Oh, come on, the "bypass module" is a simple monovibrator that generates a pulse on timeout. It can be done with about 5 electronic components or just one PIC/Atmel Microcontroller. Total cost: $1.50. Plus two hours of work for newbie PIC programmer.

P.S. I would appreciate if KP Technologies posts high-res pictures of the navi board with visible chip IDs. Since you guys opened it already and I don't want to open mine... I need to know where it stores the bootloader and if it is possible to get firmware image from the chip. I there JTAG connector on the board?

/AngryDad

 

oh yeah, I forgot about that feature. Have to ask Kevin about that one.

Will

 

Two days and working 100%, I love this mod!!!

 

Classic...You bash these guys publicly, now you want them to help you with your approach?? You must really get far in life with your attitude...

 

High rez pics of Navi board? The navi computer is not in the dash, it's in the trunk. I have never taken it apart. The only thing I took apart was a sheild on the back of the lcd screen to get to the wire that comes from the joystick.

Will

 

AngryDad,

The module from KP connects to the joystick input harness on the front controller board. It basically detects a power signal, waits 30 or so seconds, then "pushes" in the joystick which simulates a click on the OK button. So they didn't need to open up the Navi computer in the trunk unfortunately...

 

I think you are over simplifying it just a little bit. Our basic power supply has 4 components in it alone, so good luck doing it with only 5 total components and having it survive in an automobile environment.

We've never claimed that this module is overly complicated or that it contains any advanced circuitry. It is what it is, and that is a 1.2mghz processor, an A/D converter, an adjustable potentiometer, and the associated circuitry to read both pulses in and send pulses out. The module also contains an AUX output (200ma (-) signal) and a 'reverse' input for vehicles with OEM back up cameras. All of our inputs and outputs from the uC are transistorized, with current limiting resistors to offer protection for the vehicle and the uC.

Total component count is around 20 or so, including the custom circuit board, genuine molex plug, and high quality ABS case.

I think if you actually set down and considered all the time, money, and resources that goes in to making a module like this you will understand our pricing point. To sell a module under $40 isn't worth our time. Now, that doesn't mean we can't strip the module down and eliminate all the 'nice' things that make it expensive, but that isn't what we are about. I'm sure we could eliminate the Molex harness (hard wire everything), order cheap circuit boards from overseas (high quality, silk screened boards made in the USA aren't cheap), and seal the things with heat shrink (who needs high quality ABS anyway?) which could drastically reduce our costs, but I would rather not sell anything then sell cheap parts.

As others have said, good luck hacking the software, I know others have tried for a very long time with no success. One day someone will figure it out though, it's only a matter of time.

 

I'm going to make this firmware change ASAP. Would you like a new chip with this change on it? Your board is setup for it hardware wise.

 

kpierson,

Hold on a sec... are you saying that your module now has the ability to trap the center joystick pushing and trigger a constant ground pulse which could activate the video switch on the DomOfNav conversion unit for example? That would be very cool indeed! I might be tempted to take everything apart and install this. Would rather not have that separate switch.

 

Currently, it has the ability to latch a relay for 20 seconds if you push the 'OK' button in a certain manner. The output was designed to bypass speed signals that prevent operating the Navi while the vehicle is in motion. With our planned firmware upgrade it will have the ability to toggle any device you want, including video products

 

That's awesome! I might very well be interested in the module if that works!

 

Will someone please start a new thread when this new firmware is available... ?

 

how much for the relay?

 

The firmware has been updated with some new features.

The AUX output is now programmable between 3 options -

1. Toggle on and off each time you trigger it. Will always be 'off' when car starts

2. Toggle on and off each time you trigger it. Will remain in same state each time car starts

3. Speed signal bypass mode. Not applicable to Hondas/Acuras.

The first chip will be sent out either tomorrow or Tuesday to Acura911.

 

I'm sold. Should we contact you through this forum, or just order off your website? (Want to make sure I have all the latest firmware updates and option number 2.)



Thumbs up on working with everyone and addressing any bugs, and even modifying the firmware to suit different people's needs.

 

If you order through our site please make a comment requesting the special Acura version. This version will soon replace all versions, but we have some older ones in stock right now.

 

That person is me I believe. I'm not sure about the 'OK' bypass b/c I don't really use Navi everytime I drive. Plus I'm not sure about pulling out the panel it could void my warranty

 

what did you sent the knob at?sometimes it works and some times not?

 

did you sent it all the way up?

 

How do you activate the aux output? I installed the module and it's pressing the OK button just fine, but I can't seem to get an output on the green wire. I'm using a multimeter to test it.

 

Any reason one would be doing this mod now still instead of just modify the software itself, which we now know how to do?

 

To activate the AUX output you must press the 'OK' button twice. The first time you press it you must hold it down for at least one second, then release it and press it again. The second press doesn't have to be held down at all. This is done to prevent an accidental toggle of the AUX output.

This module doesn't require you to modify the software at all, which some people will like. It doesn't change anything about the way the unit operates. It also adds the ability to trigger external devices (such as TVNav2Go converters) through the 'OK' button.

 

The aux output is pretty much the primary thing, with the OK bypass being a nice bonus. However...

The tan wire on the circuit board doesn't go to ground when the joystick button is pressed, rather it rests at 5V and drops to about 4V when the joystick is pressed in ANY direction (up, down, left, right, or "in"). Any ideas on how to make this output work?

Also, I can get the output to trigger when I manually ground the orange wire two times, but when the key is turned off and on the output stops. It should remain in the same state it was in, correct?

 

The output is programmable, with three different options. I will have to check my documentation to see how to program it. I believe you hold the button down for > 10 seconds, then press the button to increment to the next option. Then, wait 5 seconds or so for it to time out and then try it.

If the OK button doesn't go to ground at all then I'm not sure if there is a way to do it. I have been skeptical about using that wire all along, but people say it works. It seems like there is an encoder or something that is multiplexing data across that line. It may be beneficial for someone to open up the housing and snap pictures of the circuit board. There should be a spot on the circuit board to connect to that will give you the ability to monitor the 'OK' button directly and exclusively.

 

I'll take the screen out one night this week and see if I can find a way to get a signal from the button directly.

 

Hey does anyone know if the KP Technologies Navigation "OK" button bypass would work on the 2007 TL's ??

Thanks

 

I'd like to know too...

 

Their website is here: http://www.KPtechnologies.com or you can try to reach Kevin via PM by clicking on his username above.

 

I'm not sure if it will work. I've never tested it myself, so I don't have an answer.

 

I just bought one of these for my 2007 TL-S.
I'll try installing it this weekend...

Jimmy

 

Didn't work...

 

Lame. I'm thinking the 07-08 nag screen will never be hacked!