For me, the navigation feature itself has virtually no value since I rarely use it and on the rare occasion I have, I've always had cell service and could have used my smartphone.

In the US Ridgeline, navigation is tied to the 8" display audio system which includes satellite radio, customizable vehicle settings, Android Auto. and Apple CarPlay. Navigation isn't available as a standalone feature in any US or Canadian Ridgeline trim - it always comes with a plethora of other features on the RTL-E, Touring, and Black Edition trims, so it's virtually impossible to tell what Honda values the navigation feature at.

As a reference, Honda offers navigation as a "standalone option" on the CR-V for $1,000 which includes no other features. A comparable, standalone GPS navigator sells for around $200, but you lose the convenience and integration.

 

I'd put a monetary value on the Garmin Nav in the Ridgeline at about $29.00. I have been using Garmin gps units since about 1990 and I don't know if Garmin sold Honda a "bill of goods" or Honda knew they were buying old technology, but that is what we got. Doesn't matter why, we just do. It works, but so does a 10 year old discontinued Garmin portable unit equally well for $49 or less.

I will disagree with zroger73 a bit as he mentioned a $200 (or less) portable Garmin unit would be "comparable" to the built-in Honda unit. I only "disagree" because a portable unit will have more features, i.e., much newer maps, free and frequent (3x a yr) lifetime map updates (compared to 5 yrs. from Garmin w/1 per year), the ability to customize the gps with POIs, sounds, alerts (school zones, red light cameras, speed zone, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, :laugh: etc.) and the ability to have the choice to interact with the gps while driving down the highway or not. A portable unit can be transferred easily from vehicle to vehicle therefore leveraging its value.

That said, there isn't a single gps out there that is perfect and probably never will be to any one particular user. I'm reminded many times, not necessarily in regards to a gps, about a cartoon from years ago of two astronauts in a Gemini capsule hurtling through space. One looks at the other and says "You realize we're going to the moon on the lowest bid?" :laugh:

 

I'd put a monetary value on the Garmin Nav in the Ridgeline at about $29.00. I have been using Garmin gps units since about 1990 and I don't know if Garmin sold Honda a "bill of goods" or Honda knew they were buying old technology, but that is what we got. Doesn't matter why, we just do. It works, but so does a 10 year old discontinued Garmin portable unit equally well for $49 or less.

I will disagree with zroger73 a bit as he mentioned a $200 (or less) portable Garmin unit would be "comparable" to the built-in Honda unit. I only "disagree" because a portable unit will have more features, i.e., much newer maps, free and frequent (3x a yr) lifetime map updates (compared to 5 yrs. from Garmin w/1 per year), the ability to customize the gps with POIs, sounds, alerts (school zones, red light cameras, speed zone, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, :laugh: etc.) and the ability to have the choice to interact with the gps while driving down the highway or not.

The fine print is worth considering...

"If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime subscription (sold separately) or if your Garmin product comes bundled with a nüMaps Lifetime or other lifetime map subscription, you will receive map data updates when and as such updates are made available on Garmin.com during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic area included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the map data, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD™/SD™ card (if and as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD/SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired. Garmin may terminate your nüMaps Lifetime or other lifetime map subscription at any time if you violate any of the terms of this agreement or your subscription. Your nüMaps Lifetime subscription or other lifetime map subscription may not be transferred to another person or another Garmin product."

A portable unit can be transferred easily from vehicle to vehicle therefore leveraging its value.

Which also makes them easy targets for thieves. Replacement GPS units and windows can add up. >

 

Waze is your friend.

 

I just returned from two weeks in San Jose. I always take my own portable GPS with me. The car rental desk at SFO, "would you like GPS with that? It's only $18.99 per day, but your corporate rate is $6.99 per day". I have enough trouble finding the phone on my phone. I've never gotten into using any of the map apps with it.