New order + ?Navi? opinion

[pbzzz]

In the process of ordering 2022 Ram 2500 Bighorn. Thinking about getting Uconnect 5 Nav w 8.4 display. Would appreciate any incites. Will the GPS navigation still work without the Uconnect subscription? Any other comments or concerns are welcome.

 

[pbzzz]

Ordered / ordering New 2500 Bighorn - With "UBL" Item "Uconnect 5 Navi (USA) " . Was told by dealer rep that there are no ongoing costs (subscription , update expenses etc.) Can anyone who has the Navi system verify this as true or false ? If there are extra costs please identify them .

Also , in your experience is this a Valid / working (completely debugged) system ? Seems I am seeing alot of complaints about the Navi system . What is your overall opinion ?

My op - this is supposed to be a helpful tool , with no additional expenses .

All help here appreciated .

 

[GTyankee]

In older Ram Navigation Maps
If you have the radio that came with NAV from the factory
There is no extra charges

UNTIL, after 3 or 4 years, you may decide to do some traveling, then you may want to get the newer maps, then they charge as much as $149 plus tax

Most people just buy a Garmin GPS with FREE Lifetime Maps & Traffic,

Do not be fooled by advertisements,
the new maps do not show up every year, that is why i mentioned updating map every 3 or 4 years.

Otherwise you just get maps of where the coffee shops, theaters, malls & that kind of things have moved to in the past year.

For that kind of information, you get up to date info on your Smart Phone

 

[MADDOG]

NAV map updates are not free but they offer them, as @GTyankee mentions, once in a while. I've not bothered to update mine in the Wrangler and I didn't in the Ram as I have Android Auto and can display my Google Map & Navigation from my phone to the head unit. You don't have to pay for that service at all.

UConnect "Connected Services" expire after the first year and UConnect will mass email you for a while to get you to renew, just like Sirius. See the link below for a description of those services.

UConnect

There are some helpful services there but, IMHO, they are not worth what they will charge you and I personally can live without them.

 

[pbzzz]

Thanks for your responses so far . FYI - our main use for a Navi system is to plug in an address , and be directed to it . We tow a fifth wheel S. for the winter .

 

[MADDOG]

The NAV system does not rely on those UConnect "Connected Services" to operate so plugging in a city & address will work just fine.

 

[GTyankee]

I think all of the Snow Birds have flown back home for the summer & i don't blame them.

I usually drive from California to Connecticut & back every summer
In the last 6 years, there has not been a new Highway along that route, although they moved one bridge in New Jersey, but it is within site of the original bridge.

Roads don't change much except for new suburbs

 

[pbzzz]

I get it GT . I just really don't like missing our route while pulling the Cougar because it is usually in a city and is an unwanted stressor . So I'm guessing the Navi will do good at guiding us to an address , and I will keep it on our 2500 order .

Thanks all .