Nav Alternative

[Bigtamw65]

I don't know if anybody else is now wishing they would have gotten the NAV system like am, but I have found an alternative that I am very happy with.

I got a TomTom 910 and mounted it in the dash so it looks almost like it belongs there. Basically what I did was take out the vent from the middle just below the radio display. I used the window mount that came with the TomTom (with some modifications) and put it in that spot. I sits right there on the dash in almost the same spot the the in dash NAV unit would be. The best part is it was only $399, it has bluetooth, handsfree phone, traffic updates, weather updates and I can download all different kinds of voices and 3rd party software for POI's ect. Not only that, it has a battery that I can take it out of the car and use it in my other cars, on trails, ect. It also has a 20GB hardrive that I can download MP3's and play through the radio with an additional adapter. Much cheaper and many more features than the factory NAV.

I was sort of kicking myself for not getting the factory NAV, especially when I found out you couldn't go back and add it, but with the solution I found, I'm glad I didn't. If there is anyone interested in how I mounted it, etc., I would be happy to post pictures and more detailed instructions.

 

[Int3grity]

Dude that looks awesome. 2.5 inch lcd?

 

[vbbuilt01]

Very Nice! From what you've shown and described, sounds like TomTom is way better than the OEM Nav!

Just wondering...at some point in the future, I'm sure you'll either trade up or sell your CX-7...if you decide to keep your TOMTOM, will you be able to restore your dash vent to it's original configuration?

Vince.

 

[Bigtamw65]

Dude that looks awesome. 2.5 inch lcd?

No it is a 4.0 LCD, nice size touch screen.

 

[Bigtamw65]

Very Nice! From what you've shown and described, sounds like TomTom is way better than the OEM Nav!

Just wondering...at some point in the future, I'm sure you'll either trade up or sell your CX-7...if you decide to keep your TOMTOM, will you be able to restore your dash vent to it's original configuration?

Vince.

Yes I will, it will only require removing the disc that I put in the hole that I removed the vent from and popping the vent back in. It was very easy to do and of course I saved the vent so I could replace it.

And yes the features on the TomTom are far superior to the OEM Nav and for anyone looking for bluetooth, this wil solve that problem too.

 

[dman1701space]

How did you pop the vent out?

 

[Bigtamw65]

How did you pop the vent out?

You have to take the trim piece out from around the dash, just as if you were going to access the radio. The three vents are screwed onto the piece. Once you unscrew them, if you look at the top of the vents you will see two "tabs" that once you apply a little pressure to it will pop right out. There was little white grease around the bottom edge, but that same right off with a little soap and water.

 

[dman1701space]

Thanks

 

[Bigtamw65]

Thanks

No problem(cheers2)

 

[Nash04]

Where did you purchase the TomTom
It does look good, does it also have voice recognition

 

[Bigtamw65]

Where did you purchase the TomTom
It does look good, does it also have voice recognition

Got mine at Circuit City. It doesn't have voice recognition, but it does have enhanced street names, which is nice.

 

[thelettere]

Sorry for bumping this so late, but my question was... what factory setup did you choose? Bose/6CD package or not? (Wondering about the interface from the TomTom to the audio side of things for iPod hookups, etc.)

-e

 

[CX-7owner]

Sorry for bumping this so late, but my question was... what factory setup did you choose? Bose/6CD package or not? (Wondering about the interface from the TomTom to the audio side of things for iPod hookups, etc.)

-e

From the looks of it he has the BOSE audio, The piano black glossy stuff can be found on head units with BOSE. Correct me if I'm wrong..

 

[DashingMax]

Looks very nice!! Good job!

 

[Bucnoy]

IT IS VERY SMART! I just bought my CX-7 without the nav package, but i have the Tomtom GO 720. I just ordered the Tomtom pro clip since i hate puting it on the dashboard and windshield. Is your procedure hard to do? Thanks

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Very Nice job

I don't know if anybody else is now wishing they would have gotten the NAV system like am, but I have found an alternative that I am very happy with.

I got a TomTom 910 and mounted it in the dash so it looks almost like it belongs there. Basically what I did was take out the vent from the middle just below the radio display. I used the window mount that came with the TomTom (with some modifications) and put it in that spot. I sits right there on the dash in almost the same spot the the in dash NAV unit would be. The best part is it was only $399, it has bluetooth, handsfree phone, traffic updates, weather updates and I can download all different kinds of voices and 3rd party software for POI's ect. Not only that, it has a battery that I can take it out of the car and use it in my other cars, on trails, ect. It also has a 20GB hardrive that I can download MP3's and play through the radio with an additional adapter. Much cheaper and many more features than the factory NAV.

I was sort of kicking myself for not getting the factory NAV, especially when I found out you couldn't go back and add it, but with the solution I found, I'm glad I didn't. If there is anyone interested in how I mounted it, etc., I would be happy to post pictures and more detailed instructions.

Even the screen colors match the CX-7 lighting.

What about rattles/buzzes? How did you actually affix the screen to the dash?

 

[Durfdaddy]

that is very cool! so the microphone did not interfere with your clock button? Where did you power it? Could I still add the sat radio?