3D NAV unit? NOPE :( Mazda BLOWS Panasonic Contract
#1
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![Angry](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/icon8.gif)
Now that we know Denso is the provider for Mazda DVD nav units (the screen is still panasonic) I can tell you that Mazda execs blew the Panasonic contract by being greedy and is the reason the new nav discs took over two years to arive. Two years because Panasonic wanted to provide the discs INSTEAD of Navteq and give us cool new features. So instead of going to the latest technology Mazda keeps the status quo of ho hum NAV operating systems.
What does this have to do with the title of my thread you say???
Well...it is that the Denso units function almost identically to the Panasonic units because essentially they are the same internally. There was no fundamental change in the design/features from one unit to the other.
Panasonic in fact wanted to take things to the next level with our current NAV unit and with subsequent NAV units in future mazda model.
These new models have 3-D high speed mapping and all sorts of goodies such as a HARD DRIVE for faster load times and which can be updated on a regular basis at your Mazda/car dealership...or even possibly on the web.
want a hint at what that future would have been if Mazda execs had pulled their heads out of their collective asses??? Here is a sample (CRAPPY PIC, no ZOOM in SORRY!):
"Panasonic announces the CN-HS400D Hard-drive based 3D GPS Navigation System.
The Panasonic Strada combines MP4 Video, MP3 Music and GPS navigation into one Car Navigation system. It has a 30GB Hard-Drive and a SD Memory Card slot. A DVD Player can be connected for the Car Navigation Data."
Now let me point out no Manufacturer in the US would EVER let the video be a part of things...and probably no music for that matter for mazda as they are pretty set on their crappy module audio system (F-U Blose!)
Just hope mazda reads this. I'm normally not this worked up but after Mazda called the Price of the NAV disc ($199 btw) 'Nominal' I almost threw up in a bag and mailed it to them.
Granted I don't use the NAV at all anymore...only use it for video/music/video games...but whatever STOP JERKING US AROUND MAZDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What does this have to do with the title of my thread you say???
Well...it is that the Denso units function almost identically to the Panasonic units because essentially they are the same internally. There was no fundamental change in the design/features from one unit to the other.
Panasonic in fact wanted to take things to the next level with our current NAV unit and with subsequent NAV units in future mazda model.
These new models have 3-D high speed mapping and all sorts of goodies such as a HARD DRIVE for faster load times and which can be updated on a regular basis at your Mazda/car dealership...or even possibly on the web.
want a hint at what that future would have been if Mazda execs had pulled their heads out of their collective asses??? Here is a sample (CRAPPY PIC, no ZOOM in SORRY!):
![](http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040407/pana1_09.jpg)
"Panasonic announces the CN-HS400D Hard-drive based 3D GPS Navigation System.
The Panasonic Strada combines MP4 Video, MP3 Music and GPS navigation into one Car Navigation system. It has a 30GB Hard-Drive and a SD Memory Card slot. A DVD Player can be connected for the Car Navigation Data."
Now let me point out no Manufacturer in the US would EVER let the video be a part of things...and probably no music for that matter for mazda as they are pretty set on their crappy module audio system (F-U Blose!)
Just hope mazda reads this. I'm normally not this worked up but after Mazda called the Price of the NAV disc ($199 btw) 'Nominal' I almost threw up in a bag and mailed it to them.
Granted I don't use the NAV at all anymore...only use it for video/music/video games...but whatever STOP JERKING US AROUND MAZDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#2
Since we are doomed for the old tech nav systems, can this system be retrofitted into our nav systems? You said they share basic internals, can we remove our old DVD nav unit and replace it with the Panansonic's. It would seems that they can make a adapter plug for any new wiring. Just a thought.
#3
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Parmer8
Since we are doomed for the old tech nav systems, can this system be retrofitted into our nav systems? You said they share basic internals, can we remove our old DVD nav unit and replace it with the Panansonic's. It would seems that they can make a adapter plug for any new wiring. Just a thought.
#4
What a shame, NAV tech is soooo stale here. Bravo to a manufacturer trying to breathe a little life into the market here with a few of the features the japanese get to take for granted...and a few they don't. But here we go again, same old nav, same old american marketing mentality.
Who knows what the details of the actual negotiations were, and who's fault the break up was. But it would have been nice to know my $2000 was going somewhere other than into technology that is outdated, at best.
Nice work Mazda!
Damn japanese get all the cool ****! The cabs i take in tokyo to get around all have cooler nav's than the very best one i can purchase here! It's sad when consumers have money to spend...are willing to spend it...but companies won't supply them with what they want...damn our slow adoption rate(of tech, no kids, haha).
