So I tried to have an LCD come out of the dash and the installation shop told me that I couldn't do it, however I am not going to be discouraged!
I was wondering how many of you have experience with the Magellan Roadmate 700. My plan (which is the crazy part) is to buy the dual guage pod for my non navi mini and place a "dummy" speedo next to my tach. Essentially this dummy speedo would only be the housing for the screen from a magellan roadmate, which with some measurements could fit quite nicely in the speedo shell. If this can be done, which seems highly unlikely at the moment, I would place body of the roadmate in the area of that the mirror controls currently sit. I would then move them to the kneebolster near my left knee. So my questions to any of you with any experience in electronics is:

1. Do companies like magellan use universal industry connectors to connect their screens to their circuit boards or input feeds?
2. How much is the dual guage pod for the tach and speedo, and can I use my current tach and just buy a speedo?
3. To those of you with navigation and dual guages on the wheel, is there enough clearance to view such a screen effectively?

My whole goal is to try to keep a completely stock look. I absolutley hate fold out screens and can't stand awkard mounts.


Kevin M.

 

take a look at the clarion NICE.


http://www.clarion.com/usa/innovation/index.html

 

just curious.....I am very unknowledgable about nav systems, but I looked up the magellan...the screen is rectangular....the mini's tach and therefore its housing of course is round....a problem I assume...are there any nav screens out there that are round?

 

nope only rectangular.

 

You could do like I did and get a voice operated ONLY unit with no screen.

The only thing you see on mine is a small mike and the approx. 1" x 1" GPS antenna. It asks where you want to go, address, city, restaurant, etc., and tells you where and when to turn. Ask it where you are and it will tell you the 100 block of the street you are at. Also, you can change destination while driving and you never have to look at the screen cause there ain't one

Earl

 

10851.....that's pretty cool....how much does something like that cost and what model? and how was the install....and where did you put it?

 

Check this out:

http://pioneerelectronics.com/pna/pr...089333,00.html

Several folks have installed these in their Mini's. Very nice combo Nav/Sat.

 

so expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I like having the screen! Being an artist, I am totally visually-oriented, and love being able to SEE where I've come from, where I am at present, and where I am ultimately going. My Garmin 2610 is AWESOME!


Clover

 

I could have typed that. I am also visually-oriented, except mine is a Magellan RoadMate 700 and is mounted on the right down tube next to the radio. (And she speaks with a British accent!)

 

I'm looking for a voice operated system. I have been looking at VCom portable unit. They offer a hard wire accessory that I would have in my mini and then I'd use it temp in my other vehicle. What is the make you use today? Cost? I agree the screen though nice is a pain. I have used the never-lost system from Hertz 20 plus times and it get you to the destination but can be a little distracting as we look at the screen and it doesn't tell you what street you're turning on without looking at the screen. Vcom tells the street name.

Appreciate you help.

 

I have been considering the nav system seriously for a long time, and after all the searches I made I think the best one is Alpine by far, then comes the Blaupunkt or Clarion

 

Kmassed-
Something you may want to consider is accelle electronics. Accelle makes all sorts of OEM and other LCD screens and DVD systems. You may want to think about an outboard Nav system (not sure if such a thing exists) that can tie into an outboard LCD screen. This way you can tuck the NAV away and have the screen you want mounted in the pod.

Chris

 

I want to do the same thing only remove the tach completely and install it below the toggle panel..

Then install the Tomtom 300 where the tach was. I understand how to listen to my engine thus little need for the tach. Just want to keep it around for the usual Check engine light prompt !

 

Hello CDN Snowman,
We sell many systems to Mini drivers. I guess a lot of people really like screens. That's our biggest challenge is showing that you don't need a screen if the technology is advanced enough. Even in my QX4, there is no place to put a screen unless it was built in to the dash and we know how much that cost. We sell many VCom systems, and I'm sure we could sell more if people could interact with VCom just once. I've super impressed so many people that have been in my Infiniti with VCom versus my last vehicle (lexus) that had a built in Alpine nav system. Like everything, VCom is for some, not for all.

 

I installed the Avic-N2 in my mini a few months ago and it has worked great for me. When installed in the factory head unit location the screen flips up and clears the dash fine. It actually lines up with the speedometer pretty well and looks sweet opened or closed. The only down side to this system is that it does cover up the fuel and temp gauges. When I ran out of gas because it was covered I got sorta frustrated, but the problem is easy to solve. I just set my onboard computer to the miles left in the tank option and use that as my fuel gauge. As for the actual system, I don't know how i lived without it. I have voice commands, ipod hookup that puts the ipod controls on the screen, everything. It has a GPS operated speedo that gives you your speed to the tenth of a MPH, which has already gotten me out of a ticket. it also has other guages that you can pick to display on the screen when you are not using navigation. Horizontal acceleration and side acceleration in G-forces, direction, voltage meter, slope meter, clock. Basically this unit is soooo much more than just the navigation system, which so far has been great for me. It is an expensive unit, but I think it's worth every penny. If you are stuck in traffic, you can also throw in a movie to pass the time, but the screen blanks out once you break about 10 MPH, which as much as i hate is a good safety feature. There are so many things you can add on the options are limitless. I recomend it 100%

 

Hey Minizeeg, are you using your avic N-2 with the Multi Function steering wheel? I ask because I am wanting to put the same unit in my Mini when I get it and am wondering what interface is needed for the MFSW controls to work with this unit?
Thanks!

 

Minizeeg
I am also contemplating this unit from Pioneer. Did you do the install yourself?
If so where did you mount the additional hardware. Also where did the antenna get mounted. Thanks for your help.

 

I am pretty sure there is a system for the multifunction wheel out there, but having the touch screen and all, I never really bothered. The rest of the system is mounted under my passenger seat. It fits nicely and doesn't interfere with the seats movement or anything like that.

 

I plan on getting th AVIC N2 as well. Do you have any photos of your finished product? Post them!

Also, I am curious to see if the Multi-function steering wheel controls work with the new head unit. If not, do you know of a gizmo that will work with it?

 

GR8MINI,
I do know of this install I found a while back. Very good description of everything, nice pics as well!
I believe it is the AVIC N1, same concept.
http://www.cminigo.com/gallery/stereo

 

Forgot to add:
This is an interface that can be used with the AVIC to keep your MFSW.
I was told that this is garunteed to work with the MINI's MFSW.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-geasRNP...8900&I=127SWIX