So for Christmas I received the TomTom Navigator 5 GPS unit. I'd like to install the GPS unit "permanently" into my Element, plugging it into the rear lighter adapter. The PDA, of course, will be up front on the dash and plugged into the adapter above the glovebox. The PDA will not always be in the car and on (I carry it with me); the GPS unit would. My question is, "Will there be any problems if I leave the GPS unit plugged in and on all the time?"

Also, if you have a recommendation for a mounting bracket for an HP RX3115 PDA, that would be welcome, too.

Thanks!

I dont understand Why you would plig the unit into the rear outlet. I would think that will requier more work than wireing it to the fuse box.
You did say that the TomTom is going to be permanently mounted. so why mickey mouse the wireing ? I think if I did not want to cut into an existing Ckt. I would use an Add-A-fuse. I also would not leav the unit ON all the time. YOU WILL HAVE A DED BATTERY !!! The batterys in our E's are not that Good about running things with the engine off. They Die Fast ! In 20 Min. my Battery will die, when I am just cleaning the car out with the doors open.

I have the same setup....however I dont have the gps reciever plugged in all the time...once its fully charged i just throw it up on the dash and it keeps its charge for seriously like 6 hours. http://www.proclipusa.com/Default.asp .... thats how i have my PDA mounted, it works great I can take some pictures if anyone is interested.

I can offer an alternate method of powering the TT as I have a GO installed in my E. I used an Add-a-Circuit to give me a switched hot lead which goes to a 12v power outlet mounted behind the fuse box cover panel. The TTG's power adapter is plugged into the outlet and it is neat and clean plus replacement of parts is easy should need dictate.
http://www.geocities.com/genomindustries/fusebox.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/genomindustries/ttg11.jpg

I can offer an alternate method of powering the TT as I have a GO installed in my E. I used an Add-a-Circuit to give me a switched hot lead which goes to a 12v power outlet mounted behind the fuse box cover panel. The TTG's power adapter is plugged into the outlet and it is neat and clean plus replacement of parts is easy should need dictate.
http://www.geocities.com/genomindustries/fusebox.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/genomindustries/ttg11.jpg
Thanks Genom I knew I had seen it someplace. Just could not find it.

I used the same install as genom, except i tucked the wire from the tom tom down along the side by the drivers door and then underneath by the fuse box. there's enough movement on the instrument panel that the wire tucks neatly underneath it. this also allows easy removal for when i switch it into another vehicle.

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't even know about the Add-a-Circuit. I'll pick one up this afternoon. I'm also going to go ahead and place an order for one of the ProClips.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't even know about the Add-a-Circuit. I'll pick one up this afternoon. I'm also going to go ahead and place an order for one of the ProClips.

Thanks again!


I'm following this thread with eager anticipation of some pics! :) I've been trying to get a similar setup working with my palm T3. Unfortunately, the mount I ordered from MobilePlanet was not the correct one.... pics/descriptions of anyone's PDA mount would be helpful!

Nelly the Element and I thank you in advance!

:grin:

BTW- MobilePlanet dropped the ball in a big way. I ordered the unit back in September, with a long discussion about availability. I told the salesman that if they can't get me the unit "in a reasonable amount of time", they may cancel my order. They agreed to "keep me in the loop", and the next day I got an email from the mgr stating the unit is backordered with no known ship date. I emailed back, repeating that they should cancel the order if it's not in soon. In mid December (DECEMBER) a package suddenly arrived on my doorstep, and my credit card had been charged!! WHAT?! Not only was it LATE, but it wasn't at all what I wanted (not their fault). I sent it back, but am out shipping/handling. They took the return with no questions (so far), hence I'm not slagging them all over this board. Still, I feel like they owe me something... 3 months is unreasonable.

^ Was this mount easily available from somebody else during this time? If so, then yes, three months is unreasonable. If not, then it isn't.

I've seen manufacturers 9 months late on introducing a product.

