GT Navigation Solution


nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,199
As an owner, my most frequent trips in the GT are to places I’m familiar with. However, increasingly – and with great pleasure, I’m finding myself traveling to new places and meeting new owners in get togethers, driving events, etc. In these scenarios, I’m really missing the modern navigation convenience I have in my other vehicles and that I have become way to dependent on.

That said, I’d like to get a show of hands that would be interested in an in-car GPS solution for the GT that was absolutely state-of-the-art. I have something very specific in mind and it would have extraordinary capability. Just to name a few of the features….

1. Super-modern, color GPS that rivals/exceeds the best in-car systems available today, including;
a.Text to speech recognition – instead of saying, “turn right in 300 feet” the unit will say “turn right on <street name> in 300 feet”
b. Automotive-grade, anti-glare glass screen
c. Entire US map system built-in
d. Super-sensitive built-in antenna that locks onto satellites with unheard of speed and even works in some in-door areas.
e. Over 5 MILLION points of interest built-in. Most restaurants, parks, fairgrounds, businesses, etc. can be found without need of keying in the address.
f. Of course it has address searches, automatic routing, detour capability, etc.

2. OK, but how ‘bout some super-differentiating capability….
a. Real-time traffic information on programmed routes. (3-month subscription included and annual charge is ~$60.)
b. Bluetooth phone connectivity – Hands free capability automatically with your Bluetooth phone. So, hop in the GT….. no need to connect any wires and your Bluetooth phone will automatically establish a link with the GPS. Further, the GPS will AUTOMATICALLY suck your phone address book into its own memory. You can make and receive call over the GPS unit – hands free. (Obviously speakers and mic are built-in to the unit.)

3. Interested? What about mounting in the GT….
a. Can be mounted BY YOU and completely operational in your GT in less than 30 seconds – I PROMISE! (Can be completely un-mounted in the same time or less.)
b. Good News/Bad News : The mount is EXTREMELY well-oriented for visibility and easy reachability. As such, the mount location will 100% obstruct the view of the boost gauge. So, while NAV’g you won’t be able to read the boost gauge. No big deal, IMO. (Note: Alternatively, you can choose to cover your Voltmeter but the visibility of the NAV is not quite as good.)

I’ll post installed pictures by tonight.

Here’s the deal. This technology is 98% available to you over-the-counter. What I’m thinking of as Cool Tech is modifying the standard power cables so they are customized for the GT. (No excess dangling cable.) Secondly, with a reasonable interest list (~10?) I can put together a group buy.

Here's more info on the unit itelf.

Garmin StreetPilot C550

Pictures of GT installation soon….

I appreciate your feedback.
 

Tungsten

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 22, 2006
275
Atlanta
Gps

I drive my GT all over the place so I would certainly take one.
Don
 

PL510*Jeff

Well-known member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Nov 3, 2005
4,881
Renton, Washington
Nav System

I don't get lost but sure do get "confused". Sign me up for one.
 

Bart Carter

GT Owner
Mar 12, 2006
272
Las Vegas
1. How does it mount?
2. Can it be used on other vehicles? How easily?

Thanks
 

Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,089
MA
I have a Garmin Nuvi, mount it with the supplied suction cup just under the rear view mirror. Unit is about the size of a deck of cards.
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,199
Here are some pictures. I have no photography skills, that much is clear. The appearance is much cleaner and nicer looking in person. This nav can run up to 8 hours with no power with its internal LiOn batteries. I'm going to work on a very short cable to pick up power at the cigarette lighter plug.

This is really two devices built into one: A full-function, easy-to-use NAV and a Bluetooth hands-free car kit.

Nav1.JPG


Nav2.JPG


Nav3.JPG


Nav4.JPG


Nav5.JPG
 

BigsGT

Tungsten GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Mar 8, 2006
604
Austin Texas
Looks really clean but I would hate to block my speedo. Nice job!
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
4,975
California
I am definitely interested.

(If only it had a built in / wireless back up camera connection. Just kidding - looks great as it is).

Thanks!!!
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,199
Looks really clean but I would hate to block my speedo. Nice job!

