I just finished my Kuda install (thanks to everyone who recommended this!) with a Garmin 765T. Since the setup is pretty much stationary I was wondering if anyone has hardwired their after-market navigation units into their Mini's. By this I simply mean avoiding using the central cigarette lighter and running power via a different route be it from the battery directly or otherwise.

There's a few posts in the 2nd-gen Mini forum about tapping into unused fuse sockets in the in-board fuse compartment. Has anyone attempted this with a 1st-gen Mini? Which fuse socket is most appropriate?

First time post. These forums have been very helpful so far

 

You will need something like this to hard wire the Garmin for power reduction.
hope this helps---
http://cgi.ebay.com/Barewire-Power-C...=p3286.c0.m14&
or
http://www.shopzilla.com/garmin-bare...314308/compare

 

Thanks for the response.

They will indeed work for most Garmin units, but not those which contain the GTM21 FM Traffic Receiver or the MSN Direct Receiver inline with their power lead (as in attached pic).

Does any one using one of these newer Garmin units have a solution?

 

I used the bare wire kit realizing I was giving up the ability to get traffic info (of course, now I'm not bothered by advertising either). If you really must have the traffic antenna, then you will have to either wire in a spare cigarette lighter (probably hidden up under the dash somewhere) to plug the power cord into or hack up the power cord to wire it directly in. I considered that second option, but the $80 for a second power cord with antenna was too much for me.

 

Nice install. Your picture seems to suggest that the nav unit is positioned just above the turn-signal stalk and accessed through the steering wheel. Have you had difficulties with accessibility? Maybe this is a better approach for those left handed.

Just as a follow-up to my installation with the Kuda, I couldn't be happier. The unit is positioned just off the steering wheel to my right where its very clear to read and doesn't take away any visibility out the windshield. Depending on the size of the Garmin unit it may obstruct the view of the speedometer in the 30-70mph range however. Despite this, the Kuda went in without turning a screw, looks factory, and has been very stable. Highly recommended for 02-06 Mini's. I never did find an solution for hard-wiring, but then I never have really needed that center cigarette lighter either :P