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If you're adding any electronics larger than a matchbox to your RDX you're going to be looking for a place to put it. I've just moved my NavTool module to the perfect spot.....the floor!
If you pull back the carpeted panel on the passenger side of the console (it's just held on by clips) you'll find some unoccupied floor space at the front of the console (see pic). The NavTool box (which I'd originally stuffed up into the dashboard under the radio along with the harness) fit the space perfectly and now has room to breathe. This should also work for Naviks and most any aftermarket module designed to bring the RDX center stack into the 21st century, no drilling or cutting needed. Whatever you might put down there could require some wire extensions so plan accordingly.
Here's the rub (isn't there always something?) Threading any kind of harness to the floor from the radio area is a little bit of a challenge. I tried just fishing it down behind the area I'd originally had the unit but that wasn't happening (Acura has packed things pretty tightly back there. The solution was removing the glove box (easy, 5 or 6 screws along the top, two bolts on the bottom, slide it out). Now you can see a path at the far right of the center console (it'll help to find the opening if you shine a light from inside the console toward the right door). It's big enough for a large plug and a whole lot of wire harness.
Cheers!
Last edited by Gadgetjq; Oct 21, 2020 at 03:24 PM.
If you're adding any electronics larger than a matchbox to your RDX you're going to be looking for a place to put it. I've just moved my NavTool module to the perfect spot.....the floor!
If you pull back the carpeted panel on the passenger side of the console (it's just held on by clips) you'll find some unoccupied floor space at the front of the console (see pic). The NavTool box (which I'd originally stuffed up into the dashboard under the radio along with the harness) fit the space perfectly and now has room to breathe. This should also work for Naviks and most any aftermarket module designed to bring the RDX center stack into the 21st century, no drilling or cutting needed. Whatever you might put down there could require some wire extensions so plan accordingly.
Here's the rub (isn't there always something?) Threading any kind of harness to the floor from the radio area is a little bit of a challenge. I tried just fishing it down behind the area I'd originally had the unit but that wasn't happening (Acura has packed things pretty tightly back there. The solution was removing the glove box (easy, 5 or 6 screws along the top, two bolts on the bottom, slide it out). Now you can see a path at the far right of the center console (it'll help to find the opening if you shine a light from inside the console toward the right door). It's big enough for a large plug and a whole lot of wire harness.
So far ok. I've seen comments about the module failing around the six month mark (I've only had it about 2 months) but suspect heat might have been a major factor. Installed in the 'normal' spot under the radio there's a lot of heat being generated by the radio and by the NavTool module. I think having it on the floor might help a bit.
That said, I did find a glitch in their software linked to the front camera. Displayed last before shutting the engine down the NavTool unit stayed powered up. It's not an issue many owners would notice if they had a shop do the install and never looked at the unit again. NavTool is supposed to be working on a new software release to fix it.
Hi
i have the 2016 rdx with tech and looking to install the navtool or the vline to run android auto.
my question is does your phone get hot when you are mirroring to your nav system?
i know when i use my phone by itself google map the phone gets really hot..
let me just say any phone that i run any gps map gets hot...
i was told that the vline runs android auto and not mirroring, works off the wifi data..
my question is does your phone get hot when you are mirroring to your nav system? i know when i use my phone by itself google map the phone gets really hot.. let me just say any phone that i run any gps map gets hot...
i was told that the vline runs android auto and not mirroring, works off the wifi data..
My phone only gets warm when it's fast charging in the cradle. I've never noticed connecting to NavTool (with a cable) for Android Auto having any effect on the phone at all. I use screen mirroring (wireless) a LOT more than Android Auto and, again, never noticed any difference between normal phone use and streaming. Of course the phone 'will' get warm with the screen on full time. I'm not familiar with Vline so can't comment on that. Both devices will use your normal phone data for any app that needs to know your location to display on the screen.
Now, all that said, I can NOT recommend you purchase NavTool at this time. Long story short I've had the unit in the car since August and it has never worked properly. I notified NavTool early on about an issue (stays on 24/7 if a camera is connected) and after a month of complaining they finally admitted there's a software problem. Now, three months later there's no updated software and their support staff (of one) is ghosting me. If you don't plan on adding an exterior camera to the mix you'll be fine but don't expect help beyond a link to a YouTube video from NavTool.
i'm looking into the navtool same as yours. not going to try any cameras only want android auto.
you did mention wire extensions....which one did you have to extend to get it to the floor?
going to make it my project in late january or early february will give updates
you did mention wire extensions....which one did you have to extend to get it to the floor?
You shouldn't need any extensions at all. The harnesses supplied with the NavTool unit will easily reach from the radio down to the floor.
My install is a little unusual in that my phone is mounted on the air vent to the left of the steering wheel. As a result I needed an extra long USB cable to reach across half the car then down to the NavTool module. Feel fee to IM me when you're ready to do the install. If you get stuck just give a shout.
Hope all is well,
I received the navtool kit today and started to take the rdx apart but i ran out of daylight. so i will start in the morning
i do have a couple of questions
1----- did you install the nav microphone?
2------ i have no idea what to do with the rca plugs or where do they go.
3----- i had a hard time thinking of this one. lol ..ok in your video you dont show where the wires are coming out.. like to you phone...
4.......last one i'm think!!!! forget about it in the morning i will start and keep you posted on my progress..
[QUOTE=lapuerta;16679961]I received the navtool kit today i do have a couple of questions
1----- did you install the nav microphone?
2------ i have no idea what to do with the rca plugs or where do they go.
3----- i had a hard time thinking of this one. lol ..ok in your video you dont show where the wires are coming out.. like to you phone...
1. Yes but I've never (knowingly) used it. The cable is nice and long so I ran it up into the dash then across to the driver's side and set it next to the A pillar.
2. The RCA plugs are no unused. They're a legacy part of the harness.
3. My phone is mounted in the left side air vent so the USB cable (for Android Auto) runs from the NavTool unit up to the dash then (along with the microphone cable) up to the A pillar. For a nice tidy install remove the end panel from the dash (held on by clips) so you can hide most of the cabling. If your phone is mounted someplace else you'll just have to get creative.
