Huey52

iTrader: (2)

As we know, the Shinka, strangely, doesn't offer a factory Nav system. However, my dealer offers a (supposedly superior to OEM) aftermarket unit for $2k installed. I presume it retracts, but need to verify.

Standalone units are 1/4 of the price, but not as large display and of course stand abruptly on the dash. It would be transportable to my other vehicles/afoot tho'. And for the price I could upgrade as technology advances.

Still, the retracting unit calls to my engineering elegance side.

Would welcome insight from those that have gone down the Shinka-Nav road. TIA

Hightshoe

I would definately have to see the supposed "superior to OEM" unit before id pay 2g for it. Everyone ive come across says the factory nav is great. It would definatley have to have the sleek looks of the factory nav unit. Id never want the stand alone unit just because it wouldnt fit seemlessly with the interior like the factory setup does. but thats just me. Some people like the idea that they could pull it out and use it for hiking and what not.

mysql101

The oem nav is easily one of the worse navi units i've used. I say this mostly due to 1) zoom times are not snappy, 2) graphics are cheesy and sparse. 3) it's priced at least double what it should be. 4) It is difficult to locate things when entering an address/location.

On the other hand, the navi does work fine if you need to know where you are, or know the general area of where you want to go - point to the location, click "select destination" and you're set. Being built into the car has it's advantages, and it does have dead reckoning which your aftermarkets one will lack.

My car has the OEM navi, I like it, I use it every day, but I'm under no illusion that it's the best thing since sliced bread.

time4akshun

I think the Sirius unit is what causes the Nav to not fit in the console. The Sirius unit would have to be relocated and major dash and armrest work. I don't think a factory unit is possible post sale.

In terms of aftermarket, you could do a Pioneer/Eclipse/Kenwood DVD that sits under passenger floor mat. Adn push out to a nice 7 or 6 inch touch screen mounted on ur dash. Smaller would prolly better though. I hate those magellan stick on units so dont go that route.

Time

valpac

iTrader: (2)

Nope. Had Sirius installed in my car and have OEM NAV also. I think to put in OEM NAV into a Shinka would require major wire harness work. Not worth it.

Since I liked the NAV it was the reason I shied away from purchasing a Shinka Edition. Dont know what Mazda was thinking.

time4akshun

u had Sirius installed aftermarket. The factory units r done in dash thus killing the space for nav placement and wiring. You probably made the right decision to get both.

Is your Sirius controlled by the factory radio controls?

Time

valpac

iTrader: (2)

I believe there is only one SIRIUS head unit available for our cars. The unit is no larger than the stock head unit and the sat receiver unit is mounted in the trunk so I dont see how it can take up any more space behind the dash. (?)

Yes, Sirius is controlled by radio controls as well as steering wheel controls.

captain mercury

Same here. It's a good tool, but with a fairly clumsy interface. i use it all the time, but i cant say it would be worth $2k to have it integrated into the interior. maybe put the money toward a nice laptop so you can install a GPS program?

Sheep

I researched on this problem for a long while and I decided to get an ASUS A636 PDA/GPS. Compare to getting all the parts for an OEM NAV, an decent after martket NAV, or a CarPC, the PDA is by far the most useful and being cheaper. I am out of the country right now, but I will try to write a review for the unit in use with a Rx8.

p.s. get the A636N if you are in Europe or Aus.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

the OEM navi map really needs an update.

BunnyGirl

I haven't noticed all the negatives you guys are pointing out about the navigation. I have an 06, so maybe that is why? I really like and it was really easy to program for me when I had to go on a road trip to deliver things all over Seattle, where I definitely don't know my way around. It did a great job, didn't get me lost or anything. The only thing I noticed was on all the curving freeway ramps it was a little bit slow telling me which lane I needed to be in, but I had already determined that due to the giant freeway sign that pointed to I-5 south on the way home. The reason it was slow was because I was going quite a bit faster than the actual posted speed on the ramp. It said something like 15-20 MPH and I was going somewhere around 35-40, so it was slightly slow. It beeped and told me where to go about a second too late.

