I'm currently mulling over the various things I want to do with my new car, and aside from the obvious (empeg installation) and my aforementioned desire to add a Wifi bridge to sync music, I'm thinking about in-dash navigation options. No slight meant to GPSapp, of course Unfortunately, space in my dash will be kind of limited. Right now, I'm using a Garmin Streetpilot 2610 GPS that's wonderful, but I'd prefer something a little more integrated.

So anyway, here's a picture of what I have to work with:

http://empegbbs.com/ubbthreads/download.php?Number=259039

The factory head unit that's there now seems to be not quite double-DIN, so it's unlikely I'll fit a DIN-sized navigation unit in addition to the empeg, unless my installers can do some *serious* custom dash work. The space left over will probably be about the size of the compartment at the very bottom that holds about 4 CD jewel cases. In addition to a lack of space, the other thing is, all of the in-dash nav systems I've seen are also head unit/CD/MP3 players, all stuff I don't want/need.

Fortunately, it appears there are "remote mount" navigation systems that will hook up to any video output and maybe do what I want. I don't know much about them, what brands are good, how good their maps and software are, etc. I also don't know if there are any in-dash "pull out" video screens that will fit in the limited space I have.

So, has anyone investigated thes remote-mount nav systems and in-dash video screens? Any opinions on what to look for, etc.? I'm going to be talking to my stereo installer about more specifics, but it'd be good to have a working knowledge in case their product selection is limited.

Thanks.

Mmm.. I really prefer dashtop units, so I can glance at the display without taking my eyes (far) off the road.

The Garmin Quest is a fantastic dashtop/pocket portable for this purpose (a buddy of mine recently got one). Daylight-viewable colour screen, integrated antenna, windshield mount with single power/audio cable to the lighter socket (speaker mounted in lighter plug).

Cheers

Yeah, I also like having my Streetpilot mounted in plain view, but it sometimes feels like it's in the way. I do like that the Quest can mount via suction cups to the windshield, but the windshield on this car is pretty far away from my eyes, so with such a small screen, I think I'd have trouble reading it. In my Mustang, it probably would have been fine, though.

This guy didn't do a great job of it, but you can always add one in-dash:

Ewwww.

I think that guy did a great custom job, especially considering the cost.

I have a 2000 Tiburon. It had a double-din (with rounded corners; I love my dremil). I have my empeg running into the aux-in on my head-unit. The head-unit goes into a four-channel amp. When I got the empeg I didn't have the amp, so I used the Pioneer's build in. I've come to like my AM/FM, CD; even though I hardly use it. It is starting to go out, so I was looking at something to replace it and I found the Pioneer AVIC-N2. I know your car only has a 1.5 din, but it may be easier to add 0.5 din to the current hole than add the space for an LCD.

It's really just the finish that's off. And it's pretty far off. Of course, I can't seem to see a difference between the part he fabbed and the rest of the (apparently) stock panel, so maybe it's just the lighting. Or maybe it was repainted poorly.

The latter. He needed to lightly spray it with some texture spray and then paint it with a flatter black paint. I've seen some that you couldn't tell from the stock ones.

Also the strip directly over the LCD is a little wavy. I posted this more as an example that a NAV screen was easily possible in this dash, not as an example of good workmanship.

I'm sure it's actually great workmanship, but the camera flash makes every tiny little flaw in the texture come out. I'll bet it looks fantastic in natural light.

There is also the poorly-mounted head unit above the LCD.

Or a poor head unit mounted above the LCD.

Sorry, that's the empeg snob in me.

Here and here are some examples of an amazingly good installations of TFTs in some BMW dashboards.

Welcome to my world, I h ave owned 3 in-dash nav units so far.

The Alpine is the best and it looks to me like with a bit of $$ you could loose the lower pocket drop the Hvac controls down and have room for 3 Din sized units (I had the same problem and was quoted 200 by altman on www.mp3car.com to do that work or 500 at the local stereo shop (altiman does very impressive work check it out)

Alpine makes a stand alone display for there nav/gps system as does pioneer and kenwood. I would stay away from the audiovox stuff. or you could get a all in one unit like the pioneer avic n1 or N2 built in touch screen nav/gps, odbii interface etc. if you have questions let me know I have owned them all.

Heh...I believe he was getting altimat confused with altman. Still funny.

Sorry if you look up worlds worst speller in wesbers you see my photo and I am also talked about under the heading of world's worst typist.

Completely Off-Topic, but I live close to that guy...

...or at least close to where he's looking up directions

there are many peeps at mp3car.com, they have a store with 1 DIN motorised touchscreens.

As do Cardomain.com

Then get freedrive (free) and Destinator 3.0 maps (not free) and the GPS SW is excellent, tremendous, truly better than the Alpine CD-ROM I replaced.
A demo map is in the download.

Before anyone else looks, the Destinator people provide a Windows-only SDK.