Who knows what the details of the actual negotiations were, and who's fault the break up was. But it would have been nice to know my $2000 was going somewhere other than into technology that is outdated, at best.
Nice work Mazda!
Damn japanese get all the cool ****! The cabs i take in tokyo to get around all have cooler nav's than the very best one i can purchase here! It's sad when consumers have money to spend...are willing to spend it...but companies won't supply them with what they want...damn our slow adoption rate(of tech, no kids, haha).
#5
Originally Posted by truemagellen
in theory yes...with one major caveat...there isn't a NAV map disc that will work with it in the United States...all of those units were designed for Japan and it is possible they even offer them in Japan as a Mazda Option (wouldn't be suprised at all)...the disc was never ported as that was what the contract hinged on...that mazda wanted the crappy Navtech discs for map data...Panasonic wanted their own
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Perhaps if the nav shows up in another car and pana compiles(maybe they already have) and releases(they haven't) the map discs. But this seems unlikely. The unit isn't really even all that tek compared to some of the others out there...the real issue with all f the jap nav units is map data...they do not make them for the US yet
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
*If it isn't already bad enough knowing we can't have cool nav systems, pioneer just released a jap nav that uses bluetooth to download real-time traffic info via the drivers cell phone to incorporate into the map view and "quickest route" calculations....of course, it's 3d, with true to form renders of building in most prefectures, hdd music storage, video capability ect ect ect....
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#6
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by hedgecore
Impossible, sorry ![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Perhaps if the nav shows up in another car and pana compiles(maybe they already have) and releases(they haven't) the map discs. But this seems unlikely. The unit isn't really even all that tek compared to some of the others out there...the real issue with all f the jap nav units is map data...they do not make them for the US yet![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
*If it isn't already bad enough knowing we can't have cool nav systems, pioneer just released a jap nav that uses bluetooth to download real-time traffic info via the drivers cell phone to incorporate into the map view and "quickest route" calculations....of course, it's 3d, with true to form renders of building in most prefectures, hdd music storage, video capability ect ect ect....![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Perhaps if the nav shows up in another car and pana compiles(maybe they already have) and releases(they haven't) the map discs. But this seems unlikely. The unit isn't really even all that tek compared to some of the others out there...the real issue with all f the jap nav units is map data...they do not make them for the US yet
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
*If it isn't already bad enough knowing we can't have cool nav systems, pioneer just released a jap nav that uses bluetooth to download real-time traffic info via the drivers cell phone to incorporate into the map view and "quickest route" calculations....of course, it's 3d, with true to form renders of building in most prefectures, hdd music storage, video capability ect ect ect....
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#8
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by zoom44
source of thsi info? got links to articles or sumthin?
#9
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Keep in mind japan is A LOT smaller than the US. Mapping 3D textures of all the major cities in the U.S. would be a HUGE task...something I don't see many NAV data providers (i.e. Navteq) doing. As for the 3-D/Birds-Eye-View, whoever makes the Nav for the G35 already has that feature, but the buildings arent what they look like in real life. Personally, I dont like the 3-D view..it makes it extremely hard to see side/cross streets with a quick glance. Its cool though...
#11
Originally Posted by djseto
Keep in mind japan is A LOT smaller than the US. Mapping 3D textures of all the major cities in the U.S. would be a HUGE task...something I don't see many NAV data providers (i.e. Navteq) doing. As for the 3-D/Birds-Eye-View, whoever makes the Nav for the G35 already has that feature, but the buildings arent what they look like in real life. Personally, I dont like the 3-D view..it makes it extremely hard to see side/cross streets with a quick glance. Its cool though...
A 3D nav actually renders a true three axis enviroment...in the US, all major metropolitian areas have already been mapped(have been for years).
#12
Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
I'm not surprised by this. I mean we're talking about Mazda here not Infiniti or Lexus or Jaguar or BMW or Mercedes or .....
For $2000 my nav should play mp3, video, display 3d maps, allow for cell phone integration, check email, manage home functions, get traffic info and utilize a hard drive. And much more.
In the american market, the nav is used to artifically create a sense of "Luxury".
#13
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by hedgecore
It's funny, here, NAV is a luxury item...in asia it's just a standard consumer product. These devices can be complex and still maintain a low cost compared to the car's value...
For $2000 my nav should play mp3, video, display 3d maps, allow for cell phone integration, check email, manage home functions, get traffic info and utilize a hard drive. And much more.
In the american market, the nav is used to artifically create a sense of "Luxury".
