Locating a Tom Tom

[M100 TWO]

I have located a Tom Tom utilising a spare ash tray with the Alternative Mount Plate it appears to work well and easy to remove, I have retained the original ash tray by doing this.

[theelanman]

I had nearly done something similar.....however mine was the SE p910...found that it almost fits the ashtray hole exactly....just take out the ashtray and mine wedges in with the case....
not that pretty but there again no sticky out bits or dangly bits or anything that gets in the way.....just a thought
cheers
G

[frog]

I wasn't keen on having a sat nav mount visible in the car - it does advertise that you may have one in the car somewhere, so I wanted to build it directly into the car.

I installed the TOM TOM directly into the facia where the ashtray was - it fits quite well because the four screws that connect the TOM TOM chassis to the case are ideal as the way to hold the front plate onto the Chassis.

I put in the TOM TOM car kit (with some modification) so that it draws power and switches automatically on or off on the ignition - also the external antenna means that the reception isn't compromised with the radio sitting directly above it. When the car is switched off, it isn't very visible, and even if it was noticeable, it looks like too much bother to try to get out of the car.
Oh, and just to make it a bit authentic, it starts up with the Lotus logo - rather than the stock TOM TOM one.

[Monty]

Nice work

Which tom tom model did u go for?

[frog]

It was the GO 300 - but it is structurally the same for the 500 and 700. Benefits of those are that they would also provide bluetooth hands-free through the car speakers (using the same permanent installation kit) but my car radio already had that - so I didn't need that myself.

[frog]

Now I've been using my TomTom installed in the car, do you know who would be able to make the metal cutout - the one I did isn't particularly straight (I did it with a jigsaw) -= I'm not even sure what type of company could make such a thing. I have the drawing of the cutout including dimensions if anyone is interested.

[frog]

Here is the diagram for the cutout as requested. I'm also adding the 'Lotus' startup screen (rename to splash.bmp) - put it in the root directory of the TomTom after re-naming the existing one.

It is a bit rough, but I know that it can be followed as someone else has already done so.

Note that the TomTom needs to be mounted upside down (the screen has an option to flip the image). Take the front casing off the TomTom, and use longer screws to connect back into the rear casing through the cutout.

[Ekapol]

Nice works from both of you

[DeeAitch]

Now I've been using my TomTom installed in the car, do you know who would be able to make the metal cutout - the one I did isn't particularly straight (I did it with a jigsaw) -= I'm not even sure what type of company could make such a thing. I have the drawing of the cutout including dimensions if anyone is interested.

Nice job frog. How is the plate attached to the dashboard?

I could get a price for Laser cut plates if there is enough interest. The initial CAD work & setup costs have to be paid if its 1 or 100+ so the more the merrier - probably need around 10 ~ 20 to make it viable.

[GeoffSmith]

I have located a Tom Tom utilising a spare ash tray

I'm sorry John, I've resisted as long as I can ..... pretty smart ashtray you've got there!:smt043

Sorry, I'll get my coat.

[GeoffSmith]

The initial CAD work & setup costs have to be paid...

Dave,

Presumably this involves production of a CAD file. If a gerber file will do, I may be able to help and even produce a prototype.

Geoff

[DeeAitch]

The initial CAD work & setup costs have to be paid...

Dave,

Presumably this involves production of a CAD file. If a gerber file will do, I may be able to help and even produce a prototype.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff but I'm OK with 2D cad myself - Autocad works fine. The cost relates to transfering this to the Laser cutter. This and so called 'setup' charges - i.e. load some sheet onto the machine, call up the CAD file and press a button works out quite low if you amortise it over 20ish parts. Obviously the more we need the lower the impact of this.

[GeoffSmith]

This and so called 'setup' charges - i.e. load some sheet onto the machine, call up the CAD file and press a button

That's what I suspected. Nevertheless, if you want me to run off a 2D prototype to check accuracy of holes etc. before commiting to steel, give me a shout.

Geoff

[Doug]

Oh, and just to make it a bit authentic, it starts up with the Lotus logo - rather than the stock TOM TOM one.

N-I-C-E

[DeeAitch]

Nevertheless, if you want me to run off a 2D prototype to check accuracy of holes etc. before commiting to steel, give me a shout.

Geoff

"2D prototype" ?? Sounds interesting! Tell me more
Checking accuracy etc would be a problem - I've no intention of letting 'er indoors suggest I've turned :gray: 'cos I need help reading a map

[GeoffSmith]

Dave,

You've got an e-mail. Any chance you could do a map holder next?

Geoff

[frog]

Now I've been using my TomTom installed in the car, do you know who would be able to make the metal cutout - the one I did isn't particularly straight (I did it with a jigsaw) -= I'm not even sure what type of company could make such a thing. I have the drawing of the cutout including dimensions if anyone is interested.

Nice job frog. How is the plate attached to the dashboard?

The plate is attached with a little glue around the edges, but also by four screws which attach to the TomTom unit (they are larger and longer than the original screws that held the TomTom into its case).