I Want the CX-5 but I HATE the GPS ... Any Fixes?

[Felt_Rider]

Having a decent infotainment system was really high my list looking for a 2014 car/CUV, but the more I researched and test drove I finally came to the point where a built in GPS started to sink down my list of priorities. The CX-5 ended up as my final selection and even though I was lurking here and seeing a lot of negative thoughts on the integrated Tom Tom GPS all of the other characteristics of the CX-5 simply over shadowed the poor stereo/GPS. I ended up getting a 2014 Touring without the Tech Package.

At the moment I am using an iphone using Google maps or Waze. I had to get an upgrade on my reading glasses to see the screen, but so far the phone has worked well for a couple of long trips and local metro trips.

For a larger screen I am considering getting an Ipad Mini wifi (Nexus 7 would be cheaper, but ipad suits my other goals) and use either a GPS receiver like Bad Elf or Garmin Glo Bluetooth transmitter to work with offline mapping apps like Copilot. I have seen a few setups with the pad hanging in a mount over the front of the stereo screen for music and direction. Some of them are mounted so well that they actually look like it is part of the car and yet can be quickly removed and used elsewhere.

The one thing I have not figured out yet is why on either Waze or Google Maps the voice over the car stereo will just abruptly stop working on some trips as if something interrupted the Bluetooth signal. Once it stops working it does not start working again and the remaining trip I have to go purely on visual and not voice direction.

 

[Rich 65]

My main reason for buying a car is the car itself. I phone integration, nav, sound system is secondary.

 

[CrystalWhiteCX5]

My main reason for buying a car is the car itself. I phone integration, nav, sound system is secondary.

Agreed.

Believe it or not, I prefer the radio off when driving. Often the commute back forth to work is the only "quiet" time I get all day. I like to hear the sounds that the car makes - or the lack thereof. Wish the CX-5 was slightly quieter but I was spoiled by previous cars. I didn't realize how quiet they were.

Also, since most of my driving is the commute to and from work, I don't really have much use for the navigation system either. I have always wondered why nav is so important to so many people...I wonder where they are going and why they never know how to get there. Generally speaking I go to places that I already know how to get to.

Maybe I'm just getting old. (shrug)

 

[ALafya]

We need a GPS which, unlike smartphone navigation, works in remote places where there is no data service. I highly prefer a standalone device over one integrated to the car. This is because I can take it with me to rental cars, I can have the model I selected, with all the features I need, not just random one which comes with the car and I it costs significantly less.
My first standalone device was a Tomtom, which I grew to dislike. I am sure that by now they have better devices, but we switched to Garmin and I am pretty satisfied. Obviously, Google has superior search over any device, so sometimes I complement the GPS functionality with Google map search, if there's data.
Granted, 99% of the time I drive to places I know the route to. When I travel, I heavily rely on the GPS and my wife certainly needs a GPS pretty much everyday.

 

[xtrailman]

The built in TT may not be great, but come on I have nav on my phone and a 1375 garmin, both aren't as good as having the built in TT.

 

[trucx]

What I'm wondering is for everybody using their phones as NAV, how do you hear the directions? I'm currently using my phone, and works well for the most part, but if I'm hooked up to my system through bluetooth and listening to the radio, the directions won't be heard at all. If I don't connect the phone using bluetooth I'll hear it out of my phone, but then if I'm on the highway and listening to music it won't be loud enough so I wouldn't hear it.

 

[dougal]

What I'm wondering is for everybody using their phones as NAV, how do you hear the directions? I'm currently using my phone, and works well for the most part, but if I'm hooked up to my system through bluetooth and listening to the radio, the directions won't be heard at all. If I don't connect the phone using bluetooth I'll hear it out of my phone, but then if I'm on the highway and listening to music it won't be loud enough so I wouldn't hear it.

Agree. I have the same issue. Honestly, they should just let the phone Maps run the head unit. Now that would be revolutionary...

 

[GAXIBM]

The title of this thread includes "any fixes" and yes the new version of the operating software available about a week ago retains the data you are entering and the screen you are on when the "screen lock" due to movement of the car in the US version comes on. This is much better in stop and go traffic for keying in a new address or doing a POI name search as you can continue where you were at the next stop. It also claims to fix the voice control but I do not use it so no comment. Also a new version out for a few weeks fixed the live traffic failure to connect problem in Europe.

 

[ALafya]

Did you get the new version? At your dealer?
Does it fixes any of the following known issues:
* USB playback will not resume after turning the car off.
* USB Shuffle is not random enough.
* USB initial read time is too long.

 

[danieljw]

Agree. I have the same issue. Honestly, they should just let the phone Maps run the head unit. Now that would be revolutionary...

If you use Android devices, search for AppRadio3 and appradio unchained.

You're welcome.

