While hard wiring my Bell Radar into the rear view mirror circuit, I decided to add a compass into the useless sunglasses holder. This is a base unit PNI brand digital, with a thermometer sensor that I stuck onto the upper driver a-pillar. Hard wiring the compass turns the light on automatically when switched on. Looks neat at night, and swings up closed when not using it.
Don't get a more elaborate unit unless you check thickness- this one is 1 and 1/4" thick, and I had to leave off the battery cover to get it to fit. Run the wiring to one side via a drilled hole in the plastic. I trimmed the opening to get to the "on" switch a little better, and mounted with velcro strips to the back of the cavity. I soldered the circuits together- drop the spotlight unit assembly- just 4 screws. After calibration, works great!

The sensor location could be better- direct sunlight runs it over 100 degrees when the car is just sitting.

Bored this weekend? takes about an hour or less. I saw this compass on sale at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $39.95- I paid about $55 thru internet.

 

Very cool idea.

 

Couldn't you do the same this with one those garmin aftermarket navi systems?

 

damn ragged. crazy ass avatar. very appealing.

 

I agree with All Mine, cool idea! But where would I put my sunglasses!?

 

nice idea, I may have to do that

 

My golf sunglasses wouldn't fit in there anyway.

But where do I hide my cigars, now??

!!! I know!! The other stupid container in the dash that nobody uses!!!!

 

hey, i use that compartment for my change. i just make sure it doesn't get too full cos i heard change gets stuck in the back and then you can't open or close it.

 

No, No..........

The OTHER (third) container in the middle of the dash; I converted the second one (stupid coin tray) to a real Acura lighted ashtray and cigarette lighter.

I forgot how many stupid drawers Acura put in this puppy


What were they smokin'?

 

I hate that stupid slide out tray... Mines a permanent fishing license holder, lol!

 

yeah, well. the stupid slide-out tray hates you too!

 

 

Yes I know I'm reviving this thread from the dead, but would y'all rather me create a new one so everyone can scream SEARH!

Did you create a DIY for this mod? I know you said it's hard to do but I still wanna take a look at it to see if it's something I might be able to handle.

 

I didn't create any other document, but it isn't really that hard-

Drop the light fixture by popping out the lenses and removing the four screws, unplug the one connector, and then you can work on fitting the compass in. I think one of the new Garmin or TOM-Tom units would also fit, but I haven't researched it yet,

Use the hard wiring that comes with the compass, cut the power plug-in off, with some extra length to be sure you have enough, then I striped a small patch of insulation off the mirror wiring circuit (don't cut the wires!) and soldered the compass hard wiring in- don't reverse plus and minus. Important- use towels to cover anything below where you work- a drop of solder would leave an ugly hole in the console.

You do have to drill a small hole in the swivel cover to pass the wiring through.drill it off to one side (I put mine on the left), roughly middle of the cover so it moves with the pivot. I ran the thermometer sensor through this as well. The other real pain in the butt was trimming a small section of the lid out so that I could access the lower on-off button. An X-acto plastic saw is best for this, then sand smooth.

I used double stick tape to hold the unit in. It's a tight fit, but works.

Note: At Christmas, Bed, Bath and Beyond sold this unit for $39.95- I paid over $50 on the internet. Really ticked me off.

Hope this helps, and have fun- right now I'm working on an M5 lip, and struggling with the finish on the ccc.net replica. Next time I'll buy the OEM.

 

Actually I meant a DIY on converting the fake ashtray to a real one. But I'm sure someone would find your compass DIY useful so it won't go to waste. But I definetely wanna know what steps you took to convert to a real lighted ashtray and cigarette lighter.

 

You can order the parts from several places- they are OEM Acura parts. The ash tray itself is simple- pop coin tray out, insert ash tray. Tray runs about $10.00.

Here' the hard part- order the lighter and light kit- about $25.00. Then find a DIY on removing your center console and lower panel. Do a search here in the site and you'll find several. If not, let me know and I''ll describe the basics. It takes about an hour to 90 minutes. This allows you to pull out the coin tray panel and hinge mechanism, and put in the new harness which includes the light. It plugs right in, and the outlet screws in and out, but the console removal is the time-consuming part.

This was one of the best mods for my family (wife smokes too)

The scariest part is prying out the two burlwood trim strips on the console sides; once you get through this, the rest is just removing nuts and bolts.

 

Alright, so I need to order a tray, a lighter, and the light kit, and they are all OEM Acura parts? Would you happen to have the part numbers? And where do you guys get your OEM parts from? I obviously don't want to go through the stealership since they're always overpriced, but I don't trust half these places I see on the internet unless someone tells me they've either used them themselves or heard of others that have.

 

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org

In the Acura Accessories Section, Interior-

Retail Their price
6340 LIGHTER, CIGARETTE 25.00 21.25 Qty:
6338 ASHTRAY 13.99 11.89 Qty:

This has been a good parts source for me.

C-n-L

 

Yeah, I got my all weather mats from carland...

I had ordered the ashtray and lighter from the dealer, but thankfully it was backordered, and I canceled it...

After 3 1/2 years, and 44K miles, I haven't smoked in the car yet

I get funny looks sometimes, 'cause I'm always standing around my car finishing my cigarette before I get in....

 

I hear ya. I'd been thinking about quiting and decided not to smoke in my car. Now that I have quit, it's nice to have a car that smells like leather...not smoke.

 

right on man. what your car interior looks or smells like comes last to what the inside of your lungs look like or what happens to your breathing. the same goes to Greenie and all you other smokers. believe me, i work with some pretty sick patients everyday at work.