navigation voice
#1
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navigation voice
Does anyone have any info/opinions about the voice used in the navigation system? Also, I saw on navtech's site (through a previously released press release) that they have recorded voice data (I think that's what they called it - can't find teh press release now) which enables you to hear street names like "Turn Right onto Main street" rather than "turn right". Anyone with a navication system have any thoughts on these questions?
Thanks!!
RX8ZoomZoon
Thanks!!
RX8ZoomZoon
#2
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The voice does not specify street names - it only provides updates as to the distance until a turn. I think I would prefer distances to street names anyway. I have always had a hard time reading street signs at night - the headlights never illuminate them properly.
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I see. Thanks for the info.
What about the voice? On Mazda's demo site, it sounds rather robotic - is that accurate in the production model or is it more human? I'm curious as to how easily understandable it is.
What about the voice? On Mazda's demo site, it sounds rather robotic - is that accurate in the production model or is it more human? I'm curious as to how easily understandable it is.
#5
I find the voice isn't too robotic. There is a twinge of virtual reality in her voice - I have become use to it (I call her Skully). I don't think you can change the dialect of the voice - I could be wrong, but I didn't see that option.
What I don't like is that the volume doesn't adjust with the AudioPilot feature. So if I'm listening to Nine Inch Nails and open the moonroof, the stereo volume is automagically increased, but the "voice" remains the same and I can't hear her. You have to either turn down the stereo, or turn up the voice volume in the DVD Nav. menu.
It's not the end of the world.... Overall, I'm really happy with the NAV though, I get to request alternate routes to everywhere I drive and all of the little backroads are great to drive on, lots of fun. Unfortunately some of the streets aren't in the system - like the street I live on - I called NavTech, they said that they would have a new DVD out with all updated info, possibly a new menu system, etc. in the 3rd quarter of 2004. Seems like a long time to wait.
What I don't like is that the volume doesn't adjust with the AudioPilot feature. So if I'm listening to Nine Inch Nails and open the moonroof, the stereo volume is automagically increased, but the "voice" remains the same and I can't hear her. You have to either turn down the stereo, or turn up the voice volume in the DVD Nav. menu.
It's not the end of the world.... Overall, I'm really happy with the NAV though, I get to request alternate routes to everywhere I drive and all of the little backroads are great to drive on, lots of fun. Unfortunately some of the streets aren't in the system - like the street I live on - I called NavTech, they said that they would have a new DVD out with all updated info, possibly a new menu system, etc. in the 3rd quarter of 2004. Seems like a long time to wait.
#7
888-NAV-MAPS
They might already have what you're looking for, they were very informative when I called - yet slightly confused as the software version I had in the RX-8 was more current than what they showed in their system. good luck.
They might already have what you're looking for, they were very informative when I called - yet slightly confused as the software version I had in the RX-8 was more current than what they showed in their system. good luck.
#8
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Originally posted by tripwire
What I don't like is that the volume doesn't adjust with the AudioPilot feature.
What I don't like is that the volume doesn't adjust with the AudioPilot feature.
I called NavTech, they said that they would have a new DVD out with all updated info, possibly a new menu system, etc. in the 3rd quarter of 2004. Seems like a long time to wait.
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NAV Voice
Linda & I took the new 8 on a break-in trip through the Hill Country of Texas. Part of our trip plan was to visit with budaman in Austin and thank him personally for all his help with VIN searches. If ifubar wasn’t so far away from Dallas, I would have gone there and thanked him too. We did meet up with budaman and had an enjoyable visit and swapped stories while admiring a bunch of 8s parked at his dealership..
At the beginning of the trip, I had set the NAV to our destination and had set it to "avoid highways" which we discovered quickly was the way to take the back roads. It worked fine.
I did not tell Linda about the NAV system as I wanted to surprise her. Well off we went and as we were driving, this rather sweet sounding babe started giving directions. Linda, not ever having been in a NAV equipped car looked quizzically at the thing and after a few moments said..."Who's the Bitch?"
Well we laughed for the next hour and every time the "Bitch" spoke, we would rattle off some smart-*** comment back to her. What a hoot!
Anyway, the NAV system has now been officially been named the bitch. When we go out now and I forget to turn on the NAV and ask Linda how to get somewhere, she just says, "Why not ask the Bitch?"
If any of you have "named" the voice, write to this post and we can compare stories.
