No factory navigation? - Here's a Navi alternative

[acidrane]

Originally Posted by flipa77

damn. I wish you live in LA so I can pay you to install one for me.

oooh ooooh, you can do mine tooo!!! honestly, this looks sick! couple questions tho. do you type in the street name like you would type a txt msg on a cell phone? theres a "speak" button on the remote, is that for voice command or for the gps to say the names of the streets? if needed, can you write out a full how-to (minus the bypass...you can just email me that info )

vick

[ON_6MT]

Hi all, thanks for all the kind words

so to asnwer a few of the questions:

1) I think this unit does speak the full street names - most of the upper models do for garmin, and I think this one is in that category. Not sure as my ipod runs the audio inputes

2) I live in ontario - GTA area

3) To enter streets you use the remote. It works in two ways - 1) it gives you a screen keyboard which you can use the pointer on the rmeote to navitage or 2) (method i use) you use the alpha numeric keys and type it in like a text message on your phone - not as fast as touchscreen but works surprisingly well. The speak button is to provide verbal directions (not voice promopts). Yeah I could provide a fuller write up for the install, but its really quite straight forward

Enjoy all

[truvietc]

i PMed u ON_6MT, can u please reply

[kid4now]

ON_6MT, I know you said you can play your mp3's while using the gps but what about the stock radio or cd player and gps at the same time? Is this possible?

Thanks, Brad

P.S. Great install !!!

[usa 79s]

looks great. One queation though. Do you lose the data that normally appears on the screen, or can you switch to and from NAV mode/display?

[ON_6MT]

the nav system simply uses the video port of the aux input, and my ipod uses the stereo inputs for the aux port.

so all the other feature screens are retained.

While in aux(gps) mode the only audio source i can have is my ipod. Screen wise you can switch to the gps map(aux input), the infomation screens, and all the status screen.

However, if you want the radio or cd, you will not be able to simulateously listen to the radio or a cd while viewing the map as the radio function and cd function switches the video and audio sources for the sound system.

[Wei]

is the garmin gps system the only one that has rca outputs? (sorry, i'm new to this, haven't gone looking around for gps systems yet)

that's great stuff by the way, i didn't get the navi package either because it's beyond lame when you can't change stuff while moving...

[NewMexicoG]

Kenwood also has one but it's based on the Garmin and may or may not be available. It is touchscreen enabled to work with one of the kenwood screens.
I didn't find any others at all when I was looking at the beginning of the year.
Actually, this Garmin one has just been replaced with a new model. As far as I can tell it's exactly the same with an upgraded SIRF chip that should make it better in tunnels etc. and a different available output format (doesn't matter to us). Predictably enough it's called the GVN 53. If you can get the old one for a good price I would. I've had no reception problems with mine since I installed it. The new chips really only make a difference with handhelds in buildings and stuff.

[brittonv]

You have the GVN53 right? Looking at the garmin Website I don't see a Audio in.

I would like to connect one of these in my car but would like the voice prompts as well. Does this unit not have the ability to play 'through itself'? In other words hook up my ipod to the garmin and the voice prompts would interupt the music?

[NewMexicoG]

I have the GVN52 like the original poster. The unit has an output like an audio mute for a phone system. I was hoping I could hook this up to use the phone break-in for the audio from the bluetooth system but I couldn't see a way. As for your question, no. There is no way to listen to the audio and have the voice prompts unless you use the GVN as your satellite radio as well, but that still wouldn't solve the Ipod thing.

[brittonv]

I just downloaded the installation manual, since it has an audio mute, it would be pretty easy to make a device that would switch the audio channels from the Nav to an Ipod triggered by the mute signal.

I need to find out what the signal comming through the mute wire is. Most likely when the Nav system speaks, it will make the blue wire go live with a constant 5 or 12 volts. I need to figure that out.

[kmuniz78]

Tell me you live in MD!!! Just lie to me man! This looks great!

[ON_6MT]

Originally Posted by brittonv

I just downloaded the installation manual, since it has an audio mute, it would be pretty easy to make a device that would switch the audio channels from the Nav to an Ipod triggered by the mute signal.

I need to find out what the signal comming through the mute wire is. Most likely when the Nav system speaks, it will make the blue wire go live with a constant 5 or 12 volts. I need to figure that out.

If you want the car to give you voice prompts while retaining music listenning this is what I was thinking of doing, but then realized I was content with using the screen.

Buy a Pioneer 50w x 2 amp and a pair of 3.5" 2-way speakers (i.e. infinity) and mount the speakers in the cover panels below the dashboard on the driver and passenger side (plenty of space) - its the same locations that I attached my garmin module to in the initial pics.

that way you'll have constant iPod, with the navigation instructions being announced atop of it - providing your not blasting the stereo.

[brittonv]

Heres how I'm thinking of doing it. There is an IC you can get that has 4 switches. I'd use 2 of the switches (L+R) and use the Mute signal to trigger the switch. This will cost about $15 in Radio shack components.

What'll happen is when Nav Speaks the sound source will switch from Ipod Channel or whatever to Nav Channel and then back again when it's done. I am planning on running the Video, L+R Audio from the arm rest to the trunk. and installing everything back there. That way when I want to Remove the Nav system if I sell the car I just have to put 3 couplers and the car seems stock again.

ON 6MT, did you get my PM?

[TT C6]

Thanks to the OP for posting.