Hi guys

I am totally new to maps and GPS stuff, read every topic here, but cant find a solution to my problem.

I am thinking of buying a Mazda 3, with the pre-installed GPS Navigator (which fits nicely into the dash, with read camera, DVD, etc). Their system uses Speednavi maps, but when I tested it int he showroom, it didnt look very good, and not as nice as a TomTom I had used in the UK last year. Seems that either Garmin or Rottweiller are popular among you guys (I will need it for driving round BKK area, where I always get lost!) - so my question is : Can I change the software?

Am awaiting a reply from Mazda, but they might just say anything to get a sale!

thanks in advance!

andy

Hi Andy,

I'm no expert on this, but since apparently nobody can provide anything that might help you I'll share the little I know.

For what I heard about Navi systems offered by the car vendors themselves they are often overprized and mostly closed systems where software cannot be changed (easily). But consider that more as a rumour than a fact.

I am currently looking into car computers which is like the geek way of building a Navi into your car, and basically not recommended for anybody but freaks

However, looking around and doing a lot of reading I found that there is a whole lot of aftermarket GPS systems produced for various types of cars, that also fit nicely into the dash and are easily installed. Those are sometimes more flexible, and the GPS software can be switched to any Windows CE based application.

There are those who fit into most double-DIN slots, and some that even come with a dashboard front-cover to look like an OEM unit. Check out the pics below.

Just do a search on 'car gps in-dash' and 'car gps in-dash mazda3' on Google and Ebay and you'll get the idea.

About your specific question on the Mazda 3 gps - maybe you check out a message board focused on Mazda, like http://www.mazda3forums.com.

And here the discussion on the available Thailand maps: here

And here the discussion on the available Thailand maps: here

thanks welo, i did check out those forums before but no mentions of changing the software, etc. Just didnt want to solely rely on the dealer's claims if it could be done or not. will check out those models anyway.

cheers!

andy

Did a lot of reading in the last view days and also came across some links that might be interesting to you.

'Unlocking' Windows CE based navigation units:

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=121168

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=126303

Installing Garmin on a Windows CE device:

http://forum.ppcwarez.org/viewtopic.php?f=...p;sk=t&sd=a

It doesn't seem too trivial, but should be doable with some IT experience, time and commitment.

And one word on those China GPS units. There is so many different 'brands' and models that it seems difficult to find reports and reviews on the quality. From what I've read you should not expect too much. Some people are happy with what they've got, but others complain about low quality of software and parts. I guess I would thoroughly test a unit before buying. If this is not possible, I would not buy it. The risk is too high you buy real crap which is not even worth the little money it costs like with many other low-budget China products.

Btw most of them are constructed with the stereo/dvd/mp3 and menu frontend as one unit which is seperated from the Windows CE based navigation unit. So be sure you like the music/video part because you will not be able to change it.

Also make sure you can listen to music/watch a dvd at the same time you run the navigation software.

welo

Edited September 16, 200916 yr by welo

thnaks welo. apparently 2 dealers and HQ claim that the unit cant be changed to other software, so I'm stuck with Speednavi, or fit my own unit. theres a good shop in Seacon Square, apparently, will pop along there to racj their brains also ;-)

Anyone with knowledge of Speednavi and how good it is compared with others?

cheers :-)

Just now, I read a positive comment about SpeedNavi in this post in another topic:

Well I've tried a few of them and can't go past the SpeedNavi package that came with the Mio GPS I bought some 18 months ago in Bangkok. I believe Mio and Garmin are compatable.

SpeedNavi is much more accurate, bi lingual, Thai or English text and it's library contains, amongst other things, accurately placed and most obscure dirt tracks, Wats, schools and other POI's in the middle of no where. Even had an isolated Farang bar tagged near where I live in the rice paddies, much to the 'Inn Keepers' surprise.

--

Maestro

cheers maestro, nice to see some concrete evidence on the speednavi ;-)

I believe Mio and Garmin are compatable.

That definitely caught my attention. Did a quick google search but couldn't find evidence that this is really possible. gpspassion says it's not, too. In the meantime sombody posted on the other thread a followup and contradicts this post, but doesn't give details.

(...) I believe Mio and Garmin are compatable.(...)

They are not compatible.

However, it seems that Speednavi has a good Thailand map, the poster mentions very detailed Points of Interest. It might well be that Speednavi purchased the Thailand map data from the same company like Garmin (before ESRI, now TeleAtlas), but this is just speculation.

welo