Hey hey.
I've finally manged to land myself a secondhand Satnav screen for my Zed and with god willing, it'll arrive before next weekend
I'm planning to use it to mount a tablet instead of the actual screen, as I've got a Pi/Arduino setup in the car at present and adding a tablet really enhances that functionality
So, I've been poking around - reading a load of threads here about how to mount the screen, how to install a tablet, blah blah..
But I'm looking to group up all the information I can get, before I start cutting up my car and possibly making a big mess.
So - first question - anyone got a template I can download / print out for the hole I need to cut?
Second question is, in the few threads I've read about retrofitting the screen / cutting the hole, I've seen that there's some sort of lip left at the back (windscreen side) of the hole that gets cut, but it's also got a few slits cut into it... can someone explain?
Third question (and last for now), if I'm ditching the actual display, is it possible to keep the motor assembly bit to easily raise/lower the screen?
Cheers guys
Edit
Thought I'd tidy up my first post now that I'm nearing completion to list all the bits and bobs I bought, link to the main thread by DanMiddle I pretty much copied, and add any thoughts or differences that I encountered
Parts:
BMW OEM Satnav Housing ( CID - Central Information Display) - Part number: 65509169175 (Black) or 65509169176 (Grey)
Brand new from a dealer, they cost £2,000. I sourced mine from eBay.de for £190. They do come up, but they're infrequent. eBay saved search is your friend!
Make sure you get one with a working stepper motor. The screen is unimportant, but replacement stepper motors are hard to source and are quite expensive!
Huawei Ascend Mate 2gb - Model Number MT1-U06
Brand new from Vodaphone, they cost £290 off contract. Again, I sourced mine from eBay for £230 brand new and unlocked.
This is the best fitting phablet I could find. Nexus 7, Samsung Tab, Samsung Notes, etc, all didn't quite fit right. Sony Z1 XL DOES fit perfectly, but is really expensive at £539 off contract!
Arduino UNO + Motor Shield
Used to power and control the stepper motor (raising and lowering of screen). £52 from Maplins for both:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/arduino-uno-r3-mainboard-n30ku
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/arduino-motor-shield-r3-n36ku
12v to 5v power converter
Used to provide charging power to the phablet. Available on eBay, but got mine from Amazon for the same price (£6.99):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008VORADW/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12v to 9v power converter
Used to provide power to the Arduino and stepper motor. Available on eBay, but got mine from Amazon for the same price (£6.49):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ASJX5C8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
16gb Micro SD Card
The phablet only has 8gb of internal storage space, of which about 5gb is free when completely empty. If you plan on installing Spotify / TomTom, that's not enough space!
I bought a 16gb samsung micro sd card from Amazon for £7.50:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AHUKHWE/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
90 degree micro USB cable
Due to space limitations within the satnav housing, you'll need to get one of these cables to actually provide charging capabilities to the phablet.
I got this one, which did require some of it's plastic casing to be shaved down, from Amazon for £6.06:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0058TW7YA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
90 degree flat 3.5mm jack cable
If you're not linking the system up to a bluetooth hub (DICE MediaBridge, custom raspberry Pi install, etc), you'll need this to get audio out from the device. Available on Amazon for £8.50:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009NRI5DK/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Foam numberplate mounting pads
Useful for holding the phablet and arduino safely in place within the satnav housing, without causing potential damage to them. Amazon - £3.99:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/6mm-Sticky-Pads-number-plates/dp/B006Z84UO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396001802&sr=8-1&keywords=number+plate+mounting+pads
Total Part Cost (approximate): £500
Tools:
Dremel, flex cord attachment and 1.5" cutting disc
The dremel is the right tool for the job for cutting the hole in your dash. However, you will need the flex cord attachment, as cutting the windscreen edge of the hole is almost impossible without it due to limited space.
As for the cutting disc, you'll be cutting plastic, but I got away fine with a single metal cutting disc.
Craft Knife / Scalpel
Used for making the initial cuts through the top and foam layers of the dashboard. You could use a stanley knife, but I found it easier to use a small craft knife, as it was more accurate and easier to manage in the limited space.
Cardboard
Used for making the cutting template. I used three empty 12" Domino's pizza boxes, which worked a treat.
"Bodge" tape
Used for attaching the template to the dash. I tried masking tape,sellotape and electricians first, but neither would actually stay stuck.
Gaffa tape does work, but make sure you test it on a small area first to ensure it doesn't ruin your dash! BE CAREFUL with it - don't stick it down too hard, and make sure you only use small strips... don't make a mess of your remaining dash
5x mounting screws and fastnings - part numbers 07119903793 and 07129904221 respectively
Used for mounting the satnav housing to the dash. Likelihood is your satnav unit won't come with these, but you will need them.
I didn't list under parts, as I had a tonne of suitable screws lying around, but you may not.. Price is about £0.20 per item - total cost £2.
Torx Screwdriver
All of the screws on the satnav unit you'll be undoing are torx headed, and size T20.
Philips Screwdriver
The mounting screws are philips headed, and sized PH1.
2x Flathead Screwdriver
Used for removing the airvents.. those tricky b***ards!
Also useful for scraping the hard foam off the plastic dash.
Soldering Iron and solder
Used for attaching the power converters to the car loom and usb cable. also for rewiring the stepper motor.
Wire Strippers
for obvious reasons
Cutting Pliers
for removing some of the old, unneeded cables from the stepper motor
Eye Protection + Face Mask
for use when cutting the dash.. those foam particles get everywhere and could be potentially dangerous to inhale. Be safe!
Vacuum Cleaner
for collection of the vast amounts of foam and plastic that will litter your car like a fine coating of cocaine.
