Sat Navs

[Bobster-cyw]

Has anyone got an aftermarket SatNav fitted to their car and if so how have you got it installed ? Are you just using the sucker on the window or have you gone for some sort of custom installation ?

If so any pics / details etc would be great as Im just wondering where best to install mine

Cheers

[southbynorth]

I have a garmin unit, I bought a base for it from halfords, its a suction pad and the arm for the unit just slides into it and out when not in use - much nicer then suction marks all over the window and more discrete

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_56 7911_langId_-1_categoryId_165679

It comes with 2 suction pads, a permanent one (not advisable!) and a "temp" that does the job well but is removable when you want to sell the car

I have it installed in the middle on the storage area above the radio, can barely see it from outside so much less obvious to thieves

[Bobster-cyw]

mmm, now thats a definite possibility. I have bought one of the weighted bags which you attach the arm to and was going to place this in the same storage area. Unfortunately it is a fraction too long so just doesnt sit in there, bugger else that would be a proper neat solution that could also be removed without any trace.

[southbynorth]

It works a treat mate, I have it attached to the mat and it doesnt topple over or anything, height is perfect too as the screen is just high enough to be over the storage area lip - and if I park in a dodgy area the mat can be put into the glovebox so no traces or marks anywhere to reveal ownership :o

When I get home I try to post a pic of the setup but it may be a while as the in laws are over & my pc time is limited :p

[Bobster-cyw]

Cheers matey although this is for a TomTom, although im sure that there must be an equivalent solution out there !

[southbynorth]

I havent been able to fnd any tomtom equivalent for you I'm afraid, all afr bulkier and not as useful

Took some snaps just now ater the inlaws left (at last lol) afraid its dark (and snowing!!) so not that great but thought I would post them anyway just incase any garmin users want to see what its like - the first pic is the base I leave on altrhrough it is removable, the second is the full setup, the third is just the base and arm - apologies for the poor pictures but as stated its very cold and dark..

Good luck finding somethin your happy with bud!

[Bobster-cyw]

Cheers matey, Ive gone with one of the bean bag affairs which then has a suction arm attached to it, positioned in the same storage area. It's not quite as neat as yours but seems to do the job :D

[g4jsg]

I have just bought one off ebay that goes into the radio slot just like a geniune VW radio. It's about twice the price fo a good tomtom but it has to be worth it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/car-DVD-GPS-for-VW-PASSAT-GOLF-TOURAN-TIGUAN-CADDY-EOS_W0QQitemZ320329217250QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Aud io_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_In_Car_ Audio_Players_PP?hash=item320329217250&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318 £349 plus £36 delivery.

I'll post back when I get it with some pics and a review if anyone is interested???

[southbynorth]

Yes, please do, took a quick look on the link and it looks the part, be interested to read an in depth review after you have used it a little while - no pressure :)

[Bobster-cyw]

I have to say that that looks spot on, I too would be interested to know how good the sat nav is, although Ive just forked out for the TomTom now !

[richard@thebrae]

Hi G4jsg, I have sent you an email with lots of ? on this unit that you have bought from Ebay, I am ready to purchase and look forward to your pics and review before I do. Thanks Richard

[g4jsg]

I just got an email with my tracking information for this. So it should be with me early next week.

I'll do some pics during the install and after it's in and then do a quick write up. I'll then come back after a few days with a more informed write up, I hope to GOD it's a positive one too.

John

[g4jsg]

Quick write up on the new unit.

Installation was very easy, thanks to the guide I found - http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=21273, and taking out the old radio & fitting the new unit ONLY (no TV aerial or rear camera was fitted) in total took around an hour and 15 mins all in.

So here's a few pics to show what went on and how it looks and then I'll do a brief write up, giving around 4 hours of use so far doesn't qualify me to give a better opinion.

Starting the removal process.
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/1.jpg

Old Head unit ready to come out
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/2.jpg

New unit ready to go in.
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/3.jpg

Making sure it powers up and all cables are connected.
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/4.jpg

Lots of spare wires ready to connect in other devices, like reversing camera etc. But I just used the standard block connector on this install to ensure it was "plug & play"
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/5.jpg

All back together and unit on the mp3 player screen
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/7.jpg

Radio screen, no RDS on this unit.
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/8.jpg

Settings screen, main menu
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/11.jpg

Sat Nav runs iGO8 software, it's VERY good.
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/13.jpg

Bluetooth does the job, tried N95, N73, SE X1 (Windows Mobile) and all work fine
http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/15.jpg

So I'll start with the operational side of the unit. It is easy to use and seems to be trouble free. Either touch screen, remote, or using the buttons on the side of the unit seems to do whatever you ask it to. I have to say the touch screen is really good and I didn't bother putting the remote control in my car as it seems pointless.

My car doesn't have MFSW, steering wheel audio buttons, nor does it have the full height dash display so I'm unable to give any information about how they work with this unit.

It took 13 minutes to initialise on 1st use but now works just fine.

Take a look at the user manual here ...http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/user_manual.pdf

Sound Quality
It sounds just as good as the old head unit I had, which was basic but sounded OK, if not slightly clearer or richer - if that makes sense?? You can adjust BASS MID TREBBLE, fader and balance are there too, or you can choose a select of preset EQ setups. I've noticed it doesn't have GALA, so once you get on the motorway you have to tweak the volume up and then coming off the motorway tweak it back down. Once you have set the audio options they are the same for each input so radio, MP3, CD all sound the same and don't require additional setting like some VW head units do.

