[Paul1966]

Hi all,
I would like to utilise the phone antenna I have (built in OEM shark fin)
I am also looking for a charging solution,
and possibly a GPS extender ( and mounting ideas !?!)

I have done the phone cradle delete, which is great
& has left me with an 18 Pin plug & aerial socket
which I thought might work with :https://www.newegg.com/global/uk-en/p/0MA-003H-000D2
as I can't find any info how to make one myself....

I could get a USB GPS antenna to mount at the edge of the windscreen,
connect it to a charging hub like :https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Ultra...807294&sr=8-36

however I would like to keep this neat so I would like a USB C port,
could I use a spare button on the SZM (Center Console Switch Center)
can I buy spare buttons for this for trial purposes ?

the charger itself, is there a more elegant solution than a "bullet" cigarette lighter adapter ?
is there a high amp wire in the aforementioned 18 pin plug ?
or should I do the 'ash tray delete' & then solder onto the cigarette lighter leads or use a bullet adapter under the centre console.

thanks in advance
Paul

[Paul1966]

*BUMP*
lol I will break this down a bit for better chance off replies

USB C:
has anyone put this in their car ??
( USB C due to higher amperage )

18 pin plug:
after doing the 'phone cradle delete' I'm left with
an unused 18 pin plug, is there anything 'interesting'
I can do with this ??

WAZE:
I prefer to use this over 'pro sat nav' I have built in
however I frequently 'drop' GPS which I find frustrating,
does anyone have workarounds or general comments ??

Call Dropouts:
(I use bluetooth to make calls)
I live 35 miles from London, I commute 15 miles toward
London along a major A road but still 'Drop' calls in 2 places
on these journeys, this is the 21st century !!
can anyone make a suggestion ??

thanks in advance
Paul1966

[Captain Buumer]

Might be easier to install some Android HU.

Retain all the functions without the external cabling.

You can then mirror phone entirely into the car Screen and do pretty much all you asked.

This eliminates unstable bluetooth connection entirely and you can use USB-B to USB-C OTG cable all while phone is charging.

Except didn't quite get the idea with GPS extending.

Sharkfin is in ideal location and you can have android side to use it for navigation with waze.

I think we are chasing a cause why connections drop occasionally.

Loosing connection could indicate that corrosion have built under sharkfin and soon there is no signal. Some loose connector in navigation unit?

If both BT and GPS are halved occasionally it might indicate interference in those specific 2 locations. Does it always happen on those specific spots or it happens randomly?
Does the BT drop or cellular drops?

[Paul1966]

Hi Captain Buumer,
thanks for the quick reply
I have seen Youtube videos for Android HUs
I wasn't overly impressed, seems a lot of ££
for a lot of faffing about, mainly while driving !!
& idrive touch screen is going to be a chore from my driving position,
apart from those problems it would be ideal for me....

sorry for not explaining properly,
I don't think I have had any B/T problems..
but as I approach drop out areas I can watch the signal bars drop on screen
until I lose signal, always in the same place, this must be a poorer coverage area, my feeling is if the phone was strapped to the existing aerial on the roof
I would be able to continue with my calls via B/T...but whos wants to see that

there is GPS in the sharkfin already which works well for idrive nav,
but again my phones one under performs in the car...
I could get a dedicated (marine ??) USB & connect to the phone
I would prefer not to drill holes in the car so was thinking of fixing it close to where the dash meets the screen ??
I don't know how feasible this would be...

USB B doesn't provide enough power for 'quick charge' & to be fair
the belkin bullet I currently use doesn't put as much power in as waze takes out....

maybe this is pointing to a new phone !!!
I'm not sure if this will provide better network or GPS though...

Thanks again for your response
Paul1966