AULRO Subscriber Offer - cheap on-road/off-road GPS units

**biggin** · 2nd July 2011, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Ashes

I'm still tinkering with the unit and found a solution to the problem where igo 8 will freeze if you put the unit into sleep mode while igo is running.

If you have your device on ignition switched power (eg. a 12v ignition switched socket that is only active when the ignition is on) you can add the following lines in /iGO8/sys.txt.
iGO won't shutdown the device automatically when turning off the ignition but if you are running igo, pressing the on off button and selecting sleep won't cause the mapping to freeze up. Should work the same for a always on 12v connection (the red light will remain on though)

[interface]
shutdown_time=0

[power]
skip_resume_process=1
skip_suspend_process=1
powermgm_state=0

Ideally I'd like to still have the unit auto shutoff when power is cut but not cause the mapping to freeze. The shutdown_time=0 turns off the auto shutdown.. more investigation needed.

Download Igo Amigo.
I find this works best with Ranga's GPS, and it also shuts down automatically when the ignition is turned off. I uses the same maps as Igo8.3

**Ashes** · 2nd July 2011, 03:19 PM

I changed to igo Primo and it seems much more stable.
I ended up running the device off my 2nd battery and connected it via a relay using the 12v socket wire for the centre console (2nd row) as the control feed. Ran the power wiring and reverse camera wiring through the centre console, behind the radio fascia and drilled a small hole in the cubby hole for the wires. Built a wood surround for the unit (covered in black duct tape) and mounted it in the cubby hole nice and snug.
I need to spend a bit more time making a more "factory" looking surround. I had to leave some space so I could get my finger to the on/off button as I still need to turn it on manually.
I haven't been able to find a way yet of turning the unit on when it detects power and not quite prepared yet to open the unit an bypass the switch.
Overall, an excellent unit and more than happy just using it as a GPS and reverse camera. Maybe one day I'll look to fit a 7" unit in there....

**biggin** · 3rd July 2011, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Ashes

I changed to igo Primo and it seems much more stable.
I ended up running the device off my 2nd battery and connected it via a relay using the 12v socket wire for the centre console (2nd row) as the control feed. Ran the power wiring and reverse camera wiring through the centre console, behind the radio fascia and drilled a small hole in the cubby hole for the wires. Built a wood surround for the unit (covered in black duct tape) and mounted it in the cubby hole nice and snug.
I need to spend a bit more time making a more "factory" looking surround. I had to leave some space so I could get my finger to the on/off button as I still need to turn it on manually.
I haven't been able to find a way yet of turning the unit on when it detects power and not quite prepared yet to open the unit an bypass the switch.
Overall, an excellent unit and more than happy just using it as a GPS and reverse camera. Maybe one day I'll look to fit a 7" unit in there....

Hi ashes,
I had a bit of trouble running Primo.
The maps where slow to update in normal destination mode, and there wasn't quite enough memory to run the Primo music feature and maps at the same time.
Perhaps there is a fix I don't know about.
Glad to hear that some work okay.

I wouldn't be too nervous about pulling the back off, it's no big deal. I've had the back off mine a few times.

The battery life is starting to annoy me at the moment, and I am looking to replace it. I haven't heard of anyone doing this yet, but it can't be too hard to find a replacement battery.
The battery seems to take only a few minutes to fully charge, then just a few seconds to fully discharge. I don't know if the cause is a software problem, the charging circuit, or the battery itself. Perhaps others have solved this issue.

The only other issue I have is that the Route66 program has no exit function, so you need to reset the unit to close it. I have found mention of a couple of software fixes, but have had no success so far.

Apart from those minor issues, all good.

I can't believe the price of these things, you really can't go wrong for the price.

**Ashes** · 3rd July 2011, 06:56 PM

The auto turn on when ignition is switch on isn't really annoying me but would be nice to have it as an option. It would probably be just as annoying for the unit to turn on every time you start the car as it isn't always used anyway. Having it come on automatically though when there is an AV signal from the reverse camera would be brilliant..relay..momentary on circuit..hmmm....maybe a project f0r a wet weekend...

**Ranga** · 3rd July 2011, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ashes

It would probably be just as annoying for the unit to turn on every time you start the car as it isn't always used anyway.

I tend to have it on all the time, only to monitor my speed for me

**FenianEel** · 18th September 2011, 03:39 PM

I've been back and forth through this thread, and GPS unlock and need some help

I'm able to load the Pez menu, and Igo is working fine.
Can't for the life of me, get Ozi explorer running (I have it and a heap of maps loaded on the SD), nor change background or customise.

Can anyone give me some assistance please?
Ta

**clubagreenie** · 24th July 2012, 12:47 PM

These have come way down in price (<$90- ) for a now 7" model.

Are you still modding these for people or was there a how to published (without reading 17 pages)

**Ranga** · 26th July 2012, 07:58 AM

I'm still happy to do any mods for AULRO members. Same rules apply.

Send it to me with a self-addressed method for me to return it (e.g. Postpack).

Those that can are welcome to bring it around and watch what I do. I prefer to teach fishing, than providing fish

All care taken, no responsibility. IIRC, never had a failure yet

Anodyne · 22nd August 2012, 01:11 PM

Hi Ranga, again complements for your sustained effort, replying to all our posts. My question relates to the comparison between these units and something like the Samsung Galaxy that you mentioned in a previous post
7" Touch Screen Android 2.2 GPS Navigator w/ WiFi / FM / TF / Australia Map - Black (1.1GHz / 8G

- Free Shipping - DealExtreme

Australia Map 7" Resistive Screen Win CE 6.0 GPS Navigator w/ FM Transmitter / TF / 4GB - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

Do any of these have a mapping system that is heads and shoulders over the other? I have a Garmin in my D3 but it only has the standard maps.
I would also like your opinion regarding the ability of these to stand up to heat, vibration and possibly (probably) dust, I am contemplating a Defender

**Ranga** · 22nd August 2012, 05:00 PM

Without having seen either in the flesh, I can't make a call. I notice the screens are older resistive technology (you have to press on the screen, as opposed to lightly touching them). Not a huge deal, except the newer capacitive screens are much nicer.

If it were me, I'd be looking around for a more all-round tablet, making sure it has a GPS. You might pay a little more, but it will probably have higher specs and the ability to use it for more than just a GPS.

Having said that, both of those you linked are probably fine if you only want to use them as a GPS.

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