Radio
It's a basic radio, AM/FM bands, and has no RDS or TMC functionality. The stations do not drift and it's easy to tune and store your favourite stations. It only has one aerial input and so you either choose AM or FM or buy a splitter to use both. I opted just for FM as I never listen to any AM stations. One downside to the RDS function missing is that you also won't get the "follow me" facility where you drive up the M6 or M1 and Radio1 will retune to the best signal. Very picky I know but it needs to be pointed out I think.

MP3 - Music playing
I have played music form a USB stick and the DVD player with a CD full of MP3 files and both work perfectly well. I also played a CD in the DVD drive too and that played too. Next I'll be trying a DVD full of MP3 files to see how that works, WHY you might ask......well playing music from the USB stick is fine but turn off your car and then turn it back on and you'll soon find out the USB music won't remember where it was, thankfully playing music from the DVD drive works as you would expect and does resume from where you left it.

If you play MP3 music in any method you get basic track information from the ID3 data in the MP3 file, should it be encoded with the information of course. IF you play a CD then it just shows track1..track1 and so on.

Bluetooth
This part has been tested with a few Nokia phones and a Window Mobile SE X1 too and all work just fine. There is no address book facility in the system, it will just allow you to make and take calls and patches the audio through the speakers. The built-in mic works fine too and so far no one has complained about the quality of the calls. Belting down the motorway in my GTI I get a lot of road noise and even this hasn't stopped me from being heard or from hearing callers. If your phone has voice dial then it's really easy to use the Bluetooth as you press the "voice dial" button on screen and say the persons name and it dials out. If you don't have a voice dial phone then you can either tap in the phone number on screen and click dial or, and this might be a little naughty, dial the number form your phone and it will connect through the Bluetooth automatically.

TV - Reverse camera
I'll come back and update this once I have a sunny day to install the TV aerial behind the front or back bumper and then also find somewhere to fit the reversing camera.

GPS - Sat Nav
I have had Tom Tom since around 2003 and wasn't too sure about not using it anymore. This unit comes with iGO version 8 with full European maps and I have to say "I'm converted". The system is very easy to use, feature rich and quick too. It supports full UK postcodes, speedcameras, speed warnings for the speed limit of the road you are on and POIs. Once it's setup, first time use took 13 mins to load the software, it's very easy to use. Punch in the postcode and 2 taps later you're ready to go. I setup speed warnings at 110% so it will tell me when I go over 33 in a 30 zone and so on by way of a voice warning and flashing symbols on screen. You can also be warned of speed cameras too but this seems only to work when you are in a pre set navigation route whereas the speed warning works at all times.

Sat Nav user manual is here....http://www.oktogo.co.uk/satnav/igo8_user_manual.pdf

So far I have found only a couple of niggles, the lack of RDS on the radio and the Bluetooth system overrides everything else when in use so if you are en route somewhere using sat nav and then you get an incoming call you will lose the sat nav screen and guidance audio until you or the other person hangs up.

So the big question you are all asking "Is it worth it?". Well It cost me £488 all-in, that's the unit with reversing camera, postage and UK import duty. It's still around 50% of the price of the very basic factory VW units, which do not have bluetooth, TV, rear camera, DVD player and far better sat nav.

So YES I think it's well worth it on price and functionality. I'll come back and update this in a month once I have fitted the other bits and used everything a lot more.

Thanks
John

[knt]

Looks great.

Does the unit come with inbuilt hard drive for movies, mp3 files etc...?

How is the SAT NAV system stored (ie on DVD, internal/external memory card, or hard drive etc...)

Better than paying 1/3 more for the VW one.

[g4jsg]

No hard drive, you use the USB interface to play movies, music etc. Or you can also use the DVD drive.

Sat Nav is on it's own SD card, comes in the box, that is inserted into the unit prior to instalation as it's then not accessible once installed in the dash.

The VW one is £900, then bluetooth is £250, then £350 for DVD player so all-in that's £1500 for a system that is still not as good, in my opinion, but 3 times the price not 1/3.

[richard@thebrae]

Nice write up and good pics. I know you said that you do not have an MFSW or a highline display, but what type of connections if any, are there for these items if they are fitted to your car ?
Thanks for your write up. Regards Richard

[g4jsg]

Richard,

The new sat nav unit has a bunch of cables I didn't use, some of which were marked for MFSW so I guess it would wire into the VW interface if your car has it.

John

[richard@thebrae]

Thanks for that info, I downloaded the manual from your "HowTo" post and it confirmed your message, which I take to mean what it says on the tin, and just works with the MFSW.
I guess it was to much to ask at that price for it to feed the Nav info to the FIS as well.
I am looking at the options for my Golf and I am just about cross eyed studing the plus and minus of getting an MFD2, or going the full hog and going for the RNS 510.
Just sold My MFD to a guy in the States so the pot is starting to fill towards a new unit.
Thanks Again Richard

[richard@thebrae]

Hi I have sent you a PM, as I have followed you and placed an order for a Far East Unit although it is a wee bit different to yours, in my PM I have asked a couple of questions I hope you can help me with ref import duties ect.
Hope to hear from you soon Regards Richard