I guess that's why you prefer the TomTom
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Edited by DR_SMITH on Friday 23 October 12:22
Edited by DR_SMITH on Friday 23 October 12:24
The Focus was available with the same Blaupunkt NX DVD nav system as the Mondeo, in addition to the smaller SD unit you posted, so Elliot will need to clarify.
Anyway, I have a 2010 (pre-facelift) Mondeo with the factory Blaupunkt touch-screen NX navigation and I find it excellent. The interface doesn't look anything like as shiny and polished as the latest efforts from BMW and Audi, but the functionality is all there.
The guidance is excellent (it has lane guidance too, and the TMC traffic avoidance is effective), the maps are high quality, it's pretty intuitive to use, and the Convers+ display (big colour LCD in the instrument panel) shows directions nicely.
If you're looking for a 2012 onward car, you'll have the facelift SD card-powered touch-screen nav which is better still.
I've used mine lots and I'm not disappointed - nothing is more annoying than faffing about slapping a Tomtom on the windscreen. I've actually had hire cars in the past with the smaller FX navigation (as shown in the Focus you linked to) and I still would rather use that than a Tomtom.
Anyway, I have a 2010 (pre-facelift) Mondeo with the factory Blaupunkt touch-screen NX navigation and I find it excellent. The interface doesn't look anything like as shiny and polished as the latest efforts from BMW and Audi, but the functionality is all there.
The guidance is excellent (it has lane guidance too, and the TMC traffic avoidance is effective), the maps are high quality, it's pretty intuitive to use, and the Convers+ display (big colour LCD in the instrument panel) shows directions nicely.
If you're looking for a 2012 onward car, you'll have the facelift SD card-powered touch-screen nav which is better still.
I've used mine lots and I'm not disappointed - nothing is more annoying than faffing about slapping a Tomtom on the windscreen. I've actually had hire cars in the past with the smaller FX navigation (as shown in the Focus you linked to) and I still would rather use that than a Tomtom.
Thank-you for your detailed reply Howard.
I'm still actively looking as petrol estates are thin on the ground and most a boring (Henry Ford) black or grey.
I fancy a metallic blue which I've seen used on older ST versions.
On sat nav, does 'SD' mean all maps are stored on an SD card which you leave permmanently plugged in to sat nav itself?
Some 2nd hand dealers have them in demo mode, so hard to check if maps are 'pre-installed'.
Is it free supdates for map info and software upgrades and do I need any ref no's passwords passed to me by the seller?
I usually remove my garmin from dash whenever I leave the car, to avoid the attention of theives.
If I'm at home and leave it on the sucker, by morning it has fallen, having lost its suction, so other things equal I'd like a built in sat nav.
Didn't know 2011/12 was a key date for face lift, thank-you for pointer Howard.
I notice the 'Business' versions have sat nav and I'm guessing the tinted black glass is part of 'Business' spec, which makes clutter in back less tantalising to thieves, so another bonus.
I'm still actively looking as petrol estates are thin on the ground and most a boring (Henry Ford) black or grey.
I fancy a metallic blue which I've seen used on older ST versions.
On sat nav, does 'SD' mean all maps are stored on an SD card which you leave permmanently plugged in to sat nav itself?
Some 2nd hand dealers have them in demo mode, so hard to check if maps are 'pre-installed'.
Is it free supdates for map info and software upgrades and do I need any ref no's passwords passed to me by the seller?
I usually remove my garmin from dash whenever I leave the car, to avoid the attention of theives.
If I'm at home and leave it on the sucker, by morning it has fallen, having lost its suction, so other things equal I'd like a built in sat nav.
Didn't know 2011/12 was a key date for face lift, thank-you for pointer Howard.
I notice the 'Business' versions have sat nav and I'm guessing the tinted black glass is part of 'Business' spec, which makes clutter in back less tantalising to thieves, so another bonus.
On sat nav, does 'SD' mean all maps are stored on an SD card which you leave permmanently plugged in to sat nav itself? Correct. The older one is DVD-based.
Some 2nd hand dealers have them in demo mode, so hard to check if maps are 'pre-installed'. I think they just remove the SD/DVD to stop it from getting nicked. If you're looking at a car, make sure you check that it's included.
Is it free supdates for map info and software upgrades and do I need any ref no's passwords passed to me by the seller? Unfortunately map updates aren't free. http://www.navmapstore.com/category/320
Didn't know 2011/12 was a key date for face lift, thank-you for pointer Howard. Very late 2010 / early 2011 is the facelift changeover time
I notice the 'Business' versions have sat nav and I'm guessing the tinted black glass is part of 'Business' spec, which makes clutter in back less tantalising to thieves, so another bonus. The Mondeo's tinted glass is annoyingly dark!
Thank-you again Howard for your very helpful replies and for the web link.
The linked nav software at £105.54 for europe is high. Halfords charge £79 for the hardware and lifetime map updates!
Someone is on to a nice little earner.
Why do you say "The Mondeo's tinted glass is annoyingly dark! "?
It doesn't cover front side screens/windscreen, so OK from driver perspective and I guessed it would keep the car cooler on hot days (those 2 days in July we sometimes get) ;-)
The linked nav software at £105.54 for europe is high. Halfords charge £79 for the hardware and lifetime map updates!
Someone is on to a nice little earner.
Why do you say "The Mondeo's tinted glass is annoyingly dark! "?
It doesn't cover front side screens/windscreen, so OK from driver perspective and I guessed it would keep the car cooler on hot days (those 2 days in July we sometimes get) ;-)
DR_SMITH said:
It doesn't cover front side screens/windscreen, so OK from driver perspective and I guessed it would keep the car cooler on hot days (those 2 days in July we sometimes get) ;-)
It's just a bit annoying for maneuvering at night in my opinion, that's all Your mileage may vary! Cheers Zad, so could be the lifetime of the proverbial M&S prawn sandwich. ;-)
After going off my MTB handlebars earlier in the week and landing on my head, my lifetime looked shorter, though I'm an old git.
Fortunately one month old cycle helmet cracked but saved me.. and just picked up a replacement under g'tee. :-)
After going off my MTB handlebars earlier in the week and landing on my head, my lifetime looked shorter, though I'm an old git.
Fortunately one month old cycle helmet cracked but saved me.. and just picked up a replacement under g'tee. :-)
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