It only blocks the speedo above 160mph. You can still easily read the speedo for values < 160. "Nice Job" - Thx but I haven't done anything yet. I'm just experimenting with mounting locations - and all that you see comes with the Garmin C550. The suction cup is the exact diameter of the voltmeter and boost gauges. Originally, I have had it stuck to the boost gauge. The steering wheel partially blocks it when mounted over the voltmeter.

Of the gauge mounts, the bottom of the speedo (as shown) really works best as the speedo and gauges can all be read. Note that it also suctions to the console just in front of the radio. This position blocks the radio but otherwise looks good. Still experimenting.... (Note: Garmin's new antenna technology really opens up these mounting locations. On previous models, regardless of manufacturer, you had to choose a location where the unit would have a good field of view through the winshield. That's really not the case anymore, as the unit is pretty good at getting signals in any of the positions you have seen so far.)
 

sharp33

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 19, 2006
346
Rochester, NY
nota4re said:
As an owner, my most frequent trips in the GT are to places I’m familiar with. However, increasingly – and with great pleasure, I’m finding myself traveling to new places and meeting new owners in get togethers, driving events, etc. In these scenarios, I’m really missing the modern navigation convenience I have in my other vehicles and that I have become way to dependent on.

That said, I’d like to get a show of hands that would be interested in an in-car GPS solution for the GT that was absolutely state-of-the-art. I have something very specific in mind and it would have extraordinary capability. Just to name a few of the features….

1. Super-modern, color GPS that rivals/exceeds the best in-car systems available today, including;
a.Text to speech recognition – instead of saying, “turn right in 300 feet” the unit will say “turn right on <street name> in 300 feet”
b. Automotive-grade, anti-glare glass screen
c. Entire US map system built-in
d. Super-sensitive built-in antenna that locks onto satellites with unheard of speed and even works in some in-door areas.
e. Over 5 MILLION points of interest built-in. Most restaurants, parks, fairgrounds, businesses, etc. can be found without need of keying in the address.
f. Of course it has address searches, automatic routing, detour capability, etc.

2. OK, but how ‘bout some super-differentiating capability….
a. Real-time traffic information on programmed routes. (3-month subscription included and annual charge is ~$60.)
b. Bluetooth phone connectivity – Hands free capability automatically with your Bluetooth phone. So, hop in the GT….. no need to connect any wires and your Bluetooth phone will automatically establish a link with the GPS. Further, the GPS will AUTOMATICALLY suck your phone address book into its own memory. You can make and receive call over the GPS unit – hands free. (Obviously speakers and mic are built-in to the unit.)

3. Interested? What about mounting in the GT….
a. Can be mounted BY YOU and completely operational in your GT in less than 30 seconds – I PROMISE! (Can be completely un-mounted in the same time or less.)
b. Good News/Bad News : The mount is EXTREMELY well-oriented for visibility and easy reachability. As such, the mount location will 100% obstruct the view of the boost gauge. So, while NAV’g you won’t be able to read the boost gauge. No big deal, IMO. (Note: Alternatively, you can choose to cover your Voltmeter but the visibility of the NAV is not quite as good.)

I’ll post installed pictures by tonight.

Here’s the deal. This technology is 98% available to you over-the-counter. What I’m thinking of as Cool Tech is modifying the standard power cables so they are customized for the GT. (No excess dangling cable.) Secondly, with a reasonable interest list (~10?) I can put together a group buy.

Here's more info on the unit itelf.

Garmin StreetPilot C550

Pictures of GT installation soon….

I appreciate your feedback.
Get the Nuvi 660 instead, You can also store and play your M pP3s. :thumbsup
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,199
Get the Nuvi 660 instead, You can also store and play your M pP3s.

I'm familiar with the Nuvi. Although it has an arguably better form factor, the quality of the audio was really inferior to the C550. The larger case of the C550 permits better (twin) speakers and if you were to consider it as a hands-free Bluetooth device, the C550 has a clear advantage.

The C550 also has MP3 capability along with an audio-out mini-plug. For Mac-equipped GT's, I suppose that this could be real cool. You could use the Garmin to navigate through your MP3 collection (stored on SD cards) and play them through your aux-in connection.

1. Full-function Navigation with Text to speech, POI's etc, etc.
2. Real time traffic info
3. Hands-free Bluetooth connection with your Bluetooth enabled phone
4. MP3 Player with audio-out connection to your Mac head unit.

