Yay! We're The Worst Out There

[TreyP]

(rolleyes)
5 frustrating car infotainment interfaces

Mazda TomTom Navigation

In an affordable car, the new Mazda system was the most frustrating system of any we've recently encountered. The top-level infotainment system in the new 2014 Mazda6 and CX-5 pairs TomTom navigation with integration for hands-free calling, media and satellite radio, and even Pandora music integration, provided you've installed the app on an iPhone or other approved handset. But maps and menus are laggy, voice controls are extremely limited, and the central-console controller, while it looks great, ends up feeling like an underdelivering iDrive knockoff.

 

[nXt]

I wish the USA models included the center console controls.

 

[marty2462]

Maybe it's just me but I thought the system was pretty straight forward and simple to use. The problem I have is with the non resume feature, IPOD disconnecting and the Tom Tom is just so so. I think the reviewers might be Apple Fan-boys.

 

[costermonger]

I don't find the voice control thing to be particularly useful unless I am very careful about how I say things, but that's pretty much my only complaint. The iPod connection acts just like every iPod dock I've ever had, so the non-resuming stuff seems normal to me.

The actual navigation seems fine. I haven't had any issue with it yet, other than one mis-named exit ramp.

 

[Senor Valasco]

The iPod connection acts just like every iPod dock I've ever had, so the non-resuming stuff seems normal to me.

I've had tons of different iPod and USB docks in various environments over the years and none of them have ever not resumed playback from where I left off last I turned it off. I even have a 9 year old Kenwood head unit in my other car with iPod cable connection and USB port and both resume playback after shutting off the car. Heck, the iPod itself always resumes from the last spot, so why shouldn't any dock.

 

[WNJ]

I don't understand, my iPod resumes where left off every time.... is plugged in to the USB in the centre armrest. Sometimes it takes a few seconds after the electrics to start up, but is always from the same point on the same song that had listened to last on the previous drive!

 

[123373]

We don't get the iDrive like dial in the US. I have not experienced any lag so I am wondering if its specific to cars with the dial controller.

 

[costermonger]

I've had tons of different iPod and USB docks in various environments over the years and none of them have ever not resumed playback from where I left off last I turned it off. I even have a 9 year old Kenwood head unit in my other car with iPod cable connection and USB port and both resume playback after shutting off the car. Heck, the iPod itself always resumes from the last spot, so why shouldn't any dock.

Well, I should clarify; I'm using an iphone and my car resumes sometimes, and starts at song 1 other times. This is behaviour I have seen with a dock in my house. I have no idea what determines whether it picks up where it was left off, or what resets it to the top of the list, but it seems to have something to do with time and what I do with the phone while it's not connected. If I listen to music on earphones right before I get in the car, it picks up where I left it. If I haven't been listening to music recently, it probably starts at the top of the list.

I'll see if I can nail down the conditions that cause it to do either.

 

[Senor Valasco]

I don't understand, my iPod resumes where left off every time.... is plugged in to the USB in the centre armrest. Sometimes it takes a few seconds after the electrics to start up, but is always from the same point on the same song that had listened to last on the previous drive!

Is yours a 2014? The problem was introduced in the 2014 CX-5 and 2013 CX-9. Apparently works the way it should in prior years for both models.

 

[Senor Valasco]

Well, I should clarify; I'm using an iphone and my car resumes sometimes, and starts at song 1 other times. This is behaviour I have seen with a dock in my house. I have no idea what determines whether it picks up where it was left off, or what resets it to the top of the list, but it seems to have something to do with time and what I do with the phone while it's not connected. If I listen to music on earphones right before I get in the car, it picks up where I left it. If I haven't been listening to music recently, it probably starts at the top of the list.

I'll see if I can nail down the conditions that cause it to do either.

Are you using Bluetooth though? The issue is with USB connection. There is an entire thread dedicated to the problem in this forum.

Actually, I see that you have a 2013, which doesn't have the problem.

 

[costermonger]

I use the dock, but yeah, mine is a 13. Nevermind. About 50% of the time it starts at song 1. Wish it didn't.

