TomTom 510 Cubby Install

[leftride]

So I'll start out with a little intro...I have always been a little pissed that you couldn't get nav in the 5MT OBXT, but never pissed enough to spend the money to do anything about it. Well I recently got the navigation bug again and started researching how to remedy my problem.

 

One of my main concerns was wanting to keep my iPod in my car (I went with a Drive+Play earlier: http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30888) so I though my answers were solved when I found out TomTom made an iPod Connect cable, well I was wrong. After overcoming the fact that it wouldn't charge my iPod I decided to still give it a try, but I was quite disappointed. It would not resume songs when starting the car back up, the audio performance was lacking (quality and volume-wise) and it wouldn't pause my 3rd Gen iPod when I powered off the TomTom (it did pause my iPod Mini though). Well enough about the iPod issue.

 

So I wanted to find a portable navigation unit that would fit in the cubby also power on/off with the car (I had originally planned on purchasing a TomTom 720, but it didn't seem to have the ability to power on with the car).

 

So on to the install:

 

Custom-made TomTom 510 cubby stand (with front bezel of TomTom removed for tighter faceplate fit)

http://homepage.mac.com/rserven/images/obxt/tomtom/IMG_0011.jpg

 

Custom made TomTom 510 faceplate

http://homepage.mac.com/rserven/images/obxt/tomtom/IMG_0012.jpg

 

Here it is mounted in the cubby

http://homepage.mac.com/rserven/images/obxt/tomtom/IMG_0015.jpg

 

I wrapped the unit in tape so it wouldn't get scratched with all the test fittings. I also removed part of the top piece of the cubby so everything would fit.

http://homepage.mac.com/rserven/images/obxt/tomtom/IMG_0016.jpg

 

Here it is in the car, I haven't pushed the entire cubby/air vent piece back into place, I will wait till I am sure everything is good.

http://homepage.mac.com/rserven/images/obxt/tomtom/IMG_0018.jpg

 

As you can see there is a little gap near the top of the TomTom, that was because cutting the face plate was a pain because the front of the TomTom is not complete flat. If I had it to do all over again I'd probably go with a Nuvi or something (It would fit in the cubby better and it has a flat face), but the TomTom 510 was only $185 and the navigation is just fine.

 

Oh and the Drive+Play is still in the car, I just need a new place to mount the display.

 

Well I hope people like it. That's all for now.

[hakgwai]

i think theres a garmin nuvi 200 widescreen for around $200 at best but

but great cubby install.

i needa take pics of my setup as well

[leftride]

i think theres a garmin nuvi 200 widescreen for around $200 at best but

but great cubby install.

i needa take pics of my setup as well

 

That TomTom 510 is much more feature rich an the Nuvi 200. I think a $200 Nuvi 600 would get me to switch

[hakgwai]

i have no idea about that ..haha..

but my friend got the garmin one because it was so thin

[Sponge]

My wife just got me the TOM TOM One I haven't checked the features yet but I think it was about the same price so I assume I can hardwire it too?

 

I want to do the same thing you did and create a spot for the Ipod.

 

Nicely done

[leftride]

My wife just got me the TOM TOM One I haven't checked the features yet but I think it was about the same price so I assume I can hardwire it too?

 

I want to do the same thing you did and create a spot for the Ipod.

 

Nicely done

 

I didn't exactly 'hardwire' it. I bought a 12v (cigarette lighter) socket and run it from the back of the cubby to the fuse box. So it's just plugging into there. I was going to tear apart the 12v adapter on the TomTom, but this was easier.

 

As for the iPod I recommend the Drive+Play. I am running that and I think it's the best iPod interface with the stock stereo.

 

Thanks for the compliment.

[Sponge]

cool, I was thinking of running the wire back to my center console and using that plug next to the aux in. I'll check out the Drive + Play