External GPS system to use with the screen?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ Oct 10 2006, 11:41 AM) [snapback]330615[/snapback]</div>

Can someone with basic electronic skills intall it? Are the instructions through and easy to understand. I'd love to get one but I'm afraid I'll be "spinning my wheels" trying to get the thing installed.

 

Yeah.... Keydiver, you're pretty much my hero.....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Oct 10 2006, 10:59 PM) [snapback]330981[/snapback]</div>

I'll second that

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Oct 10 2006, 07:24 PM) [snapback]330872[/snapback]</div>

At the moment its just laying under the passenger's seat. Things are too hectic right now for me to do a proper installation. We leave for NY in ~36 hours.

If you haven't read my earlier threads, you need to first do the "anytime backup camera" mod, which will allow you to force the MFD to look at the auxilary video input whenever you want. Darrell did a writeup of it here too:
Anytime Backup Camera Mod
Then, if you scroll to the very bottom of Darrell's page, you will see where he copy-and-pasted from an email where I told him how to splice into the camera cable to add a DVD/external video jack. That jack is where I'm plugging in the GPS video now. Someone REALLY needs to do this and do a proper FAQ with pictures. Anyone??? B)
The audio was a little trickier, because you certainly don't want to drive around with ONLY the NAV lady to listen to. I have a Sirius radio plugged into the Auxilary jack in the console, which is what I listen to 99% of the time. So, I decided to just have the GPS interupt the Sirius audio whenever the NAV lady speaks. The Garmin GVN 52 provides a "Mute" wire, which pulls to ground whenever the NAV lady speaks, but it can't sink much current at all. So, I had to use a transistor to drive a DPDT relay, which does the switching back and forth between Sirius and the NAV lady. Not the most elegant solution, but it works fine. I would think that there are probably off-the-shelf audio switches that you could use, but I wouldn't know where to get one.

 

Hey key, is it possible (easier) to ad the audio to a small aux speaker like those used on a hands free cell phone kit?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobZ @ Oct 12 2006, 10:51 AM) [snapback]331684[/snapback]</div>

Yes, that should work fine. The Garmin has 2 line level audio cables, with RCA phono plugs on each. Any small amplifier would work great.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ Oct 12 2006, 01:31 PM) [snapback]331775[/snapback]</div>

R U in New York yet?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobZ @ Oct 15 2006, 08:10 PM) [snapback]333179[/snapback]</div>

Been there, and gone already! :lol: The Garmin was INVALUABLE for getting me around the city without mishap. Anytime I missed a turn, or made a wrong turn, the NAV lady recalculated a new route to get me back on track. It really was a lifesaver. Sorry I couldn't make it in time for your gathering though.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ Oct 20 2006, 09:53 PM) [snapback]335954[/snapback]</div>

Next time

 

I would love to add this to my 07 Package #2. Can you explain how to install it? Is it easy enough for a novice? Thanks!

 

This is an awesome product!!! If anyone near Eastern PA is able to install this I would be willing to pay to have it put it....not sure if anyone in my area did it already.

Not sure my electronic skills up to par based on the description of how the one person stated how he did the install.

Thanks for the posts!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Sep 25 2006, 10:25 AM) [snapback]324642[/snapback]</div>

Hi I know it's been awhile since you've posted on the garmin you installed on your vehicle. I'm interested in your instalation and would appreciate whatever info you can share. did you install it yourself? If so can you share your instalation procedures? I can hack some instalation procedures if they don't get too dificult or does it have to be professionally installed?

Thanks

Boris [email protected] Oakland FL B)

 

I've installed two of these units now, one on my Prius and one on my parents'. Basically it involves doing keydiver's anytime camera mod that he posted a link to above so that you can get the video, and then some additional wiring to tap into the auxiliary audio input. If you're not intimidated by the description for the anytime camera mod, you should be able to do it, although it does require quite a bit of time and effort. I doubt that the typical professional stereo installer is going to want to tackle it, since it involves a good amount of wire tapping and some limited soldering, not to mention a good understanding of the Prius MFD wiring.

While it takes considerable effort, I think it's well worth it. The Garmin has all the user-friendliness and quality design of their normal units (this is basically a StreetPilot without its own screen) that can be integrated into the Prius to make use of the large MFD. It seems to be a lot better (and cheaper!) than the factory nav based on what I've read about Toyota's unit.

 

Garmin GVN 53 says it can be used with a touch screen. I wonder if this updated Version is any better than 52. When Its come to the touch screen?

 

I wanted to resurrect this thread, with the GVN52 discontinued and replaced by the GVN53. Who are the latest users and experiences, is the touch screen working yet, etc.

 

If someone can make the Garmin GVN53 work with the Prius MFD, and have full touchscreen functionality, not using the back-up-camera input tap, I'll buy them a unit for the effort.

 

Hello,
I can't stand the Prius NAV. This looks really promising as I have a Garmin Nuvii for my other car. I would love to install a GVN53 in my Prius.
Any success stories out there??

 

I would be interested in this unit also.

 

Dang, read through this entire thread figuring there would be some current posts at the end detailing utilizing some newer GPS units as well as a way to tap into the factory NAV connections/inputs/outputs including touchscreen options. But, alas, no dice. Anybody??