Best Sat Nav in a Monaro?

[bignige]

I have a Garmin 2610 that I use on the bikes but the mounting system (on a pod on the dash surface) isn't the most elegant in the world tbh.

So I was wondering what you chaps tend to use?
TomTom Go looks popular if a little Early Learning Centre looks wise.

I'd be especially interested in neat solutions to wiring etc whilst maintaining portability of the head unit.

cheers :)

[caspy]

Have smartnav myself.....live traffic is a wonderful thing, you can also add speed camera and tracking.

Tom Tom are dead easy to use and install and move from car to car.

Could sort you out a deal on a Tom Tom if of interest Nige.

[featherfoot]

Have a TomTom - Latest Nav5 big improvement.
Only problem is that they only deal with technical enquires over net, and take a couple of days to respond. Could be worse
You have live traffic, weather, euro + USA maps if wanted,Speed cameras-inc europe,etc etc.
They do the 'GO' range + PDA/pocket PC, mobile.
I went PDA route as worked out the same as 'GO' (inc PDA) but was more flexible.

[bignige]

Wifey is going to call you caspy, will be a birthday pressie for me.

[Raggyman]

Dont think i am going to have my installation done by this weekend, but I put together my own system. Bit of an expensive route I guess, but I have a laptop running MapMonkey hooked up to a 7" touch screen, which I am in the process of putting into the car. Need to make a couple of modifications yet though.



>> Edited by Raggyman on Friday 26th August 13:30

[mcd]

www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/ownerinfoaccessories?aid=20592&&modelid=12001&bitmask=1

Looks like Holden has it as an option for the Monaro? Not sure whats involved or where it lives? Maybe in dash in place of the stereo?

[The Jackel]

I have just ordered a Tom Tom Go 500 is it anygood.

Can anyone tell me if this has fixed camera alerts built in as this would be a handy feature

[featherfoot]

TomTom500 - when you register, go to TomTom Plus - first month free - then subscribe to traffic cameras.
You can then just update camera locations every 4/6 weeks to keep upto date.

[monaro 05]

I have the Holden / Vauxhall built in offering which isn't too bad.

I have yet to register for the the traffic alert option, so cannot really comment on this aspect but the speed & red light camera alerts work fine when in map or navigate mode.

It fits really neatly in the dash unit and the only negative for me is that the volume doesn't seem high enough and it is not wired into the audio system.

If cost is the major consideration then not perhaps the best option.

[well_fans]

I'd be interested in a dash kit - for us non vxr owners surely someone can come up with a unit that fits the blank space in the middle of the dash :-) On the subject of speed camera detector etc I've got the RAC trackstar tracker system with the speed option (£8 a month extra - compares well with costs of my old snooper gps system) and its brilliant - plenty loud enough and wired through the audio system - goes mental if you're going too fast approaching camera and switches off as soon as you slow below limit.

[comm_SS_V8]

well_fans said:

I'd be interested in a dash kit - for us non vxr owners surely someone can come up with a unit that fits the blank space in the middle of the dash

I'm well into the research phase at the moment and am almost there now. My plan is to create an in-car PC small enough to replace the radio head unit. Essentially, all you'll see would be a 7" touch sensitive LCD panel similar to modern sat nav systems and maybe the CD/DVD slot. My feature/options list currently includes:

* Processor Options: ARM, Intel, or AMD (200Mhz-2GHz)
* OS Options: Windows 2K/XP/2003, Windows CE, QNX, NetBSD and Linux
* Sat Nav
* HDD and/or Compact Flash storage for Movies, MP3's, etc
* Wireless network - So you can add your car to your home network & upload/download software updates & media from the comfort of your laptop/pc
* Micro Cameras so the interior of the car can be recorded if movement is detected. If the car is on the home network, alerts & recording would be sent to home PC/laptop.
* Blootooth
* GPRS
* DVD Player/Recorder
* Track day flight recorder/analyzer
* Car-to-Car data links (if wireless option is selected). Great for track days as you should be able to see others on the track & compare data.
* Web server
* E-Mail client
* USB OTG - Upload your pictures from your camera to your car
* DAB Radio
* TV (Maybe)
* Many more features

Current Sat-Nav & CD-Change systems are around £1000-£2500. I should be able to offer my package for £200-£800. This is just a guestimate at this time based on the price of HW I've been researching. The packages will be bespoke & upgradable allowing the user to add options depending on their requirements. Final costs will vary depending on the options selected & whether you went for Lunix or Windows. The Linux PC would be cheaper by far as you wouldn't have the licence fees, but some of the SW isn't as advanced because of this.

Current issues to try and sort out:

* Find a supplier or manufacturer to make the metal cage to put the PC in. I'm looking for empty radio cages essentially.
* Find a manufacturer to make the plastic front bezel
* Integrating the PC's audio system into the existing audi system. PC could offer upto 7.1 THX surround sound.
* Time

Anyone able to help with these?

>> Edited by comm_SS_V8 on Friday 26th August 19:26

[DAVE52]

Have Alpine NO55PV . Yes Bob such a kit is on the market.How did that headunit go Steve?

[comm_SS_V8]

I've only had a quick look due to lack of time. The Monaro Head unit is a fraction taller than the Commodore one so may need a slight tweak. I just need to make an adaptor for it and she'll be a go-er. The main reason for buying it was to get a mould for the car PC project.

[V-Car]

Gday bignige,
I also have a 2610 which i used to have in the Calais, but now have the Holden satnav which is the old Siemens VDO 5100.
To mount the 2610 out of the way, i just removed the compartment below the radio, and sat it in there with an extension antenna under the rear parcel shelf.
Could also be removed in a few seconds if need be.
The earlier dash as you know is a different shape to the later ones, but the principle is the same.

[BigNige]

That's neat, I like that.

However...TomTom's can now have John Cleeses voice.

Which is nice.


www.tomtom.com

[maverick964_uk]

Chaps,

I am waiting for the Road Angel Navigator which should be onsale in Halfords any day now...

I have a road angel2 and did buy a tomtom go 700 but I am going to sell both for the one unit.

The Navigator is the RA2 plus satnav. One device in the car suits me rather than loads of things suckered up on the windscreen.

If anyone wants an RA2 and/or Tomtom go 700 as I will be selling both shortly. The tomtom has not even been taken out of the box!.

thanks
Mike
Black Monaro 6.0 VXR

[maverick964_uk]

just picked up my road angel navigator from halfords yesterday so I now have a road angel2 and tomtom go 700 up for grabs!.

any takers?

thanks
Mike