Have fun in Asia, where you going? HK? I've been to HK when I was 10, so crowded there.

 

to taiwan =P http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hIbuPyHT2w

 

damn, looks so sweet! have fun

 

Go to Thailand, it rocks! I had a port visit in Phuket and it was an awesome time. Some really nice island beaches to go to. And yes, Hong Kong is very crowded.

 

Hey Guys,

I'm back from Taiwan and have sent my car in to install the following:

Gentex Powered Rear View Mirror -
Install Requirements -
-Run wire through headliner and A Pillar to fuse box, and use a add a tap mini to plug into fuse box
-Remove current mirror and replace with new mirror, it uses the same mount so the replacement should be trivial


Garmin GVN53 - Blackbox GPS
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10573

Install Requirements -
-Mount blackbox under the glove box attached to the cover below it - out of sight, easy access. (so that it's hidden but can still access the SD Card)
-Run video wire to the VCI-NIS1 (Will have to install toggle switch somewhere discretely (maybe the center glove compartment)

-Run audio wires to the uPAC-NIS2
-Run GPS Antenna and mount to either the rear dash or under the front dash.

Boyo VTL300 - Backup camera license plate

http://boyovta.com/products/license_...ra/vtl300.html

Install Requirements -
-Tap power to reverse wire, run wire to head unit area to plug into the VCI-NIS1 Video output. I believe there is a rubber grommet to run the wires to the trunk.

VCI-NIS1 - Video Interface for Backup Camera + Audio /w Toggle Switch

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=34
Install Requirements -
-Update firmware to latest

-Open up head unit to access the LCD video harness to plug in interface
-Tap reverse wire into unit for reverse backup camera toggle
-Mount switch on center glove box (require drilling)
-Connect backup camera video + GPS video to unit

uPAC-NIS2 - Radio Interface for Integrated IPOD + AUX input

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=22
-Update firmware to latest

-Connect to Radio harness
-Connect to GPS audio
-Run IPOD wire to Center glove compartment (require drilling a small hole)

Escort 8500x50 Radar Detector /w Stealthcord and Country Joy Mount

Few issues, the Tech suggested that the Boyo reverse camera should be wired so it's on all the time, that way when you switch to reverse you won't have to wait 2-3 seconds for the camera to adjust the contrast/white balance. However I felt like that would cause the lifespan of the rev cam to go down so I decided to hook it up to reverse lights for power, so it will only get powered when in reverse.

The manual for the Garmin GVN 53 recommends mounting the antenna in the front dash for good reception, rear trunk for better , and the top of the car for best. However the tech recommended to mount it on the front dash as there is no tint/frost heater lines that may interfere. He also said the metal plate that comes with the antenna isn't required and the signal will be good enough, (as it's kinda ugly if we use the provided metal plate to put below the antenna to make it a bigger antenna, however the manual says it's needed for good reception and to mount the antenna on a metal surface. The surface on the front dash is plastic, so I hope that's fine, aesthetically it will look weird with the metal plate ) .

Anyways the car should be ready tomorrow, I will take ss of the install and let you know how it goes. I think my build will be the first one using the VCI NIS and UPAC to fully integrate backup cam/nav and ipod. Oh he will also be doing the audio bypass

Cheers

 

http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GVN53...structions.pdf


Can someone take a look at this, what do they mean by "trunk of the vehicle" does it mean to have the antenna actually on the trunk? or under the rear windshield?

 

It says on the outside of the vehicle, to get a good shot to the sky. Are your windows heavily tinted? that may affect it.. Also, why don't you just try resting it under your rear shelf where the speakers are for a few days, and see how signal reception is. If its okay then permanently mount it.

These Garmin systems are awesome.. i have the app for my cellphone. It finds addresses MUCH, MUCH better than the factory nav does. Infact, all the factory nav is good for is clicking "HOME".

 

the problem with the rear shelf is, ours is a fabric finish and not plastic, so mounting using the adhesive won't work. The tech suggested using industrial grade velcro, but he cant guarantee it will be strong enough.. so he suggested just putting it on the front dashboard without using the metal plate provided as from his experience it's not needed for good reception..

Here is a g35 that has the antenna mounted on the rear shelf.

 

Does your setup allow for you to keep music playing and have the GPS mute the music to give you the turn by turn voice command then continue playing the music again?

I'm considering this, but I want to be able to hear the music while still keeping the GPS on the screen...

 

They completed the install today. Everything went pretty smoothly. They had to use the UPAC 1 instead of UPAC 2, due to volume being too low.

I also used the external speaker for the GPS as this was the best solution to be able to hear MP3s and hear directions.

You can hear music and keep gps on the screen with this solution

 

by using vci-nis1, do you have to go through aux video bypass?

thanks

 

no using the vci -nis1 , adds a module that allows 2 inputs, backup camera + gps input.

the backup camera input has a trigger, so when it hits reverse it will take over the display and show the backup camera. The gps input has a toggle switch which i mounted in the center glove compartment and flip it when i wanna see the gps screen.

 

I have the UPAC which i hooked the gps audio to, but the optional speaker works just fine and allows me to listen to my ipod (via upac, which allows scrolling) and see the GPS

 

I'm interested in this setup, but I already have iPod integration. It seems like I'd need everything that you purchased though? What kind of cost am I looking at for this setup?

 

Since your in the states the prices will be lower:

Please note prices are in CAD
GPS = $330
Boyo Backup camera/License Plate = $130 (From Ebay)
Gen Homelink Mirror, + Compass + Autodimm = $150 (From Ebay)
Escort 8500X50 = $300
Country Joy Mount = $60
Invisi Cord = $15

VCI NIS1 = $390
UPAC 1 = $150
Labour 11 hours @60 an huor = $660

+ 12% sales tax on the 3 above items. = $1344

$1344 + $985 = $2329