Dash mat

[rocket rod]

I'm thinking about a dash mat for my d4 and I've read a bit about them on this site. I have narrowed my search to this one Landrover Discovery SUV D4 (2009-Current) | Dash Mat Cover - AUS | FitMyCar (https://www.fitmycar.com/au/landrover-discovery-suv-d4-2009-2017-dash-mat/5372)
Has anyone got one? I would like to know if Velcro will stick to it as I want to mount my GPS tablet to it.

[Ean Austral]

I got the dash mat for my D3 from shevron or maybe chevron in WA. very well made and came with velco strips. Had it about 3 yrs and still in the same place.

Not sure about mounting things to it tho.

Cheers Ean

[Redtail]

I'm thinking about a dash mat for my d4 and I've read a bit about them on this site. I have narrowed my search to this one Landrover Discovery SUV D4 (2009-Current) | Dash Mat Cover - AUS | FitMyCar (https://www.fitmycar.com/au/landrover-discovery-suv-d4-2009-2017-dash-mat/5372)
Has anyone got one? I would like to know if Velcro will stick to it as I want to mount my GPS tablet to it.
I'm looking for a dashmat, too. Apart from protecting the dash in the usual way, it will also protect the dash from my tablet mount.
I use a RAM mount, stuck to the windscreen, and resting on the dashboard (hence the need for protection).
I find RAM mounts rock solid, having used them for years.
This is what I have: RAM X-Grip II Tablet Cradle (RAM-HOL-UN8BU) (https://www.ja-gps.com.au/RAM/ram-hol-un8bu/) under Package Deals, see the double suction X-grip II. Mine's swivelled to mount the 8" tablet in landscape mode.

[Redtail]

Bit of an update ... I ordered a Shevron Dashmate (part number DM1163) from my local AutoBarn for about $87.00. I should have it by the weekend.

[Redtail]

I'm thinking about a dash mat for my d4 and I've read a bit about them on this site. I have narrowed my search to this one Landrover Discovery SUV D4 (2009-Current) | Dash Mat Cover - AUS | FitMyCar (https://www.fitmycar.com/au/landrover-discovery-suv-d4-2009-2017-dash-mat/5372)
Has anyone got one? I would like to know if Velcro will stick to it as I want to mount my GPS tablet to it.

By the way, may I ask what changed your mind about the Kuda mount you had and then sold back in April?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/electronic-and-comms-equipment-for-sale/248689-kuda-mount-discovery-4-lr4.html#post2667088

[rocket rod]

Hi Redtail

I haven't changed my mind about the Kuda mount but the way I have things Velcroed to the dash at the moment is a bit ugly. I'm still going to use Velcro mounting. Plus I want to see if this will also reduce the heat on the dash. On my last trip on the CSR, sometimes after parking for lunch and the sun heats things up and the tablet wont charge as it's too hot.

I've ordered the Shevron dash mat because it's made here in WA and it's $65 delivered. Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow and I'll tell you what it's like.

[Redtail]

Hi Redtail

I haven't changed my mind about the Kuda mount but the way I have things Velcroed to the dash at the moment is a bit ugly. I'm still going to use Velcro mounting. Plus I want to see if this will also reduce the heat on the dash. On my last trip on the CSR, sometimes after parking for lunch and the sun heats things up and the tablet wont charge as it's too hot.

I've ordered the Shevron dash mat because it's made here in WA and it's $65 delivered. Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow and I'll tell you what it's like.

Ta RR

The Kuda solution looks rather elegant, but it's only set in the one position in the centre of the dash. I wonder how it sits under a dashmat? (Looks like I paid too much for my mat, and no sign of it yet!)
I used a single RAM suction cup mount with a tablet mount in the Prado 150 I co-drove on the CSR back in August. It was handy to move it about from side to side as we needed it. I've used that setup with the same tablet (a 4 year old Samsung 8" with OziExplorer) in many vehicles and never had an issue with heat. And now I have the double cup, it will be less prone to bouncing off the dash. [bighmmm]

But I have had issues keeping it charged when running the GPS function continuously, until I figured out I needed a true 2A charger from the cig socket. And this past week when I was a long way from base stations in country WA, my phone started running down, despite being on charge because the transceiver was amped up trying to get a data signal for Google Maps. Handy tip: cache Google Maps before leaving town. [wink11]

I'll write up my setup when it's all sorted.

Thanks for the response.

