What's the best Mazda 6 GPS/DVD units

[Cashie]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a Mazda 6 popup style GPS/DVD unit.

After searching here and online it appears the two options are:

Caska/Polaris:

Or this Chinese unit:


It appears the second unit has Bluetooth but beside that they are similar..
Edit--> I think one does FM in sound and the other uses the stacker input.
Which unit is the best and where is the best place to buy?

[mazda6mps]

I have the Ryda one and it isn't too bad.

Bought it from Polaris GPS directly - find them on google - they shipped to me in Melbourne at a fee, but it was relatively cheap at the time.

Comes with a reversing camera - unit pops up when you put the car in reverse. Install was very easy - but there is some electrical work, so if you not confident in doing that kind of work seek professional assistance.

Unit plugs into the back of the CD changer port, so if you have an Ipod adapter, you lose that function. However what I did was install a cable in the AV input, and i run my music off that (as well as my ipod video for when I want to play vids from the ipod to the screen)

There is a USB port on the side - plug in a fat formatted usb drive with mp3', and the unit can play them on the unit.

DVD play back is not too bad. The screen quality (re: picture)is not too bad, but don't expect the same quality as the pionner/kenwood/alpine picture quality (but I ask you, why are you watching dvd's in your car, when you should driving it??? )

GPS function is pretty good - turn by turn instructions over music. The unit does rely on an FM modulator for the GPS function when you are using your radio to transmit, but i have not had any sound quality issues (compared to my axxess ipod adapter anyway).

The only real issue is that when it's sunny outside, the screen can get hard to view due to the glare. It's not so much the products fault, but more so the location of the installation. (as it's right up on the dash).

Map updates can be purchased from polaris, and comes in the form of a SD card (there is a slot on the left hand side, next to where the screen pops up).

The unit exterior's match to the dash is 'pretty' close, but you can tell the difference. (I have learnt to live with it - you can't expect it to match exactly as it's an aftermarket product).

If you have any further questions about the unit, PM me, or post on the forum.

In Summary, here are my scores (out of 5):

Music/sound output: 4
Video quality: 3
GPS function: 3.5 (would have been 4, without the unturn/unturn thing
Overall product Quality: 3.5
Install Instructions: 1.5 (it comes with a set, but is in "ching-lish", so some patience in required in reading and understanding)

[Cashie]

Thanks for the very detailed reply on the Ryda/Polaris unit.
So are you saying to hear the GPS you have to tune your radio to the FM Modulator channel (ie. you can;t listen to radio and use GPS at the same time)?
Does the DVD use the CD changer port but the GPS doesn't?
Thanks

[mazda6mps]

Thanks for the very detailed reply on the Ryda/Polaris unit.
So are you saying to hear the GPS you have to tune your radio to the FM Modulator channel (ie. you can;t listen to radio and use GPS at the same time)?
Does the DVD use the CD changer port but the GPS doesn't?
Thanks

1. FM modulator (from what i can tell) is used to communicate turn by turn, when you have the radio on. Not sure how it works when you play cd, but I get turn by turn instructions on both.

2. The whole unit relys on using the CD Changer port - it plugs in there, for power and speakers.

[nickows]

I also have the Caska/Polaris unit. I can't really add anything to 'mazda6mps' detailed writeup, except to let you know that the GPS 'voice' does not pronounce street names - it only indicates how far away the next street you need to take is (hope this makes sense).

I've had the unit in my car for 8 months and it has been faultless in operation. The screen graphics for GPS and other functions are not exactly cutting edge, but keeping in mind the price you pay for the unit, it represents excellent value.

[tricache]

I know the Polaris one works well, saw it in Swallowtails old MPS 6 and it looked very factory.

[Onyx]

Does Mazda have and sell a OEM GPS that goes into the MPS 6?

[cletusb]

There is one but I don't know if you can get it in OZ.

I have a 7" touch screen in the same position as the 2 units mentioned but mine connects to a CarPC and runs Gramin MobilePC. Good set up if you don't mind waiting a little when you turn your car on for the PC to load. Runs all my MP3s, videos, ODBII stuff etc too

[LILZLR]

One thas not of Chinese origin

[wardy1989]

hey guys..
how does the interface with the original stereo work?? is the standard bose unit now useless?? need more info before i fork out this kinda money..any help is appreciated guys..cheers