Integrating aftermarket GPS into audio/power system

[mrogers]

I'm trying to figure out a way to integrate my Garmin GPS with my audio system on my '04 EX-V6. Just so everyone understands my setup, I'm totally stock except for one of these that allows me to listen to and control my iPod via the aux input on the factory head unit.

What I'm looking for is a device I swore I stumbled across about a year ago, but now I can't find it. It was designed for just this purpose. If I remember correctly (and I didn't look at it very long because it wasn't my purpose at the time, so I could be way off), it had two inputs and one output, specially configured for the wiring harness in your vehicle. It was designed to intercept the audio-out from the factory head unit and, in the event of audio coming from the secondary input, it would interrupt the sound from the primary input (whatever was coming out of the stereo) and instead play the audio from the secondary input (in this case, the GPS unit). Ultimately, this would give me similar performance to the factory nav unit...when the GPS unit speaks, it will mute my music.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

While we're on the subject of integrating the GPS, I want to hardwire it into the power system also. Would tapping into the wires in the back of the cig outlet with these be OK, or should I use something like these and go directly to the fuse box?

[Trip]

Crutchfield sells tons of audio-car gadgets. Check them out for the device of which you speak. It sounds sweet.


www.crutchfield.com

[Terps_Fan]

I'm looking to do the same thing with my Garmin GPS (nuvi 360), but I haven't found any good solutions yet. I have been thinking about adding the Soundgate AUX3 which allows up to three audio sources to be added, but this requires manual switching of the sources with a switch that comes with the unit. However, the device you speak of sounds much more useful and I'm interested to see if anyone has any good ideas.

As far as hardwiring the GPS, I used a 5V power supply cable that I bought from a guy on eBay and hardwired using an add-a-circuit (similar to what you were considering). I also bought a the kuda navigation mount, that mounts the GPS just to the right of the steering wheel (between the gauge cluster and the stereo). I ran my power wire and my audio cable through the mount and everything works great. I can just pop my GPS in and go. I just have to hook up the audio cable with an aux input adapter and I will finally be able to hear my GPS through the stereo. I've been meaning to post some pics but I just haven't had time lately.

[mrogers]

Terps, I'd be very interested in seeing your setup, because that's the same model Garmin I have. Could you also possibly give me some more detail about how you wired it in? I'd really appreciate it. The hardwired power is my primary concern, the audio will come later if I can find the right part.

[Terps_Fan]

As I said before, I went with the kuda mount and garmin base as seen here:

There are certainly other options available, such as those available from proclip, but this was my favorite option even though it was a little on the expensive side. Personally, I felt the leather kuda mount blended better with the dash, and allowed for me to easily hide the power and audio wires. Plus it was very easy to mount. Basically use just remove the center dash upper panel and some of the trim around the gauge cluster and mount with a couple of self-tapping screws. Don't worry, the screws are not inserted into a visible location on the dash. In fact, I can remove the kuda at anytime and return the vehicle to stock condition without anyone knowing.

As far as hardwiring the garmin, I simply purchased a 5 volt power cable for the nuvi from a reputible seller on ebay and an add-a-circuit. I then soldered the garmin power cable to the add-a-ciruit and plugged it into slot 32 of the cabin fuse box, which is an accessory fuse. For the ground, I used my voltmeter to find a good ground screw under the dash. I then snaked the power cable up from the fuse box to the kuda mount. Unfortunately the power cable I purchased was a little on the short side, but I was able to make it work without having to extend the cable itself, so the one I purchased does work. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the kuda mount and then pulled the power cable through that. I also ran an audio cable from behind the stereo, which I have yet to hook up with an aux input adapter, and pulled that through the hole in the mount as well. This will allow me to hear the gps through my factory stereo when I finally get it hooked up. The gps also has an MP3 player, so I will also be able to pipe that throught the stereo. I picked up some rubber grommets fromradio shack and added that to the hole in the mount to prevent the cables from rubbing on the edges of the mount itself. I also added some foam padding to areas of the power and audio cables that I thought may rub against certain parts of the dash. As you can see in the pic above the cables tuck nicely into the mount when I do not have my gps with me. However, I usually just leave the mounting clip on there:


The finished product looks great IMO. It may not be factory navi, but its practically a stock install of a handheld GPS:



The only problem is that the steering wheel slightly blocks the lower left hand corner of the GPS, but that is only your arrival time so no big deal.


From this vantage point, the GPS is very easy to see and its also within a very easy reach. Plus, in this location, I have found that there is no need for the accessory mic for the bluetooth because the mic on the unit pics up my voice very well even with a lot of road noise.

