Overhead Console

Tucson_02Silverado · December 9, 2002

I've been casually looking for something to put in place of the blank plate of the overhead console in the trucks. The Escalade/Denali DIC idea is nice but costs around $200. So...I looked (again) at the Garmin GPS V Deluxe which can be had for under $500. Two basic queries. Does anyone own the Garmin GPS V? and How do you like it? The second query is the windshields of the 99-0+ trucks....do they block RF signals by any significant db?

Professor · December 9, 2002

Tucson,

I have the Garmin GPS III+. This is the predecessor to the V. It is the same physical size. I love it! I use it on my Harley as well as the truck. I have been thinking about mounting it in the panel as you describe. It may be a bit difficult to see driving down the road, but I may try it. The signal comes through the windshield just fine.

On the Garmin.

1) You will likely need to relocate the antenna when you put it in the console. The factory antenna uses a common “BNC” connector. It would be easy to make an extension coax cable out of readily available material. This will allow you to move the antenna against the glass and down from the roof line a couple of inches. There are external GPS antennas available, but I have not yet needed one. I was thinking about getting a On-Start antenna from a salvage yard.

2) The Garmin has a built in basic map that covers the highway and major streets of the US. You have to load the area where you are headed with the “detailed map”. This is done by connecting it to the serial port of your computer and loading it from the CD. I can load 6 to 14 counties on mine. The V’s have more memory, but the included map/cd (mine is mapsource, City Source w/Vs) contains much more detail. I think you can still only load the same amount of area due to the much larger file size. It would be nice to use the old mapsource data in the new V to get the greater coverage. Not sure if that is possible.

3) The PC interface is serial. It takes about 5 minutes for me to load a full mapset. The V will take much longer. I feel Garmin should have added a USB interface to the new V.

4) The V has a higher resolution in the same size screen. It can display a bit more info, but will be smaller.

5) I have played with a V but not had a chance to run it for any time. I wish I had the V, but the III fills my needs. It is not worth the extra money for me to upgrade. I feel the III+ and the V are the most versatile units out there. Depending on your goals, you might be happy with a III+ . I think it has been discontinued but I have seen a few available. The mapsource CD is extra. The Vs come with the City-Select CD. The V deluxe comes with all areas unlocked but the V basic only unlocks one area/region of the country.

There is a very good newsgroup on the net with great info. Do a keyword search on navigation or satellite and you should be able to find it.

Tucson_02Silverado · December 9, 2002

Professor, thanks for the info. For the antenna, I was thinking of using a BNC-BNC panel through connector mounted on the windshield side of the overhead console. That the antenna is close to the windshield and is pratically hidden.

I've looked on eBay and the V is around $349 making the project a lot more do-able.

Professor · December 9, 2002

I'd be interested in seeing after install pictures. I'm hesitant to mount mine in the console because it spends as much time on the Harley! I’m going to have my console out to install home-link. I’m going to look at it closely to see what I can do then.

If you travel much, make sure you get the deluxe version with the unlock codes for all regions.

Professor · December 9, 2002

I'd be interested in seeing after install pictures. I'm hesitant to mount mine in the console because it spends as much time on the Harley! I’m going to have my console out to install home-link. I’m going to look at it closely to see what I can do then.

If you travel much, make sure you get the deluxe version with the unlock codes for all regions.

Check out the Garmin Street Pilot Color also. I thought about one of these in the lower console where the CD caddy is. A bit pricey however

Professor · December 11, 2002

OK Tucson, you’ve got me motivated.

I went and bought an extra filler panel to butcher today. I looked at the BNC-BNC idea. I don’t think it will work. I think it needs to be further forward to get a good lock on the GPS birds. I’m going to chop the filler, make a jumper and do some testing. I it may be possible to locate the antenna on the mirror mount and catch enough satellites from all directions while still being semi-hidden.

I’ll let you know how it progresses.

crsduv · December 12, 2002

I replied to this post on another board - but will go again with a little more info.

I installed the III+ in my overhead console. You will not get any reception when installed there. I went to the local Radio Shack and bought a 6-foot extension cable for $12.00 and relocated the original antanna just above the dashboard, I tried numerous locations and this was the best place for it. The pictures below show the location of the antenna (red circles). Sorry the pictures are so large, still trying to figure out this new technology. With the antenna mounted here I can easily lock in on 10 different satelites alot quicker than before. I have been thinking about a roof mount antenna just because of the visibility of what I have now but I cannot justify the price. Tomorrow I will get some pictures of the GPS in the console and post. I wired it into the map lights and it works fine. I have found that with the tinted windows I have to have the backlight on to view it at all times. When I want to take it out for the boat it is simply one screw removal for the console, two screws for the GPS and unplug.