The NEW custom GPS ashtray mod (Garmin nuvi)
#1
The NEW custom GPS ashtray mod (Garmin nuvi)
I cannot take credit for this idea, about a year ago Perkman87 had a post with his magellan GPS stuffed into his ashtray with some custom wiring to tie it into his cigarette lighter. HIS POST HERE
I decided to do the same with my garmin Nuvi. At first my rig was simple, The unit sat on a block of bondo that I made to fit in the bottom of the ashtray cavity. It was held in place by velcro so i could remove it when necessary. I bought an additional cigarette socket and hardwired it to the existing socket behind the trim so the Garmin turns on and off with the car.
I recently decided to take it to the next level and make it look like it belongs there. Its basically all bondo, a lot of sanding and paint
In the future I will post a writeup/how to. However I would like to first offer to perform this custom jobby job for other forum members in the near future for a fee.
Some thoughts about my install
1. No its not PERFECT, there are some variances in the surface that can be seen under certain lighting conditions.
2. Many will say its unsafe for the garmin to be there, Its fine as we all divert our eyes from the road at some point. Its not like im reading a book... Id rather have it down there instead of taking up my field of view on my windshield anyways.
3. Somehow I can still hear the garmin loud and clear, I was not expecting this but thought the mod was worth it anyway
4. Directional Inputs should be made when not moving obviously, and yes it is easier to type on the screen when my auto stick is not in park
5. Satellite reception is 100%
6. When the Garmin dies, the trim goes in the trash
7. I FUGGIN LOVE IT!!!
I decided to do the same with my garmin Nuvi. At first my rig was simple, The unit sat on a block of bondo that I made to fit in the bottom of the ashtray cavity. It was held in place by velcro so i could remove it when necessary. I bought an additional cigarette socket and hardwired it to the existing socket behind the trim so the Garmin turns on and off with the car.
I recently decided to take it to the next level and make it look like it belongs there. Its basically all bondo, a lot of sanding and paint
In the future I will post a writeup/how to. However I would like to first offer to perform this custom jobby job for other forum members in the near future for a fee.
Some thoughts about my install
1. No its not PERFECT, there are some variances in the surface that can be seen under certain lighting conditions.
2. Many will say its unsafe for the garmin to be there, Its fine as we all divert our eyes from the road at some point. Its not like im reading a book... Id rather have it down there instead of taking up my field of view on my windshield anyways.
3. Somehow I can still hear the garmin loud and clear, I was not expecting this but thought the mod was worth it anyway
4. Directional Inputs should be made when not moving obviously, and yes it is easier to type on the screen when my auto stick is not in park
5. Satellite reception is 100%
6. When the Garmin dies, the trim goes in the trash
7. I FUGGIN LOVE IT!!!
#6
Thanks for the compliments, many hours went into the project. The "custom trim" is actually just a very fine transition where the bondo/frame meets the garmin. In other words the "inner ring" is the garmin itself.
Ok ok, so the unit is below eye level. Do you guys adjust your stereos and HVAC settings without looking? It only takes a downward glance, and thats only if you missed the Garmin telling you what to do more than once.
Ok ok, so the unit is below eye level. Do you guys adjust your stereos and HVAC settings without looking? It only takes a downward glance, and thats only if you missed the Garmin telling you what to do more than once.
#12
how is the signal. I always thought thats a bit low....it looks good but how is the signal? That low would be tough to type I would think and then what if you wanted to go portable, which was the secondary purpose of these.
The install looks real good though so props.
The install looks real good though so props.
#14
I cant change the size of the garmin, nor the size of the ashtray opening, nor where the ashtray is located...The beauty of this mod is that it was an ashtray.... Now its a Navi unit that looks OEM ...
Thanks again for the props
Last edited by scottygill; 01-30-2010 at 09:08 AM. Reason: diligence
#16
#19
ooops, Sorry I Had just gotten home from work and it was 3am, I think yours looks way better tho. I didn't even read it until now
My Bad.
#23
awesome DIY. gonna have to agree with the general concensus that its a little low. i have mine mounted to my windshield right to the left of my instrument cluster so i dont have to look down or anything.
but once again, excellent work, looks terrific.
but once again, excellent work, looks terrific.
#31
Thanks again for the rave reviews everyone.
As i briefly mentioned in my first post, If anyone has a Garmin (not widescreen) that they would like me to custom mount, I decided that for $150 I would be willing to outsource my skills. This price reflects the cost of the additional cigarette socket, a straight tipped USB to cig plug adapter, sandpaper, bondo and paint, return shipping and of course hours of my time.
