How-to: super simple semi-permanent satnav upgrade
#22
#23
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Crispy (10-17-2011)
#24
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Seeing how this old thread has reemerged, and just for the record, I did end up replacing the OE satnav with the three-gauge cluster. The TomTom now spends most of its life in the glove box, as I very rarely have a need for satnav when driving the Jaguar.
I sold both the original elm panel and satnav headunit.
I sold both the original elm panel and satnav headunit.
#26
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I stuck my Garmin to the factory nav unit using a suction cup and left it there for a few hours. When I unstuck it there was an ugly circle embedded in the LCD. It was like the suction cup had sucked the juice out of the pixels. It disappeared after a few days, but I didn't want to ruin the factory nav unit so I never stuck the suction cup to it again.
#27
#28
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think we all know that the OE satnav in our XKs is as ugly as it is useless.
The three gauges look a lot nicer, IMHO, but although I have bought a brand new set, they are proving problematic to install for various reasons (new elm veneer part required, different wiring harness, etc.)
I therefore decided to go for an aftermarket satnav while I figure out how to go about things.
I went for a Tomtom Via 125 Europe:
![](http://img4.cherchons.com/500x352/154769515/TomTom-Via-Live-125-Europe.jpg)
When it arrived this morning, it seemed a lot slimmer than I had expected. I went down to the Jag to see where I could fit it (I was thinking somewhere on the windscreen). A now blindingly obvious solution hit me - stick it on top of the OEM screen![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Yes, it does protrude, but the install took less than 10 minutes, including routing the power cable round to the cigar lighter through the armrest. In fact, I think it looks so reasonable I might even ditch the 3-gauge project and leave it like that.
![](http://www.garagetech.fr/xkr/tom1.jpg)
With a bit of fiddling (and after removing the top part of the armrest), it is possible to thread the cable through into the ashtray area for near invisible install.
![](http://www.garagetech.fr/xkr/tom2.jpg)
And here's a photo of one of my most useful tools that I made myself: a narrow plastic kitchen spatula with a V cut out of it using a grinder. Great for working on interior trim or, in this case, poking the cable up into the centre console.
![](http://www.garagetech.fr/xkr/trim_tool.jpg)
OK, so it's not perfect, but it was cheap and easy to do and it's 10 times better than the ancient OE setup. Sticking a new satnav on top of the old screen seems like an obvious solution to me now, but I honestly hadn't thought of it until the TomTom arrived today and I saw how thin it was.
The three gauges look a lot nicer, IMHO, but although I have bought a brand new set, they are proving problematic to install for various reasons (new elm veneer part required, different wiring harness, etc.)
I therefore decided to go for an aftermarket satnav while I figure out how to go about things.
I went for a Tomtom Via 125 Europe:
![](http://img4.cherchons.com/500x352/154769515/TomTom-Via-Live-125-Europe.jpg)
When it arrived this morning, it seemed a lot slimmer than I had expected. I went down to the Jag to see where I could fit it (I was thinking somewhere on the windscreen). A now blindingly obvious solution hit me - stick it on top of the OEM screen
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Yes, it does protrude, but the install took less than 10 minutes, including routing the power cable round to the cigar lighter through the armrest. In fact, I think it looks so reasonable I might even ditch the 3-gauge project and leave it like that.
![](http://www.garagetech.fr/xkr/tom1.jpg)
With a bit of fiddling (and after removing the top part of the armrest), it is possible to thread the cable through into the ashtray area for near invisible install.
![](http://www.garagetech.fr/xkr/tom2.jpg)
And here's a photo of one of my most useful tools that I made myself: a narrow plastic kitchen spatula with a V cut out of it using a grinder. Great for working on interior trim or, in this case, poking the cable up into the centre console.
![](http://www.garagetech.fr/xkr/trim_tool.jpg)
OK, so it's not perfect, but it was cheap and easy to do and it's 10 times better than the ancient OE setup. Sticking a new satnav on top of the old screen seems like an obvious solution to me now, but I honestly hadn't thought of it until the TomTom arrived today and I saw how thin it was.
Hello Frog:
You did a superb job with the installation, looks very professional. Certainly an innovative aftermarket option which I will consider for my car. Thanks for the information / pictures.
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