I think it is updated quite well, too. It can even find my house out in the country, which I have yet to find a navigation unit otherwise that can. My stepdad's Lincoln Blackwood couldn't find anything within about a 10 mile radius of my house. In some directions it was actually quite a bit more that it couldn't find. I have several friends with portable units that can do a GPS location but can't find roads or anything in the area because their maps obviously are outdated or something, although we have lived in the location for over 25 years so, surely the maps ought to have the roads out by me since they aren't new. My navigation also worked in a brand new (about a year old) housing development. It listed the roads and everything.

I must have an "updated" version.

I don't use mine every day but it is really handy when I am not entirely sure exactly where I am going (like first time going to a certain location) so I just enter the address and it tells me how to get there and does a great job.

I love mine and I don't regret ordering it. Besides, when people are admiring my car I push the open button so it pops up and everyone drools more.

mysql101

Far as I know the 2006 is the same as previous, but the firmware may be slightly more recent. Overall functionality will be the same (Unless you're one of the early 2003 models who lacked some functionality).

I never said it couldn't provide directions, it does that just fine.

BunnyGirl

The unit itself is the same but I think the software is improved from previous, at least that is what I had heard.

spork

i like my nav. only complaint i have is some occassional hiccups (pretty rare, but once it kept on telling me i was facing the wrong direction and going a direction different than where i really was. it corrected itself after like 5 minutes, but still, pretty weird. only happened once.)

but the main complaint i have about the nav system is the fact that i have like a 2001 map cd so they're missing CRAPloads of new streets. And from what I understand, NavTech/Mazda charges 400+ dollars for a new map dvd?

i use my nav pretty often actually. i seriously love the thing.

Detrich

aftermarket navs are more prone to break-in & theft. so, the trade-off is u pay a bit more up front for the factory nav, but are almost guaranteed that it will never get stolen...

Napboy

the new maps are $199 from navteq, but they're still from 2004. the older maps are from 2002 so if you're in an area that has had new roads built recently, you'll probably be disappointed with the upgraded maps.

beachdog

It goes without saying that you should never leave anything small enough to carry visible in your car. Any and all electronics are especially tempting.

My gps is also my pda and phone. When I leave the car it is in my pocket. I can get over ten years worth of map updates for less than the cost of the oem nav.

Ok, you want coolness? Voice command. Since the pda already has over 3000 of my names and addresses in it, all I have to do is say "look up name" and then "navigate to" and it's ready to go.

Oh, and traffic reports and automatic rerouting. My gps is set to pick up traffic updates every ten minutes and if it finds delays on my route it asks if I want a new route.

Bluetooth too. The 8 doesn't have it, but in other cars like Acura, it will also route the driving prompts and phone calls through the stereo.

The oem is nicely integrated but it is really expensive for what it offers. Mazda does not come close to leading edge when it comes to the electronics. (we don't even have an automatic thermostat or auto-off headlights)

I doubt that I would ever spend $2k or more for oem nav. Maybe some day it will be a couple of hundred bucks.

time4akshun

Beach,

You can't possibly talk that highly bout your pda/gps and not mention a brand/model. Give it up!

Time

beachdog

I work for the manufacturer so I don't want to violate the rules. PM sent.

Above I was just trying to illustrate that innovation is not the strong suit of the oem nav. Just like a true stereo junkie is going to yank the factory stuff.

I forgot to mention that I also have 4gb of mp3's on it too.

ndtechie09

OEM Nav =

Yes I have my issues with it, my TomTom in my 3 was better. But I'm not gonna bitch cause I got a fully loaded 04 for less then 22k with 17k miles on it when I bought it in March.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

I ended up keeping my Jeep for Winter driving. So I've decided to go with an add-on, like the TomTom 510, so I can use it in both vehicles. Thanks for the advice tho' folks.

Now, comments on the TomTom?

MadDashRX8

Check out Consumer Reports; they just did a big comparison on Nav systems.

I've got a Garmin GPSMAP76s. I love it for a handheld, but it lacks as a car-mounted system. Glad I didn't have to pay for it; I would have gone with something more vehicle related.