I plan to put in a video interface converter for connecting my iPhone 3G to the Navi screen and the audio system. Doing some research on video interfaces for the Navi, I have found the following 3 popular choices;

1. NavVideo / TVandNav2Go
http://www.navvideo.com
http://www.tvandnav2go.com/

2. NavTool
http://www.navtool.com/

3. NavTv
http://www.navtv.com/

I am sure there are others too which I haven't figured. Are there any obvious benefits of any one over the other?

- Easier to install
- Better video quality / product quality
- Additional ports / interfacing
- Price / value proposition
- Support / warranty

Any recommendations or experiences are welcome.

Also if anyone has any discount codes or know of a site where I can get a preferred rate or an ongoing group buy rate for one of these products, I would highly appreciate that. (I just missed the group buy on Acurazine for NavTool - too expensive full rate - $350)

 

I've had my TVandNav2Go for about a year now with no problems... so it gets my vote.

 

Found another one ...
P.I.E ACU/NAV-EYE2

http://www.pie.net/pie_store/shopexd.asp?id=633&bc=no
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=1016

 

op - good thread, I am looking into this as well. I will let you know what I find out too

 

Thx. Too many options to choose from.

Also, I compared them and found that the NavTool & P.I.E interfaces includes a toggle switch. I did not see this being explicitly described in the product description / pictures for the TVandNav2Go and NavTV. I assume it is included but can anyone who has installed the latter verify this?

Also are any of these capable of future expansion (besides the aux port ?)

 

Talk to dom at the above company and you should be able to get it for 225. Mention you are from Azine! As far as an audio adapter, I'm happy with my USASpec adapter, but check out the DICE one too!

 

I got the NavTool on an Azine group buy for 199...they all seem like the same unit to me...I bet the only diff is branding

 

NavTool here.

The unit has 2 inputs: 1 is dedicated for a backup camera but can be used as a second video input if u don't want a cam. The unit has a switch with a short cable which you can extend into the cabin. Both inputs are RCA type composite.

Installation is basically PnP with the included harness---just unplug from the navi unit, plug in the harness and plug the first piece into the harness. I ran power from the fuseblock, but the instructions say you can tap everything from the back of the navi unit in the trunk.

The quality is good. The OEM Navi screen has a goofy resolution which is near impossible for something like a CarPC (without an interface) but is fine for watching videos. My Boyo VTK350 (backup cam) has a wonderful display.

Be advised the unit handles video only. You need another solution for audio---I chose the Blitzsafe HON/AUX DMX V.2X. I only installed it last weekend and have not had the opportunity to test it out thoroughly, but it gets the job done. Some on AZ say you can install it without taking the dash apart---I highly recommend against that. Do the research, get the instructions and do it right. I mounted mine on the side of the double DIN compartment with sticky tape---make sure the door to the bottom compartment clears anything you place there.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

05 TL Navi AT

So im looking into getting the PIE ACU/NAV-EYE 2 and for the audio i was gonna get the Blitz HON/AUX DMX V .2x. even if i get both of those im still in need of a dvd player right? where can i pick one of those up that can fit somewhere unseen and or under a seat and not get damaged by tjhe movement of the seat.

 

Search for posts by lamv225. He has a DVD player for sale in the Black Market for $100. It should fit in the center dash compartment with modification. Will also fit in the rear seat armrest.

 

Doing some additional research, I find that the NavTool unit provides for the user to make adjustments to the brightness, color, contrast and tint using the potentiometers on the outside of the unit. At the same time, it does not provide a switch to cycle through the video sources (Nav/Vid 1/ Vid 2) and recommends the use of a simple momentary switch to use this.

I find this setup interesting and the adjustment options quite useful - it allows you to customize based on your individual visual preferences. Also, I can now use the empty space next to the VSA switch to add a custom switch of my own.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a simple, black, heavy duty momentary toggle switch that can be used for this purpose? I have read some threads on the use of existing Acura/Honda VSA / Foglight switch, but switch modifications required looks too complicated for this simple application.

As stated in the NavTool installation manual ---

"The black wire that is labeled “Add A Switch To Ground” is intended to be connected
to a momentary switch (not included). The other connector on the switch will be
attached to ground. When the module senses a ground connection, it will switch to
the next video input. Going from the OEM Nav Screen -> Video 1 -> Video 2 and
back. "

Having very limited electrical knowledge, can anyone tell me if I can use the Acura/Honda VSA/fog light OEM switch (I understand it is a momentary switch) along with the OEM harness out of the box (plug-n-play)?

Oh .. BTW ... I am not doing the mod myself - I have an installer in the area who I plan to use.

 

I have the USASpec audio adapter for sale, if interested.

 

quick question, do the dvd's play from the player hooked up to navtool or from the dash of the car?

 

The player hooked to the Navtool.

 

is there anyway to play it from the dash?

 

you could install a dvd player in the glovebox...

 

glove box? kinda whack. i guess under the seat or one that is small enough to fit in center console would be good.

 

im having a shop in florida put in my dvd player and i told them to fit it in the center console. if i can still flip down the cover thats would be awesome to not take away from the sleek interior. then the switch will be next to the mirror button.

 

I also have a Valor 1/2 DIN DVD player for sale in the BM section. $70.

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/valor-dv-180-1-2-din-dvd-player-723392/

 

check out rockyfeller's setup, he modified his center console to do exactly what you said.

 

If you don't want to bother with installing a dvd player, I chose a unique solution. I used Dom's TVandNav2Go for video with the Dice R3 unit for audio. I wired a push button switch in the blank spot next to the VSA button using an Accord fog light switch I changed to have a DVD logo glow when the lights are on. I also split the video and fed the aux audio to make an RCA plate in the ash tray behind the center arm rest. I used that RCA plate to plug in a PS2 slim which is powered by a 12V charger in the center console. I use the PS2 to play dvd's and keep it under the passenger seat. The cool thing about the RCA plate is you can also use the nav screen to display a laptop or digital camera. Sorry about the lengthy post.

 

i couldnt find rockafellas page of pics. im gonna go up to the shop and see where they would out the DVD player. as long as its out of sight and wont get damaged easly ill be happy.

 

can anyone with navtool elaborate on the momentary switch? i know i can pick one up at radioshack but is it really needed?

 

Installing Navtool this weekend

 

anyone have pic/video of how you installed your navtool in your RL?

 

i have the nav2go unit and love it

 

Where did you find the instructions to install it?