View Full Version : AfterMarket Sat Nav
Jimmy Bllake
30-03-2005, 17:05
On Friday my trusty Leon Cupra R will be returning to New Southgate SEAT an I'll be picking up a spanky new blue Altea TDI Sport DSG.
I do a lot of driving for a living, hence buying the diesel, the Cupra R was bankrupting me - not to mention my girlfriend only passed her test last year and she went on my insurance with this as her first car.
This is an ex-showroom car, so I didn't have the option of specifying any options. I find that a sat nav is absolutely essential and I am looking for an after market fitted sat nav (PDA-based ones are about as much use as a chocolate teapot) dash mounted systems such as the Garmin don't integrate with stereo/mobile car kits very well, so I have pretty much discounted them too. The biggest issue I can see is that most aftermarket fitted sat navs fit either entirely or have the base unit in, the 1 DIN high slot that almost all cars have.
As the Altea has a Happy Shopper stereo fitted that takes about 40% of the dashboard, could anyone recommend a sat nav where the CPU boot mounts and has a dash/vent mounted screen? Alternatively, has anyone found someone who can replace the integrated stereo system with something more useful, like a DIN fitting?
This stereo is my only gripe about the car, integrated systems like this are for Clios and Corsas - not a car I am about to pay around £18K for, I don't think there is another car in the VAG range at this price point where they have done something this stupid. They've taken the engine and gearbox from an Audi, shame they didn't take the stereo.
Cheers
James
Jimmy Bllake
30-03-2005, 17:08
Never trust someone who misspells their own surname :D
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 17:11
Thats better ;-)
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 17:17
so you dont want single din like the pioneer avic x1r? double din try the kenny (cant remember model number) or if not get a car computer wich can be molded to any dash shape
sportbilly
30-03-2005, 17:21
Speaking of the X1, I spoke to someone at Pioneer and they seemed to think the X1 and X1R are identicle except 1 or 2 features and the new map disk (which is released for the X1 next month).
Also released next month is the Pioneer module to add a iPod, pre-ordered myself one!
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 17:44
yeah sounds about right. the R has a few extra graphics and views in map mode. It cant be that much diffrence as the new and old unit prices only vary by about 100 notes, in fact you can get the R cheaper in some place sthan you can get the 1!
Have a look at smartnav. No units just a small button on the dash. Live routes that avoid traffic problems etc. www.trafficmaster.co.uk I've got it and it is great. Even sends you to the nearest ATM!
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 18:46
trouble is you have to speak to someone on the phone,so no good if your just playing or pottering around!
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 19:28
Thanks for the posting so far.
Hang on, are you telling me I can fit a DIN unit into the Altea's dashboard?
Bloody hell I can, just seen this posting on a different board:
http://users.skynet.be/malawiwolf/Altea/radiodash.jpeg
Anyone know anything about this fitting?
I thought I was stuck with that LCD panel that looks like a 59p watch from PoundStore. Does the panel just remove and where do I get the DIN fitting?
Regards
James
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 19:30
theres a post on here with all the info on i think. Im sure it was the one with that pic on
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 19:50
Just looked at the X1, I'm sold - once I can find out how to convert the dash to accept a DIN fitting I'm going to place my order from http://www.edworthys.co.uk, £1489 including a multichanger.
BTW Anyone managed to get the DVD or TV tuner to work through front screen? I spend a lot of time sat outside customer sites waiting to be let in.
Thanks for the advice so far!
Regards
James
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 19:53
car express do the R for 1199!
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 19:55
http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=AVICX1R
Not sure what there like but ive emailed them a few times to ask some Qs and have been helpful and the site has been around for atleast 6 months (how long i have been searching for!) so soon as i get some money i will be getting one from there.
Maybe we could see about getting a discount for two!
sportbilly
30-03-2005, 22:23
Just looked at the X1, I'm sold - once I can find out how to convert the dash to accept a DIN fitting I'm going to place my order from http://www.edworthys.co.uk, £1489 including a multichanger.
BTW Anyone managed to get the DVD or TV tuner to work through front screen? I spend a lot of time sat outside customer sites waiting to be let in.
Thanks for the advice so far!
Regards
James
DVD on the X1 already :confused: Pop in the disc (region2) and off you go, DVD!