:p
At the beginning of the trip, I had set the NAV to our destination and had set it to "avoid highways" which we discovered quickly was the way to take the back roads. It worked fine.
I did not tell Linda about the NAV system as I wanted to surprise her. Well off we went and as we were driving, this rather sweet sounding babe started giving directions. Linda, not ever having been in a NAV equipped car looked quizzically at the thing and after a few moments said..."Who's the Bitch?"
Well we laughed for the next hour and every time the "Bitch" spoke, we would rattle off some smart-*** comment back to her. What a hoot!
Anyway, the NAV system has now been officially been named the bitch. When we go out now and I forget to turn on the NAV and ask Linda how to get somewhere, she just says, "Why not ask the Bitch?"
If any of you have "named" the voice, write to this post and we can compare stories.
:p
Last edited by boowana; 07-29-2003 at 09:58 AM.
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Re: NAV Voice
Originally posted by boowana
Anyway, the NAV system has now been officially been named the bitch.
Anyway, the NAV system has now been officially been named the bitch.
#12
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Congats Lensman on 1,000 posts. Of course this means you can't post any more or else the number will change and my post will no longer seem relevant.
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Re: NAV Voice
Originally posted by boowana
Linda & I took the new 8 on a break-in trip through the Hill Country of Texas.
Linda, not ever having been in a NAV equipped car looked quizzically at the thing and after a few moments said..."Who's the Bitch?":p
Linda & I took the new 8 on a break-in trip through the Hill Country of Texas.
Linda, not ever having been in a NAV equipped car looked quizzically at the thing and after a few moments said..."Who's the Bitch?":p
#14
Originally posted by RX8ZoomZoom
Yeah, seems a while to wait - what's the deal with updates anyway? Is it subscription based or just whenever you want an update you pay a flat fee or?
Yeah, seems a while to wait - what's the deal with updates anyway? Is it subscription based or just whenever you want an update you pay a flat fee or?
#15
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Originally posted by RX8ZoomZoom
I thought I read somewhere that turning audiopilot on resulted in the stereo automatically lowering the volume when the nav spoke??
I thought I read somewhere that turning audiopilot on resulted in the stereo automatically lowering the volume when the nav spoke??
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Boo- thanks for the story. It is reassuring to know that my wife and I are not the only ones that talk back to "the bitch." We had a good time as well with the voice, and contemplated how funny it would be if you could add some colorful commentary to her voice. Such as "what the f*^% are you doin? you just missed the turn?":D
#20
Originally posted by mikeb
I know this is stupid, but how do i turn her off. I forget how to turn her voice off!!!!!!!
I know this is stupid, but how do i turn her off. I forget how to turn her voice off!!!!!!!
#21
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With Audio pilot "on", the stereo lowers so that you can better here "the bitch" then raises again afterwards. The only prob., is that at high levels, the radio volume isn't lowered enough. If I'm playing stuff above say 15 or 16, I can't here her that well. At 9 or 10, the volume is lowered enough for me to hear her words of wisdom. I'm afraid I still don't always trust her though. I often want to turn to early. Anyone else not always belive her?? :D
P.S. So far she has always been
right.
P.S. So far she has always been
right.
#22
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Originally posted by Attack
I think the nav lady sounds like Demi Moore and she's about to go down on you. Far better than my BMW and Acura bitches were.
I think the nav lady sounds like Demi Moore and she's about to go down on you. Far better than my BMW and Acura bitches were.
#23
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Originally posted by mantisflie
With Audio pilot "on", the stereo lowers so that you can better here "the bitch" then raises again afterwards. The only prob., is that at high levels, the radio volume isn't lowered enough. If I'm playing stuff above say 15 or 16, I can't here her that well. At 9 or 10, the volume is lowered enough for me to hear her words of wisdom. I'm afraid I still don't always trust her though. I often want to turn to early. Anyone else not always belive her?? :D
P.S. So far she has always been
right.
With Audio pilot "on", the stereo lowers so that you can better here "the bitch" then raises again afterwards. The only prob., is that at high levels, the radio volume isn't lowered enough. If I'm playing stuff above say 15 or 16, I can't here her that well. At 9 or 10, the volume is lowered enough for me to hear her words of wisdom. I'm afraid I still don't always trust her though. I often want to turn to early. Anyone else not always belive her?? :D
P.S. So far she has always been
right.