Sat Nav (Again)

[T34]

Hopefully picking up the P38 this week, and so have been spending some time looking up various options for Sat Nav. I was quite keen on a factory jobbie, just to keep things looking stock, and even found a complete 2002 kit from a vogue, but at $1k, I just couldn't justify the 10 year old technology, especially when there are more modern versions available for a fraction of the cost. The OEM also has no provision for a reversing camera, which is the main reason for looking at SatNav options, and a bit of a must for the W.A.F.

I also took a look at the various home made 'carputer' type setups, and was impressed - some look almost factory installed. Only issue here, for me, is that it's simply too much work. I did consider integrating an all in one SatNav unit, but I have too many other projects on the go, to be able to justify starting another one.

With the goal being not having something stuck to the middle of the windscreen, I have stumbled across one of these...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

It replaces the stock mirror (they have clip on ones too), and does everything I need - bluetooth hands free with FM transmitter, SatNav and Reverse camera. It also does some things that I don't need - movies, music, photos, etc.

I've even managed to find somewhere that sells them dirt cheap

3.5 Inch GPS Rear View Mirror with Navigation Bluetooth FM 2GB NAND Flash AV-IN GPS-935 [GPS-935] - US$169.90 : Cars-electronics.com (http://www.cars-electronics.com/35-inch-gps-rear-view-mirror-with-navigation-bluetooth-fm-2gb-nand-flash-avin-gps935_p886.html)

Has anyone had any experience with these? or seen one up close? What did you think?

The other question I have relates to the auto dimming mirror. How easy are they to remove, and are there any issues with having it disconnected?

All comments greatly appreciated.

Mick.

[Junosi]

Has anyone had any experience with these? or seen one up close? What did you think?

The other question I have relates to the auto dimming mirror. How easy are they to remove, and are there any issues with having it disconnected?

I looked long and hard at a variety of those mirror gps type units a few months back - I'm sick of using my 'stick on windshield' unit. There's a ton of them for sale on eBay of a few different varieties. The price for the one you've listed does seem quite good. I didn't come to any conclusions at the time and couldn't find anyone that had experience with them - so I'm still greatly curious about them myself ! Couple of things that stopped me buying one at the time was what mapping software/maps do they use and how easy are they to use with their screen size - I'd be inclined to look at the 4.3 inch ones rather than the 3.5's too

Don't think there'd be any problems removing the stock auto dim mirror as it's fairly common to replace them with a 'normal' mirror when the autodim ones fail/leak.

[Razza's Rangie]

Hopefully picking up the P38 this week, and so have been spending some time looking up various options for Sat Nav. I was quite keen on a factory jobbie, just to keep things looking stock, and even found a complete 2002 kit from a vogue, but at $1k, I just couldn't justify the 10 year old technology, especially when there are more modern versions available for a fraction of the cost. The OEM also has no provision for a reversing camera, which is the main reason for looking at SatNav options, and a bit of a must for the W.A.F.

I also took a look at the various home made 'carputer' type setups, and was impressed - some look almost factory installed. Only issue here, for me, is that it's simply too much work. I did consider integrating an all in one SatNav unit, but I have too many other projects on the go, to be able to justify starting another one.

With the goal being not having something stuck to the middle of the windscreen, I have stumbled across one of these...

http://www.cars-electronics.com/images/gps935.jpg

It replaces the stock mirror (they have clip on ones too), and does everything I need - bluetooth hands free with FM transmitter, SatNav and Reverse camera. It also does some things that I don't need - movies, music, photos, etc.

I've even managed to find somewhere that sells them dirt cheap

3.5 Inch GPS Rear View Mirror with Navigation Bluetooth FM 2GB NAND Flash AV-IN GPS-935 [GPS-935] - US$169.90 : Cars-electronics.com (http://www.cars-electronics.com/35-inch-gps-rear-view-mirror-with-navigation-bluetooth-fm-2gb-nand-flash-avin-gps935_p886.html)

Has anyone had any experience with these? or seen one up close? What did you think?

The other question I have relates to the auto dimming mirror. How easy are they to remove, and are there any issues with having it disconnected?

All comments greatly appreciated.

Mick.

Hey mate i have started on the trail to replace my factory sat nav in the dash with an aftermarket in dash unit. Ill let you know how i go, i think that the best yet is VMS and looks very factory, they might do a mirror type also. if not just get an after market dash trim for the one with the factory sat nav and then fit an aftermarket one. The wiring loom is still there too.

