DB9 satnav cunning plan...
Discussion
Having decided the Volvo unit is too exasperating to use, I had an idea to detach the head unit from the swivelling lid section, fit a modern satnav in its place with with foam pads, and get somebody clever to wire in the power cable. Bingo, workable fully updated satnav.
However...
To open the satnav lid you press one of the little silver buttons around the joystick.
But the only way I've found to close it is by using the Volvo menu system and navigate to 'Shut down'.
Does this mean that if the Volvo unit is absent the lid can never be closed?
(NB I'm not a smartphone person so strapping one to the dashboard isn't an option)
However...
To open the satnav lid you press one of the little silver buttons around the joystick.
But the only way I've found to close it is by using the Volvo menu system and navigate to 'Shut down'.
Does this mean that if the Volvo unit is absent the lid can never be closed?
(NB I'm not a smartphone person so strapping one to the dashboard isn't an option)
I would love to do something similar, I don't think it is too hard to updated the unit with something more modern that could still communicate with the car as OEM (little joystick, NAV button etc).
I think there might be a market for this, akin to what Porsche is doing with their classic cars:
https://shop.4porsche.com/products/91164529100...
I think there might be a market for this, akin to what Porsche is doing with their classic cars:
https://shop.4porsche.com/products/91164529100...
Simpo Two said:
Having decided the Volvo unit is too exasperating to use, I had an idea to detach the head unit from the swivelling lid section, fit a modern satnav in its place with with foam pads, and get somebody clever to wire in the power cable. Bingo, workable fully updated satnav.
However...
To open the satnav lid you press one of the little silver buttons around the joystick.
But the only way I've found to close it is by using the Volvo menu system and navigate to 'Shut down'.
Does this mean that if the Volvo unit is absent the lid can never be closed?
(NB I'm not a smartphone person so strapping one to the dashboard isn't an option)
I would also like to have Satnav from the current century withough spending almost £1400 having CarPlay integrated. I also thought about replacing the unit.However...
To open the satnav lid you press one of the little silver buttons around the joystick.
But the only way I've found to close it is by using the Volvo menu system and navigate to 'Shut down'.
Does this mean that if the Volvo unit is absent the lid can never be closed?
(NB I'm not a smartphone person so strapping one to the dashboard isn't an option)
However, for me, the biggest problem of inserting an aftermarket unit will be reaching the screen to input destinations - it's a long way away....
Nigel_O said:
However, for me, the biggest problem of inserting an aftermarket unit will be reaching the screen to input destinations - it's a long way away....
It's a bit of a stretch I agree, but do-able before setting off. As it is, I will still be f
king about in menus in my driveway when I could have reached my destination! It seems there is no road beginning with 'Lu...' anywhere in Europe, which is hard to believe. The battery will go flat before a destination is selected, even if it existed in 1874 when the unit was made.One snag is that adverts for satnavs are rather bad at putting dimensions on. Screen size yes, case size no. The max size is 165 x 108 x 28mm. And the Garmin that arrived today for experimental purposes, and which should by my best estimates and scale drawings have fitted, is 175mm wide. Arse.
ETA And is there any way to close the lid without using the Volvo display?
Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 30th October 14:26
M1AGM said:
I thought you just press and hold the NAV button on the centre console for a few seconds and the nav closes? Maybe not on the earlier cars?
The four buttons are T1/T2, Read, Back and Enter. (2007 car).Pressing the joystick in opens the lid, but doesn't close it. The only way I can find to close it is via the screen, or turning the ignition off. So you could have it opening and closing with the ignition, but you could never drive the car with the it closed.
Surley some genius has found a workaround...?
I looked at so many options on this and there are lots of different ideas, with varying degress of success.
The key for me was that I wanted to keep the original sat nav unit so that I could switch to it if I ever needed to, such as when you want to make it stay down for good or need it to rise and I wanted it to look as 'factory' as possible, and I wanted Apple Car Play / Android Auto, calls to the phone, decent sat nav etc etc
If you are interested in breaking out the soldering iron etc, you could take a look at this thread. I did it a while back and it works perfectly.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/4...
Basically, you replace the actual screen inside the moving sat nav screen with a new HDMI screen, then the video signal from the existing sat nav is routed through an RGB to HDMI converter and then I use a small Apple Car Play unit (commercially made) to connect the iPhone (or Android) into the newly established HDMI screen. The audio is routed through a simple MOST interface called MR12Volt, which actually appeared on the volvo scene before people realised it could be used on the Aston architecture.
Long story short, this cost me just below £400 for all the parts (apple carplay unit £200, MOST audio interface £100, RGB interface £40 and the other stuff about £50) and you can see on the above thread the connection diagram and a very well put together document by a chap called Andy (onscreen name Jenninaj).
