Does anyone have any info/opinions about the voice used in the navigation system? Also, I saw on navtech's site (through a previously released press release) that they have recorded voice data (I think that's what they called it - can't find teh press release now) which enables you to hear street names like "Turn Right onto Main street" rather than "turn right". Anyone with a navication system have any thoughts on these questions?

Thanks!!
RX8ZoomZoon

The voice does not specify street names - it only provides updates as to the distance until a turn. I think I would prefer distances to street names anyway. I have always had a hard time reading street signs at night - the headlights never illuminate them properly.

I see. Thanks for the info.

What about the voice? On Mazda's demo site, it sounds rather robotic - is that accurate in the production model or is it more human? I'm curious as to how easily understandable it is.

Is there any way to switch accents of voices, like to Queen's English? That'd be plain awesome... even if it'd require a new dvd

I find the voice isn't too robotic. There is a twinge of virtual reality in her voice - I have become use to it (I call her Skully). I don't think you can change the dialect of the voice - I could be wrong, but I didn't see that option.

What I don't like is that the volume doesn't adjust with the AudioPilot feature. So if I'm listening to Nine Inch Nails and open the moonroof, the stereo volume is automagically increased, but the "voice" remains the same and I can't hear her. You have to either turn down the stereo, or turn up the voice volume in the DVD Nav. menu.

It's not the end of the world.... Overall, I'm really happy with the NAV though, I get to request alternate routes to everywhere I drive and all of the little backroads are great to drive on, lots of fun. Unfortunately some of the streets aren't in the system - like the street I live on - I called NavTech, they said that they would have a new DVD out with all updated info, possibly a new menu system, etc. in the 3rd quarter of 2004. Seems like a long time to wait.

what's the number to navtech?

anybody with me in calling them to pester them to add a change dialect option/dvd?

888-NAV-MAPS

They might already have what you're looking for, they were very informative when I called - yet slightly confused as the software version I had in the RX-8 was more current than what they showed in their system. good luck.

Originally posted by tripwire
What I don't like is that the volume doesn't adjust with the AudioPilot feature.


I thought I read somewhere that turning audiopilot on resulted in the stereo automatically lowering the volume when the nav spoke??


I called NavTech, they said that they would have a new DVD out with all updated info, possibly a new menu system, etc. in the 3rd quarter of 2004. Seems like a long time to wait.

Yeah, seems a while to wait - what's the deal with updates anyway? Is it subscription based or just whenever you want an update you pay a flat fee or?

Linda & I took the new 8 on a break-in trip through the Hill Country of Texas. Part of our trip plan was to visit with budaman in Austin and thank him personally for all his help with VIN searches. If ifubar wasn’t so far away from Dallas, I would have gone there and thanked him too. We did meet up with budaman and had an enjoyable visit and swapped stories while admiring a bunch of 8s parked at his dealership..
At the beginning of the trip, I had set the NAV to our destination and had set it to "avoid highways" which we discovered quickly was the way to take the back roads. It worked fine.
I did not tell Linda about the NAV system as I wanted to surprise her. Well off we went and as we were driving, this rather sweet sounding babe started giving directions. Linda, not ever having been in a NAV equipped car looked quizzically at the thing and after a few moments said..."Who's the Bitch?"
Well we laughed for the next hour and every time the "Bitch" spoke, we would rattle off some smart-ass comment back to her. What a hoot!
Anyway, the NAV system has now been officially been named the bitch. When we go out now and I forget to turn on the NAV and ask Linda how to get somewhere, she just says, "Why not ask the Bitch?"
If any of you have "named" the voice, write to this post and we can compare stories.
:p

"The Bitch" also speaks French. I felt cheated that there was no Spanish option.

Originally posted by boowana
Anyway, the NAV system has now been officially been named the bitch.

Do you know that the flight control warning voices in aircraft (fighters) are known as 'Bitchin Bettys'? Obviously a common opinion... ;)

Congats Lensman on 1,000 posts. Of course this means you can't post any more or else the number will change and my post will no longer seem relevant. ;)

Originally posted by boowana
Linda & I took the new 8 on a break-in trip through the Hill Country of Texas.

