for those w/ aftermarket nav systems (tom toms, etc) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

djk · 05-09-2009, 06:14 PM

hey for those that have the aftermarket nav systems (not in dash) i was wondering if you guys could help me out for a sec.

i know for optimum satellite "reception" its best that you have it on the dash or mounted on the windshield, but i was wondering if you have it lower (see fig 1) would you still get any reception? and if you guys could just put the system down there for a few minutes and lemme know if there's any reception.

i want to get an aftermarket one and blend mount it in there with the wiring going to the cigarette lighter, but if there's no reception then no point in investing in the system.

Fig. 1

CamrySExxx · 05-09-2009, 06:50 PM

buy it , if it doesnt work out well you could always get a refund

njerald · 05-09-2009, 07:11 PM

My Magellan has great sat. and traffic info reception sitting on the ceter console..

Axxis8203 · 05-09-2009, 07:32 PM

my tomtom works just fine sitting in the center console...

ToyotaToday · 05-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djk

hey for those that have the aftermarket nav systems (not in dash) i was wondering if you guys could help me out for a sec.

i know for optimum satellite "reception" its best that you have it on the dash or mounted on the windshield, but i was wondering if you have it lower (see fig 1) would you still get any reception? and if you guys could just put the system down there for a few minutes and lemme know if there's any reception.

i want to get an aftermarket one and blend mount it in there with the wiring going to the cigarette lighter, but if there's no reception then no point in investing in the system.

Fig. 1

I have a GEN 5 and a Garmin unit and thought about putting it there as well, but the only bad part is... you will need to take your eyes off the road to look at the nav unit. not a good choice. Increasing your chance of an accident. I got one of those heavy (sand bag) base that sits on your dash. It heavy so it does not slide around. Once you are done, just tuck it under your seat. Garmin makes one for their products.

Dapuzzlar · 05-10-2009, 12:44 AM

I had my GPS right in that spot on my Gen 5 and it worked perfectly fine...i forgot what brand it was. sorry. I now have a GPS built right into my headunit.

***RningOnFumes*** · 05-10-2009, 01:10 AM

Ya, no problems with my TomTom. You do need to let it calibrate when you first turn the unit on, but after that, no problems with satellite reception at all.

I place it using the suction cup onto the drivers window. I postion it so that I can see the driver's rear view mirror while viewing the TomTom. This placement also allows me to use my right hand to reach it with ease.

njerald · 05-10-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyotaToday

thought about putting it there as well, but the only bad part is... you will need to take your eyes off the road to look at the nav unit. not a good choice.

Duh, that's what they call audio.................

ToyotaToday · 05-10-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njerald

Duh, that's what they call audio.................

You're not too bright, eh? Are you telling me NAV system that has audio, which all of them do, nobody actually LOOKS at the unit to see the map, or to adjust settings, route, etc. If that was the case, there would be no VISUAL on a NAV unit.

djk · 05-10-2009, 09:35 PM

so i ended up getting a garmin and it gets great reception, i probably won't mount it down that low, but i think i still want to hardwire it thru to the cig lighter jus so i can keep other stuff plugged to it. i tried searching for a diy on doing that and taking apart the center console but couldnt find anything (?)

-edit-

nvm found a link haha ><

Hardwiring Garmin?

fjowner · 05-10-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njerald

Duh, that's what they call audio.................

Ever get near a clusterfuck of exits like a cloverleaf? Having visual helps a lot!

05-10-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjowner

Ever get near a clusterfuck of exits like a cloverleaf? Having visual helps a lot!

Could you try and not use language like that on this forum in the future.

ToyotaToday · 05-10-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjowner

Ever get near a clusterfuck of exits like a cloverleaf? Having visual helps a lot!

I agree having a visual helps.

Njerald,
The whole idea of the audio is to MINIMIZE the use of the VISUAL but not to eliminate the visual. If visual wasnt important why not make 100% audio GPS's and why have wide screen gps, etc, etc.

njerald · 05-10-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyotaToday

I agree having a visual helps.

Njerald,
The whole idea of the audio is to MINIMIZE the use of the VISUAL but not to eliminate the visual. If visual wasnt important why not make 100% audio GPS's and why have wide screen gps, etc, etc.

I never said Visual was not important but you don't have to watch the screen most of the time, you need to watch the road................

Zviator · 05-10-2009, 11:41 PM

Many after market GPS come with external antenna that you can wire up the console dash or even on the roof top.