Everything that is done to the car is completely reversible including putting back the original actual screen in the sat nav, it's plug and play (well, it requires a degree of screwdrivering etc).
If you look for my later postings on that thread, you will see interior shots of the car, fully fitted, the only thing you see is the extra joystick in the tray where the gearstick would be on the manual (mines the sportshift) and the two USB connectors are in the arm rest. The car is like factory, but when the sat nav screen comes up, it's showing CarPlay and sat nav is through the iPhone, audio, calls etc. All interaction with the iPhone is through the small joystick and you can do it really easily, no touch screen etc (although you could even enable that if you wanted, but as mentioned, the screen is to far away to touch safely).
This gives you the same type of installation as Aston Installations installs, the unit I bought was from a company called iCartizan and looks exactly the same as the Aston Installation one too.
https://www.icartizan.com/products/carplay-android...
If you want to save money, this way does work.....Just a thought
The key for me was that I wanted to keep the original sat nav unit so that I could switch to it if I ever needed to, such as when you want to make it stay down for good or need it to rise and I wanted it to look as 'factory' as possible, and I wanted Apple Car Play / Android Auto, calls to the phone, decent sat nav etc etc
If you are interested in breaking out the soldering iron etc, you could take a look at this thread. I did it a while back and it works perfectly.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/4...
Basically, you replace the actual screen inside the moving sat nav screen with a new HDMI screen, then the video signal from the existing sat nav is routed through an RGB to HDMI converter and then I use a small Apple Car Play unit (commercially made) to connect the iPhone (or Android) into the newly established HDMI screen. The audio is routed through a simple MOST interface called MR12Volt, which actually appeared on the volvo scene before people realised it could be used on the Aston architecture.
Long story short, this cost me just below £400 for all the parts (apple carplay unit £200, MOST audio interface £100, RGB interface £40 and the other stuff about £50) and you can see on the above thread the connection diagram and a very well put together document by a chap called Andy (onscreen name Jenninaj).
Everything that is done to the car is completely reversible including putting back the original actual screen in the sat nav, it's plug and play (well, it requires a degree of screwdrivering etc).
If you look for my later postings on that thread, you will see interior shots of the car, fully fitted, the only thing you see is the extra joystick in the tray where the gearstick would be on the manual (mines the sportshift) and the two USB connectors are in the arm rest. The car is like factory, but when the sat nav screen comes up, it's showing CarPlay and sat nav is through the iPhone, audio, calls etc. All interaction with the iPhone is through the small joystick and you can do it really easily, no touch screen etc (although you could even enable that if you wanted, but as mentioned, the screen is to far away to touch safely).
This gives you the same type of installation as Aston Installations installs, the unit I bought was from a company called iCartizan and looks exactly the same as the Aston Installation one too.
https://www.icartizan.com/products/carplay-android...
If you want to save money, this way does work.....Just a thought
Edited by mad gadget on Saturday 30th October 18:05
That's a great reply, thanks for the typing time!
I agree with reversibility if possible, and would keep the Volvo head unit in the garage for hopeful refitting at sale time.
However my needs are much simpler than yours - just satnav. No extra music, no desire to make phone calls while driving. I hate phones; mine is usually switched off in a cupboard!
The only snag is how to close the lid...
I agree with reversibility if possible, and would keep the Volvo head unit in the garage for hopeful refitting at sale time.
However my needs are much simpler than yours - just satnav. No extra music, no desire to make phone calls while driving. I hate phones; mine is usually switched off in a cupboard!
The only snag is how to close the lid...
The simplest way to get something like you want is probably a unit like the older NAVIKS box. It allows HDMI input to an otherwise standard system and cycles through inputs with the press of a button. The loom is plug and play for non destructive fitting. Doesn't sound like you like phones but a phone to HDMI wireless adapter is then displayable on your screen and easiest option. Sound can be routed from HDMI to aux. Even better through BT interface like Bovis tune to air. This also gives some useful control of music commands.
Pros. Easy to install. Fully reversible. Old system is still viewable and present. Can add cameras easily.
Cons. Original screen is low resolution image(but good enough ESP if you set your phone to dark mode). From your perspective you need to use your phone.
There is a way to raise your NAV screen. It is in the document mentioned by mad gadget. From memory Pin 4 on the connector on the back of the screen required 5v signal. Remove 5v it retracts. Worth reading the document as it is a while ago I did this and I wouldn't want to mislead.
Pros. Easy to install. Fully reversible. Old system is still viewable and present. Can add cameras easily.
Cons. Original screen is low resolution image(but good enough ESP if you set your phone to dark mode). From your perspective you need to use your phone.