 

[GAXIBM]

Did you get the new version? At your dealer?
Does it fixes any of the following known issues:
* USB playback will not resume after turning the car off.
* USB Shuffle is not random enough.
* USB initial read time is too long.

You use TomTom Home to update the GPS card. It does not address USB, only TomTom GPS

 

[kdaug]

When I recently bought my 2014 GT I opted to not get the Tech package, one reason being that as I had read lots of posts about the crappy TT NAV system. So, I opted to wait for the software upgrade which my local dealer said would be found in the just released 2015 model. As soon as the new software/hardware makes it to the dealers parts shelves I will consider buying the "new" TT NAV. Thanks to Mazda for making the NAV system an optional add on in the GS and GT models. Most if not all other manufacturers make a NAV system standard in only one or 2 models but never as an optional add on.

 

[ErgoZoom]

When I recently bought my 2014 GT I opted to not get the Tech package, one reason being that as I had read lots of posts about the crappy TT NAV system. So, I opted to wait for the software upgrade which my local dealer said would be found in the just released 2015 model. As soon as the new software/hardware makes it to the dealers parts shelves I will consider buying the "new" TT NAV. Thanks to Mazda for making the NAV system an optional add on in the GS and GT models. Most if not all other manufacturers make a NAV system standard in only one or 2 models but never as an optional add on.

There's no fix in the 2015 models.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

After discovering the Waze app (for Android and IOS as well), I find the CX-5's navigation system to be completely obsolete. It was nice to have a simple GPS with free traffic report, but with time I found it to be somewhat inaccurate. Also the small screen, poor graphics, lack of reliable voice command, and the overly simplistic interface got me bored within a year. It really is a generation behind. That is why Mazda no longer has proper support for the problems of our infotainment unit, because they upgraded to a completely new and intuitive system within a year in the new Mazda3.

There really is no fix for our current unit. The hardware is too dated and so is the software/firmware.

 

[dougal]

After discovering the Waze app (for Android and IOS as well), I find the CX-5's navigation system to be completely obsolete. It was nice to have a simple GPS with free traffic report, but with time I found it to be somewhat inaccurate. Also the small screen, poor graphics, lack of reliable voice command, and the overly simplistic interface got me bored within a year. It really is a generation behind. That is why Mazda no longer has proper support for the problems of our infotainment unit, because they upgraded to a completely new and intuitive system within a year in the new Mazda3.

There really is no fix for our current unit. The hardware is too dated and so is the software/firmware.

Another person mentioned the Waze app to me. They also mentioned that it will play through the bluetooth audio system. If this is true, I agree, it could make the nav system obsolete.

 

[MikeM.]

My 'fix' is to never turn the GPS on, LOL!

Seriously, I would have liked a GPS that had decent functionality but, the truth of the matter is, I generally know how to get where I typically go. And if I'm venturing into unknown territory I'll bring either my trusty Garmin 276C or 376C. Either one is miles better than the TomTom even though they are over a decade old.


I love the actual driving dynamics, ergonomics, luggage capacity, ride quality and efficiency of the CX-5 so much that the lack of a decent OEM GPS doesn't bother me.

 

[IronMan0737]

The onboard GPS will be a back-up to phone apps. Never hurts to have a fail-safe. Unless my phone dies or is otherwise unusable, I can run the TT.

I'd be more interested to see if someone could program the vehicle setting features into an aftermarket unit. I'd assume it'd require reverse engineering, but that would make them more worth $4-500.

 

[V8toilet]

A real map is a good fail safe backup too. I remember the days when there were no GPS or mobile phones.

 

[ErgoZoom]

The onboard GPS will be a back-up to phone apps. Never hurts to have a fail-safe. Unless my phone dies or is otherwise unusable, I can run the TT.

I'd be more interested to see if someone could program the vehicle setting features into an aftermarket unit. I'd assume it'd require reverse engineering, but that would make them more worth $4-500.

I don't think you'll ever go back into vehicle settings after living with the car for 6 months. You can also probably have it accessed by the dealer.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Another person mentioned the Waze app to me. They also mentioned that it will play through the bluetooth audio system. If this is true, I agree, it could make the nav system obsolete.

It plays through Bluetooth just fine. Waze is a free community-based navigation app, which is the best part. Works well especially for dense cities where there are almost instantaneous updates on all roads. The traffic reports are VERY accurate. There are other reports such as police spotting, road hazards, accident reports, construction, etc. Everything can be voice alerted via the phone's speaker, auxiliary output, or Bluetooth. It's so useful, Google Maps is now using Waze's reports to alert Google Maps users of traffic info as well. It also allows you to send your ETA via text/email/Facebook and includes a URL containing a webpage with live tracking of your location.

I haven't updated my CX-5's TomTom SD card in over three months because I only use the infotainment for audio and phone nowadays.