If you want TV same thing you just need the TV Tuner - £150ish + Aerial (£70ish)
They only officially work if the handbrake is on - but this is only done by an earth lead which when fitted can be fit elsewhere so the function works all the time.
One note though - I did hear a rumour that the new update wont play DVD's if it know the vehicle is moving, not sure if it went into production though. What about when on a ferry's etc the sat nav will still think the vehicle is moving (maybe)
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 23:03
I've just looked through all the Altea posts on this forum and couldn't find anything about replacing the Mothercare Blaupunkt and its horrid surround with the fascia that accepts DIN units, similar to the one in the photo on my follow-up posting above.
Anyone got any pointers please?
Regards
James
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 23:07
Not sure maybe a word in morks ear. It was definatly on here as ive sene the pic and im sure the same Q was asked about the radio
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 23:11
Not sure maybe a word in morks ear. It was definatly on here as ive sene the pic and im sure the same Q was asked about the radio
You're a star dude :D
James
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 23:16
Did you search the alter and ice section? if not hints and tips?
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 23:24
Yeah, I can't find it. Searched FAQ, Guides, ICE and Altea sections. Plenty on replacing the speakers (Christ, another job) but nothing on the fascia.
:(
James
Jimmy Blake
30-03-2005, 23:26
I think the picture is of the Altea that ships without a CD changer, it appears to be on the Dashmount site: http://www.dashmount.co.uk/march04/71076.htm
James
Scotty_b
30-03-2005, 23:29
yeap seen that link too!
Jimmy Blake
31-03-2005, 10:27
Still no joy on getting an answer on the fascia, I have posted the following response to any thread that has remotely mentioned sat navs or fascias on this board in the vain hope someone has an answer:
"Is it just me, or has no one answered the question about getting a DIN fitting into the Altea?
I am bloody desperate to get an aftermarket system into my Altea when it arrives tomorrow and no one has yet seemed to answer the question of where to buy the DIN fascias, despite it being asked in at least three different threads.
I don't want to replace the speakers, which seems to be a well answered question, I want to replace the bloody stereo itself!
Thanks in advance
James"
:-(
Scotty_b
31-03-2005, 10:48
Maybe a word to the manufacturer or post a few threads over on icecavern as there radio people
sportbilly
31-03-2005, 11:00
I take it your tried the local stereo shop ?
Jimmy Blake
31-03-2005, 11:08
Local ICE showroom thought Altea was some kind of motive ;-)
James
Scotty_b
31-03-2005, 11:28
www.icecavern.co.uk im sure if its not here its on there
Jimmy Blake
31-03-2005, 11:46
That site says there isn't a fascia available :(
Oh god, TomTom it is then :(
James
Scotty_b
31-03-2005, 11:47
well thats a lie as you ahev a pic!
It wont be hard to do a custom one anyway
Missed this one have a look on www.ebay.de the satnav's for the Altea and golf are the same and are a direct fit. Cost's a bit but looks the mutt's nuts.
Satnav (http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=76085&item=4539060057&rd=1)
Jimmy Blake
31-03-2005, 12:04
Thanks
The ones listed on eBay look like my Cupra factory sat nav, which is very square - unlike the curved fascia in the Altea.
James
James there is a guy on the dutch site who retrofitted a VW one into a Altea and it was a straight fit just that it says VW and not Seat.
Just for info., The phone is built into the smartnav so you use that, not your phone. "get home" is alwasy pre programmed from anywhere. But your right it's not a toy
try this link
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9889&item=4542808345&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Nov
Still no joy on getting an answer on the fascia, I have posted the following response to any thread that has remotely mentioned sat navs or fascias on this board in the vain hope someone has an answer:
"Is it just me, or has no one answered the question about getting a DIN fitting into the Altea?
I am bloody desperate to get an aftermarket system into my Altea when it arrives tomorrow and no one has yet seemed to answer the question of where to buy the DIN fascias, despite it being asked in at least three different threads.
I don't want to replace the speakers, which seems to be a well answered question, I want to replace the bloody stereo itself!
Thanks in advance
James"
:-(
Since mine is parked on the road the invitation to break into the car to get at the sterio if not a funny Altea Mothercare Blaunkpunk one, does the trick for me in my wants. I had my rear window taken out once since someone wanted my parcel shelf speakers, so I take the no show route now. They took the parcel shelf as well.