There is a way to raise your NAV screen. It is in the document mentioned by mad gadget. From memory Pin 4 on the connector on the back of the screen required 5v signal. Remove 5v it retracts. Worth reading the document as it is a while ago I did this and I wouldn't want to mislead.
mad gadget said:
I looked at so many options on this and there are lots of different ideas, with varying degress of success.
The key for me was that I wanted to keep the original sat nav unit so that I could switch to it if I ever needed to, such as when you want to make it stay down for good or need it to rise and I wanted it to look as 'factory' as possible, and I wanted Apple Car Play / Android Auto, calls to the phone, decent sat nav etc etc
If you are interested in breaking out the soldering iron etc, you could take a look at this thread. I did it a while back and it works perfectly.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/4...
Basically, you replace the actual screen inside the moving sat nav screen with a new HDMI screen, then the video signal from the existing sat nav is routed through an RGB to HDMI converter and then I use a small Apple Car Play unit (commercially made) to connect the iPhone (or Android) into the newly established HDMI screen. The audio is routed through a simple MOST interface called MR12Volt, which actually appeared on the volvo scene before people realised it could be used on the Aston architecture.
Long story short, this cost me just below £400 for all the parts (apple carplay unit £200, MOST audio interface £100, RGB interface £40 and the other stuff about £50) and you can see on the above thread the connection diagram and a very well put together document by a chap called Andy (onscreen name Jenninaj).
Everything that is done to the car is completely reversible including putting back the original actual screen in the sat nav, it's plug and play (well, it requires a degree of screwdrivering etc).
If you look for my later postings on that thread, you will see interior shots of the car, fully fitted, the only thing you see is the extra joystick in the tray where the gearstick would be on the manual (mines the sportshift) and the two USB connectors are in the arm rest. The car is like factory, but when the sat nav screen comes up, it's showing CarPlay and sat nav is through the iPhone, audio, calls etc. All interaction with the iPhone is through the small joystick and you can do it really easily, no touch screen etc (although you could even enable that if you wanted, but as mentioned, the screen is to far away to touch safely).
This gives you the same type of installation as Aston Installations installs, the unit I bought was from a company called iCartizan and looks exactly the same as the Aston Installation one too.
https://www.icartizan.com/products/carplay-android...
If you want to save money, this way does work.....Just a thought
Very nice project and good results, but still a bit too invasive for my taste: the little joystick, the USB ports...The key for me was that I wanted to keep the original sat nav unit so that I could switch to it if I ever needed to, such as when you want to make it stay down for good or need it to rise and I wanted it to look as 'factory' as possible, and I wanted Apple Car Play / Android Auto, calls to the phone, decent sat nav etc etc
If you are interested in breaking out the soldering iron etc, you could take a look at this thread. I did it a while back and it works perfectly.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/4...
Basically, you replace the actual screen inside the moving sat nav screen with a new HDMI screen, then the video signal from the existing sat nav is routed through an RGB to HDMI converter and then I use a small Apple Car Play unit (commercially made) to connect the iPhone (or Android) into the newly established HDMI screen. The audio is routed through a simple MOST interface called MR12Volt, which actually appeared on the volvo scene before people realised it could be used on the Aston architecture.
Long story short, this cost me just below £400 for all the parts (apple carplay unit £200, MOST audio interface £100, RGB interface £40 and the other stuff about £50) and you can see on the above thread the connection diagram and a very well put together document by a chap called Andy (onscreen name Jenninaj).
Everything that is done to the car is completely reversible including putting back the original actual screen in the sat nav, it's plug and play (well, it requires a degree of screwdrivering etc).
If you look for my later postings on that thread, you will see interior shots of the car, fully fitted, the only thing you see is the extra joystick in the tray where the gearstick would be on the manual (mines the sportshift) and the two USB connectors are in the arm rest. The car is like factory, but when the sat nav screen comes up, it's showing CarPlay and sat nav is through the iPhone, audio, calls etc. All interaction with the iPhone is through the small joystick and you can do it really easily, no touch screen etc (although you could even enable that if you wanted, but as mentioned, the screen is to far away to touch safely).
This gives you the same type of installation as Aston Installations installs, the unit I bought was from a company called iCartizan and looks exactly the same as the Aston Installation one too.
https://www.icartizan.com/products/carplay-android...
If you want to save money, this way does work.....Just a thought
Edited by mad gadget on Saturday 30th October 18:05
My ideal solution (and I am not saying it will exist, ever) would simply be a new hi-def screen unit that you put in place of the old, and that's it. In a super ideal world, the unit itself will also have wireless CarPlay/Android Auto integrated. One can wish right?
As a starting point: did anyone ever tried to put an 2012 unit (the Garmin one, SD card) in a previous year car?