I've finally manged to land myself a secondhand Satnav screen for my Zed and with god willing, it'll arrive before next weekend
I'm planning to use it to mount a tablet instead of the actual screen, as I've got a Pi/Arduino setup in the car at present and adding a tablet really enhances that functionality
So, I've been poking around - reading a load of threads here about how to mount the screen, how to install a tablet, blah blah..
But I'm looking to group up all the information I can get, before I start cutting up my car and possibly making a big mess.
So - first question - anyone got a template I can download / print out for the hole I need to cut?
Second question is, in the few threads I've read about retrofitting the screen / cutting the hole, I've seen that there's some sort of lip left at the back (windscreen side) of the hole that gets cut, but it's also got a few slits cut into it... can someone explain?
Third question (and last for now), if I'm ditching the actual display, is it possible to keep the motor assembly bit to easily raise/lower the screen?
Cheers guys
Edit
Thought I'd tidy up my first post now that I'm nearing completion to list all the bits and bobs I bought, link to the main thread by DanMiddle I pretty much copied, and add any thoughts or differences that I encountered
Parts:
BMW OEM Satnav Housing ( CID - Central Information Display) - Part number: 65509169175 (Black) or 65509169176 (Grey)
Brand new from a dealer, they cost £2,000. I sourced mine from eBay.de for £190. They do come up, but they're infrequent. eBay saved search is your friend!
Make sure you get one with a working stepper motor. The screen is unimportant, but replacement stepper motors are hard to source and are quite expensive!
Huawei Ascend Mate 2gb - Model Number MT1-U06
Brand new from Vodaphone, they cost £290 off contract. Again, I sourced mine from eBay for £230 brand new and unlocked.
This is the best fitting phablet I could find. Nexus 7, Samsung Tab, Samsung Notes, etc, all didn't quite fit right. Sony Z1 XL DOES fit perfectly, but is really expensive at £539 off contract!
Arduino UNO + Motor Shield
Used to power and control the stepper motor (raising and lowering of screen). £52 from Maplins for both:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/arduino-uno-r3-mainboard-n30ku
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/arduino-motor-shield-r3-n36ku
12v to 5v power converter
Used to provide charging power to the phablet. Available on eBay, but got mine from Amazon for the same price (£6.99):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008VORADW/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12v to 9v power converter
Used to provide power to the Arduino and stepper motor. Available on eBay, but got mine from Amazon for the same price (£6.49):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ASJX5C8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
16gb Micro SD Card
The phablet only has 8gb of internal storage space, of which about 5gb is free when completely empty. If you plan on installing Spotify / TomTom, that's not enough space!
I bought a 16gb samsung micro sd card from Amazon for £7.50:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AHUKHWE/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
90 degree micro USB cable
Due to space limitations within the satnav housing, you'll need to get one of these cables to actually provide charging capabilities to the phablet.
I got this one, which did require some of it's plastic casing to be shaved down, from Amazon for £6.06:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0058TW7YA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
90 degree flat 3.5mm jack cable
If you're not linking the system up to a bluetooth hub (DICE MediaBridge, custom raspberry Pi install, etc), you'll need this to get audio out from the device. Available on Amazon for £8.50:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009NRI5DK/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Foam numberplate mounting pads
Useful for holding the phablet and arduino safely in place within the satnav housing, without causing potential damage to them. Amazon - £3.99:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/6mm-Sticky-Pads-number-plates/dp/B006Z84UO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396001802&sr=8-1&keywords=number+plate+mounting+pads
Total Part Cost (approximate): £500
Tools:
Dremel, flex cord attachment and 1.5" cutting disc
The dremel is the right tool for the job for cutting the hole in your dash. However, you will need the flex cord attachment, as cutting the windscreen edge of the hole is almost impossible without it due to limited space.
As for the cutting disc, you'll be cutting plastic, but I got away fine with a single metal cutting disc.
Craft Knife / Scalpel
Used for making the initial cuts through the top and foam layers of the dashboard. You could use a stanley knife, but I found it easier to use a small craft knife, as it was more accurate and easier to manage in the limited space.
Cardboard
Used for making the cutting template. I used three empty 12" Domino's pizza boxes, which worked a treat.
"Bodge" tape
Used for attaching the template to the dash. I tried masking tape,sellotape and electricians first, but neither would actually stay stuck.
Gaffa tape does work, but make sure you test it on a small area first to ensure it doesn't ruin your dash! BE CAREFUL with it - don't stick it down too hard, and make sure you only use small strips... don't make a mess of your remaining dash
5x mounting screws and fastnings - part numbers 07119903793 and 07129904221 respectively
Used for mounting the satnav housing to the dash. Likelihood is your satnav unit won't come with these, but you will need them.
I didn't list under parts, as I had a tonne of suitable screws lying around, but you may not.. Price is about £0.20 per item - total cost £2.
Torx Screwdriver
All of the screws on the satnav unit you'll be undoing are torx headed, and size T20.
Philips Screwdriver
The mounting screws are philips headed, and sized PH1.
2x Flathead Screwdriver
Used for removing the airvents.. those tricky b***ards!
Also useful for scraping the hard foam off the plastic dash.
Soldering Iron and solder
Used for attaching the power converters to the car loom and usb cable. also for rewiring the stepper motor.
Wire Strippers
for obvious reasons
Cutting Pliers
for removing some of the old, unneeded cables from the stepper motor
Eye Protection + Face Mask
for use when cutting the dash.. those foam particles get everywhere and could be potentially dangerous to inhale. Be safe!
Vacuum Cleaner
for collection of the vast amounts of foam and plastic that will litter your car like a fine coating of cocaine.
)