[rocket rod]

I found a solution to the charging problem with large tablets running GPS software. Here it is AUKEY CC-S1 4.8A Dual USB Port Car Charger Charging Power Adapter Smartphone | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AUKEY-CC-S1-4-8A-Dual-USB-Port-Car-Charger-Charging-Power-Adapter-Smartphone/222765309161'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649)

[rocket rod]

I received my Shevron dash mat in double quick time and I'm pleased to say it looks good and fits very snugly as well. It has all the right cut outs for vents and air bags. It has a reflection but when I took it off I noticed the dash actually has more reflection, I've just gotten used to it. I'll assume the same with the dash mat.

It appears to solve my previously ugly tablet mounting problem as well. I'm a sucker for velcro so I've used that at the back of the tablet at the base on a bit of right angle aluminium bent to about 80 degrees and on the arm. I haven't bothered to tidy this bit up as I don't have to look at it. With this setup I can mount the tablet in the direction and tilt it the way I want. $5 for tablet case, $5 velcro, $70 dash mat. $80 the lot.

Sorry about the crappy photos

[jonesy63]

I've had Shevron dash mats on my D3 and now D4. The charcoal coloured one seems to blend in very well, imho. The only hassle I have had is that after a few years, the sticky-backing on the dash-mounted velcro lets go... then when you head up a *steep and rough* hill, it falls back on your lap! [biggrin]

[Redtail]

I received my Shevron dash mat in double quick time ...
I rang about mine yesterday, having ordered it at AutoBarn. They suggested it could take another week as the "not so common models" often require making. Perhaps yours was the last in stock? Hmmm.


I've had Shevron dash mats on my D3 and now D4. The charcoal coloured one seems to blend in very well, imho. The only hassle I have had is that after a few years, the sticky-backing on the dash-mounted velcro lets go... then when you head up a *steep and rough* hill, it falls back on your lap!
And when I did order it, the salesperson said their other brand was better quality than Sherwoods because the other one was thicker. I'm not sure what that's got to do with anything unless it's in a high traffic area? But the other brand didn't do Discos.

[PeterJ]

Hi all, looking at the dashmats none seem to cater for LOGIC 7 ICE that uses the front speaker, [bighmmm] has anyone found one that does? seems brown is a bit hard to come by as well[bigsad]

Thanks

Peter

[rocket rod]

Peter - The mat that I have has a cut out for a little square knob (GPS maybe??) in the middle of the dash and not the speaker you're talking about. My guess is the sound will travel well enough through the fabric though.

Redtail- I got mine direct from Shevron and I think it was the last one, so maybe there is a wait for them now. I've also noticed that the fabric gets scuffed up when removing my GPS Velcro mount. May require another rethink.

[Redtail]

AutoBarn called me yesterday - Sunday, of all days - to say it had arrived. (I wonder if it had actually come in on Thursday, as who does weekend deliveries?)
Anyhoo, I dropped in and picked it up ...


Peter - The mat that I have has a cut out for a little square knob (GPS maybe??) in the middle of the dash and not the speaker you're talking about. My guess is the sound will travel well enough through the fabric though.

Yes, the little square hole fits exactly around the satnav antenna. And that section is moulded around the front speaker - I have the HK 7 speaker system. If it affects sound quality, I have no qualms taking the shears to the mat. It seems pretty good quality fabric and shouldn't fray too much, if at all.


Redtail- I got mine direct from Shevron and I think it was the last one, so maybe there is a wait for them now. I've also noticed that the fabric gets scuffed up when removing my GPS Velcro mount. May require another rethink.

I'm sticking with RAM suction mounts on the windscreen, but I need a slightly longer arm to get the unit where I want it and not compromise forward vision. More on that when I get the extra bit this week.

[Tombie]

Guys. That’s not a Satnav antenna [emoji41]

It’s a solar sensor for the HEVAC system.

[PerthDisco]

Guys. That’s not a Satnav antenna [emoji41]

It’s a solar sensor for the HEVAC system.

Interesting. Do all models utilise this? What will covering it do to the system?

[Redtail]

Guys. That’s not a Satnav antenna [emoji41]

It’s a solar sensor for the HEVAC system.

I knew as soon as I wrote that that I should check! Thanks for the correction.

