[xq_zhu]

I just figured that the Nuvi installation kit can be used by virtually all types of portable GPS system to give you a nice and clean hard-wired system.

I have the Kuda mount for a Tomtom Go 700 and have been hunting for a clean solution to hardwire the power so I don't have to attach the cigarette power adaptor when I am cruising or having it dangle in front of my radio all the time.

The Nuvi install kit (P# 65900429403 ) should solve this problem nicely because all it does it give you a 5V DC output from the vehicle. Almost all portable GPS unit should have 5V DC input because everyone is now moving to the mini-USB interface for both data/power. So all I need is buy the Nuvi kit without the GPS (which runs about $145 @ pacific + shipping), wire the harness to the back of the radio and connect the front to whatever your GPS supports.

Yes yes this is not a cheap solution, but it should be a pretty good one. Thoughts?

[Rewted]

Would like to see a photo of the install.

[cycler]

What is the website that sells this install kit?

[xq_zhu]

I bought mine from Circle BMW (http://www.circlebmw.com/parts/acc.htm). Just look up part number 65900429403.

I have not received it yet when I do I post the pics of the install.

[skim7x]

Will that work for all Nuvi models? Including the Nuvi 660?

[xq_zhu]

That I don't know. Maybe someone can ask BMW about it. When I get my kit I am not going to use the Nuvi mount at all, I am just going to solder/butt connect the 5V output of the harness to a mini-USB port and connect it to my Tomtom.

If I have time I can take the BMW mount to bestbuy and try to fit it on a 660.

Originally Posted by skim7x

Will that work for all Nuvi models? Including the Nuvi 660?

[mmeads]

Originally Posted by skim7x

Will that work for all Nuvi models? Including the Nuvi 660?

I've been doing a little research on that today. It seems that the included cig lighter adapter is also the FM traffic receiver. So far I haven't found a cheap solution for getting the 660 hardwired and retaining the traffic feature.

[cycler]

I havent even used the traffic feature yet. I keep forgeting about it.

[bufasion]

If you use Nuvi's mounting bracket and power from the back connector, it is actually very easy to power. I havn't seen a USB cellphone/mp3/whatever charger that wouldn't power a Nuvi from the back, although some might have less than adequete "oomph" (i.e., current capacity) to charge and operate Nuvi simultaneously.

The hard part is finding one that has L-shaped USB plug (I'm still trying to). Typical gadget charger's straight plug severely limit Nuvi's mounting flexibility.

[skim7x]

xq_zhu,
would really like some pix of the Nuvi mount if at all possible!!

[skim7x]

From http://64.225.94.154/ShopSite/page104.html

NavMount.jpg BMW Nav System Installation Kit
$175.00
Mounting kit for portable BMW Nav System. Fits all e90, e91, e92, e93, 3 series.

e90 = 3 series sedan 2006 on

e91 = 3 series sport wagon 2006 on

e92 = 3 series coup 2007 on

e93 = 3 series convertible 2007 on



Kit comes complete with necessary wiring and connections for easy installation.



Existing Garmin Nuvi 350 and 360 owners can use this to neatly integrate their GPS units into their cars.

Price $175.00 + S/H

[cycler]

I bought it and returned it the same day. IIt doesn fit with the garmin 670 or any 600 series. ts a great concept. The moment you turn the car on your the ignition turns on the navigation. Next week I still having done but without this kit. The guy at BMW told me he could splice into the cigarette lighter and add another one then use my exsisting charging system to plug in in behind the radion and run the wire up where this kit could go. All I have to do is buy a nice mounting system. Most likely Ill get the one from kuda usa.

[xq_zhu]

The Nuvi install kit came from circle BMW this past thursday and today I finally got the kit installed for my TomTom GO. The whole process took me 2 hours, but then I spent the entire first hour trying to get the AC unit out.

First some background - I have a working TomTom GO 700 and have no interest to buy a new GPS, however, I want to use the Nuvi kit to hardwire my TomTom, because the input voltage is the same.

THE primary problem is that my old mout using Kuda + Proclip cannot be used directly because the proclip GPS mout is "dumb". I first disassembled a TomTom GO mount and "merged" it with the proclip base, with some soldering and superglue, and came up with this thing:



Now, the Nuvi kit comes with a BMW 2-pin connector for the Garmin mount. I have no intention to cut the wires off it (in case I need a Garmin in the future years), so I basically made a pair of new connectors using some RadioShack parts:





The installation itself will just have to follow the PDF instructions from BMW. There is a link somewhere on this forum...

Follow instructions from this nice write up http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30079 to take off the dash trim, AC and radio. A few tips:

1) the trim piece is relatively easy to pry loose, you need to disconnect the start button and there are two connectors behind the emergency/lock/DTC buttons. I could not get the second connector off, so I basically just let the trim piece hang there throughout the installation - that turned out to be just ok.

2) to get the AC unit out, use a small flat screwdriver (the blade should be less than 5mm wide) and insert into the gap between the AC unit face plate and the enclosing trim. You need to locate the clip and pry against that, otherwise you'll just be wasting your strength. The exact location of the clip (on the right) is at the same height as where the window heater button meets the A/C (snowflake) button.





3) Once you have disconnected the radio, you will need to take the brown wire and red/green wire out of the distribution block. To do that, you must fist pull out a piece of blue plastic cover that holds these wires in place. Turn the block around, and pinch the small blue tab on the side of the block and you should be able to slide it out. Once you've done that, use a small screwdriver (assuming you have disconnected the battery, if not, use sometime plastic) and push against a tiny tab on the side of the exposed pin from the underside of the block and pull on the wire to loosen them.





Just follow BMW instructions to connect the harness, in my case I am using my own connector rather than theirs. The complete setup looks like this:



w/o the GPS



another view



my own TomTom splash screen:



And that's done. I am about 90% satisfied with this set up. I could have hidden the wire better.

Also, I found although BMW announced that the GPS unit will power off when the car goes to sleep, in my case if the GPS is on the car NEVER goes to sleep, probably because the TomTom has a higher current than the Nuvi. I am thinking later on when I install the iPod adaptor, I am going to rewire the 5V DC power directly to the cigarette lighter.

------------------------------------

Postscriptum: Finally I was so tired of having to turn off the unit every time, I reconnected the power to the cigarette lighter from under the center console.

[N54Fun]

Nice clean install! I've been looking for a solution like this to get my Nuvi 660 off the windshield. Was there any drilling into the dash to mount the bracket or is the entire setup reversible with no damage?

[xq_zhu]

Originally Posted by N54Fun

Nice clean install! I've been looking for a solution like this to get my Nuvi 660 off the windshield. Was there any drilling into the dash to mount the bracket or is the entire setup reversible with no damage?

My solution does not drill into the dash and is completely reversible/switchable to a different brand/model of GPS if needed. However, for Nuvi 660 the 350/360 mount in the kit won't do. You'll need to find something like in this post: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101799

[N54Fun]

Thanks for the tip xq zhu - that's exactly what I need!

[cycler]

very nice

[Car54]

Pics are not online anymore....anyone have pics of this install?

[fdiprete]

pics like these?

[Car54]

Thanks!

And maybe one more of the mount, at an angle.

[fdiprete]

Here you go.
Bear in mind that this is the nuvi 360 kit.
They may have changed the mount for the new kit.

[Car54]

oooh, it screws in? Interesting.