Edited by EVR on Sunday 31st October 09:23
I'll ask the obvious question. If you don't want phone integration but a working sat navigation why don't you just buy the latest Volvo sat nav discs? System works, up to date maps, countdown to junctions etc. If you put a 3rd party satnav screen in, it will be a touch screen, and the reach from the drivers seat to the screen is probably too much of a stretch if you are tall
Neil1300r said:
I'll ask the obvious question. If you don't want phone integration but a working sat navigation why don't you just buy the latest Volvo sat nav discs? System works, up to date maps, countdown to junctions etc. If you put a 3rd party satnav screen in, it will be a touch screen, and the reach from the drivers seat to the screen is probably too much of a stretch if you are tall
Still, the system is decent from my point of view, but I can see it being atrocious for others.As for discs... I think Volvo stopped printing them after the 2017 edition. At least, those are the ones I used to update mine. I... ehm, "borrowed" them online.
Edited by EVR on Sunday 31st October 16:57
leman600 said:
The simplest way to get something like you want is probably a unit like the older NAVIKS box. It allows HDMI input to an otherwise standard system and cycles through inputs with the press of a button. The loom is plug and play for non destructive fitting. Doesn't sound like you like phones but a phone to HDMI wireless adapter is then displayable on your screen and easiest option. Sound can be routed from HDMI to aux. Even better through BT interface like Bovis tune to air. This also gives some useful control of music commands.
Pros. Easy to install. Fully reversible. Old system is still viewable and present. Can add cameras easily.
Cons. Original screen is low resolution image(but good enough ESP if you set your phone to dark mode). From your perspective you need to use your phone.
So I'd need to add a NAVIKs box and a smartphone. I don't think it's worth it. Do I need HDMI? I'm happy with a few FM radio stations and the occasional CD.Pros. Easy to install. Fully reversible. Old system is still viewable and present. Can add cameras easily.
Cons. Original screen is low resolution image(but good enough ESP if you set your phone to dark mode). From your perspective you need to use your phone.
leman600 said:
There is a way to raise your NAV screen. It is in the document mentioned by mad gadget. From memory Pin 4 on the connector on the back of the screen required 5v signal. Remove 5v it retracts. Worth reading the document as it is a while ago I did this and I wouldn't want to mislead.
Now that's useful - and hopefully a good auto-electrician could do that. That could allow my plan to work. Up, down, bingo.On the subject of live traffic, which would be a bonus, I'm sure that not long ago satnavs could do this on their own. Now it seems they all need smartphones to do it. Life is complicated enough.
If everything needs a smartphone to work, it's like having a car but you need to buy a separate engine and tow it behind on a trailer...!
But 5V on Pin 4 sounds worth pursuing
Neil1300r said:
I'll ask the obvious question. If you don't want phone integration but a working sat navigation why don't you just buy the latest Volvo sat nav discs? System works, up to date maps, countdown to junctions etc. If you put a 3rd party satnav screen in, it will be a touch screen, and the reach from the drivers seat to the screen is probably too much of a stretch if you are tall
That was my first thought, easy and cheap. But the functionality of the Volvo unit is shocking (see my post above); I lost the will to live before I'd finished entering the destination because it doesn't take postcodes. In that respect the standard Jaguar offering which dates back to at least 2001 is far superior.If I can't find an expert to nobble the lid mechanism, I may end up just sticking a satnav on the top with a sucker. Not very svelte though. A beautiful design with an utterly s
t satnav. What were Aston thinking?Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 31st October 10:00
EVR said:
Simpo Two said:
Interesting! I thought entering destination by postcode was a function of the head unit, but it's the disk?
I think what John means is that the latest discs updated the unit to do postcodes.Reading this thread makes me smile -
If only because i cant remember when i last used the satnav in my db9 - and almost every vehicle i use i use the nav on my smartphone. - a reason why i hate these big stuck on ipad screens on modern cars.
Yet this thread illustrates how we are all different - the op is the 180 degree opposite of me when it comes to satnav and phones!!
No wonder AM cant please everyone with the MB infotainment.
Good luck with the new satnav project !!
If only because i cant remember when i last used the satnav in my db9 - and almost every vehicle i use i use the nav on my smartphone. - a reason why i hate these big stuck on ipad screens on modern cars.
Yet this thread illustrates how we are all different - the op is the 180 degree opposite of me when it comes to satnav and phones!!
No wonder AM cant please everyone with the MB infotainment.
Good luck with the new satnav project !!
So - while we're talking about alternatives to the ancient OE satnav, I think we're all in agreement that a decent smartphone running Waze or similar is way better.
For all my previous cars, I've fitted a Brodit cradle, but these simply aren't available for the Astons - what is anyone else using as a decent phone mount?
For all my previous cars, I've fitted a Brodit cradle, but these simply aren't available for the Astons - what is anyone else using as a decent phone mount?
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