Nav system : OEM or not | Advices requested
 

Hey guys,

I got a 2005 RX-8 :rock:

But not equipped with the nav. system :mad:

So I want to get one !! :pow:

Now, I heard that the OEM one was pretty costly and that, actually, I could get a better one that is cheaper if i would look for the not OEM ones.

Here are the specifications I'm looking for.
I'm in Canada, province of Quebec... hanging out in Montreal and surroundings... So map coverage has to be good for this region.
I want it "permanent"... I mean, I don't need to carry it from a car to the other and I don't want wires running everywhere...
I want a good display (screen) because I've seen some that are unreadable at night or when very sunny. :Freak_ani

Finally, a major criteria is the look... as in : I love my RX-8 and consider it as a work of art.. I don't want to scrap the interior design with the nav sys... so any suggestions going along would be appreciated. :icon16:

I really want a nav system... but I don't know much about it. If someone who has great knowledge in that could contact me, that'd be appreciated. :wiggle:


Thanks alot !!
:jump:

any solutions that involve a 'permanent' installation will NOT be cheap, probably 2-3 times more expensive than a *really good* portable unit.

i've seen a few portable GPS units in various cars, and I think they all look fine, and do not detract from the interior appearance of the car at all... and at most you will have ONE WIRE running to the cigarette lighter for power, that's it...

I would get the TomTom unit if I didn't have an OEM nav.

If you didn't get it with your car, you'd be stupid to try and install it afterwards as

A) The parts are extremely hard to find
B) Installation is extremely hard. As far as I know, only one person here has done it and the concensus is that you don't wanna do it.

Just to scare you off of even thinking about installing the factory navigation system yourself, I can offer you this. This should certainly scare you off of even thinking about paying someone for the described process, if you calculate with the regular going rate for skilled car-electrical labor.
On top of that, there is the cost of the parts that alone will be about 50% more than getting the navigation as a factory-installed option.

As said, if you want navigation, look for other options - a portable unit would be relatively cheap and does a fine job.

Or you can ask someone who has successfully done this on this car who is also in Canada and also works / owns a car audio shop. I'm on Vancouver Island, so I am about 3 hours behind your time if you want to BS with me. Best way to do this is either MSN or e-mail to forbidden@telus.net.

This is not a easy task, however, if done properly and you are willing to go to the end zone, the results are amazing.

Sounds like you want one of two solutions...

Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood or Pioneer nav with display (NOT with a HU)

-OR-

CarPC

Depending on what you're capable of doing yourself... the CarPC can cost you less (especially if you have parts already that you want to use). If not... depending on your setup you will probably pay $500-1000.

Going with the big electronics company systems will run you about $1,500 - $2000.

Get a factory nav hood... hard to find though... try ebay or your local dealers for an old one from a warranty repair. Last option is to get something fabricated (there is a thread on a shop that is trying to do so). Mount your screen here and CPU in the trunk (or in stock nav CPU position). There you go... nice factory integrated look.

As far as portable systems go... IMHO they suck. Might as well just navigation software for your laptop or PDA and carry that around. All the cables, non-fixed mounting (adding mounting arms/brackets just looks tacky) and whatnot is not only a PIA, but makes it harder to use when driving.

I was thinking the same thing! I regret not getting the OEM nav system because i've seen what other people are doing to it. ie: installing hardware to watch movies, back up camera, maybe can use it as a couple of gauges in the future. Plus it looks clean, it is the factory setup.

Have you seen this setup?
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...7&page=5&pp=15
I think it'd be pretty cool except I don't like the fact you have to lose the ashtray and cig lighter, and that the OEM piano black would be covering all that area. Looks tacky.
I think during my next oil change I'll ask them a few questions.

Looks like im bringing this back from the dead!

I have a few questions:

1. I do want to get the OEM nav hood and pop up screen. Because I think it looks so much better than anything thats out there. I would want to replace the factory nav screen with an aftermarket nav/dvd screen so I wont have to run all those damn wires everywhere.

So here is my question.....where can I get this nav hood? I know I can get it at mazdaparts.com for alot of money, but are there any other places that I can look for it? Can I go to junk yards and find 8's and take out the nav hood there? I remember seeing a link to a junk yard nation web directory and it had 8's with nav and they were selling the parts. But now I cant seem to find it.

I need some help!

DO NOT GO FOR OEM

My 2004 came with it

I love that i have it if i need it

but anytime ive used to to try to find a place

it uses a dvd and has to search

where as other brands might use an scandisc which is instant searching

a neat idea is to get the 2 din corksport kit - and get the Alpine IVA-W205 It is a 2 din HU with navigation - and it has a removable navigation unit so you can take it in other cars and simply "dock" it back when in your 8.. its brilliant!

garmin ftw

Not only is adding OEM a ridiculous idea because of cost (a couple of thousand, at least) and frustration (tracking down all those parts and getting 'em installed properly), it's a bad idea technologically; the newest portable units from Garmin and TomTom are light years ahead of the ancient 2003 technology in the OEM unit!

Yes I know the factory NAV is a piece of shit, but I just want the nav hood, and take out the factory screen and replace it with an aftermarket 7inch touch screen that will be for NAV and play DVD's. I dont want to mess with all the wires of the OEM nav. All I want is the NAV hood and thats it so I can replace it with an aftermarket screen. I like this set up because its the cleanest thats out there.....but thats just my opinion.

Anyone know where I can get just the nav hood?

thats what i did. besides having to charge the thing i love it! its saved my ass so many times.

Due to my '05 Shinka's Sirius radio, I was unable to get a built-in Nav. I've been very satisfied with a portable. And being portable I've used it on trips and multiple cars at home. Garmin nuvi 4" diagonal would be my recommendation. Shirt pocket portable yet plenty big enough for in-'8 use. I mount mine to the left/lower side of windshield and there's no road view obstruction. Nice hand's free Bluetooth cellphone interface in the model I have as well.

I have a 04 with Nav, and I have to agree that it is pretty lame overall. I guess I need an update to the original firmware & 07 maps.

I also have a Garmin Nuvi 200. Its a pretty basic nav, but its WAY better than the nav in my 8. Its quick, accurate, and has a great looking screen. And like Huey said, its super portable, so you can use it in any vehicle. I'd highly reccommend.

Yes I know the OEM nav sucks ass, but all I want is the NAV hood, because I want to replace the OEM screen with an aftermarket touch screen that has NAV and can play DVDs. Im not looking for the "whole" nav set up, all I want is the NAV hood..thats it. Can anyone point me into the right direction where I can find it and purchase it. I personally think, its the cleanest set up out there!

But it's UgE's thread. ;) There were some parted out Nav hood's around the this board somewhere.

Shinka never came with NAV.

get a pioneer

Make sure to get a transflexive screen. They're more than double the price from what I've seen, but the plain transmissive touch screens get completely washed out from any sunlight.
I've got the OEM nav. 7" is great, the navigation system itself sux. I plan on doing what you're looking to do once money isn't quite as tight.

I of course know that, I was just pointing out part of my rationale for getting a portable.

I have the OEM navi in my 8 and a portable Garmin unit in my Civic. The Garmin unit is by far the better navi. I say screw the integration and just get a Garmin.