Since the unit is hardwired, it also turns on and off with the car if you chose to leave it in the vehicle. For me, I never leave the gps in the vehicle, but it couldn't be easier to pop in or out at this location because the mount is very solid. Plus you don't have to plug the audio cable in if you don't want too, so you don't even have to mess with any cables if you leave the mounting clip on there all the time like I do.

Of course there are many other ways to install a handheld gps, but I like this method because there is no wire splicing and I can easily return my vehicle to stock if need be.

Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions. Also, if you ever come across that aux input device that interupts the factory stereo again, please post and let us all know about it. Good luck with your install!

[EXL_ent_V6]

Before stumbling upon this thread i was just thinking......
"I see accessories that you can hook up ipod and aftermarket nav, but i want want that will switch automatically!"
then viola this thread!
Great minds think alike, right?lol

anyways
SOMEONE HELP!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED TO KNOW!!!!!!! haha

[slab42]

The problem is finding something that will switch automatically. The GPS has an audio out, and even if you found something that was audio sensing to do the switching, you don't know if the GPS turns off sound when not in use, or if it is streaming 'blank' sound. If the GPS had some sort of mute wire (like mute leads of an aftermarket bluetooth kit) to tell the radio to mute (or the switch to switch sources) it would work fine. It may be a tedious and complicated install, but it would work. I have installed a few of those units in the lower storage compartment, and ran an external antenna to the dash, that way you just close the door on the storage bin and it is hidden. I had one customer ask me to install the GPS, and install an AUX adapter to use his GPS as an mp3 player similar to how you have your ipod hooked up, but I have never seen anything on an aftermarket GPS that would tell a radio to switch or mute.

[mnkyman]

i haven't heard of the unit your talking about that can interrupt the radio, but it sounds cool


as for hardwiring, you can wire into the cig outlet, but i wouldnt recommend wire taps like you posted (you should solder it instead) and if you do that, you should also put an inline fuse into the circuit, so that you dont blow the cig outlet incase of a short.

the other method would be to using something like an add-a-circuit...personally, i would recommend Access A Fuse (google it), its basically a add a circuit, with a built in second fuse, so no need for an inline fuse



Terps, where exactly did you run the wires into the dash? how?

[Terps_Fan]

Originally Posted by mnkyman

Terps, where exactly did you run the wires into the dash? how?

The wires of course go up into the kuda mount and through a small crack between the speedo surround and the dash. Turns out the opening that is there is just big enough to run two small wires without putting too much pressure on the wires themselves. For added protection, I wrapped the wires in foam tape. From there, I just ran my power cable to my fuse box and my audio cable behind the stereo. To be honest, it was a real pain running wires to this location because the space behind the dash is quite narrow, but I eventually fished the wires through.

[mrogers]

Originally Posted by Terps_Fan

...I simply purchased a 5 volt power cable for the nuvi from a reputible seller on ebay and an add-a-circuit...

I ordered those parts, but when the add-a-circuit came I found it was much larger than the fuses under the dash in the Accord. My own fault, for not double checking...before I place another order, I assume the fuses in the Accord are known as mini-fuses? So would this one work?

[Terps_Fan]

Yes, that looks like the same product that I purchased. I actually bought mine at Autozone, and not online. Sorry about the confusion, I should have specified that you needed the mini-fuse add-a-circuit. I used the 7.5 amp fuse for the original slot, and a 3 amp fuse in the slot for the GPS power.

[mrogers]

I'm installing this today and I don't have a multimeter...is there anyway for someone to describe to me (or illustrate with a picture) what screw is close to the fuse box that I can use as a ground? Thanks!

[Terps_Fan]

I used the screw holding my clutch pedal for a ground, but I'm guessing you have an auto, so I'm not sure what a good ground screw would be. Hopefully, someone else on here can provide some insight.

[mrogers]

That's ok, I figured it out...there's one inside the lower dash panel, behind where the sunroof/TCS switches are. It's fully installed and works great...thanks for all the help! Great to finally not have that wire snaking across my dash anymore.

[MakingWaves]

Originally Posted by Terps_Fan

As I said before, I went with the kuda mount and garmin base as seen here:

There are certainly other options available, such as those available from proclip, but this was my favorite option even though it was a little on the expensive side. Personally, I felt the leather kuda mount blended better with the dash, and allowed for me to easily hide the power and audio wires. Plus it was very easy to mount.

I purchased the Kuda leather mount and Kuda Garmin base, just like Terps setup, for my '04 EX-L. This should be arriving later this week! Have a major question, below.

My Garmin nuvi 760 has mp3 storage capability, and since I do not subscribe to XM, I can use the XM port directly. This will probably allow my OEM non-nav radio to display text (song title, artist info, etc). Do I need to purchase something like a USA Spec adapter to connect the Garmin to the back of the OEM radio? That point is not clear in your discussion.

Thanks in advance for your responses!