DIY Sat-Nav replacement for Vantage V8?

[stevenichols]

Like so many early V8 Vantage owners I don't use the built-in sat-nav as it is rotten! As I only use the car in the summer I have made do with an iPhone/Waze in a clamp on the dashboard.

Anyway, I just saw an ad for a 7" wireless Car Play/Android device and had a thought. Could you take one of these and mount it in the existing screen space?

I just wonder if someone has actually done this. Seems like a cheaper option than one of the professional solutions.

The original Ebay URL is: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395134238002?hash=item5...

[Import]

Interesting…will be following this one..I too use a cell as my navigation….

[olv]

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/4...

Big long thread here with an awesome downloadable hugely detailed pdf guide on how to DIY it. I’ve started my raspberry pi based effort. It’s working in the kitchen but I’ve not taken my cat apart yet!

[bogie]

Not sure about DIY but Aston Installations offer what you are looking for

https://astoninstallations.com/

[BiggaJ]

I will second the Aston Installations approach. I would not be wanting to mess about with retro fitting an aftermarket unit and run the risk of having wires and what not all over the car.

The AI system is seamlessly integrated into the Aston dash and works incredibly well but most importantly leaving it looking as though it was a factory fit item.

[Caslad]

I have the Aston Installations kit and would thoroughly recommend them.

[olv]

For those of you with the Aston Installations kit in earlier cars, what is their solution to closing the screen when not in use? In early cars you cannot push and hold a centre console button to close it, you have to do it via the menu.

[matrignano]

Aren’t these systems touch screen though ?
Good luck reaching the screen and setting up a destination while driving

[bogie]

matrignano said:

Aren’t these systems touch screen though ?
Good luck reaching the screen and setting up a destination while driving

If they are android or apple carplay, surely you just talk to the AI for the navigation ?

[Simpo Two]

Have you checked it will physically fit before you move onto the clever stuff?

olv said:

I’ve not taken my cat apart yet!

I'm calling the RSPCA

[olv]

Simpo Two said:

Have you checked it will physically fit before you move onto the clever stuff?

That screen linked to in the original post wouldn't fit no, the standard screen is 6.5". I couldn't find one of those portable CarPlay units that is the right dimensions to use as the basis of a retrofit. If you look up the teardown videos of these units on YouTube the PCB is often an awkward custom shape and separating the screen from the housing and splitting it down into its component parts is often difficult so I don't think they're an easy choice.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114180741667?mkcid=16&a... - that screen is commonly used as a replacement, it's a 6.5" (Model: AT065TN14) 800x480 screen. A few people in that 6speedonline thread have used it as a replacement, it fits the original housing. You can then use your choice of device to drive it.

One of the bigger technical challenges to DIY is if you want to still retain access to the Volvo nav system, either to maintain the appearance of originality or be able to see the shutdown option in the menu, but the video signal for the system is inverse, so there's an inverter board to build and wiring harness to make to get it all connected up. There is some great and very detailed information and instructions in that 6speedonline thread.

Simpo Two said:

olv said:

I’ve not taken my cat apart yet!

I'm calling the RSPCA

Funny as my cat (on the car :P) has been apart.

[stevenichols]

Yep - it is too big!

I have seen some 5-inch car play units which may fit, but the 7-inch definitely won't fit. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

Has anyone upgraded to the 2016 maps? Does that have post code search?

[ds666]

Aston Installation seems a great solution but isn’t it really expensive ?

[Simpo Two]

stevenichols said:

Yep - it is too big!

I have seen some 5-inch car play units which may fit, but the 7-inch definitely won't fit. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

I came this way in 2021, when I encountered the Volvo satnav with its lego-resolution screen and unintuitive menus. But after considering all the alternatives, and not being a PhD in electronics, I decided to live with it and got the latest DVD. It's another of those things you don't expect to find in an Aston Martin, along with a key you have to put in a lock and turn, and wipers and lights you have to switch on yourself...!

[john ryan]

The 2016 update (on my 2007 V8V) does have post code search. I find it still useful for last mile navigation

[Simpo Two]

john ryan said:

The 2016 update (on my 2007 V8V) does have post code search.

Yep, that's the key. Without it it's effectively junk.




My 2001 S-Type had a satnav with postcode search... and was easier to use than the Aston one from 2007...