Sat Nav Install in Dash Storage Unit
- Thread starter Pacemaker1000
- Start date
Pacemaker1000
Member
adam.b said:
Here you go:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/garmin-ecoroute-hd-41508.php
When i first looked at Z4, the first car i took a shine to at an independant garage, didn't have sat nav, so considered fitting this;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-7-inch-GPS-Car-Navigation-SAT-NAV-Navigator-4GB-Maps-Wireless-Reverse-Camera-/330750945139?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4d024ae773
in the compartment. Then for the same money, and at BMW dealer i bought a z4 with the satnav and warranty.
I think when looking second hand go for one with the sat nav as it adds to the overall experience of the car, plus its a dvd player, should you want that.
That satnav looks like it running windows mobile so might be possible to run other gps programs such as memory map for aviation or hiking.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-7-inch-GPS-Car-Navigation-SAT-NAV-Navigator-4GB-Maps-Wireless-Reverse-Camera-/330750945139?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4d024ae773
in the compartment. Then for the same money, and at BMW dealer i bought a z4 with the satnav and warranty.
I think when looking second hand go for one with the sat nav as it adds to the overall experience of the car, plus its a dvd player, should you want that.
That satnav looks like it running windows mobile so might be possible to run other gps programs such as memory map for aviation or hiking.
Pacemaker1000
Member
bigendbob said:
someone has done this but it requires complete removal of the storage unit and has wires on show. plus I wouldn't like to leave it on display and with it gone the dash doesn't look too good.
I didn't realise until I posted a pic with the unit turned off just how discreet my install looks and doesn't stand out when viewed by any potential thief that I actually don't bother removing it most of the time.
agree the factory option is the way to go. strangely it wasn't on my mind when buying my used model, it was price, condition, mileage,colour and even cruise. it would have been nice to have though it wasn't a deal breaker.
TBH i rarely use the new unit for navigation! more so for getting current road speed indication (and when i am exceeding it
) plus speed camera locations. which i dont believe the factory unit does anyway meaning a separate detector would be necessary.Great write up and pics Pacemaker1000 :bow: 
Will be doing this myself if i decide to keep the Z when my finance deal is up
Will be doing this myself if i decide to keep the Z when my finance deal is up
jicholasnackson
Member
Cheers for the write-up, easy to follow instructions, just finished doing this tonight, looks lovely. I've got an older Garmin unit that's a bit fatter so it has to go in the screen up for storage otherwise the lid doesn't close.
Lets not loose this and bump to how too. but we need to advertise / keep alive on main board.
I had the sat nav on my 1st 03 zd, failed 3 times and would never have one again, I then had a pocket loox as my sat nav now my HTC.
I liked the fact it was hard installed. This seems a great mod, my last one when it failed just out of the 3 yr wty was 770 +vat + 110 + vat fitting when it failed within 3 months. So a mod which is easy to make good (what do you do with a installed bit of kit thats failed and its obvious that its there like hanging around broken in a 34K car.
I had the sat nav on my 1st 03 zd, failed 3 times and would never have one again, I then had a pocket loox as my sat nav now my HTC.
I liked the fact it was hard installed. This seems a great mod, my last one when it failed just out of the 3 yr wty was 770 +vat + 110 + vat fitting when it failed within 3 months. So a mod which is easy to make good (what do you do with a installed bit of kit thats failed and its obvious that its there like hanging around broken in a 34K car.
Pacemaker1000
Member
jicholasnackson said:
No problem
A pic would be good
jicholasnackson
Member
Pacemaker1000 said:No problem
A pic would be good
OFC, the unit is a Garmin 255W, it's old and thick.
Pacemaker1000
Member
Looking good
Do you find you need the foam on the bottom or it shakes too much?
Do you find you need the foam on the bottom or it shakes too much?
jicholasnackson
Member
She shakes a fair bit due to shocking roads. Also, the bit of plastic that the sticky mount is screwed to isn't attached to anything at the top and its seems fairly flimsy. It doesn't hit anything so I haven't put foam in, but may consider it if I can make it look really tidy.
Also I gotta say, getting that bloody grill off in front of the storage unit was a right pain, those clips were so bloody tough
Also I gotta say, getting that bloody grill off in front of the storage unit was a right pain, those clips were so bloody tough
Pacemaker1000
Member
jicholasnackson said:She shakes a fair bit due to shocking roads. Also, the bit of plastic that the sticky mount is screwed to isn't attached to anything at the top and its seems fairly flimsy. It doesn't hit anything so I haven't put foam in, but may consider it if I can make it look really tidy.
Also I gotta say, getting that bloody grill off in front of the storage unit was a right pain, those clips were so bloody tough
I tried a piece of metal behind the mount to strengthen it but didn't make any difference. The garmin mount itself isn't rigid and the unit will vibrate even with the windscreen mount
jicholasnackson
Member
Had a eureka moment today, can't believe I didn't spot it in the instructions (intentional or not).
In the cubby was a mat type thingy that sits in the bottom. It's quite thick and I remember taking it out while doing the install, but I put it back in.
So I took it back out and now I can store my old thick satnav as is intended in the instructions.
Happy days.
In the cubby was a mat type thingy that sits in the bottom. It's quite thick and I remember taking it out while doing the install, but I put it back in.
So I took it back out and now I can store my old thick satnav as is intended in the instructions.
Happy days.
