GodWhomIsMike

I decided to go to the MAzdaUSA website today to show a friend of mine the 8 cause he really never seen it and I discovered a section all about the Nav System I never seen before in the Zoom Zoom high speed connection site for the RX-8, showed pictures and even a deminstration, and label all the controls and what each one does. I was awed by this cause I never seen it before or anything significant about the USA nav system until today.

Hopefully I am not posting something that was posted a billion times already.

EDIT: Go to "Innovation" and then to "Navigation System"

Nice and flashy - woooooohooooo

tripwire

That's great stuff (It's under "INNOVATION if you're looking for it). I for one have been waiting for them to release some information relative to the $2000 option.

I also noticed the BOSE stereo setup they now have on there - with the expamples of how the AudioPilot system functions. Pretty nifty.

Hercules

Yes but from what I've heard... it doesn't function as well as it's designed to

GodWhomIsMike

The "Driving Example" option on the Navigation System preview on the site, the woman sounds like something out of a Sci-fi movie or something like a lame supercomputer sci-fi thing from back in like the 70/80's sci-fi movies and stuff.

"Destination is to the right" spoken in a robotic female voice

heehee too bad it won't call you names if you don't listen

tribal azn2

i noticed something interesting while looking at that navi section. all the streets and addresses are all local locations!! look at this one, notice how south coast plaza is highlighted. someone said they saw one around south coast plaza.

tribal azn2

and look at this one. all those streets r local streets used to get to the irvine technical center and the irvine headquarter

tribal azn2

after seeing this section. i am definitaly ordering navi

GodWhomIsMike

I was going to before hand but now I know I won't be regretting getting it though.

Maximus

PDA with built in NAVIGATION SYSTEM
============================

For those of you who don't want to spend $2000 on the navi but settle for an after market one ... Garmin is going to introduce a Palm based PDA, called iQue3600, with built in GPS Navigations system. It was supposed to be launched in second quarter this year so its almost time now. I think this is the first PDA in the market with integrated GPS system.

One very nice feature is the Garmin's Que Technology --- "this feature connects the Palm Address Book and Date Book to the GPS electronic map to give the user the ability to navigate directly to a specific address within the user’s contact database". So just imagine having all your contacts/addresses in a PDA, put it in your RX-8 (or any other car) select an address from ur address book and zooooom .... u miss a turn, no problem, it will recalculate the route for you.

So basically it has got almost all the features of the latest navigations systems offered by various car makers with additional benefit of being able to carry it around. You can use it any where, anytime, any car. Size and weight is compatable with other PDAs so should be easy to carry. It also has a built in flip up antenna. Plays MP3s and records voice. Also has VOICE GUIDED COMMANDS.

The price: $589. But if you search on the internet you may find retailers offering it for less. I am not an expert on PDAs but it sure looks like a very nice versatile device.

EDIT: here's the link:
http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/

dying_here

thats a very impressive product. the idea of being about to pul out an adress out of the address book instead of punching in the address using arrows is worth it i think. i read on popular science tha Germin make impressive impressive GPS system. better than those you find in a BMW or Lexus in some cases.

and personally 600 USD is a much much better deal ( especially comparing to the 2k pricetag for the factor and ~ 3k for an Alpine one that my friend installed in his Slk32 )

P00Man

damnit, that nav in the site is such a POS, we better get the japanese version, or at least be able to order it and replace one with the other
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NEW MEXICO MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

GodWhomIsMike

I wouldn't say it's a complete POS, it does what its intended purpose is - navigate. But it seems to be lacking on features that some other nav system have in addition to telling you how to get from point a to b, like telling you tire pressures, car info like service reminders and such, etc etc.

I still haven't decided if I want a RX-8 or a TT 3.2. It's a tough choice. I'll wait till like September/October to decide, I'll be around he monitoring everything you guys say about the RX-8. I got a soft spot for both cars which makes it hard to decide.

RotorGeek

Can you play DVD movies on that thing. It has a DVD reader???

eccles

It gets its map data from a DVD-ROM reader in the center console between the rear seats. But there's a world of difference between reading DVD data and playing DVD movies. I've not seen anyone yet state that it can play movies, and I'd be very surprised if it does.

TreknMazda

Some states (and maybe all states soon) have specific laws that prohibit movies or TV programs displayed in view of the driver. So the navigation DVD player will likely be designed to NOT play movies in accordance with these laws. You will have to continue to tailgate the minivans and watch their movies and TV shows:D

babylou

I believe these laws prohibit the playing of the movies while the vehicle is in motion. The new Caddy XLR has the ability to play movies while the tranny is in park and this car is a two seater so there is no way to hide it from the driver.

jtdwab

I don't see what makes you think this system is a POS? In the long run it is no different than the system for Japan. It won't have the 3D details but remember that Japan has significantly less land area than the US. I imagine somebody could do the 3D stuff for a single state, but who wants to be limited to one state, whats the fun in that.

Please describe why you think this system is a POS?

P00Man

no 3d, bland colors, crappy view, not sharp, and it can be done for all continental US, just ask NISSAN...
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ZX14 VS HAYABUSA

pelucidor

Infiniti have been offering a 'birds eye view' (i.e. 3D) for their G35 for over a year. This covers the whole USA on one single DVD, and having used it I think it is excellent compared to the 2D view it can also switch to. The voice also sounds less robotic...

More importantly is the number of points of interest (hospitals, shops, airports, stations, ATMs, gas stations, restaurants, landmarks etc). For example Lexus are way behind the curve on this and currently offer about 700,000 items (Acura and Infiniti are 2-3M I think). However Lexus will update to 7M items for 2004 model cars on the single map DVD for the whole USA. If Mazda can't give us 3D then hopefully they will have a competitive number for points of interest.

ibfubar2000

since it is all on dvd. wont they be upgrading in the future? so perhaps it will be 3d by 2004?

P00Man

better be something better than that ASAP
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Vaporizer reviews

Lensman

It looks just fine to me and I paid a lot more for it than you American folks did (UK prices are higher). It'll get me where I need to go, looks good and sounds OK. If you want better then buy an F22 fighter.

babylou

I considered one but I can't fit one in my garage.

Lensman

It's those pesky wings isn't it. I had the same problem.