Sat Nav / GPS

[moonshine]

i have navman v1.51 and tom tom v 1 and i quite like tomtom.....i havn't had any real problems with Tomtom V1 and i much prefer its user interface over Navman

Gerry

[le19h]

HI guys, I use the Compaq iPaq, with the Rikaline hardwired GPS and Tomtom 2 software, and had no really problems. If you install it cleverly and use the Aux input into the Stereo, you can use the ipaq has an Mp3 player, whilst the sat nav is running and directing through the Mini sound system.

If you already have an iPaq, pick up the Rikaline GPS equipment from ebay - priced around £70. ( If your lucky you'll get the mount and power cables as well!) - Working in the IT Industry, i can get a copy of the Tomtom 2, CoPilot 3 or any games / applications, supplied with all the relevant details to allow them to work. PM me if anyone's interested.

[scooperman_uk]

anyone got any views on the Navman ICN630 ? halfords are now doing these for 799 and they cover the whole of UK / Europe.

[addman]

£799 would easily buy you a PDA, TomTom 3 and the europe maps and probably the cost of the ferry to Europe... and would work better than SmartST (which the ICN is based on) imho. Or, it's a good wedge towards a fully integrated SatNav like the Alpines described earlier in the thread.

The only advantage I can see of the icn is it's simplicity, but the PDA solution isn't exactly hard - I'd say that if you're savvy enough to post on this forum, you'll be able to work out installing TomToms

[scooperman_uk]

if for a unit with less fiddle and installtion. the navman looks good as its simple, self contained and portable between cars

[krb]

I installed the Pioneer 6500 (retractable screen) in my last MIni. Didn't like the way it looked in the car and when the screen was out/extended I couldn't see the fuel guage.......a problem on one occasion.

For my new Cooper I thought long and hard about the factory install, but really didn't like the look of it - I much prefer the speedo in the centre. Trouble is there are not many options for mounting a screen. After much thought a friend came up with a solution. The hideaway screen mount was custom made and is fully electric. I'm thinking about getting them made and offering them for sale if anyone was interested. The Navigation computer is hidden away under the drivers seat, like the factory unit.

[addman]

Quote: Originally Posted by scooperman_uk

if for a unit with less fiddle and installtion. the navman looks good as its simple, self contained and portable between cars

True - but the TomToms solution ain't exactly hard to move between cars, plus you get more flexibility about mounting, as the PDA doesn't have to have line-of-sight through the screen - only the gps mouse does.

If all in one is your thing, TomTom are releasing one soon - TomTom Go. I'd rate the TomTom software over the Navman any day.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by krb

I installed the Pioneer 6500 (retractable screen) in my last MIni. Didn't like the way it looked in the car and when the screen was out/extended I couldn't see the fuel guage.......a problem on one occasion.

For my new Cooper I thought long and hard about the factory install, but really didn't like the look of it - I much prefer the speedo in the centre. Trouble is there are not many options for mounting a screen. After much thought a friend came up with a solution. The hideaway screen mount was custom made and is fully electric. I'm thinking about getting them made and offering them for sale if anyone was interested. The Navigation computer is hidden away under the drivers seat, like the factory unit.

An impressive and OEM looking installation nicely done !

[mikeythemikey]

269 for a complete gps/pda solution at aldi.. be quick

[averyocooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by krb

I installed the Pioneer 6500 (retractable screen) in my last MIni. Didn't like the way it looked in the car and when the screen was out/extended I couldn't see the fuel guage.......a problem on one occasion.

For my new Cooper I thought long and hard about the factory install, but really didn't like the look of it - I much prefer the speedo in the centre. Trouble is there are not many options for mounting a screen. After much thought a friend came up with a solution. The hideaway screen mount was custom made and is fully electric. I'm thinking about getting them made and offering them for sale if anyone was interested. The Navigation computer is hidden away under the drivers seat, like the factory unit.

krb, that is a seriously impressive install. how much did it cost to put together?
-Avery

[freedee]

Finally I have done it brought the Tomtom Go from Heathrow duty free £350
Used it on the drive back to Leicester and it worked very well, now instead of arguments with my girl friend over directions, I now try to argue with a computer. Must learn to trust the directions given, I don't always now the best route

[Redwytch]

krb, that looks awesome! How much did the kit cost, who did the install? Any plans to market it? If the price was right, I'd be interested!

[Windshadow]

KRB posted that a year ago and has not been back to post on MINI2 since... but you are right he would have a heck if a winner if he had someone like Mikey the Mini to market it for him... you could have a totaly stealthed state of the art Pioneer system

[averyocooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Windshadow

KRB posted that a year ago and has not been back to post on MINI2 since... but you are right he would have a heck if a winner if he had someone like Mikey the Mini to market it for him... you could have a totaly stealthed state of the art Pioneer system

wow, that's too bad. it is an amazing install. i thought it was photoshopped at first.
i would love to have a nav screen like that and would easily splurge to get it! damn, i wish i could get it!
-A

[krb]

Sorry it took so long to come back. I have spoken with the guy who made the actual mount. Cost would be around £700.00. The only screen we could fit in the space available was the Siemens VDO 5.8", so I used the VDO MS5400/5500 system. Good navi (I think), but a great screen for bright sunlight unlike some others. The actual screen install is fairly involved. You have to remove some of the plastic ribs from the back of the speedo and cut into the air ducts (I had some little inserts made and taped in place). Airflow was not really disturbed much. When I sadly sold my Mini, I simply took the mount out and bought (for £130.00!!!) a new dash top.

Let me know if anyones really interested - maybe if there are a few of you we could get the price down a bit. Personally I was very pleased with the install. It never ceased to amaze people and best of all didn't mess up the appearance of the dash.