[zbgirl]

Before I buy the sd card, I was wondering if one can locate various services, restaurants or hotels or other categories by current location, much like my old portable Magellan gps. I consider that a great feature. Anyone out there who has the dedicated sd card for the mazda gps? Thanks

 

[Cyclone1410]

Before I buy the sd card, I was wondering if one can locate various services, restaurants or hotels or other categories by current location, much like my old portable Magellan gps. I consider that a great feature. Anyone out there who has the dedicated sd card for the mazda gps? Thanks

Yes it does all those things and more. At least in Australia anyway. There is a reasonable search function and you can configure the system to show various key points of interest such as servos, parking, restaurants, etc.

 

[DanyC]

Hi,

You can have a look at the dedicated presentation from Master your Mazda | how-to videos & manuals | product features, just choose CX3 and locate the Navigation video.

I haven't used it yet with places of interest.

 

[VANDAL]

Not to sound like a huge complainer but I think our navigation is pretty poor. 10 out of 10 times I prefer to just use Google Maps on my phone instead. I would not consider purchasing the SD card for any "updates" IMHO when all can be had for free with google maps

 

[greaseman85]

Not to sound like a huge complainer but I think our navigation is pretty poor. 10 out of 10 times I prefer to just use Google Maps on my phone instead. I would not consider purchasing the SD card for any "updates" IMHO when all can be had for free with google maps

To be fair this is true of almost every in-dash GPS system, they're all poor unless you have a high end car that actually uses Google Maps (Audi, BMW, etc.)

 

[funambulistic]

The actual GPS in the CX-3 is an order of magnitude better than on my '13 MS3. That system was a TomTom and I believe it was oriented more towards the European market, which is no big deal, but even with frequent map updates, it still had a hard time with highway updates and "iffy" addresses, which my phone handled with aplomb. I did like that it had more customizable features like backgrounds and voices (I liked the British option but opined for a French maid giving directions). So far, the new system Mazda has employed has been spot on (i.e., I don't have to pull out my phone) and I love the actual 3D renderings of buildings, especially when I go downtown and see the skyscrapers passing by on my screen. Is it perfect? By no means, but it sure is not bad.

 

[zbgirl]

Gawd I had an awful time recently driving in Langley BC (DARK no street lights) and was trying to find my way with my android phone using google maps. Because I wasn't using a data plan or 4G the map function was visual only. the phone kept sliding around my car, onto the floor, and I couldn't read the phone using my driving glasses. So I'm taking off my glasses to peer at my phone and then putting the glasses back on to drive. What a nightmare.

My dash cam was hooked up to the one and only 9 volt charger in the CX3. I decided then and there I needed the SD card for other trips if I was going to keep the dash cam plugged in.

I think using google maps is fine with an unlimited data plan. Even with pre loading the maps, I could only get the visual directions, not the voice over. Unless I'm wrong about how I configured it.

 

[greaseman85]

You don't need 4G or unlimited data plan, Google Maps hardly uses data. In the past few days I've used it 2-3 times and it's only used about 14 megabytes.

 

[squatt3r]

when I went for a roadtrip from Austin to Orlando the google maps consumed 75% of my 2.5Gb data allowance

 

[ghmpm]

Personally I prefer the in-car unit! The Mazda unit is VERY easy to use and does well. Since I just finished a 5K trip, I have some practice with the "points of interest". You can search for fuel, hotels, parks and much more. And unlike some in-car units the updates are free for 3 years from purchase! Simple to program too.