mysql101

The nav system has it's own "operating system" loaded into memory. When you erase it, it is no longer functional. The dealer will "reinstall" it to the latest version. It has nothing to do with new dvds. Your existing map will function with the new navi software.

AFAIK the new dvd maps are not yet released but are scheduled for release sometime this summer.

boowana

JasonHamilton


Thanks.

HK.RX888

So..the mediacar isn't real?

Japan8

HK.RX888. The pic of MediaCar displayed on a stock nav screen is a photoshop job. MediaCar itself is real software written for windows Me -> XP. Do a search here for more basic information or go to http://www.mp3car.com to discuss it.

flyboyindy

It seems my posting of the "Mediacar" has gotten everyone all worked up... First, the pic that I posted was NOT a photoshop job, it is real. I am using a laptop for now, but soon I will have a "carputer". I wanted to see if would work using the AV inputs on my AVElectronics NAV switcher. It works PERFECTLY. So yes, it does require a computer source, a laptop or a carputer, and you need the AVElectronics nav switcher. I would be more than happy to post more pics if any of you are interested. The only problem I have with it is that MOST of the functions are not used, such as the DVD system, the Nav System, and the applications are too small to read. BUT, I will say the MP3 player part KICKS ***! plus you get visualizations ....

Japan8

Oh so you did patch it in through the AVEletronics NAV switcher. For those who have the stock nav system and want more... I suppose I'd recommend that route.

My top recommendation is to either gut your stock nav, get a custom "stock nav"-like hood made, or maybe pick up the hood assembly at your friendly parts counter (in time you should find it on eBay and the junkyard). Replace the screen with a proper VGA screen and build your carputer. There are very good programs out there for the PC such as CoPilot and Desitnator which use the NavTech maps just like the stock system.

The difficult to read text is a reported problem of running a PC on a non-VGA screen. Simply the computer has a much higher resolution than the screen, and much is "dumped" in order to make it display on tv and regular (non-VGA) displays.

Japan8

Maybe try Mazmart and see how much the nav hood runs there... for those interested/who need it...

flyboyindy

LOL... my thinking is..."if it aint broke, and its still under warranty" dont fix it... So the stock screen will last until it stops working =) it does a pretty damn good job playing movies, and all i really want is an MP3 player with visualizations, so this set up will work just fine. As far as gutting the system, im very happy with it, and cant see every wanted to remove it... especially since it seems to be upgradable =)

Japan8

...which is why I'd have to skip it when buying my 8. I wouldn't have the heart to gut it for the carputer and I wouldn't be satisfied with the stock screen display quality. And so it's mazmart or aftermarket custom to the rescue!

hasg

someone rip the dvd and send it to me.

Jay Cochrane

Can anyone advise if there is a good users guide to the navigation system? The picture book in the manual wasn't enough help. Thanx. Jay

Doug

You guys will love the new software, purchased my 8 only a few months ago, I think it is great. Expect a release of new DVD in 2 months or so.

jtdwab

So has anybody been successful in talking their dealer into performing the NAV upgrade for them?

jtdwab

I have had a problem with the NAV system not giving directions on roads it has in memory. The Map Data has the road and a name for it but the software driving the system does not think the road exists, it will tell you that it can't provide navigation to the final destination.
Another time I was out driving on random roads for fun and decided to head home and let the navi direct based on my current position. It came up with a plan but it didn't start navigation for 20 minutes while I drove in what I thought was the right direction until I reached a road that it could navigate on. All of the roads I was on were in the data but the software would not use them or even begin to provide navigation until I reached a suitable road (I don't know what makes a road suitable).
Did you see this before the upgrade and is it better now?

thanks,

Boozehound

Alright - I've held off for the last week or so until this thing was resolved, but I recently got my nav software upgraded. As we all know, "sometimes" the nav software just up and "disappears" <touches nose>, so when I took my car in for other issues recently, I had them address my nav problems (or lack of nav altogether as it were). So on day 1, they worked on it and couldn't figure out what in the hell was going on. On day 2, they figured out it needed the upgrade DVD, but they didn't have one. Then they began the process of trying to obtain a copy from Mazda. Now the way I understand this is that the upgrade is covered but only within a year of the car’s build date. They assumed it was past that time for my car (I brought it in before, and my car had it’s birthday sitting in one of the bays), and then they started working on whether or not they needed to order a whole nav unit to solve the problem. They eventually borrowed a copy of the upgrade DVD from another dealership and when I brought the car back in, it took all of a minute and a half to upgrade it.

