Nav alternatives?
 

Since we don't get nav with the FR-S and I don't want to subscribe to a cell data service which is required for the Bespoke, what are the alternatives? Hate the windshield-mounted options. Does the new iPad have a GPS receiver? It would make a great high-res nav with a good app.

There is Nav in the FRS

I'm mostly gonna go with a Galaxy Tab (GPS built-in) + OBD2 bluetooth + Torque App + Tab stand (that bolts to the floor under the left passenger seat bolt)

My opinion, the iPad is too big for Nav only and I'm not sure the FR-S is big enough to want cables running everywhere.

There are a lot of good DD aftermarket nav units that should be a direct fit although it may not integrate with the onboard hands-free stuff. There are some random threads on this in the electronics area. Here is one unit that was suggested that looks pretty good.

Ive had good experience with Kenwood Nav Units i the past. The only thing about that is...the units are so out in the open, that thieves would immediately see it and want to break in and take it.

Yes this thread should probably be moved to electronics, apologies, sleep-deprived atm ...

Pioneer AVIC series

the one i want is a JVC KW-NT30HD
http://www.jvc.ca/en/consumer/presen...stination.html

That JVC one is pretty good since you can remove it. One less problem to worry about if your parked in a shady neighbourhood.

Just get a Garmin, and mount it however you want, doesn't have to be the on the windshield. Plenty of mounting options. I've learned that sans smartphone route (and even if you have a smartphone), there is nothing better for GPS than a good new Garmin. And you don't need data for that, it'll work anywhere. I recommend the Nuvi 40 LMT if you want to go cheap (around $100, give or take). And where the heck are you going to put a fricking huge 10" iPad in a small car like this? It's going to look ridiculous, no matter how you mount it.

thomas guide. cheap, you can install them yourself, and there are no wires

Mount it right in the middle of the steering wheel xD

You still need the data plan for your tablet for the gps option.

To OP: if all you need is the navigation, there is nothing better than just get a decent size gps like Garmin. You can use it anywhere without charge, even in us. There are things you can buy to mount your gps on the air vent easily, and you can store it when not using it. Pretty simple.

As to the torque app for android, I wonder if you can run gps/map and torque programs at the same time. It should not stop you frI'm switching one app to another.

I wonder if the amazon kindle would be a cheaper option for the tablet.

LOL yes I was thinking of just leaving the iPad on the passenger seat but it's a pricey option. I'll check out the Garmins, thanks.

Thanks - l like the vent mount idea, I do not want my windshield blocked, and the only mounts I have seen so far are the windshield suction cups and the "bean-bag" style dashtop mounts.

Lol I have fond memories growing up looking thru that thing for my dad helping him find places. Ahh life before gps

As I posted in another thread, I think that vent hook mount is the best option, for me anyway. The suction cup may fall if the window is not flat or temperature drop. If you think you can remove it and reattach it, you will be surprised how quickly the device will fall. (had my device fell while I was driving. Not a fond memory. )

Edit: not sure how sticky it is for the bean bag option during spirited driving. I did not go that route so I donno.


You can get the generic gps vent mount in cdn tire for like 30 dollars. Might be cheaper in other places.

The Fire would work (I've used it with mine) but there are cheaper Android tablets (some under $100) that would work as well. As long as it does BT you should be OK.

While the tablet might be cheap, I thought from the earlier discussion you will need a data plan for GPS? If so leaving the thing running for a few hours every day could add big $ to your mobile bill - you would want to know the downstream kbit/sec while it's running to calculate your monthly costs.

BT can be mighty fussy, you would want to confirm that it connects properly with the car while you can still return the tablet.

Sorry, I took the question as asking whether or not the Fire would work for use with Torque (and by inference, an OBDII adapter) not as a GPS.

I agree with you, its just better to get a dedicated GPS, that's why I own 3 or 4 of them.

I not sure I would want a GPS flying at me at the speed of an airbag blowing out!:eyebulge:

OT a bit, but it sounds like a cheap Android tablet plus a usb/OBDII cable and an OBD reader app you could have the equivalent of a dedicated OBDII reader?
Any idea of what such an app would cost? Cable would probably be about $30 I'd guess.

Thanks for confirming that. I meant for the Kindle Fire, not the old Kindle. It is good to know that cheaper Android tablet with BT will work in this.

Sorry, I did not realize we got things all mixed together. So just to be clear on this: if you are using the GPS function on your cell phone, you need data plan to download and update the maps through Carrier. For that, you will incur data plan charges. Most people buy a data plan starting from 500 MB to 2+ GB per month. This network traffic may not be huge, but it is still some data traffic.