Linda, not ever having been in a NAV equipped car looked quizzically at the thing and after a few moments said..."Who's the Bitch?":p

is she a Krazy Kanuckian too, or a Texan?? hahaha... great story Boo. :)

Originally posted by RX8ZoomZoom


Yeah, seems a while to wait - what's the deal with updates anyway? Is it subscription based or just whenever you want an update you pay a flat fee or?

From their website, it looks as if you just pay for a new DVD whenever you want to update it, and the price isn't cheap. $199 for the new updated DVD from what I can see.

Originally posted by RX8ZoomZoom


I thought I read somewhere that turning audiopilot on resulted in the stereo automatically lowering the volume when the nav spoke??



I have experienced the volume-lowering when the Bitch speaks (kinda catchy, isn't it?). I have also experienced the volume not lowering when the Bitch speaks. I can't remember the circumstances - I have driven with Audiopilot both on and off - I find it somewhat annoying under low ambient noise conditions.

boowana, tell Linda she had "officially" named the RX-8 Nav System from all around the world as "The Bitch"

I think the nav lady sounds like Demi Moore and she's about to go down on you. Far better than my BMW and Acura bitches were.

Boo- thanks for the story. It is reassuring to know that my wife and I are not the only ones that talk back to "the bitch." We had a good time as well with the voice, and contemplated how funny it would be if you could add some colorful commentary to her voice. Such as "what the f*^% are you doin? you just missed the turn?":D

I know this is stupid, but how do i turn her off. I forget how to turn her voice off!!!!!!!

Originally posted by mikeb
I know this is stupid, but how do i turn her off. I forget how to turn her voice off!!!!!!!

Select "Guidance Off" from the popup menu or the main menu.

With Audio pilot "on", the stereo lowers so that you can better here "the bitch" then raises again afterwards. The only prob., is that at high levels, the radio volume isn't lowered enough. If I'm playing stuff above say 15 or 16, I can't here her that well. At 9 or 10, the volume is lowered enough for me to hear her words of wisdom. I'm afraid I still don't always trust her though. I often want to turn to early. Anyone else not always belive her?? :D
P.S. So far she has always been
right.

Originally posted by Attack
I think the nav lady sounds like Demi Moore and she's about to go down on you. Far better than my BMW and Acura bitches were.

Like you would know what Demi Moore sounds like when she's about to go down on you. ;)

Originally posted by mantisflie
With Audio pilot "on", the stereo lowers so that you can better here "the bitch" then raises again afterwards. The only prob., is that at high levels, the radio volume isn't lowered enough. If I'm playing stuff above say 15 or 16, I can't here her that well. At 9 or 10, the volume is lowered enough for me to hear her words of wisdom. I'm afraid I still don't always trust her though. I often want to turn to early. Anyone else not always belive her?? :D
P.S. So far she has always been
right.

I was the one that posted some weeks ago the stereo mutes a bit when the navi speaks. However, like mantisflie, I don't see this always happening. It's weird, and doesn't seem to be a function of whether audiopilot is on or off. Maybe it was just my imagination in the first place. However, if I don't hear the voice I do hear the "ding" that precedes a turn and that prompts me to look at the screen. I can interpret the visual directions with just a glance.

They really need to let you select different voices. I would choose the jamaican accent of the zoom-zoom song guy. "Ju tooning right at da cohna mahn." ;)

i think jon lovitz would sound pretty cool as a navigation voice

Yeah, I can hear it now lovitz:

"I'm Frenchie! Oh oh turn right, yeah that's the ticket!"

I'm curious if there would be some way to get the car to call you by name. Since we are all refering to her as the bitch, I think it'd be nice to hear the car go "hello, Michael" or "turn left ahead, Michael" or perhaps "i like the way you downshift, Michael". I realize this option would be unfair to people with uncommon names, (like the Zappa children) but for those Tom, Dick and Harrys out there, it would be cool if you could select your name from a long list and henceforth have her refer to you by it.
OR, cooler still, forget Jon Lovitz, I want KIT's voice from KnightRider! Since my name is coincidentally Michael, I wonder if I could get it to play sound clips from the show? Just wishful thinking I suppose... but man that would be cool.

KNIGHTRIDER RULES!!