Some things to note –
1. They do know (from this site I suppose) that people are “tampering” with their navs and bringing them in for upgrades. I haven’t the slightest clue what they mean, but it didn’t sound like they have any way to tell.
2. If you do have to pay for the upgrade disc, you’d be hurting – it costs $500, but you can burn it on a DVD-R. The copy they used on my car was such a burned copy.
3. The upgrades are nice, but this was a plenty big hassle, and I’m not sure it’s worth rolling the dice with $500. It’s probably better to find a guy at a dealership, tell him what you want, and see if they’re cool about it. If they have the software, it takes less than 5 minutes to complete the upgrade.
4. All your marked points are saved even when your software “disappears.” You don’t lose anything
5. The left hand speakers all go dead when the software isn’t present. They come back with the upgrade.
6. The GPS does a cold start upon the upgrade, so your location will be wrong until it gets all its satellites accounted for.

InuYasha

Just got through talking with the Service Rep with Mazda dealer here in town. I had brought the car in for some service and to have the NAV system software upgraded.

The rep informed me that Mazda is ACUTELY AWARE of people erasing their software to get a free upgrade, and that they are being instructed that in the future, this will not be covered by warranty . He then went on to inform me that they went ahead and ordered the software upgrade DVD (under warranty, whew!), but that it would probably be about a week before they get it . According to the shop manual, the NAV system is made by either Clarion or Panasonic and the software comes from N.Y., the software is not a Mazda part, it must come from the manufacturer.

It would appear that it is going to become increasingly more difficult to obtain this "freebie" from the dealers.

Myself, I would not be opposed to paying a resonable fee to have my own copy of the software or to be able to subscribe to a download service where I could get the software upgrades as they become available.

Japan8

So Mazda IS listening... interesting. They shouldn't have said anything... since we now know we CAN just move such discussions to private disccusion areas... but that's off topic.

Glad you got your nav system fixed, Boozehound. Thanks for the intel!

Sputnik

Dude, Mazda has been listening in on here in some capacity since before they put pre-production models on the stage in Detroit, and it hasn't been a secret.

---jps

Boozehound

I definitely would've paid a reasonable amount ~$30-50 for the update. But there's no way to obtain an update without the aforementioned hoop-jumping. Furthermore, I don't see any reason that the dealers don't have a copy of the software and just update the older cars that come in, while they're in the warranty period. The cost of 1.5 minutes time would certainly be worth all the good will it garnered with their customers. Hell, most software I buy is supported (updates and all) within a reasonable amount of time (3-4 years), and updates are included. To me, it's like I'm just trying to recover the cost of being an "early adopter." When resale comes up in a few years, why should a later 2004 have more value than my car? Just think of the upgrades that I would've missed by sitting on my a$$ - AC amplifier, M reflash (it wasn't always mandatory service), insulated cupholder area, new oil pan and optical sensor, and so on.

XCENTRIC

I just got a call from my dealer about my NAV. They said Mazda will only cover the warranty once and they will reload the software with the older version. DAMN!!

So Mazda, if you are listening why not just upgrade the software so we wouldn't have to go through all this. It's not like it cost the corporation alot of $$!!

InuYasha

I agree with Boozehound. A simple software upgrade, (which could be made available over the web) would go a long way towards customer loyalty and good will. I buy a lot of software in my business, I expect a certain number of free upgrades and/or patches, especially when newer software is released shortly after a purchase of the older version.

As software becomes a major integral component of the vehicle (I don't know if you've seen the service manual, it reads for like a software manual), this is going to be more of a problem.

If I could get a line on where to purchase the software, I'd do it. I know how to insert a cd/dvd and bootstrap a computer.

I'd also love to get a copy of the WDS software referred to in the maunual to "tinker" with the on-board systems.

Anyone know a source for these software items other than the dealer?

I have a Kal-Kwip OBDII Scanner that reads the newer CAN chipset, however, although it reads the DTC's and sensor outputs, I havent been able to query some of the on-board systems to say, reprogram for additional keys, reset the transmission, etc. (if for some reason I ever wanted to.)

While I was at the dealer, inspecting the progress on my car (little to none because of waiting for parts) I inquired about installing the MazdaSpeed flywheel. The tech told me that after the mechanical installation, the transmission had to be "reset" and th only way to do that is with the WDS software. If that's true, so much for my home garage!!

Like I said I'd love to get my hands on the software. Who would it hurt? Its not like I'm going to go into business serviceing Rx-8's.

InuYasha

After poking around on the net for a while, I found this:

http://www.mazdatechinfo.com

The WDS stands for Worldwide Diagnostic Systems (WDS). The diagnostic software is available by calling 1-800-Rotunda. (I have not called yet to investigate the price but I'll bet it ain't cheap)

rilot

Mazda should definately make the upgrade available. After all, BMW and Mercedes make their nav upgrades available when they come out.
I remember when the split screen upgrade for the E39 5-Series came out.

flyboyindy

I am telling you what... Its pretty sad.... I LOVE my RX-8...but the whole warranty thing is getting rediculous.... Every time I go in, they make me feel as I have done something wrong and that I owe THEM for my car breaking down... Sad to say but based on the warranty service... This will be my last Mazda...

Japan8

Dude... I've known that for awhile. I've read things saying that, but hadn't yet actually had a firm confirmation. There's knowing and then there's KNOWING. Now I KNOW.