You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda5 NAV System Questions

Mazda5 NAV System Questions

20 messages,  Last post on Aug 24, 2009 at 6:36 AM

You are in the Mazda Mazda5 Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Navigation System, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#2 of 20 Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? by toddw Mar 19, 2006 (6:05 pm)
Hello,     We plan on buying a Mazda5 in the next two weeks or so; it'll be a Touring w/automatic.     Our last remaining question is whether to get the navigation or not. I've always told myself that, the next time I got a new car, it'd have GPS in it. Now that I'm faced with the opportunity, I'm not so sure, especially with the $2000 premium. I've never actually used one for getting around, so I'm not sure how this one compares, etc. I imagine I'd want it for those odd times when we discover that we need to go somewhere we've never been before or when we want to know where the nearest gas station or Chinese restaurant is.     So, do we go with the built-in navigation, or do we shop around for a portable unit to keep in the glove compartment?     Thanks!     TW Replies to this message: kivo (Mar 20, 2006 8:03 am) wuster (Mar 20, 2006 8:38 am) pisulino (Mar 20, 2006 5:11 pm) and 1 more... shayes2 (Apr 12, 2007 10:24 am) mdchachi (May 13, 2007 7:20 pm)
#3 of 20 Re: Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? [toddw] by kivo Mar 20, 2006 (8:03 am)
Replying to: toddw (Mar 19, 2006 6:05 pm) Hi,   I am also interested in buying the 5 probably the 2007 model. I think you should get a portable navigation system instead of the built-in one. In this way, you can use it in any car you have. I'm getting the Garmin c330 (about $450) thru my nephew and that's a big difference from the $2000 you'd spend in the 5. It's also a very good system and highly rated. They sell them a lot on Ebay. Good luck on your new car!   Rick Replies to this message: wuster (Mar 20, 2006 8:38 am) pisulino (Mar 20, 2006 5:11 pm) danielt (Apr 08, 2007 10:00 pm)
#4 of 20 Re: Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? [kivo] by wuster Mar 20, 2006 (8:38 am)
Replying to: kivo (Mar 20, 2006 8:03 am) Two things to keep in mind.   1. The screen on the Mazda nav is 7 inches. The after market ones are 3 maybe 4 inches.   2. If you get nav on the touring, it comes with TPS. Replies to this message: pisulino (Mar 20, 2006 5:11 pm) danielt (Apr 08, 2007 10:00 pm)
#5 of 20 Re: Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? [wuster] by pisulino Mar 20, 2006 (5:11 pm)
Replying to: wuster (Mar 20, 2006 8:38 am) I agree with the previous post. Buy a portable GPS and you can use it in your car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.   I don't like to buy items that are built in. T=these items will become relics in about 2 years and nobody wants them after that. Technology is changing too fast to have something built in. Unless you plan to change cars every 24 or 36 months.   Just my opinion. Replies to this message: danielt (Apr 08, 2007 10:00 pm)
#6 of 20 Re: Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? [pisulino] by danielt Apr 08, 2007 (10:00 pm)
Replying to: pisulino (Mar 20, 2006 5:11 pm) You've probably already bought your car but I'll leave this message for others. Do not get the built in navigation with the Mazda5! As I have previously mentioned, the system is very user unfriendly. The main problem is that for anything you want to do, you need to go through multiple windows. You have to maneuver and click the joystick so much that it is really a pain. It took us forever to figure out how to put in the Home location. There is no 3d view (driver's), the points of interest are very limited with only shopping centers listed for shopping, for example. It does navigate okay once you've finally put in all the data and pushed the joystick over and over. I'm not sure how other built in systems are, but we previously had the cheapest Garmin (I3) portable, and it was much easier to use, more intuitive and had many more listed points of interest. It also had a very nice 3d view despite the much smaller screen. Also, I think for the $2000 you'd expect at least a touch screen instead of the joystick, which is a pain. I would definitely recommend sticking with a portable. Much cheaper, easier to use, and more helpful. The larger screen definitely does not make up for the deficiencies.
#7 of 20 Re: Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? [toddw] by shayes2 Apr 12, 2007 (10:24 am)
Replying to: toddw (Mar 19, 2006 6:05 pm) Go with a portable unit. I have had the Mazda5 with navigation for over a year and the joy stick is a pain. I have a portable touch screen system that I use in my other vehicles and it is much easier to use. A large screen is good, but a portable touch screen is better and much cheaper. Replies to this message: mdchachi (May 13, 2007 7:20 pm)
#8 of 20 Re: Buying Mazda5 soon: with or without Navigation? [shayes2] by mdchachi May 13, 2007 (7:20 pm)
Replying to: shayes2 (Apr 12, 2007 10:24 am) I agree the joystick is a pain however on the upside, the joystick allowed them to put the screen out of hands reach in a safer location. You can preprogram your common destinations and access them by voice. It is an expensive option but I feel it's safer to operate than a portable and it does come in handy.
#9 of 20 Mazda 3 Nav System by iihouse2 May 19, 2007 (4:57 pm)
Should I get this option..if I can find a car with it? Replies to this message: mdchachi (May 21, 2007 7:39 pm)
#10 of 20 Re: Mazda 3 Nav System [iihouse2] by mdchachi May 21, 2007 (7:39 pm)
Replying to: iihouse2 (May 19, 2007 4:57 pm) That's an individual decision that requires deep consideration of your own needs and circumstances. Or if you want, you can use the default answer which is YES.

Messages Page 1 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Mazda Mazda5 Mazda5 NAV System Questions