RYan

[T34]

Hey mate i have started on the trail to replace my factory sat nav in the dash with an aftermarket in dash unit. Ill let you know how i go, i think that the best yet is VMS and looks very factory, they might do a mirror type also. if not just get an after market dash trim for the one with the factory sat nav and then fit an aftermarket one. The wiring loom is still there too.

RYan

VMS unit looks pretty good. I had an idea to use the standard bezel but fit it with something similar - like this...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/09/739.jpg

There's a ton of them on ebay - all with various levels of stuff included. If you look hard enough you will even find them with offroad navigation too. The best ones are pretty speccy and also allow access to the core (win ce) This way you can tweak the software, or add your own - which means you can make the screen look like it's not too out of place by mimicing the colours of the stock system, and adding in a nice range rover logo. (I'm a part time computer geek so I convince myself that this stuff is easy - lol)

One issue that I found is that the aspect ratio (width versus height) of the stock screen is not the same. Most of the newfandangled units are wide screen format. Other issue was the trying to buy a busted satnav screen just to get the bezel was nearly as much as a new one - lol (I got quoted $400).

So this pretty much means making up a new bezel.

I recon something like an older garmin / tom tom will be the right size / shape for the stock bezel, but for me this is only half of the solution as I would want the reversing camera too, and having the bluetooth hands free is also a bonus.

Did a bit of a google to see if a tom tom could be hacked to add a video input, and unfortunately it does not look possible.

So this led me on to making a bezel - which ultimately does not look too hard - I thought of mimic the stock satnav by making a blanking plate exactly same shape as stock satnav bezel - and maybe 10/15mm thick to allow for a stock looking recess. Cut out the hole to suit screen, and then finish it with a router on inside edge so it basically looked same as stock satnav but without buttons.

The OEM satnav 'upgrades' I have seen all seem to say simply cut the bottom of the cubby hole out and then slide the OEM screen into position, and from the pics I've seen (one or two on ebay at mo) it doesn't look too bad a job - basically same as stock installation.

It could be made so that either the screen was dismantled and then mounted to back of the bezel, or simply used the complete unit fastened / bonded to it.

If it worked, it would even be possible to get some moulded - using the original one as the pattern...

But that's when I decided it's a lot easier talking about it, and the all in one mirror all of a sudden seemed a much better bet. LOL. Also better for the WAF too ;)

Junosi RE the mapping software - they all seem to use a variation of same software - not sure of name but you can see same software on most of the hand held units like the one above. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's better than my old tomtom1 - heres a vid I found on utube

YouTube - 2-1 rearview mirror gps bluetooth FM back camera input (TMC autodimming homelink)

It's not exact same one, but all seem to be very similar. The features differ from unit to unit, but it should give you a good idea.

The thing I like most is that it replaces the mirror, and doesn't just clip over it.

I've ordered one of these from the same site (in black)

http://www.cars-electronics.com/images/v/201008/12823147580.jpg

if all goes good with the order I might just go ahead and order the mirror, it's cheap enough to take the gamble. Some shops are listing similar products for $1200. But I need to hold off until I actually pick the P38 up as they do not list an adaptor stalk for a rangie, so need to figure out which one will fit.

Junosi, I agree that the 4.3" mirror would be easier to see, but unfortuntely it does not come with the FM transmitter. :(

[T34]

Mnnn. Dunno whats up with the utube link - it turned into a video and then multiplied itself ?? :eek:

[Rushy]

Keep us all posted, especially the fitting side of things, it looks like the ideal thing if it does everything it claims to do


Cheers


Brian

[Rushy]

Keep us all posted, especially the fitting side of things, it looks like the ideal thing if it does everything it claims to do


Cheers


Brian

[T34]

Will do.

Doesn't seem like many people have used these mirror satnavs - it's a similar story on other forums too - many have looked but no one's taken the plunge. Looks like I might be the first.

Fingers crossed it doesn't turn out to be a complete POS.

:D

[PaulP38a]

Will do.

Doesn't seem like many people have used these mirror satnavs - it's a similar story on other forums too - many have looked but no one's taken the plunge. Looks like I might be the first.

Fingers crossed it doesn't turn out to be a complete POS.

:D

I'll admit to being one of those people who have looked in to but ended buying the mirror with reversing camera and bluetooth handsfree for my Crewman ute instead. No complaints about those components at all.

From memory they either use Route66 or iGo (or something like that name) which are ok for WinCE programs. Had them on a cheapie in dash GPS a while ago.

For the small amount of money, I'd say go for it. Even if the GPS turns out to be rubbish, the reverse mirror and bluetooth handsfree will still be useful.

