has anyone installed a gps navigation system in their X? what did you install? pix?

Thanks

 

I've not... but am interested since my wife's car has a neat one from the factory....

But I'm contemplating a portable (or at least removable) for the same reasons I didn't go with the factory DVD system in our '03 Ex... a bigger screen portable could be had for $500 less...
Not built in, but can be temporarily mounted on the headliner given the upside down viewing available on the portable !!!

 

I do not take possession of my 2004 Ford Excursion Limited until tonight, but already plan on migrating my home-build AutoPC to the Excursion over the next few months. It functions like a normal PC, including MP3 and DVD playback and GPS navigation.

Here is a photograph of my current setup in my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche:


Larger.

 

Before we went on our vacation trip from Florida to Michigan this year, I was also considering building in a GPS/Navigation System in my 2003 Excursion. The prices seemed quiet high, so I decided for an alternative version.

I already owned a regular HP laptop computer and purchased a GPS receiver and street map software. I bought the set (GPS receiver included!) at Circuit City for $ 109.00.

Installation of the map software (on CD ROM) is easy. I simply folded my laptop completely open (180 degrees) and sat it right in front of the middle console, so that the screen was visible for both - driver and passenger. To enter things like destinations, etc. we used a wireless keyboard/mouse. Was working great!
I secured the computer with a simple rubberband to the utility hook on the bottom of the console, so that the computer was not rocking back and forward while acceleration or stopping.

And another plus. In the evening we took the laptop with us and looked up the route for the next day in the hotel room. A movable GPS and Navigation System for under $ 120 - not bad I think.

In order to keep the laptop running the entire time, I purchased one of those power converters which you hook up to the cigarette lighters. Worked just fine, for the laptop and the PS2 for the kids.

If you have any ?, feel free to contact me at PPPOWER96(No Email Addresses In Posts!). or post your question right here.

Have fun...

 

I used my notebook until I could afford to fibreglass in the computer components into the centre console. It worked very well, and it was easy to drag the GPS sensor from one vehicle to another.

What would be a dream is if Ford put the Expedition's navigation system into the Excursion. I should check to see how compatible the systems are? I took an Expedition for a test drive two weeks ago, and already forgot what the system looked like, size-wise. I guess the Excursion made me forget about all of that.

 

Last week I ordered a Pioneer AVIC-80DVD navigation system and it should arrive this week. I'll keep everyone updated.

 

The pIoneer sounds like a great rig... but I'm not looking for a $1100 solution... was thinking more in the $@00 or so range for a handheld gps...

 

I understand completely where you are coming from. There are still less-expensive solutions that are very cool. While they may not be $200, they are still far less than $1100. The Garmin StreetPilot navigation systems have always been very nice and the upcoming Garmin StreetPilot 2610/2650 is even more impressive, with a touchscreen, autorouting, and voice prompting for turns and waypoints. Recently, the Navman iCN-630 was released, which is also very similar, but about $200 less expensive. In addition, Navman currently has a $100-off promotion. Of course, if you do not require some features, like routing or voice guidance, the cost decreases a lot. It all depends what you are looking for.

There are, of course, other options. If you have a Pocket PC, Palm, or notebook computer, there are add-on GPS products that are very inexpensive. (You can purchase GPS sensors for notebooks for approximately $50 - $100 and the software with routing and voice prompting for $100 - $200.) I do not know what similar products cost on Pocket PCs or Palms, but it should be comparable.

You are very fortunate to live in the U.S., as there are many pieces of navigation software available to you with many features. In Canada, we are limited to Microsoft Streets & Trips, which creates turn-by-turn directions but does not offer voice prompting, snap-to-road functions, or route correction. They say that map coverage by other companies will show up soon, but they have said that for two years.

 

Cool setup

How about some more info? Like:

Type of computer, Touch screen, software, price ... ect ect ect!

And how did you get it to look so good?

 

Thank you for the compliment.

The computer is based on the VIA mini-ITX form factor and is an EPIA M6000 motherboard with a 600 MHz ESP processor. The touchscreen is manufactured by a company called Xenarc and was the most expensive item. (Approximately $700 USD, including upgraded backlighting for vehicle use.) Altogether, the system cost approximately $2,500 USD. I am considering selling it with the Avalanche or selling it separately.. I am not sure yet. Making the entire setup look good was the most difficult. I had to go to a local car stereo shop and they created a replacement centre console from fibreglass. It took about three days but I do like the results. (Ideally, I would cover the entire unit with vinyl to match the texture of the dash, but I never got around to that.)

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

If you want to do it inexpensively look at a Garmin 76S. It is a handheld unit that can download detailed maps from any part of the USA off of your computer. I mounted mine on a flexible "knuckle" joint from RAM products. Attached the mount to the area next to the aux 12v plug for phone. Works great and I can remove for other purposes. Total cost around $300.

 

If you are interested in a portable electronic map, this is an ideal solution. I might have simply been confused; I thought he wanted routing ability as well. If not, I agree, there are many nice solutions using GPS.

 

OK, you guys influenced me...
thought I could go for the $200 solution and tried one, but too small a screen, too few features.... so....

GIT A NEAT NEW TOY !!!

a Garmin Streetpilot 2610 from Best Buy....

LOT's of features...

Color, bean bag or permanent mount, speaks, auto recalculate when I get off route... PC USB connection, Mapsource software for Canada and USA,128 MB flascard,touch screen, AC adapter, Cigarette lighter adapter... everything you need...

She even is nice to me when I don't follow her directions and just says off-route - recalculating... and gives me the next set of directions to get there...

Excellent product... $999 @ best buy, but found it online for 799... going back to best buy for their price guarantee!

Check it out at Garmin @ gpsnow

 

Boar-Ral
I have installed the same Pioneer Navigation system. Can you tell me where you connected the pink wire to. It is suppose to be connected to the speed sensor.

 

I had a&b sound install the navigation system this time, but in my Avalanche I needed to connect my HUD to the speed sensor wire in order to project my speed onto the windshield. I tapped into the bundle going into the instrument cluster. I will ask a&b sound where they connected it or if I have some spare time, will search on the internet to see if there is a breakdown somewhere of the wires going into the instrument cluster. Out of curiosity, does the system work without the speed sensor wire? I believe the GPS sensor provides a majority of the information, whereas the speed sensor and gyroscope is used for dead reckoning in areas where you lose GPS coverage momentarily. (Like the express lanes in Seattle, which have portions beneath the rest of the freeway.)