[LuckyLes]

[QUOTE=PerthDisco;2768165]Interesting. Do all models utilise this? What will covering it do to the system?[/QUOTE
The auto temperature control won't be able to sense the amount of heat load coming from the sun through the windscreen. I know in Fairlanes of a decade or so ago the temperature would suddenly turn hot when cool was required.
LuckyLes

[PerthDisco]

I’ll be chopping a hole in my dash mat. I’m pretty sure I’ve noticed a weakness in the AC of late

[rocket rod]

Guys. That’s not a Satnav antenna

It’s a solar sensor for the HEVAC system.

Thanks for the correction.

[PerthDisco]

On my Shevron the sun sensor just needed the cutout pushed out. It was pre cut but just not separated and I would not have known to check unless I read it here.

[matti4556]

Interesting. Do all models utilise this? What will covering it do to the system?

Automatic control air con systems only. The ones with left hand and right hand side individual temp controls.
Wksp manual says this about the sensor... (ATCM = Automatic Temp Control Module)

The sunlight sensor consists of two photoelectric cells that provide the ATCM with inputs of light intensity, one as sensed coming from the left of the vehicle and one as sensed coming from the right. The inputs are a measure of the solar heating effect on vehicle occupants, and are used by the ATCM to adjust blower speed, temperature and distribution to improve comfort. The sensor is installed in the center of the fascia upper surface and is powered by a 5V feed from the ATCM.

Cheers - Matti

[PeterJ]

Got one of the Chevron dash mats funny thing was I couldn't buy a brown one straight from the manufacturer had to go via a retailer but no problem in the end. I did a bit of a modification, removed the grill cover from the speaker next to the daylight sensor in the middle of the crash pad did a bit of a cut out and then put it back on. The grill holds the dash mat down very nicely and looks better than with the mat covering it and as I have a speaker under there it's a better solution.

[Redtail]

My dashmat arrived a while back, and I recall promising some detail on my satnav/GPS setup.
The Sherwood dashmat fits just fine. For now, I'm happy to have it covering the speaker (mine has the HK kit).

Details on the satnav stuff is here: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/gps/259194-satnav-gps-phone-mounts-d4.html#post2776539

[rocket rod]

Redtail. After receiving my dash mat and doing my usual GPS Velcro mounting techniques I discovered it rips up the mats fibres quite badly. So I've stopped using velcro and went and bought some RAM mounts from these guys in Perth Ram Mounts in Australia for Apple iPhone,iPad Go Pro X-Grip Laptops. Mounting Systems (https://www.coast2coastmounts.com.au)

They have every mount in stock and will let you try them on your car to get the right one. I noticed on your Satnav post that you have the two extension arms. I only have one and wondered if it's worthwhile getting another short one. What do you think? Is it stable?

Rod.

[Redtail]

Redtail. After receiving my dash mat and doing my usual GPS Velcro mounting techniques I discovered it rips up the mats fibres quite badly. So I've stopped using velcro and went and bought some RAM mounts from these guys in Perth Ram Mounts in Australia for Apple iPhone,iPad Go Pro X-Grip Laptops. Mounting Systems (https://www.coast2coastmounts.com.au)

They have every mount in stock and will let you try them on your car to get the right one. I noticed on your Satnav post that you have the two extension arms. I only have one and wondered if it's worthwhile getting another short one. What do you think? Is it stable?

Rod.
Bummer, I'd forgotten about C2C. I could've saved postage and time! [bigsad]
No to worry.

I went the extra extension arm because for me the long arm still meant the unit sitting too high. That is, the base was resting on the dash. And I had to have the suction cups too far up the window. Both leading to obscuring the view too much for my liking. So I used the long plus the standard arm to get the length I wanted, and have the arm itself resting on the dash and the X-grip and unit sitting just a little forward over the factory touchscreen. The stability comes from the arm resting on the dash. I expect the long arm will bounce a little when it gets rough, but that's what the dashmat is for. I wouldn't like to have anything that long levering straight out from the window without any support.
The arms are joined with the same B-size (25mm) ball and screw clamped. It should also give me better articulation for positioning to suit the copilot or myself.
It's rock solid, but I've yet to try it on a very bumpy road. My experience to date has been with a D2, an XJ Cherokee and a 150 Prado in all sorts of places and the cups hang on very well. (In the Jeep I actually screwed a diamond mount to the dash, but I had my phone on a suction cup without issue.)

In August, I co-drove the above-mentioned Prado on the Canning Stock Route. Even with its notorious corrugations and a single cup with the long arm, that tablet stayed stuck on. To protect the dash and to provide extra support, I stuffed a thin beanie into a stubby holder and jammed it under the arm as the shock absorber (patent pending!).

