Buying cx7 in two wks. Nav or no-nav?

[Shaz]

The navi option serves me right. It has taken me to my destination without a glitch. If it came with an aux jack for iPod, it will be great. I didn't regret getting the navi option but...aftermarket is the way to go like the Alpine IVA-W205 or the Pioneer AVIC Z2. They offer more features and offers a beautiful GUI.

If you're planning to get the Alpine, Pioneer or even the Eclipse, don't get the Tech package. Otherwise, getting the navi option would do you well.

 

[mogulman]

I have a Garmin Nuvi and the Factory Nav. The Garmin Nuvi for around $350-400 is much much much better then the factory Nav that is in the CX-7.

The Nav in the CX-7 is equivilent to a Garmin Nav system I had about 10 years ago.

Garmin Nav has almost every restaurant, shop, gas station, atm, etc. in my town. Factory Nav has about 20%.

Garmin Nav has updates every single year. Factory Nav hasn't had an update on the CX-7 yet. The Maps are also about 3 years old on the factory Nav.

Garmin Nav has 3-D display and can be used while the car is moving. Factory nav is only 2-D, and is grayed out so the car must be stopped to use it.

To be honest, I have factory NAV and a Garmin Unit that I need while travelling. If I really needed GPS in my town (I don't because I know the area), I would be tempted to just use my Nuvi in my CX-7. It is so much easier to use and works so much better then the Mazda unit.

I'm surprised how poor the Mazda Nav system works.

I do like the backup Camera, Bose Audio and Smart Key in the Tech Package. Just wish I could have gotten those without Nav.

 

[mogulman]

You're correct, but there are people, like me, who don't like the appearance of a "thing" stuck to the windshield, with wires dangling everywhere. Additionally, the screen sizes on those aftermarket units are smaller than the Mazda NAV. In the demo's I've seen, the resolution is subpar, as well.

For me, the money I spent on the Tech package was worth every penny.

Vince.

I agree. Sort of. I got the tech package and like the other options. The NAV on the CX-7 really blows if you have used a newer Garmin unit. Even though the screens on the Garmin units look smaller, the resolution is better on a lot of them then the CX-7 Nav.

I'd say yes on NAV if you want all the other stuff (Bose, moonroof, backup cam, etc) and a real basic GPS, and also want to not have a cigarette lighter adapter.

If you really want a good GPS then get a newer Garmin unit. The GPS functionality and points of interest are much better then the CX-7.