DB9 Sat Nav display

[Stick Legs]

Just out of curiosity has anyone tried to do anything with the sat nav display on the DB9 to improve things.

I know it's old tech and rather out dated compared to what's currently available, I just wondered if anyone knew of any alternative uses for it that people from the Volvo or AM worlds could have come up with;
I'm thinking display for iPod interface, or a more modern sat nav that could be retrofitted, or a reversing camera.

That sort of thing.
Cheers.

[Neil1300r]

https://astoninstallations.com/

[Stick Legs]

Brilliant!

That's what I like about PH, there is usually an answer to any problem. A friend of mine has a Vantage and was wondering what could be done. I'll pass it on.

Thanks.

[Wilky7]

Neil1300r said:

https://astoninstallations.com/

I spoke to them about upgrading my car, very helpful people. I think it was around £1400 to put car play in and they do a front mounted camera for another £900 ish

[EVR]

Is there a less invasive option? For instance, just maybe switching out the current screen to another one with better resolution?

[Riddochg]

It's not just about the screen resolution. It transforms the ICE. I had my vantage done a couple of years back. I can now use apple CarPlay, Android also supported.

That means that any phone apps that are configured for car play work on the system. Waze is my favourite for navigation. I use Spotify for music and a number of others.

They all work perfectly. It's not a cheap option, but it is thoroughly well engineered.

[Neil1300r]

EVR said:

Is there a less invasive option? For instance, just maybe switching out the current screen to another one with better resolution?

Not that I've ever seen. Also, the sat navigation would still display at the original resolution

[EVR]

Yep, you guys are not wrong. But to me, adding the little control thingy is a bit too invasive on the interior, even if rationally, benefits outnumber downsides.

[V8V Pete]

EVR said:

Yep, you guys are not wrong. But to me, adding the little control thingy is a bit too invasive on the interior, even if rationally, benefits outnumber downsides.

I'm totally with you on this and it is the reason I've not had mine done. I did ask if they could put the control in the "ashtray" or even if they could make it work via the existing centre console "joystick" but they said no. Think I'll wait until there is a completely hidden solution before I jump on this one. Anyway, the Garmin Nav in mine is fine and I just leave my ancient iPhone 4S plugged into the cubby hole connector for music so I can cope, for now.

[EVR]

V8V Pete said:

I'm totally with you on this and it is the reason I've not had mine done. I did ask if they could put the control in the "ashtray" or even if they could make it work via the existing centre console "joystick" but they said no. Think I'll wait until there is a completely hidden solution before I jump on this one. Anyway, the Garmin Nav in mine is fine and I just leave my ancient iPhone 4S plugged into the cubby hole connector for music so I can cope, for now.

Using the original joystick would be perfect! I am fine too with the standard sat-nav (updated to 2017) and when it (rarely) fails, my iPhone as you said is just at reach with a plethora of map apps. For music I just have a good ol' cord with the lightning adapter.

I also like the "clean" look of the cabin using the original GPS unit (or even better, folding it!) instead of having a phone support on the windshield/vents.

I am a bit OCD on my car, I know.

[CAPP0]

Kinda slightly related, what does everyone do about a phone holder in the DB9? Brodit only offer a "generic" mount for the side of the tunnel, not a specific one, but putting it down there mean that if you're using it, say, for nav, it's well out of line of sight, and I definitely don't want to hang it off the windscreen on a sucker. The only other one I have seen in reviews is something which uses the CD slot to mount there, so it's good and central. Would obscure the clock but that's academic if there's a phone with a clock in the way anyway.

[Manners79]

CAPP0 said:

Kinda slightly related, what does everyone do about a phone holder in the DB9? Brodit only offer a "generic" mount for the side of the tunnel, not a specific one, but putting it down there mean that if you're using it, say, for nav, it's well out of line of sight, and I definitely don't want to hang it off the windscreen on a sucker. The only other one I have seen in reviews is something which uses the CD slot to mount there, so it's good and central. Would obscure the clock but that's academic if there's a phone with a clock in the way anyway.

I use one of these on long motorway journeys but, on my car (4.7 V8V manual), it puts the phone a bit too close to the gearstick for my liking when driving in a more 'spirited' manner. So, generally, the phone goes in the armrest and I access music via a Bovee 1000 adapter plugged into the iphone interface and phone calls via the car's hands free (i.e. I have 2 active bluetooth connections). Seems the best and safest compromise but, of course, does mean I can't use phone as satnav but since updating the built in system that is 'good enough'.