I've not seen that mount anywhere else in the US (it's the Arkon mount that plugs into the 12v outlet and has a spare outlet on the side). The "unreasonable" part refers to my convo with them specifically asking for a reasonable timeframe (I told them that I'd like to make other arrangements if product availability is an issue). To their credit, they took the return with no major grief so I really can't fault them too much. So far, they've handled it OK (I'd give them a B). In any event, waiting 3 months for a 39.95 part when there are other options is silly.

So what would I have wanted to give them an "A"? Anyone who's passed Customer Service 101 would have contacted me or responded to my emails. They also would have had the sneaking suspicion that since I did contact them by phone and email, that I didn't want to wait for 3 months to take delivery.

I just wanted to throw a quick update in here. I've installed the GPS unit with no problem using an Add-a-Circuit like in Genom's example. I ran the power cord up through the left side of the dash. The GPS unit itself is attached to the top of the shelf to the left of the steering wheel with the power cord running around and into the sidewall through a small notch I cut. No pictures until it's all completed.

Unfortunately, I got an email today saying the mount I ordered through ProClips is on back order. I asked about it and both the center mount and right-side mount seem to be out of stock until around January 20th. Until then, I'm stuck letting my PDA ride in the shelf under the GPS unit itself. :sad:

On the plus side, the unit and software work great. Everything is easy to use and is very intuitive.

Never heard about it before, but according to costco.com web site,

"NOTICE TO STATE OF CALIFORNIA DRIVERS: California Vehicle Code section 26708(a)(1) provides that "No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows." Drivers in California should not use the suction mount on their windshield or side or rear windows."

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11072220&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

I just wanted to throw a quick update in here. I've installed the GPS unit with no problem using an Add-a-Circuit like in Genom's example. I ran the power cord up through the left side of the dash. The GPS unit itself is attached to the top of the shelf to the left of the steering wheel with the power cord running around and into the sidewall through a small notch I cut. No pictures until it's all completed.

Unfortunately, I got an email today saying the mount I ordered through ProClips is on back order. I asked about it and both the center mount and right-side mount seem to be out of stock until around January 20th. Until then, I'm stuck letting my PDA ride in the shelf under the GPS unit itself. :sad:

On the plus side, the unit and software work great. Everything is easy to use and is very intuitive.

I'm confused on where exactly you have the GPS reciever located? I've found that it works best up on the dash w/out the roof over it, thats awesome if you've found consistant success with it on one of the shelves. Today I'll probably be posting some pics of my new wheels and tires, while i'm out there I'll just go ahead and take pictures of my TomTom Nav5 set up

I went ahead and took some pictures today, this is with the proclip mount, sorry they aren't better, the sun was in a weird place.

if you have the Honda Center Console the reciever fits perfectly!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/umwmike/DSC00574.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/umwmike/DSC00576.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/umwmike/DSC00578.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/umwmike/DSC00577.jpg

Nice setup!! Thanks for the pics. How's the speed/refresh rate over the bluetooth with the mapping software on a palm? Laptops running moving map software can get choppy with USB receivers, so I was wondering what your impression is with the PDA?

Nice setup!! Thanks for the pics. How's the speed/refresh rate over the bluetooth with the mapping software on a palm? Laptops running moving map software can get choppy with USB receivers, so I was wondering what your impression is with the PDA?

the speed/refresh rate is smooth as can be, i've never experienced chopping of any sorts. Everything looks and works great on the PDA.

Where did you get the Honda Center Console? can I get some more pictures of it?
thanks
mbaha

Where did you get the Honda Center Console? can I get some more pictures of it?
thanks
mbaha
Search the site and you will find quite a bit, along with many different sites where you can purchase it.

Where did you get the Honda Center Console? can I get some more pictures of it?
thanks
mbaha

I got it as a gift, but you can get it from HandA

http://www.handa-accessories.com/elementint.html