Too cool.
 

Red Rocket

GT Owner
Aug 31, 2006
410
Pacific North West
I'm new to this aftermarket stuff, but have had NAV systems built in cars as OE. Porsche has a cool system with their "sport Chrono" package that keeps readouts of your track times for every lap. So tell me, do these systems you guys are talking about also give readouts for acceleration, top speed, etc.? If not, what is the best for logging performance data?
 
Last edited:

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
Try a driftbox for a about 750, or the pro models Vbox. I think a driftbox would be as good as the vbox with the exception of not logging data such as throttle position, brake pressure, exhaust temp, etc. I have seen devices that tap into the OBDII port that can get much of this other information. One then can write software to sync and merge the two data streams.

BlackICE
 

Bart Carter

GT Owner
Mar 12, 2006
272
Las Vegas
Red Rocket said:
...what is the best for logging performance data?

I'm going to recommend the g2xtreme. Approved for NASA competition, a lot of people are using it. If you track your car, you can look at eash corner and time your laps. Also gives your G's, accelerating, lateral and braking. Another plus is that you can move it from car to car. You can also log additional parameters if you add more sensors.
 

FB GT40

GT Owner/B.o.D
Mark IV Lifetime
May 30, 2006
812
Folly Beach, SC
Navigation

I have the Escort version of the Garmin. I don't have too much seat time with it yet - but I'm impressed so far. (How can it pick up signals inside my house?) See: http://www.escortradar.com/c550.htm

Features:
Powered by Garmin
Completely portable - move it from car to car with ease
High-sensitivity GPS receiver
North America maps preloaded
Built-in lithium battery (up to 8 hours of continual use)
12-volt lighter plug with FM receiver for real time traffic data*
Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
3.5" high-bright color touch screen for easy viewing
Voice announces streets by name
Choose 2D or 3D map perspective
Configurable car icons
MP3 player
SD memory card expansion slot
USB cable
Compatible with Garmin's Travel Guide data cards
Compatible with Garmin's Savers Guide data cards
15 day test drive *Includes 3-month trial of real-time traffic information
- available in 48 cities.

G.
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
4,975
California
Has anyone tried GPS through their cell phone?

I hear this will be the newest in navigation convenience, but haven't personally seen it used yet by someone.
 

ralleyone

Member
Jul 17, 2006
17
I have the C550 in my C32. Great unit and the acquisition speed is awesome.
 

wonkawonka

GT Owner
Sep 12, 2005
203
Lebanon
nota4re said:
The C550 also has MP3 capability along with an audio-out mini-plug. For Mac-equipped GT's, I suppose that this could be real cool. You could use the Garmin to navigate through your MP3 collection (stored on SD cards) and play them through your aux-in connection.

Has anyone actually uncovered the Aux-In connector of the Macintosh sound system? Where is it? I'm thinking I have to take out the head unit and look in the back.
 

sharp33

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 19, 2006
346
Rochester, NY
nota4re said:
I'm familiar with the Nuvi. Although it has an arguably better form factor, the quality of the audio was really inferior to the C550. The larger case of the C550 permits better (twin) speakers and if you were to consider it as a hands-free Bluetooth device, the C550 has a clear advantage.

The C550 also has MP3 capability along with an audio-out mini-plug. For Mac-equipped GT's, I suppose that this could be real cool. You could use the Garmin to navigate through your MP3 collection (stored on SD cards) and play them through your aux-in connection.

Too cool.

With the MAC you can run sound directly through the Aux. the sound is awesome plus you have a thinner unit with a better screen. :thumbsup
 

FLY GT40

GT Owner
Jul 14, 2006
300
So. Ca.
The aux in pluggs are behind the radio of the mac unit. You do need the special tools (McIntosh ST2871-A) to release the unit then it slides out. Once you slide out the unit you will find RCA pluggs taped to the wireing harness to plug your mp3 or i-pod into. Then you will have to figure out where to run the doc for the mp3 or i-pod. I ran my doc cable for my i-pod out the vent over the map pocket. The sound out of the mac with the i-poc is good far better than the broadcast type interface. See page 415-01-2 in the workshop manual or cd's.
Good luck FLY GT40