Hello All, well I do not have my 8 yet, but expect for it to be delivered in March. I have ordered red, 6 spd, roof and Nav. Anyone have other comments about the Nav system. I love my toys!!

 

I would recommend the NAV - pricey but very helpful. have it up and running at all times. Limited coverage of Canada - and somewhat dated coverage of US - I would ask your dealer about an update. Update will be available in March or April according to NavTech - but no sign that Mazda plans to pay for any updates. The cost is likely to be $200. John

 

Speaking of updates being released, anyone know if the OS / Application Program is also resident on the DVD, or is that maybe hard coded in the unit? Based on the startup delay when the nag screen is up, it would stand to reason that th program is being loaded from disk.

Based on that assumption, perhaps they'll update / revise some features in the next release.

Jeff

 

Good point. Boot time is lengthy plus there's a s/w version on the disk so maybe you're right.

 

Software (OS) is in the Nav unit, not the DVD. Currently, the only way to update the Nav software is to replace the unit.

 

I just picked up a new toy from Garmin...their new StreetPilot 2610. It has a touch screen for ease of review and input and it works phenominally. Cost is about $800. Not bad, and it's portable so you can use it in all of your cars.

I'm considering the Navi in an 8 (depending on the total price) so I'd just make the Garmin a standard feature in my wife's Subi. It's so good that I might even forego the built in.

-Eric

 

I'm considering a Garmin unit for my other vehicle - the PDA based iQue 3600 - anyone got one of these ? - John

 

It seems perfectly reasonable to expect that the software is stored in some type of EEPROM or flash memory and could be updated from a DVD. I'm not saying that's the case in the RX but it seems possible.

 

I'm getting my system replaced next week due to "the voice that won't shut up" issue. Currently the only way to update is replacement.

 

Unfortunate that they'll have to replace the system. I should FINALLY pick mine up tomorrow morning.

 

its a good sytem...mine is not equipped with it but i used it extensively at the dealer. it is good and reliable, but NO it does not act as a DVD player

 

Mu NAV is on all the time - heck it cost 2Gs. The way I figure it I have 4 years for it to go south - and still be Mazda's problem.

It's great IMHO - but I will get updated disks when Canadian coverage is improved.

John

 

What do you do with it "all the time?" Just watch scrolling maps? Is that useful?

 

Why in the Hell is this data not accessible? It should be a display mode that you can easily get to. Without having to go thru some backdoor....

I'm glad it's there though.

 

I usually keep my NAV on all of the time too.
It has helped me find so many shortcuts in different cities that I've driven through.
Sometimes when I'm in my other car I find myself looking to the center of the dash to see if there's another route, only to realize that I'm in the wrong car and I don't have a NAV in that one.

 

Paid $2000 for NAV - warranty for four years - it's on all the time. John

 

I'm confused about the "always on" issue. I thought it's always on whether or not you open it. I assumed this due to the fact that If I go a day without opening it, the next day I drive with it open I can see the little breadcrumb tracks from my previous driving (while it was closed).

Can you actually turn it all the way off, or have I overlooked something obvious?

Jeff

 

It's a definition of terms. If you program a destination then close it, it'll still talk to you meaning it's still "on." If it's closed but no destination is programmed, it won't do a thing. I guess you could say it's still on, but it's not really doing anything. I don't know about the breadcrumb tracks. I've never seen those. I thought that was for when you went offroad; it's a way to show you how to get back to the nearest mapped road. Are you driving where no roads are mapped?

 

You can turn on and off tracking. It drops a blue dot every so many seconds, so you can see where the car's been.

 

I love mine. Work well since I am new to the DC area.

 

Can someone tell me what the brand name of the Nav is, or even better if you have a web site for me to go to. This way I can find out about updates etc.

Remember I am from Canada, things are a little different up here, may even give us a different nav system.

Any comments?

 

It's made by Panasonic. See this link and try the demo.

 

Thanks, does not have much for Canada, will keep looking.

 

Question: Does the NAV calculates an Estmiate time of arrival during guidance ?