Gracenote a big part of the problem?

[Kedis82ZE8]

Check out this post. New BT modules that possibly disables Gracenote. No idea if available in North American market.

http://forum.mazda6club.com/4298593-post284.html

 

[garyd9]

It's Australia:

Someone from Mazda Australia then called and ensured the case was opened and the module sent to my dealer with instructions to install.

 

[runtohell121]

Wonder will Mazda US ever do anything about those head units...

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I imagine it is a pain to swap this module but I wonder if it also requires a firmware flash?

 

[ciucca]

I think all you need do is remove the glovebox and bezel. I saw it right under the dash when I installed my remote starter module. Anyway the issue is moola,dinero,scratch, etc. The cost of upgrading the modules is high, because they can only be reflashed at the factory, to do this for all mazda6,cx-5,cx-9,etc on the road in the USA is going to cut into someones profit numbers, so I would expect they will only replace the modules for people who complain, and the rest, oh well, Mazda just saved millions!

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Anyway the issue is moola,dinero,scratch, etc. The cost of upgrading the modules is high, because they can only be reflashed at the factory, to do this for all mazda6,cx-5,cx-9,etc on the road in the USA is going to cut into someones profit numbers, so I would expect they will only replace the modules for people who complain, and the rest, oh well, Mazda just saved millions!

I could see that... probably a system not really intended for firmware updates. Just speculation... but probably requires a few pins here and there to be grounded to put into in a flash state and then update is applied over some proprietary TTL serial connector.

 

[NorCal_MP3]

If you have been following the Mazda3 forums with the newer systems, you would realize the system is not better. People having constant problems, random reboots, bad USB sticks, etc...

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Someday I will upgrade the system on my "old" CX-5

or at least beyond the 3/36 warranty....

 

[JOE MAMA]

If you have been following the Mazda3 forums with the newer systems, you would realize the system is not better. People having constant problems, random reboots, bad USB sticks, etc...

I have a 2014 Mazda 3 and I personally don't care much for the system. Functionally, it works better than the CX-5, but its marginal at best - it too has glitches. In addition, the icons are odd and I really don't care for the jog dial....I find using a touch screen easier, but its disabled while driving.

The nice thing about the CX-5 is that I can change the stereo much easier than in the M3. I will likely wait until CarPlay/Android Auto has been perfected before I pull the trigger. OEM systems will always be inferior because by the time they're roll out into production, they're already out of date. Aftermarket manufacturer's also tend to support their product much better as far as offering software updates.

 

[garyd9]

Aftermarket manufacturer's also tend to support their product much better as far as offering software updates.

I think the strangest oddity comparing OEM vs aftermarket head units is the bluetooth "MAP" support. It seems that all the OEM units support MAP. At the same time, very few (if any) aftermarket units do.

(MAP is the bluetooth protocol that let's you read and reply to SMS messages (and sometimes email) on the head unit.)

Most of the aftermarket units that support SMS do so using an old (and rarely implemented) "AT" command mechanism created long ago as part of a GSM standard for serial connected phones.

(I have to qualify my claims about aftermarket units not supporting MAP by mentioning I haven't dug deep into them for at least 2 years. Things might have changed since then, but if they are all still using Parrot based stacks, I somehow doubt it.)

 

[JOE MAMA]

I think the strangest oddity comparing OEM vs aftermarket head units is the bluetooth "MAP" support. It seems that all the OEM units support MAP. At the same time, very few (if any) aftermarket units do.

(MAP is the bluetooth protocol that let's you read and reply to SMS messages (and sometimes email) on the head unit.)

With CarPlay and Android Auto now available, its likely only a matter of time before MAP is obsolete. I personally don't use it....I find it very clumsy, though it is cool in theory.

 

[xtrailman]

I have a 2014 Mazda 3 and I personally don't care much for the system. Functionally, it works better than the CX-5, but its marginal at best - it too has glitches. In addition, the icons are odd and I really don't care for the jog dial....I find using a touch screen easier, but its disabled while driving.

The nice thing about the CX-5 is that I can change the stereo much easier than in the M3. I will likely wait until CarPlay/Android Auto has been perfected before I pull the trigger. OEM systems will always be inferior because by the time they're roll out into production, they're already out of date. Aftermarket manufacturer's also tend to support their product much better as far as offering software updates.

Yes I've read a few posts where the "dial" was on the want list, personally my commander remains largely unused, its difficult to use while driving with out looking down, which I consider unsafe, while I have no problem using the screen while driving.

A second cup holder would be more useful.

 

[Mountkeen]

Yes I've read a few posts where the "dial" was on the want list, personally my commander remains largely unused, its difficult to use while driving with out looking down, which I consider unsafe, while I have no problem using the screen while driving.

A second cup holder would be more useful.

I disagree. The dial is incredibly useful and I found that once I was familiar with its layout and operation it's very easy to operate and doesn't involve looking down. I'd go so far as to say that's its much safer than using the buttons on the head unit or the touchscreen.

 

[xtrailman]

The only time I use the commander is for the back button, when I first bought the car I did try to use only the commander but quickly found that not every thing could be done on it and had to end up using the screen, I wouldn't miss it, but accept you like using yours.