 

[WNJ]

Is yours a 2014? The problem was introduced in the 2014 CX-5 and 2013 CX-9. Apparently works the way it should in prior years for both models.

No, mine was one of the first bunch to arrive in the UK so getting pretty old now!

 

[Evan55]

I used the nav for the first time this weekend. SO BAD. So much worse than even I prepared myself for given the commentary on this site. Mazda should be ashamed of putting it in their cars, and TomTom should be ashamed of making it.

What rubbed salt in the wound was my dad showed me his new standalone garmin unit. Wow it is so much better, and for under $300.

 

[nXt]

What rubbed salt in the wound was my dad showed me his new standalone garmin unit. Wow it is so much better, and for under $300.

Garmins are my favorite (other than Google Navigation on Android phones). TomTom is horrible.
Hell, you can buy sub $100 Garmin standalone units that works much better than any TomTom unit.

 

[xtrailman]

I hope you're wrong, because I find my Garmin to be rubbish compared to my Nissan satnav, which is very good.

As others have said it spoils a good car, that isn't cheap in the UK..

Unfortunately I have ordered mine with Nav.

I did use it on a test drive, actually did 30 mile using the TT, it got me lost, and was constantly showing my position incorrectly, that's to say it was showing were I had been, not were I was, most noticeable on islands.

Was hoping the teething problems would be sorted by now, its not as if TT has just started with Nav units.

 

[dad of jon]

I hope you're wrong, because I find my Garmin to be rubbish compared to my Nissan satnav, which is very good.

As others have said it spoils a good car, that isn't cheap in the UK..

Unfortunately I have ordered mine with Nav.

I did use it on a test drive, actually did 30 mile using the TT, it got me lost, and was constantly showing my position incorrectly, that's to say it was showing were I had been, not were I was, most noticeable on islands.

Was hoping the teething problems would be sorted by now, its not as if TT has just started with Nav units.

that's pooped on my plan.

I was thinking of getting tom-tom added later on. I prefer my navigo to the TT interface, the last time I looked the TT interface was poor but if it's still buggy that's a no-go. shame there isn't another built-in option.
can you update us when you get yours?

 

[nXt]

that's pooped on my plan.

I was thinking of getting tom-tom added later on. I prefer my navigo to the TT interface, the last time I looked the TT interface was poor but if it's still buggy that's a no-go. shame there isn't another built-in option.
can you update us when you get yours?

I'm in the US, I hate TomTom, I think their UI is ugly and their POI categories are lacking (no grocery stores).
Anyhow, as long as you know the limitations of the unit, it's fine.
I use it in the morning and after work and doing errands, trying to use it as much as I can. It navigates just fine. Although some times it won't tell me to take the freeway when it's obviously a faster route.
I've taken other roads off the route and it recalculated/redirected quickly.
I've not lost any signal or have the TomTom falsely position me.

 

[atitus]

My experience with the Tom-Tom has been very different. It saved my butt on a recent trip from Boston to Baltimore, when it offered to redirect me several times around some nasty traffic. I have also had good luck with the voice mode, which I see a lot of people have had problems with. It seems to have no problem recognizing both my wife's and my own voice. I don't think I tried grocery stores, but it is able to locate BJ's (warehouse-club chain store) in multiple cities with no problem. I've compared it with google maps/nav on my android phone and its spot on.

 

[xtrailman]

I hope my TT will be a good experience, but reading the posts of present owners, one on his forth replacement unit, others with problems after updating etc.
The forecast is bleak rather than sunny.

I also think the screen is too small, my present one is 7", but I can live with that.

 

[kinks45]

Is yours a 2014? The problem was introduced in the 2014 CX-5 and 2013 CX-9. Apparently works the way it should in prior years for both models.

Also the new mazda6, which I just bought. Not "remembering" which song on my flash drive it left off at when I turn off the ignition is a DEFECT!! Please take it in and complain, so we all can get a fix for this. Even my previous Clarion head unit had this feature. If we all ask to speak with a Mazda rep (after hearing "it was designed that way" from the Technician), they will listen.