If you buy a dedicated GPS, the device receives the signal from GPS satellites and compared that with its internal-stored map to pinpoint to your current location. You do not need connections from phone companies, so no data plan charges. For us Canadian, it is also good if you are traveling to US that no data plan charge when using the GPS.

I was looking for an option to setup a gauge to read more data from my car, including the CEL information and whatnot. Since I have a dedicated GPS for that already so I am looking for options only for that purpose.

Actually, I was going to start a thread about this but may just piggy-back on this thread for possible configuration. (I am also interested on this as well.)

option 1: get a OBD II gauge ($150+) along with cable

• read CEL code and provide a description and clear it

Option 2: get a ScanGauge II ($150?) (http://www.scangauge.com/) that comes with a cable

• Read CEL (Only PCode) & can clear it for ya too
• Digital Gauges:
• Displays 4 of 12 built-in gauges in real time
• Fuel Economy/Rate
• Battery Voltage
• Coolant and Intake Temperature
• RPM
• MPH
• Manifold Pressure (depends on vehicle)
• Engine Load
• Throttle Position
• Timing

Option 3: For Apple devices. (http://gopointtech.com/products/) to get both the connector (BT or calbe) and the App that does pretty much the same thing as the ScanGauge II does.


There may be other options on this route. Still needs to be researched.



Option 4; for Android devices: An Android tablet, a OBD II bluetooth connector, and the Torque App from the Market (Play).


As this is still work-in-progress, I do not know how much it would be for these different options.

You can get a bluetooth OBDII reader for $20 from Amazon (no cable required), and you can get Torque for free or $5 depending on whether you want the additional "paid" feature. it then works with either an Android phone or tablet if you already have one. I believe there is also an iPstuff version of an app.

So for as little as $20 and existing equipment you have a functional OBDII reader that will display stuff real time on virtual gauges.

Option 3 and 4 will do everything in option 1 and 2 as far as I can tell, and allows you more flexibility in what you show. I've used Option 4, no complaints and cost me a total of $25, plus I can use it on my Droid X or on a larger gTablet. When at home I can use the gTablet in and around the car, plus use it to search for manuals/etc on the Internet.

Nice, didn't even consider something like this as I've been fortunate enough to have access to one of the plug in devices.....just a pain having to get the snap-on keys for it.

Any cons to the BT device? Seems the $20 connector has a 50/50 fail rate, granted the $100 variants seem to be pretty solid. If they get updated for new vehicles without hassle or too much cost this would be an awesome option....though now we're just getting off topic, sorta. lol

^Very useful Dadhawk and Want.FR-S, thanks. So obviously any tablet bought to do this would have to be BT enabled. Have to research Android tablets a bit. Or maybe spring for that gorgeous Retina screen.

I haven't run into any cons, but I should qualify it with I'm not a "power user" of the device. Mine plugged right in, worked right away. Since the BT device is really just sending data to the tablet/phone for manipulation, I would think most of the updates are done on the software side not on the device itself, but I could be wrong.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping and what would make the most sense as that's really all the keys for the snap-on unit are. Sometimes I just get a little ahead of myself without thinking.

Definitely like the tablet manual / diagnostic idea....considering I do most of my own car maintenance these days, that'd be great.

And btw, as far as using data on a tablet... You can 1- use wifi/bluetooth tethering from your phone (what I will do (6gb plan)) 2- get a second plan for your tablet ($$$ expensive) 3- Buy / download an app with downloadable maps (does not use data)

I plan to use my phone to stream web radio/gps maps/etc... 6gb per month is more than i need.

Back when I had my civic Si 2000 I did use iPhone and iPad 1&2 useing tomtom app the app sells for $49.99-$59.99 but if u jailbreak ur iphone or iPad u can get the app for free from installous the app works great for me and i never had a issue... They also sell proper mounts through amazon and eBay but not how great they work. I usually stick my iPad between the driver and passenger seat where the ebrakes are and it fits snug there.... If anyone is planing to do this buy the wifi. Version of the iPad and tether ur iPhone data to the iPad so U don't have buy a data service for ur iPad or buy a more pricey version of the iPad

I wonder if the wiring harness of a FR-S would be compatible if you installed the Subaru BRZ navigation unit? Maybe a simple plug and play?

What connector do you suggest for this combination?

I have experience with this one and it has worked flawlessly. From what I can tell they all pretty much use the same chipset. I've used it as much as 30 ft away from the OBDII connector. There may be others with more features/smaller/etc.