ND4SPD

I just bought a Garmin GPS V unit, and was already tired of having to leave my ashtray open to use my handsfree phone unit for my Motorolla phone. Now I need another power outlet. I was considering hardwiring the GPS unit, and also wanted a more hidden power outlet which would also allow me not to have to open the ashtray to use either. I don't smoke nor use the cig lighter, I use it as a coin tray (would also like suggestions for this as Audi didn't seem to find it important enough to put in a coin holder). So basically I need to know about hardwiring a GPS unit (and possibly adding an external antenna for better reception), the GPS is currently mounted on the dash just to the right of the instrument console, I was considering going through the vent openings on the top of the dash. And also I need to know about adding another power outlet for the handsfree unit. I would hardwire it, but I need it for my other cars. Any help?

Larrytt

That will make a difference as to the various accessory outlets that people would have shown you. For instance:

My Accessory outlet in my TT:

<img src="http://images.fotki.com/free/8311/2/23131/42549/headunit05-vi.jpg?1002463795">

ND4SPD

I would use that but I have heated seats and ESP.
2002 225TT Coupe Quattro. Something like this would be really nice though.

Ron G

where I installed a 3-way outlet (from Radio Shack) and mounted that to the bar under the back of the front seat using tie-wraps. Works great for GPS, laptops, cell phone, etc.

I'd post some pictures, but my TT is now at the salvage yard.

ND4SPD

I wanted to do an external antenna and a power unit for the GPS which comes up out of the dash maybe from the vent so there aren't a whole bunch of wires hanging around. Also I wanted to put a convinient outlet (or more than 1) for the phone hands free kit. Any ideas?

Larrytt

Sorry about before. I had read of someone in th OT Forum installing a Garmin V into their A4. I thought you were the same person.

Ron G

I use it for hiking, etc. I run the external antenna up under the passenger door sill, behind the passengers footwell, and up to the windshield, where the antenna is suction cup mounted (at the bottom of the windshield).

ND4SPD

I was considering buying one from audi (since it is color matched) and having it installed along the roofline somewhere. Otherwise I would like to mount a thinline external antenna for better reception. I have metallic window tint (not the ghetto chrome one, but hi performance), and it adversely affects performance in addition to the stock antenna being so so anyway. It has WAAS correction so it should be pretty accurate. Also how about that hardwiring the power cable into the dash?

Ron G

had anything at the time.

I don't like hardwiring things in, as you change your mind once you work with something, and you may want it somewhere else.

For me, the GPS was just the receiver (and sat under the passenger seat), with a serial connection to my Fujitsu flat-panel touch-screen laptop. That is where I had Delorme mapping s/w and other stuff.