GPS/Reverse Camera/Bluetooth / trip computer Gadgets

[OscarOne Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close OscarOne]

As I search for my first Prado, I am working on the dream vs essentials list keeping in mind that it will be the town car as well as the “Get-Away Machine”!
As I have been looking at used vehicles not all of them have the mod-cons fitted that would be standard in newer machines.
In my current vehicle (08 Kluger KXR- base model 2wd aka camry wagon!) I love the reverse camera, I also have cheap nav-man and the love of my life loves to crank up the tunes via iPod connection and Bluetooth is very useful for keeping licence points and money for rig buildup!
In my search for options I came across the Pantera Comand Centre which looks interesting- quote $999 + g +inst. Link http://alphalineauto.com.au/pcc.html
Any expreience with this brand/ other equivelents?

Cheers Paul

[waddles Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close waddles]

I just picked up the TC800 from http://autogps.com.au/TC800_more.aspx today so of course I can't say how awesome it is just yet but the whole kit including reverse camera came in at $608. I can't wait to put it in before the long weekend away

I researched quite well and this has all the same features (and mostly the same software, but only on-road maps) as the VMS model http://www.vms4x4.com/product-in_das...general_toyota. Also as it replaces the factory unit, it comes with the wiring harness all ready for plug and play, self-installation.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Very extensive thread here on the DigOptions TP09X1 unit:

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...mp-Information

If you PM Matt he'll even give you a better than his Ebay price.

Mick

[Schnooks Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Schnooks]

How'd your kit go Waddles?

[waddles Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close waddles]

Overall, I'm very happy with the TC800

Pros:

• It's a complete unit - I can't think of anything else I would want in it to do except maybe DAB+ radio.
• Installation was super easy. No auto-electrician skills involved except for the reverse camera switching lead - otherwise, just unplug the old and plug in the new. Fitting the extra cables for GPS and DVB-T antennae was a bit tight though.
• All iPod audio just works when you plug it in, so it can play audio from apps etc through the stereo. This is essential for me to play my podcasts using Mediafly which downloads podcasts over WiFi without needing to sync to iTunes :!:
• Bluetooth pairing with the iPhone happens automatically when the unit comes on.
• Boot time and GPS location is normally about 15 seconds or so. I hardly even notice it. By the time I start the car and plug in the ipod, the gps is about ready for trip planning.
• It can play DVDs/videos while driving, not that I would ever do that :-P
• The mute button on the front is very handy.

Cons:

• The on-board microphone (for Bluetooth) sucks and there is no external mic input.
• Voice guidance is not mixed; it interrupts the audio and there is a 3-5 second "dead air" period before the audio comes back on. I will keep voice guidance turned off (slide volume to 0) until I get lost.
• The iPod controller app in the head unit is seriously woeful but fortunately you can still use the iPod's own interface to control music etc. It took me several days to realise that.
• Radio reception is quite poor. I only need to go behind a hill and it fades out but then I should always have the iPod with me when I'm out of the city.

Things I haven't tried yet:

• Playing MP3s or AVI video files from a DVD or the USB input.
• Reversing camera - I ran out of time to install it.
• Updating maps. I was able to transfer them onto a 16GB microSD card so there should be no problem.
• Installing OziExplorer and raster maps is apparently possible and I found the setting to choose the default navigation software.
• Installing custom software. I wanna hack a better MP3 player into it but there is no direct interface into Windows CE so I haven't worked out how to do it yet.

I took photos at each step of dismantling the centre dash and removing the old unit and will post a complete installation guide here soon.

[Schnooks Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Schnooks]

Cool, thanks for the synopsis! Definitely one to consider..

[OscarOne Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close OscarOne]

Thanks guys- helps a lot.

[dragonfly238 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dragonfly238]

I just ordered one of these off eBay as a cheap and cheerful option: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-HD-CAR-...item2a10faa173

I wouldn't necessarily go for a wireless camera, but it's pretty much for free. I also know a thing or two about Windows CE, so I reckon I can customise it to suit me more!

[azitek Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close azitek]

Toyota sat nav, reverse cameras & many more ...

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