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newbie question: nav options for 2016 6i Touring 6MT - SD card or Garmin Nuvi?

2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  rjhornsby 
#1 ·
I'm in the market for a 2016 Mazda 6 Touring 6-speed manual and I was trying to figure out what the 3 navigation options listed in the detailed Mazda 6 spec mean:

- SD card
- Garmin portable navigation system - Nuvi 2539LMT
- Garmin portable navigation system - Nuvi 44LM

I noticed that Amazon sells the SD card for about $280 (dealer cost is apparently around $400). I am wondering how the two listed Garmin options work. Which one of the three options is best for someone who does not already own one of the two compatible Garmin units? Will all 3 options work the same (maps displayed on the 7" central screen and nav controls working using the center console rotary knob and function buttons?

BTW, how is the stock audio sound quality (Bose is not available for manual cars)?

Thanks for your help!
 
#2 ·
Only the SD card uses the built-in screen and the in-vehicle controls. The other two you listed are units you could purchase yourself from Garmin.

2539LMT: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/nuvi-2539lmt/prod138333.html
44LM: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod120960.html

For the Garmin units 'L' means lifetime, 'M' means maps, and 'T' means traffic. An LMT unit comes with lifetime map updates and live traffic with no subscription fee. An LM unit comes with free lifetime map updates, and no live traffic.

Be careful purchasing the Mazda SD card from third parties. After ~60 miles, the SD card is married/locked to the VIN of the vehicle. While I've read people have had luck with them, an SD card that's been driven around in another car won't behave properly.

Here's what I posted yesterday - my opinion - about the Mazda in-car navigation when someone asked about it:

http://forum.mazda6club.com/lounge/390674-hello-new-forum.html#post4682978
 
#4 ·
Only the SD card uses the built-in screen and the in-vehicle controls. The other two you listed are units you could purchase yourself from Garmin.

2539LMT: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/nuvi-2539lmt/prod138333.html
44LM: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod120960.html

For the Garmin units 'L' means lifetime, 'M' means maps, and 'T' means traffic. An LMT unit comes with lifetime map updates and live traffic with no subscription fee. An LM unit comes with free lifetime map updates, and no live traffic.

Be careful purchasing the Mazda SD card from third parties. After ~60 miles, the SD card is married/locked to the VIN of the vehicle. While I've read people have had luck with them, an SD card that's been driven around in another car won't behave properly.

Here's what I posted yesterday - my opinion - about the Mazda in-car navigation when someone asked about it:

http://forum.mazda6club.com/lounge/390674-hello-new-forum.html#post4682978
Belated thanks for your response. Is your negative view based on the older 2014-2015 unit or the 2016 unit? I find it odd that Mazda would mention 2 specific Garmin units if they do not integrate in any way with the infotainment screen and are just meant to be like any other aftermarket portable nav unit mounted with suction cups to the dash or windshield.

I guess I will revisit this issue if I decide to get a Mazda 6 Touring 6-speed manual. If the SD card sold by Amazon is the right card, it would be worthwhile for $280 even if it gets locked into the VIN.
 
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