Installing a portable sat nav into their sunglasses holder

[rudseyrover]

My RR has n't got sat nav. I have just bought a tom tom 920t and am considering seeing if I can install it in the sunglasses case in the roof. It should fit in size terms, and would roll down when needed does anyone know if there is a permanent live power supply to wire into above the rear view mirror?

Also to avoid breaking anything does anyone know how the sunglasses case etc comes apart?

Any help appreciated.

[carter840]

Don't know the specifics but there will be a live 12V source in that area. it will be hooked into the Rear view mirror and the light switch. you'll just have to tap into that line and then run a ground wire. Sorry I don't know how to get apart the sunglasses holder.

[_S_]

For me it wasn't pleasant to have the screen so close to the nose... May work for some time, but... I'd go for the suction-holder (for the windscreen) for Tom-Tom...

[rudseyrover]

The sucker on the windscreens looks a mess and I will have to remove it everytime I park etc. I have experimented with where is is best postioned and by the rear view mirror seemed sensible and discreet when not in use.

I thought about using the light power but thought it maybe affected when I unlock the car, turn the lights on etc

[_S_]

The sucker on the windscreens looks a mess and I will have to remove it everytime I park etc.

Why??? No need to do this. I don't know about your place, but in any part in Russia - it definitely worth hiding such removable items. But why remove holder? Just detach the Tom-Tom!

I have experimented with where is is best postioned and by the rear view mirror seemed sensible and discreet when not in use.

Discreet - yes. Easy to look at and to push buttons on screen - you think for yourself. Just not for me.

I thought about using the light power but thought it maybe affected when I unlock the car, turn the lights on etc

What may be affected? If there is power supply there while driving - I wouldn't care about anything else. But that is what I would do. Probably you need to think for yourself about not loosing your warranty, etc...

[Lummac]

The sucker on the windscreens looks a mess and I will have to remove it everytime I park etc.

Why??? No need to do this. I don't know about your place, but in any part in Russia - it definitely worth hiding such removable items. But why remove holder? Just detach the Tom-Tom!

Well you need to remove the holder, cause this is the best indication for a junkie as to what to expect inside the car, its like a kinder-egg surprise, break it to see inside if you have won a price

Also when taking down the holder - ALWAYS MAKE SURE the suction rings are gone too, YES THESE JUNKS are getting smart, they must have been taking lots of smarties

[garioch43]

I tried this, but could not get a GPS fix with the unit in the holder, as the roof screens the signals from the satellites.

Could be fixed with an external antenna.

The sunglasses holder is a pig to remove and replace, as it has a spring assembly at one side.

Although I replaced it as best as I could, it does not drop down as well as it did before I took it apart.

[Larry_H]

I tried this, but could not get a GPS fix with the unit in the holder, as the roof screens the signals from the satellites.

Could be fixed with an external antenna.

The sunglasses holder is a pig to remove and replace, as it has a spring assembly at one side.

Although I replaced it as best as I could, it does not drop down as well as it did before I took it apart.

Just for kicks I put my GPS receiver in the sunglass holder to see if it would work, it worked just fine. Now I will attempt to find power in there to install it permanently.

[DocJoseph]

There is a live 12V wire behind the overhead reading light console. It is very easy to remove the plastic cover, pry out with your fingers. I have used this for connecting Valentine1 radar detector. This is connected to ignition switch so that the device will turn off when the car is off.

[mtaylor]

Doc-

I followed the thread where you described that install (here) but had no luck locating that wire. I did find a brown wire but did not get any power (switched or non-switched).

Would you mind posting a photo or two? Or perhaps someone has a diagram?

Much appreciated.

Matt

[DocJoseph]

Push down the switch module that controls sunroof from inside of the overhead console . (Pry out the middle plastic cover and you can push the switch module out). Now you see three wires that go to the switch. One of the wires should be power wire.