If there is any initial expressed interest, I can hash out more details about guarantees, shipping and other things i can add to your garmin.
Please let me know.
Does anyone know if the 4th or 6th gen have similar ashtrays?
On second thought, considering the general consensus that the unit is too low for ease of use, BJS470 and aqlizzonmymax gave me an idea...
I grabbed my gf's garmin and went out to the max to see what the fitment is like for the garmin to be retrofitted into the left upper air vent. I think its going to be a green light project! This will be alot tougher considering the mechanics of the vent openings. Im going to need t buy a dremel i think... Does anyone have a vent cluster or cheap garmin unit for sale? Looking to pay about $50 to 60 for a used 2xx series.
As i briefly mentioned in my first post, If anyone has a Garmin (not widescreen) that they would like me to custom mount, I decided that for $150 I would be willing to outsource my skills. This price reflects the cost of the additional cigarette socket, a straight tipped USB to cig plug adapter, sandpaper, bondo and paint, return shipping and of course hours of my time.
If there is any initial expressed interest, I can hash out more details about guarantees, shipping and other things i can add to your garmin.
Please let me know.
Does anyone know if the 4th or 6th gen have similar ashtrays?
On second thought, considering the general consensus that the unit is too low for ease of use, BJS470 and aqlizzonmymax gave me an idea...
#32
Thanks again for the rave reviews everyone.
As i briefly mentioned in my first post, If anyone has a Garmin (not widescreen) that they would like me to custom mount, I decided that for $150 I would be willing to outsource my skills. This price reflects the cost of the additional cigarette socket, a straight tipped USB to cig plug adapter, sandpaper, bondo and paint, return shipping and of course hours of my time.
If there is any initial expressed interest, I can hash out more details about guarantees, shipping and other things i can add to your garmin.
Please let me know.
Does anyone know if the 4th or 6th gen have similar ashtrays?
On second thought, considering the general consensus that the unit is too low for ease of use, BJS470 and aqlizzonmymax gave me an idea...
I grabbed my gf's garmin and went out to the max to see what the fitment is like for the garmin to be retrofitted into the left upper air vent. I think its going to be a green light project! This will be alot tougher considering the mechanics of the vent openings. Im going to need t buy a dremel i think... Does anyone have a vent cluster or cheap garmin unit for sale? Looking to pay about $50 to 60 for a used 2xx series.
As i briefly mentioned in my first post, If anyone has a Garmin (not widescreen) that they would like me to custom mount, I decided that for $150 I would be willing to outsource my skills. This price reflects the cost of the additional cigarette socket, a straight tipped USB to cig plug adapter, sandpaper, bondo and paint, return shipping and of course hours of my time.
If there is any initial expressed interest, I can hash out more details about guarantees, shipping and other things i can add to your garmin.
Please let me know.
Does anyone know if the 4th or 6th gen have similar ashtrays?
On second thought, considering the general consensus that the unit is too low for ease of use, BJS470 and aqlizzonmymax gave me an idea...
I grabbed my gf's garmin and went out to the max to see what the fitment is like for the garmin to be retrofitted into the left upper air vent. I think its going to be a green light project! This will be alot tougher considering the mechanics of the vent openings. Im going to need t buy a dremel i think... Does anyone have a vent cluster or cheap garmin unit for sale? Looking to pay about $50 to 60 for a used 2xx series.
#35
Between this thread and Perkmans that i linked to, I believe you have seen everything that anyone has done as far as ashtray gadgets go. I might be willing to try a custom Ipod build if it was with a 1st gen ipod or an ipod that someone would be willing to take a chance on letting me experiment with. My only concern is that the connections for the ipods shoot straight out the bottom. There would be the unique ipod connector --> cig lighter, then the headphone jack --> Red/White rca splitter that would be an auxillary input to the back of an aftermarket stereo. I myself have never owned an ipod so i would need to get my hands on a similar model to get a feel for it.
All in all I think the chances of a successful flush mounted bondo-ipod would turn out to be an epic FAIL and I would end up buying someone a new ipod.
Still looking for an test subject for a gps vent project or a customer for an identical ash tray mod.
All in all I think the chances of a successful flush mounted bondo-ipod would turn out to be an epic FAIL and I would end up buying someone a new ipod.
Still looking for an test subject for a gps vent project or a customer for an identical ash tray mod.
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