For those of us without factory NAV, it seems clear that fitting the factory unit, post-sale, is pretty damn near impossible if not just due to the price it would cost. But an aftermarket unit is still a possibility.

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy the factory motorised screen housing though? With or without the screen? This would still allow a factory look with an aftermarket system, allowing the screen to be hidden in the dash when it is not in use. Either the factory screen can be used (which we know will accept an external signal) or an aftermarket (touch?)screen can be fitted in its place....

The only regret I have in not purchasing the factory NAV is the hide-away screen in the dash. The actual NAV system didn't do anything special for me...


-andy-

 

they don't sell the housing seperately.. If you were to get a crack in the housing, the warranty would replace the ENTIRE system, since they manufacture and sell the whole system as one part, according to my dealership.

 

Really? Can the screen not be purchased seperately?

I guess that's ok under warranty, but what about when that runs out and people have to repair them out of their own pocket... ouch!


-andy-

 

Ok. I got off my **** and decided to try and find out, so called a mate of mine who works for the parts dept of one of the larger UK dealers..

Apparently you can buy the motorised housing seperately from the rest of the NAV system, although on his paperwork it does show it coming with the screen. He's going to see if you can buy the housing on it's own.

It will take a day or two for the prices to come back from Mazda UK but it'll be interesting to see how much it works out to.


-andy-

 

thats a really good idea. I regretted not getting the navigation because as thoughts of aftermarket screens cross my mind, i could have just used the navigation. only other option is one on a stand, or a flipout screen and replacing stock. which would look horrible unless done like in the widebody interior picture thats all over the site. THAT is amazing.

 

I want the flip up housing to put some gauges in

 

How much interest is there in an aftermarket solution for those of you who did not get the Nav system with their 8?
Would you be interested in a kit or an entire install package for a NAV system and what would you be willing to spend?

 

I am interested in getting a NAV system but I want to retain my stereo. I like the controls on the wheel.

 

I'm aquiring parts to make a customized center console replacing the stereo controls with a touchscreen running off a carputer. Finally got the actual screen and ordered an extra faceplate to actually chop up :D

I'm planning on replacing all the speakers and adding in some more. Planning on keeping the headunit as an input on the computer so that I can keep all the nice LCD and steering controlls as well, but add in all the GPS, MP3 and other funky goodness I can.

 

genom sounds like a nice idea.. i wanna see/hear more about this. can you take some pix and document the process along with prices. Ive been looking into getting a full unit with dvd,touchscreen, mp3 navi etc but i like your idea of keeping the stock unit as an input. how would it work though?

 

SixSpeed:

Any word on what they said in terms of being able to buy the housing seperately?

 

I'd certainly be interested in a kit that uses the same layout as stock NAV (the flip up screen on the dash).

I'm not even that interested in a NAV system, but just the screen for video input.

Using the stock NAV screen, Rick at Ricks Rotary Performance set up some HKS computer with a number of gauges (all reading stock signals I believe, no aftermarket stuff to see a/f and such yet). I really like what he did, but he said you'd save alot of money if you didn't have the NAV (as that requried additional hardware to get the video input to it), which is great for me without the NAV, but I don't just want a laptop sitting on my passenger seat. So any nicely mountable screen would get my attention, but one that used the stock NAV layout would be a sure winner.

As far as how much $$ that's worth to me.. no clue, have nothing to compare to yet until I find some people looking at doing it and have rough cost estimates.

 

What he said ^

 

There is some sort of kit on mazdaparts.com, but I'm not sure what it really is. I think they call it the RX8 NAV kit. It looks interesting to me though... since I'd like a little richer multimedia experience.

They don't have alot of detail.. like whether it is motorized. The instructions are in Japanese, which creates other potential problems if the instructions aren't very picture orientated. Anyone know anything about this?

 

That particular piece is a tray to place an aftermarket screen--nice piece except it is not concealable--which for my 8 isn't a good thing as I go out clubbing frequently.

 

I've been following these threads for a while, and I don't think there is a single example of somebody installing the Nav housing. I think our best bet will be to salvage a motorized housing from a wrecked 8. Is there anyone out there, besides the guy who installed the entire factory system, who has been able to install only the factory nav housing?

Dynasty

 

I was looking for a sat/nav housing for my new RX, as I bought one without the factory sat system.
I want to fit my own system in the car, but using the pop up dash console.
My local dealer is really good, and tried all ways of getting one.
The monitor housing and monitor as one unit is £4500! new.
What makes it even more annoying is that my dealer had an old pop up dash housing with a cracked monitor in it that was replaced under warranty - just sitting in their workshop for months.
He threw it out a week before I asked for one!..... damn!

 

LOOK IN HERE u will see what you looking for.

if you look on pag 5 i think on what i did you will finde a navi unite beeing taken a Part :D