How's the OEM GPS unit from the '08-'10 Mazda5s?

[Hank3]

Still shopping for a Mazda5. Leaning towards the refreshed 1st gen model from '08-'10. I have seen some GT models equipped with a touchscreen GPS unit. For those of you that have it, is it a decent unit? Or would you prefer the stock radio that has buttons and using your phone or aftermarket GPS?

With the dash layout of the Mazda5, it doesn't look like there's a great place for a GPS on the center of the dash since the information display resides there. If the OEM GPS unit is decent, then we might consider one that has it. I realize it's a DVD-based unit so the maps aren't updated and costs money to update. And does Mazda regularly update the DVDs?

 

[Silentnoise713]

How much of a control freak are you (where you HAVE to know exactly where you are on a map at any given point, not that it really servers any purpose but just so you know)? Unless you make deliveries for a living or constantly going on adventures, you are likely to drive the same route 80-90% of the time so a built in GPS is pointless. A key component to GPS is real time traffic reports and up-to-date location searches, which I doubt the OEM unit offers. I have a Garmin Nuvi in the glove box that I have never used in the last 2 years . When I do need GPS, I prefer my smartphone.

The previous gens GT have Bluetooth but only for voice dialing; it does not support AD2P. By accident, I discover that if the phone is paired to the HU and you have google maps running, the turn by turn announcements are sent to the radio, interrupting the AM/FM/CD you are listening too to announce upcoming turns (one benefit of OEM unit over smartphone is integrated system)! A good place to put the phone is on the shifter column, to the left of the knob if/when you need visual aid. I just got a new phone and am looking for a unique place to mount it. Bottom line OEM nav, not worth it. However, if it is the wife that demands it, don’t need to ask further


FWIW, I find the Fit's OEM navi to be pointless, esp. since it does not even support Bluetooth

 

[Hank3]

Appreciate the insight, Silentnoise. It's not a must have for my wife, but she thought it would be nice to have an integrated unit. She gets lost easily...even locally on roads she travels frequently. She has started to use her phone more often these days for GPS reference. What is AD2P?

 

[Rally Man]

I think he meant A2DP, Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. From Wikipedia: "This profile defines how multimedia audio can be streamed from one device to another over a Bluetooth connection."

 

[Rally Man]

Oh and I use a CD slot phone mount, this https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) and just use my phone for GPS and like Silentnoise713 said, use real time traffic updates.

 

[Hank3]

@ Rally Man: I've thought about he CD slot mount, but my wife just got a phablet and I don't know if those type of mounts would support that big of a device?

 

[Rally Man]

According to amazon, it does work with the Galaxy Note 3. I'm sure it should work with other ones, unless you got the Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

 

[Hank3]

According to amazon, it does work with the Galaxy Note 3. I'm sure it should work with other ones, unless you got the Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

Well...it's about the same size as the Sony Xperia. She got the Huawei Ascend Mate 2

 

[Rally Man]

The Ultra is still bigger and will still fit the mount. Max size the mount can accommodate is 3.9"

Comparison between phones:

 

[Hank3]

OK...thanks for the diagram breakdown. These phablets can get pretty heavy with a case installed. Do you think they'll start bending? Which one in particular did you purchase from Amazon? I

 

[Rally Man]

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned). I don't see it bending really.

 

[Hank3]

Great...thanks!

Now comes the hardest part. Finding a the right Mazda5...

 

[Robotazky]

Our 5 has navi. It's an '09 GT.

Considering I got the car for $5500 off sticker with 3 miles, I really didn't care about the cost of navi and the other options. It has remote start, Sirius, etc.

The navi works pretty well. The graphics are perfectly fine. They look about like the new 6. The interface is OK and the Bluetooth is just OK.