Like the second poster said . . . . just get a Garmin.
If your in-dash unit fails, it will cost $HUNDREDS$ to get it fixed. Plus time in the shop (while they fix the GPS and screw up three other things).
If the Garmin fails, pitch and get another one. No down time. No kid learning to be a mechanic while practicing on YOUR car.

 

Actually Garmin usually takes a longer route. It never seems to calculate for traffic lights and city traffic. Google maps is probably the better of them all. I just want to know when the last update was done. Can't seem to find that info on the app. I have GM Navigation, a Garmin, and now Mazda. The phone is the best in my opinion. But in a pinch to find something when your outta town they all work.

 

Boborc

I could not find where the date of the map update is available in the menu screens.

What I did find was that the date of the map files in the SD card reflect the date it was last updated. I went by the backup of the SD Card I did when I last updated the SD Card, however, you should be able to stick the SD card in a PC and read the file dates.

I will say that my latest Garmin does an incredible job of estimating the delay caused by traffic. It often tells me that there is a 10 minute delay and an alternate route could save 8 minutes. I can hit an onscreen button to reroute and save the 8 minutes.

Nhtrib

If my in-dash system fails, and somehow the rest of the system works, I will stick a garmin unit in the window at that point. I suspect, that if the in-dash GPS system fails the cost would be over $1,000 and include audio, vehicle diagnostics and who knows what else.


Bottom line is preference. I prefer to use the system in the car (with its flaws and inconveniences) over the system stuck to the windshield (with its flaws and inconveniences). I understand how others can come to different conclusions.

 

I bought the car used, that's why I'am wondering? Did the last owner update since they had 3 years of free updates? It is a 2015 so it is just out of the 3 year free be. My garmin is ok a 2689 got it 3 years ago. I use it for my truck when towing camper, I have the backup camera on the trailer which is great for backing up or using as a rear view when diving. Google how ever does have the better routes I believe that are quicker in the long run. I usually have to start going the way I want and the Garmin will eventually adjust and i can see the ETA drop when it finally does.

 

Have you spent any time with the Mazda GPS? I ask because when we bought our 2016 I really tried to like the GPS on it; even resorting to leaving my 2012 vintage Garmin nüvi 3590LMT behind on long trips to force me to learn the Mazda system. In the end I dusted off the Garmin and still use it for virtually all of our GPS needs. To the best of my knowledge, the only time the GPS on our Mazda has been fired up in the last two years was when my wife got lost and her phone was inoperative; even then it was a pretty hearty battle to get it to bring her back home.

My prediction is when you figure out how bad the Mazda system is, your nüvi 2689 will once again become your best friend.

 

Interesting survey on MSNBC web site today.

How often do you use navigation tools built into your car?

• 14%Often
• 19%Sometimes
• 13%Seldom
• 54%Never