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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:08 pm Post subject: Sunvisor TomTom Install - Nicely Done |
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Roberto Barrios documents a very professional sunvisor install in his Mini using a stripped down TomTom GPS.
Not content with the factory fit satnav options offered by BMW, Roberto opted to strip down his TomTom and fit it into the sunvisor using a custom CNC milled aluminium faceplate.
He has even gone to the trouble of utilising a PIC processor so that the unit switches on with the car ignition, something TomToms used to be capable of many moons ago but dropped in an update a year or more ago. The GPS patch antenna has been moved off the board and installed under the sunroof.
It all looks very nice ad has been finished to a standard that is, if anything, better than factory standard. Although Roberto doesn't say which TomTom he used as the basis of this project, judging by the pictures in his blog of the stripped down unit it looks like it could be a ONE XL?
You can read more details and see all the build pictures on Roberto's blog here. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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MaFt Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005 Posts: 15298 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Oooh, nice! Mrs-MaFt has a Mini. Shame she has a husband who is a complete retard when it comes to anything electronic...
MaFt |
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:10 am Post subject: |
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Oh I dunno about that.....
Not just 'anything electronic'?
_________________ Darren Griffin |
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exportman Frequent Visitor
Joined: Mar 26, 2006 Posts: 261 Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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Very neat but I'm not sure I would want one there |
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Kremmen Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 7137 Location: Reading
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Very neat but my first impression was - wouldn't that block your view somewhat ?
Especially if you sit high up. _________________ DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3 |
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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As he says, they're designed not to block your view and you could angle it if necessary. Clearly works for him. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Very neat indeed, the hardware is from one of the XL units prior to the XL IQ/ XL IQ Live though but after the One XL, it will have used the Easy Port mount as originally supplied.
The PCB is different to the XL IQ although its got the five pin battery connector even though there are only three wires in use (only Live equipped units have the five wire batteries fitted).
Sad really when you have to resort to looking at batteries to identify the doner unit - Mike |
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M8TJT The Other Tired Old Man
Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 10118 Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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mikealder wrote: | Sad really when you have to resort to looking at batteries to identify the doner unit | Even sadder when you can |
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gem Regular Visitor
Joined: Feb 06, 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:30 pm Post subject: unusual... |
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Interesting location. Can you tell the chap to let us know when he has a bump whilst using it. |
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peterc10 Frequent Visitor
Joined: Aug 21, 2005 Posts: 1761 Location: Kent, England
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Darren wrote: | Oh I dunno about that.....
Not just 'anything electronic'?
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MaFt - he still hasn't forgotten the fonts has he? _________________ Peter
HTC Sensation
Sygic GPS for Europe (No more TT "support"!)
Copilot for USA
Bury CC9060 bluetooth car kit & Brodit mount |
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MaFt Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005 Posts: 15298 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: unusual... |
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gem wrote: | Interesting location. Can you tell the chap to let us know when he has a bump whilst using it. |
as i mentioned above, my wife has a mini. the sub visor doesn't get in the way of your view. the seat drops very low so you still have very good visibility even with the visor in use.
honestly don't know what the issue is...?!
MaFt |
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Guivre46 Frequent Visitor
Joined: Apr 14, 2010 Posts: 1262 Location: West London
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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He's done a very nice job with that. Makes my dashboard mount look like the equivalent of Stonehenge. _________________ Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom |
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spook51 Lifetime Member
Joined: Mar 26, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: East Midlands
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:04 am Post subject: Re: unusual... |
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MaFt wrote: | gem wrote: | Interesting location. Can you tell the chap to let us know when he has a bump whilst using it. |
as i mentioned above, my wife has a mini. the sub visor doesn't get in the way of your view. the seat drops very low so you still have very good visibility even with the visor in use.
honestly don't know what the issue is...?!
MaFt |
Given that we're constantly advised never to operate our SatNav when driving, how does a front seat passenger safely operate one in the driver's sun visor? Or even see it clearly. |
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DennisN Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14902 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:08 am Post subject: |
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Well, I think it's a pretty fine job and would even go so far as to say he's added value to his motor. Position on the visor is good too - plan the route, set off and move it one-handed out of the way to do most of the trip. For a quick confirmation glance it's easy to drop the visor momentarily and for longer use, it's no different from hiding behind it when driving into the sun.
I'd ask Mike to do me one except with changing vans every two years it would be a waste! _________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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M8TJT The Other Tired Old Man
Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 10118 Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:22 am Post subject: |
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DennisN wrote: | I'd ask Mike to do me one except with changing vans every two years it would be a waste! | Swap the sun visor along with the van?
Spook51 wrote: |
how does a front seat passenger safely operate one in the driver's sun visor? Or even see it clearly. | Why would the passenger want/try to do this? |
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