Did they pay $800 for one only to find out later it didn't work? NO
That said you make good points!! Sadly though other GPS units will get you there and for way less money.
Anyway, the GPS is my one big complaint about this Explorer.....love the rest.
Here is another thing that I see that delays calculations and routes...
When you are stationary at your start point it'll calculate one specific route, as you get closer to your destination and you stop. When you proceed to start the vehicle and it re-calculates your routes, you many not know this but it does reconfigure your routes, due to closer roads, road detours, traffic.
Here is another thing I have discovered with electronic maps. TeleNav your SD card map is not constantly being updated....as google is constantly being updated.
Whenever you send a google address to SYNC services and you pull it up it gives you the address only. So you researched the google map and you noticed a certain route on google maps it will not be the same route on the SD NAV card. I know this as when I went to Hot Springs, AR from Miami, FL it was a way different map given.
Thats why I used my iPhone as a back up and when you set your destination on the NAV/SD MAP I look at the end point to verify that it is the correct address, state, and house number on the MFT/SYNC map.
Here is another tip to everyones trips, vacations, and long road trips.
When your dismounted conducting land navigation in day or night time operations, we have to continually apply corrections to our heading. So I would use a pace counter and check the map and correct my heading by using the degress on the compass. So what I am trying to say if the time permits when refueling, resting, just make sure your routes are still on track.
Navigating your way requires constant attention when mounted or unmounted, Captains of sea vessels conduct this all the time too include the co-pilots of airplanes and helicopters.
I hear ya about the $800 Nav option I really do, but you can't replace a $3-$20 map atlas/book hardcopy that will never go blank, re-boot, or freeze. It is always a great back up just incase you get hit with Electric Magnetic Pulse or our Sattelites get disrupted, or someone knocks out our entire communications structure....of course this is severe examples.
Happy Navigating....