Cheers, Paul.

[DT-P38]

iGO is fine, not super slick like the big dollar ones, with pictures of buildings and land marks and all, but it works well and the CE base allows loading of OziExplorer CE and hence great off road map ability. I bought a no-name 5inch screen unit (admitedly stick on) for $80 (landed at my door) on e-bay about 3 months ago and it has been excellent. Just got back from it directing me to SA, all around Adelaide and sidetrips to little desert nat park and grampians on the way home. When I got it I also bought a couple of topographical style off road maps (HEMA I think) that cover places I go frequently and will at be some stage be 'borrowing' the rest of Australia's off road maps from a sympathetic off-road buddy!

FYI, there is a heap of good advice available on the tech GPS pages on all this stuff.

[T34]

Just an update. I've received the reversing camera and may have a go at installing it this weekend. Had a quick look at the rear end last weekend and decided tyhe best place for the camera was probably the reversing light lense - similar to to these units (which replace the whole lense) -

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/1046.jpg

Unfortunately I could not find an integrated camera - like the one shown, for a P38.

At this stage I'm still undecided about which way to go with the monitor, I'd talked myself into making a integrated dash mounted unit, but then found another site that sells the mirror mounted ones - even cheaper then before - some at $110. Alibaba Manufacturer Directory - Suppliers, Manufacturers, Exporters & Importers (http://www.alibaba.com/) Just do a search for GPS mirror. If you're thinking of buying, make sure you choose a vendor that will supply a single unit. Most will only supply in batches of 10 or more. One good thing is that the range of available features is much better, meaning that I can actually get the 4.3" unit with the FM transmitter. As an option auto dimming and homelink (integrated garage / gate remote controller) can also be ordered too.

The main issue is that none of the vendors supply a mirror mount to fit the Range Rover 'button' (the bit stuck to the windscreen), this leaves me with a few options - find an adaptor (the button looks the same as that used by BMW), remove it and replace it with one that's compatible, or maybe cut and shut the OEM mounting.

Still working on this part, and when I have a suitable solution I will take the plunge.

[PaulP38a]

that camera looks just like one I bought for my wife's Freelander. No great surprise when it did not fit. Poor excuse from the vendor was that it fits Freelanders in China.

[Junosi]

fits Freelanders in China.

That'd be a Fleelander :wasntme:

[T34]

LOL @ Flealander

At the time I posted above - I had not actually opened the package. So I was a bit disappointed to find that they had sent the wrong colour - a chrome one instead of black. The camera itself is excellent quality, very well made, just the wrong colour. At this stage I'm not sure about it's performance as I've packed it back up ready to mail back to the seller. But... (why is there always a but??) After emailing the seller, they simply replied 'thanks for pointing out our error - we will make sure it does not happen again next time'. No offer of exchanging the unit for the correct type. Just a promise of a discount on the next order. :( I've mailed them back to try and arrange to get it exchanged.

So there will be no camera fitting this weekend.

Will keep you posted on the outcome, but at this stage, I would suggest caution when dealing with this vendor.

Mick.

[T34]

Been a while so thought I'd post an update.

The company that supplied me the wrong camera, eventually agreed to exchange it - so I sent camera back, only to never receive anything in return. I filed an ebay claim, but these expire before a 'reasonable time for postage' has elapsed, so you're pretty much stuffed. Guess I should have kept the chrome one - lol.

Deffo a case of buyer beware. I'm happy that I only placed an initial low value order.

Upshot of the fiasco is. Having now taken an age to get nothing sorted, SWMBO now seems to be pretty good at reversing down the drive, and with only one minor mirror folding incident (I'm sure she was probably aiming for the cat) I don't think I will bother with the camera.

At this stage I think I will put the sat nav idea on hold too.

On a related (electrical gizmo) note...

I received my ipod kit, which I have installed. Installation was easy, just required pulling the radio out disconnecting one of the plugs, and installing a new plug inline - then threading the Ipod lead through to the glovebox. didn't even need to disassemble any of the dash or trim. The Ipod controller module tucked neatly under the radio.

I'm impressed, it works great - can skip tracks from the steering controls, and still control it from the Ipod if I (or passenger) need to - perfect for the way I listen to it - permanently on shuffle. Only downside was that I lost the use of the CD changer - something that I must have overlooked. but not really a great loss considering that all my CD collection is on the Ipod

Only just have to fit the Nokia hands free kit that I have, and I think I will call it a day for electrical mods for the time being.