For $2000 my nav should play mp3, video, display 3d maps, allow for cell phone integration, check email, manage home functions, get traffic info and utilize a hard drive. And much more.
In the american market, the nav is used to artifically create a sense of "Luxury".
in fact with cell phones were about 1.5 years behind in technology...for in car OEM electronics (like NAV) we are about 3 years behind...it is pathetic.
#14
I'm in Ireland. I imported an RX8 from japan. How do I get the sat nav to work??!! Do I need to replace the panasonic dvd player or can I get some software (firmware?) update?? I presume Navteq are the boys with the expensive maps.....
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Originally Posted by truemagellen
Now that we know Denso is the provider for Mazda DVD nav units (the screen is still panasonic) I can tell you that Mazda execs blew the Panasonic contract by being greedy and is the reason the new nav discs took over two years to arive. Two years because Panasonic wanted to provide the discs INSTEAD of Navteq and give us cool new features. So instead of going to the latest technology Mazda keeps the status quo of ho hum NAV operating systems.
What does this have to do with the title of my thread you say???
Well...it is that the Denso units function almost identically to the Panasonic units because essentially they are the same internally. There was no fundamental change in the design/features from one unit to the other.
Panasonic in fact wanted to take things to the next level with our current NAV unit and with subsequent NAV units in future mazda model.
These new models have 3-D high speed mapping and all sorts of goodies such as a HARD DRIVE for faster load times and which can be updated on a regular basis at your Mazda/car dealership...or even possibly on the web.
want a hint at what that future would have been if Mazda execs had pulled their heads out of their collective asses??? Here is a sample (CRAPPY PIC, no ZOOM in SORRY!):
"Panasonic announces the CN-HS400D Hard-drive based 3D GPS Navigation System.
The Panasonic Strada combines MP4 Video, MP3 Music and GPS navigation into one Car Navigation system. It has a 30GB Hard-Drive and a SD Memory Card slot. A DVD Player can be connected for the Car Navigation Data."
Now let me point out no Manufacturer in the US would EVER let the video be a part of things...and probably no music for that matter for mazda as they are pretty set on their crappy module audio system (F-U Blose!)
Just hope mazda reads this. I'm normally not this worked up but after Mazda called the Price of the NAV disc ($199 btw) 'Nominal' I almost threw up in a bag and mailed it to them.
Granted I don't use the NAV at all anymore...only use it for video/music/video games...but whatever STOP JERKING US AROUND MAZDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What does this have to do with the title of my thread you say???
Well...it is that the Denso units function almost identically to the Panasonic units because essentially they are the same internally. There was no fundamental change in the design/features from one unit to the other.
Panasonic in fact wanted to take things to the next level with our current NAV unit and with subsequent NAV units in future mazda model.
These new models have 3-D high speed mapping and all sorts of goodies such as a HARD DRIVE for faster load times and which can be updated on a regular basis at your Mazda/car dealership...or even possibly on the web.
want a hint at what that future would have been if Mazda execs had pulled their heads out of their collective asses??? Here is a sample (CRAPPY PIC, no ZOOM in SORRY!):
![](http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040407/pana1_09.jpg)
"Panasonic announces the CN-HS400D Hard-drive based 3D GPS Navigation System.
The Panasonic Strada combines MP4 Video, MP3 Music and GPS navigation into one Car Navigation system. It has a 30GB Hard-Drive and a SD Memory Card slot. A DVD Player can be connected for the Car Navigation Data."
Now let me point out no Manufacturer in the US would EVER let the video be a part of things...and probably no music for that matter for mazda as they are pretty set on their crappy module audio system (F-U Blose!)
Just hope mazda reads this. I'm normally not this worked up but after Mazda called the Price of the NAV disc ($199 btw) 'Nominal' I almost threw up in a bag and mailed it to them.
Granted I don't use the NAV at all anymore...only use it for video/music/video games...but whatever STOP JERKING US AROUND MAZDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was just playing with that today in the store. It's actually kinda hard to use... not very intuitive. Alpine's unit is easier to use, but... is less visually appealing.
#17
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Originally Posted by Japan8
I was just playing with that today in the store. It's actually kinda hard to use... not very intuitive. Alpine's unit is easier to use, but... is less visually appealing.
makes me feel a bit better about this crummy situation
btw thanks for the random bump...:D :D
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#21
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Here is an install guide to add video on to your NAV system...I've since added a backup camera as well:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-s-video-into-nav-av-electronic-video-switcher-install-44095/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-s-video-into-nav-av-electronic-video-switcher-install-44095/
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