checked out the 8 last night, again. (I am supposed to be out comparing cars and find myself at the mazda dealership everytime, is that normal?) Was looking at the navigation system in them and they look awesome. They pop up and allow you to still look up as you drive. Much better than my Aunt's 500 serious benz that you have to look down by the shifter the whole time. Just wanted to add one more thing that is cool as **** about the 8.

On a side note does the nav system work well? Feel free to chime in, i konw you will, if you have one

DC

 

the navi does it's job.

the interface wasn't as easy to learn as some other gps units i've had in the past, and the screen doesn't seem to have as many colors as i'd like, but the sccreen is decently sized, and once you get the hang of it, you should be able to navigate while driving without issue.

when i go to different locations, i mark them and lable them in the system. so all i need to do is select destination, pick location (like "home", or "office") and no matter how lost I am, the car will show me how to get there.

no regrets on the navi, but i have a horrible sense of direction.

 

I was so impressed with the NAVI when I test drove an 8 that I will definitely be getting one. I didn't think I would be remotely interested in this prior to seeing it work in person.

The "cool" factor is very high!

 

Jason, so basically you're saying thatit works best when you get where you're going and mark that location? How is it for setting places you haven't been to? Is it a city search, do you click on a map? How's it work? Thinking about getting it installed before we move again (I'm in the navy, we move every three years).

 

I like mine. I don't have any experience w/ other systems, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'm glad I got it.

 

it's very useful for new locations too, i can navigate around no problem. I haven't found the search feature to work well though. The DVD being 2 years old doesn't help.

 

Do we know if the '05's will have a newer dvd?

 

It would be incredibly expensive to get it installed in an RX-8 that didn't come from the factory with it. Aside from all the dash parts, screen, control button pad, and DVD player, the whole interior pretty much needs to come out to install the GPS antenna. Just the parts alone have been priced out at a few thousand dollars, before you even get to the installation labour cost.

Best bet - get an aftermarket system like a Garmin 2610. It's not integrated, but you can use it in multiple vehicles and it has even better capabilites. If you really have to have the factory nav, you'd probably be better off trading your current RX-8 on one already equipped with the nav!

Regards,
Gordon

 

the built in gps connects and monitors your wheel movement and direction, allowing it to track you even if gps signal is lost. something the aftermarkets cant do

 

That's cool, but if it's as expensive as he says it is, I guess I'll go aftermarket. Of course, I've driven across the US three times now without even a map. So I may not even need it.

 

Not true. Check out the Garmin StreetPilot 2660!

Regards,
Gordon

 

I stand corrected. But the MSRP on the 2660 is the same as the invoice price on the built in navi. $1700 bucks.

 

I think the funniest thing about Nav in the 8 is when it tells you a take an offramp on the freeway, If you ignore the directions and take an alternate sometimes it does a closeup of the turn, you see your little icon just blow by the turn or go off the turn, once it looked like I flung the car off the overpass. I found it hysterical.. hmmm.. well I guess you had to be there.

 

I love the nav but then I drive a lot to places I don't know too well. This is the first car I've had it in and other than a week or so of practice to "get the hang of it" I have really enjoyed it. I would recommend it for sure especially considering the fact that going aftermarket requires you to find a place to put your unit. I like the in-dash system myself.

 

Yeah, but who ever pays MSRP on electronics? Second point, if you can live without the dead reckoning capability, the 2610 is much cheaper. Third point, you can take the Garmin unit and use it in your other car, rental cars, etc. Try that with your factory nav! :D

I don't have the new Streetpilot like those, but I do have a Garmin iQue3600 that I use for nav. I got it in March - so far, I've used it in my Miata, my RX-8, my Audi, a rental car in Philadelphia, and a rental car in Ireland for 3 weeks in July.

If you ever drive more than 1 car - an aftermarket portable nav solution can be invaluable. Just another factor to consider!

Regards,
Gordon

 

I'm a bit mixed on the Rx8 GPS. It's useful to have when going to places I've never been before but it's a bit slow to update at time. The positioning of the Navi is great but after using the Acura navigation, the Mazda one simply isn't sufficient. I wish it switches screens and updates faster, also only allows for detour of 5 miles but can't do anything shorter..

 

I actually owned the 276C a few years ago. It ran around $650 I think. It's color, no voice, but I picked it because it would scroll across the maps very very quickly. No slow refresh. It's much faster than the RX-8 navi in this respect.

Sure it's nice to be able to move it to any car you own, but the unit isn't small (if you get one with a decent sized screen), and mounting places can be difficult to find. Also you can't leave it in sight when you leave the car... sometimes the hassle isn't worth it.

 

gotta love the Nav system in the 8!

 

The nav system works well but it's a bit like mapquest. It's not always the most direct route. I tried it several times and it will get you there but it may not always be the route the locals would use.

 

In the few days I've had it, I have already experienced this as well. To be expected I guess.

I have a question about the NAV system: once you have input a destination and the voice system is telling you where to go, how do you disable it (you decide you are going somewhere else and don't need the NAV)?

Simple question I would think, but I haven't figured it out. And no, I haven't read the manual!!!!

:o

 

I love the big Navi screen on my RX8. My guest said that his Mercedez didn't have it and he did not want his wife to see the Navi of the RX8 or they will be buying this car. The voice also tells you to say on the right lane or left lane in a cool way.

But compared to the Garmin, I like the Garmin interface controls better. I also live in a new subdivision which is not in the system and the system has this message 'cannot accurately route or map location' or something to that effect. My Garmin does not do that. It is because the Garmin was also made for off-roading and so it will not give the same annoying message.

But otherwise, it's such a big cool Navi. Oh oh oh ... my Garmin has a list of movie theaters. The RX8 only has a list of non-movie theatres (as in for plays and opera) .. ahhhh!

 

Press the mousy button near your handbrake and a lefthand side menu appears on the screen .... that menu allows you to "Cancel" the Route. The voice goes away.

 

Thanks, I knew it had to be something simple!

 

I think it's super cool and really useful ( it blew me away by directing me around a police roadblock on back roads this summer, and taking me back onto the highway by the shortest detour) although I had not remotely considered it, but there it was in my Lightning Yellow. With the roof it's 3K Cdn! "Get out of here!" Of course I had to do some/much bitching and haggling ...an uninstall is out of the question.. .and ended up getting it c/w roof for $1500. I think they just wanted me to stfu and go away. :D

I think I'm in love with the 'voice' lady.

Wonder how much the updated DVD will be?

An annoyance for me driving to Timmins in N. Ontario this summer is that the data does not extend farther north than North Bay.. the great white north is shown as a blank expanse on a map of eastern North America. Ho hum.

 

The new dvd is about $200 US.