[PeterJ]

Finally managed to get the screen and dash mat fitted, in the end about as neat as I could make it seeing as I never wanted a second screen any way. My last mod might be swapping the standard mount for a RAM mount but I will see how it goes.

Peter https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/627.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/628.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/629.jpg

[Redtail]

PeterJ, is that mount stuck to the mat, or the dashboard itself?

[PeterJ]

it,s stuck to the crash pad, the mount base is about 75mm deep and nearly the width of the screen from memory (but did not take a lot of notice) time will tell if the closed cell foam based adhesive is up to the job, but for a couple of reasons I took the simple path to mount it this time around. Simply cut a circular hole where the base of the mounting arm protrudes through the mat. The dash mat was the quick and easy way to hide the big-ish wiring loom as well.

Peter

[ATH]

I've just fitted a Shevron dash mat to our D4 and it fits perfectly. Haven't bothered with the Velcro and will see how it goes without them. $67 direct from Shevron or an extra 12 bucks via Autobarn.
AlanH.

[Tombie]

I've just fitted a Shevron dash mat to our D4 and it fits perfectly. Haven't bothered with the Velcro and will see how it goes without them. $67 direct from Shevron or an extra 12 bucks via Autobarn.
AlanH.

$60 delivered to my door - eBay [emoji41]

[PerthDisco]

I've just fitted a Shevron dash mat to our D4 and it fits perfectly. Haven't bothered with the Velcro and will see how it goes without them. $67 direct from Shevron or an extra 12 bucks via Autobarn.
AlanH.

Did you notice the precut but not popped out aircon infra red sensor hole?

(Was not popped out on mine that is)

[ATH]

Not sure about any "precut not popped out" holes so I'll have to check. It does fit nicely though.
AlanH.

[Tombie]

Mine just needs a couple of modifications to accomodate the GPS mount across the centre of the dash.

Got one for the Defender also..

[martnH]

Do I need one of these?
I thought the dash is ABS plastic or something so UV resistant?...

Thinking of where the defender was made, maybe not UV resistant....

Cheers

[letherm]

I wondered whether they made one with a speaker cutout so contacted them. They said that the material they use does not affect the sound from the speaker.

Martin

[Tombie]

It won’t have much if any impact for the frequency range of that centre speaker..

[PeterJ]

I wondered whether they made one with a speaker cutout so contacted them. They said that the material they use does not affect the sound from the speaker.

Martin

Hi Martin, I removed the speaker grill I turned it upside down and put it on the dash mat upside down marked around the outside then came in about 10 or 15 mm all the way around cut it out and you can see the result in the picture it's pretty easy to do.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/691.jpg

[DiscoJeffster]

Do I need one of these?
I thought the dash is ABS plastic or something so UV resistant?...

Thinking of where the defender was made, maybe not UV resistant....

Cheers

If my dash ever cracks, then I’ll add one. They remind me of the UK where they carpet even the bathroom [emoji846]

[Tombie]

If my dash ever cracks, then I’ll add one. They remind me of the UK where they carpet even the bathroom [emoji846]

Makes a significant difference to AC....

[DiscoJeffster]

Makes a significant difference to AC....

Replacing my compressor displacement valve would be a first. Still haven’t got around to that.

[letherm]

Makes a significant difference to AC....

Why so?

Martin

[martnH]

Just received dashmat for my puma defender
took them three weeks to make (make to order :D

it looks good now just wait till my paper weight return from the dealer

cheers
Martin

[Tombie]

Why so?

Martin

Acts as a layer of insulation preventing heat soak into top of the dash through the glass.

Works well in the Defender, notably quicker to cool down.

In the D4 it’s much quicker to cool.

[BMKal]

Acts as a layer of insulation preventing heat soak into top of the dash through the glass.

Works well in the Defender, notably quicker to cool down.

In the D4 it’s much quicker to cool.

How does it fit with the Kuda mount - or did you have to cut the mat to fit. I've been thinking of putting a mat in mine, but don't know how it will fit (or look) with the Kuda mount in there.

[Tombie]

How does it fit with the Kuda mount - or did you have to cut the mat to fit. I've been thinking of putting a mat in mine, but don't know how it will fit (or look) with the Kuda mount in there.

I intend to cut it.. but for now it’s just sitting over the top of it.