05 Swift Double Din DVD/GPS/Bluetooth/Reverse Camera,etc

[agp]

hi guys, a question if this unit charge ur ipod. I purchase a unit and it does not charge up the ipod.

[kspec]

hi, just wondering how i get the steering wheel control to work with the deck.. and which 2 wire is used? (color & location)??

plus.. how long does it take to load up a CD/MP3 & DVD?
my friend bought one of the chinese brand cd player and it takes ages to spin up then load.. like 7-8sec..unlike pioneer and sony stuff like that it just loads in 1-2sec..

is the player region free?

[Haribolman]

hi, just wondering how i get the steering wheel control to work with the deck.. and which 2 wire is used? (color & location)??

plus.. how long does it take to load up a CD/MP3 & DVD?
my friend bought one of the chinese brand cd player and it takes ages to spin up then load.. like 7-8sec..unlike pioneer and sony stuff like that it just loads in 1-2sec..

is the player region free?

Easy questions first! Yes, it appears to be region free, but if you have any problems you can change the region in the settings. I've played DivX DVD's without problems, so I assume you'd be alright.

Yeah, it takes probably 8 seconds to load a CD. Never really thought about it too much until you mentioned it!

To connect the steering wheel controls, you join the black wire with the yellow stripe that is in your Suzuki audio wiring loom to the Polaris steering wheel black ground wire.

Then splice into the Suzuki factory loom green wire and connect the "Key A" white wire to this.

You'll then need to program the steering wheel controls in the menu. Takes about a minute!

[Haribolman]

I made a "sunshade" for my Polaris and it works well!

It's simply a thin cardboard sheet, double over and wrapped in black contact. I have it mounted like a small horizontal shelf sticking out from the dash just above the Polaris. (There's a conveniant "slot" between the dash panels where it slips in nice and tight) It looks much better than it sounds. It's easy to make and definitely makes the screen easier to see, not just in sunlight, but even on cloudy days.

[nomad71]

Hey Hari,

If you get a chance to post a pic, that would be great. It seems the screen visibility problem is not a factor of the screen quality but of the GUI they have designed (bad choice of colours). I've tried to find a way to customise this through Mr Google, but can't find anything.

I'd also like to find out about Spoken street names. I've got V15 of Whereis Maps, but I've noticed that every man and his dog is promoting spoken street names with their GPS. I'd like to know what it takes to get this feature??

Cheers.

[Haribolman]

Hey Hari,

If you get a chance to post a pic, that would be great. It seems the screen visibility problem is not a factor of the screen quality but of the GUI they have designed (bad choice of colours). I've tried to find a way to customise this through Mr Google, but can't find anything.

I'd also like to find out about Spoken street names. I've got V15 of Whereis Maps, but I've noticed that every man and his dog is promoting spoken street names with their GPS. I'd like to know what it takes to get this feature??

Cheers.

I'm not usually too concerned about screen quality because I usually run mine on the GPS screen, and it looks pretty good! But here's photos of the first attempt at my sunshade! (Note: I've now tidied up the part on the right where the contact isn't sticking together)





And yes, I've also seen the "spoken street names" ads and am not sure if it's area dependant or software dependant. Perhaps a call to Polaris would answer this.

[Haribolman]

Here's 2 ideas to make the screen easier to see.

Antiglare film http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380070426983&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=380065331011&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D4

Sunshade (note: won't fit our units, but it's a cool idea!) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Universal-GPS-Street-Navigator-Sun-Shade-Cover-SCC5724_W0QQitemZ140272471079QQihZ004QQcategoryZ34288QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[Haribolman]

Polaris now has a firmware upgrade that improves visibility of the radio stations (by changing the station colour from white to yellow) and also reduces boot up time and allows music to continue playing when the reverse camera is on. I spoke to their technician yesterday and unfortunately the update does not change the colours of the phone dialler, nor does it allow the repeat function to stay on between shutdowns. These are 2 things I would have liked to have seen addressed.

To update you have to go to their premises in Sydney and they'll plug in a cable and update it. It's a step in the right direction and shows that someone savvy could probably make further improvements to the firmware and upload them somehow.

Before/after photos are here.

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?p=64083#64083

[nomad71]

Great cross-referencing Hari. Badly needed change of colour scheme. Are you driving down to Sydney any time soon to get your upgrade? We really need to find someone who knows how to customise the firmware. A lot more could be done with the design of the screens (and in particular the phone screen).

[Haribolman]

Great cross-referencing Hari. Badly needed change of colour scheme. Are you driving down to Sydney any time soon to get your upgrade? We really need to find someone who knows how to customise the firmware. A lot more could be done with the design of the screens (and in particular the phone screen).

No Sydney drives on the horizon, however, there's someone I'll be contacting who's good at this sort of thing and we'll see if he's any help.

[Haribolman]

I must do some research, because I've previously found websites that show you how to hack into the GUI of car computers and entertainment systems...so there may be some info out there in cyberspace on how to ruin this myself!!

[nomad71]

Yeah, I did a bit of a search after you last mentioned this was possible. But after a couple of hours, I couldn't find anything. It's a big virtual world though, so I may have mis-googled it.

[kspec]

i successfully got GARMINXT 5, TOMTOM7, SYGIC DRIVE (original software) , ROUTE66 v7 all 4 running on the same sd card.. also got it to load into WIN CE, and access to control panels and explorer..tried playing games on it.. not really playable..

i also set the software so when press NAV button it loads up a menu to select which program to run first.. ..it can be set to load onto desktop first if you want..but you wont be able to get the full wince function..registry and settings gets deleted when u turn of the car..

really happy with the system =]

Garmin seems to be the best GUI.. looks great..works good..
photos added below.. kinda blurry...also blured out some street names..

system menu... when press NAV button.. select a program to start..

DSCN0474.JPG (128.97 KiB) Viewed 18402 times

Desktop...didnt really use desktp so didnt edit much setting only change wallaper to swift picture.. hehe

DSCN0476.JPG (117.76 KiB) Viewed 18397 times

Windows Explorer...good shiett... press the button OSD on ur remote control to bring up the top part with minimize and stuff..

DSCN0477.JPG (120.93 KiB) Viewed 18373 times

TomTOm7 Startup Menu..

DSCN0478.JPG (110.76 KiB) Viewed 18353 times

Ready to navigate on TomTom7..

DSCN0480.JPG (144.19 KiB) Viewed 18359 times

here is the freeware menu loader software if anyone wants... no GPS software included..ONLY MENU SYSTEM!
RAPIDSHARE - HBS.TXT_SYSTM_LDER.zip
MEGAUPLOAD - HBS.TXT_SYSTM_LDER.zip

[Haribolman]

i successfully got GARMINXT 5, TOMTOM7, SYGIC DRIVE (original software) , ROUTE66 v7 all 4 running on the same sd card.. also got it to load into WIN CE, and access to control panels and explorer..tried playing games on it.. not really playable..

i also set the software so when press NAV button it loads up a menu to select which program to run first.. ..it can be set to load onto desktop first if you want..but you wont be able to get the full wince function..registry and settings gets deleted when u turn of the car..

really happy with the system =]

WOW!!!! And then some....

I am very impressed! You actually managed to do it...even without my help (sorry about that!)

You mention Garmin is the best...does it have spoken street names, rather thean just route numbers that the original Whereis uses?

So, what are the advantages of what you've done? I don't understand the changes you've made enough to fully realise the beauty of it. But it sure seems like you've taken a giant step forward. Perhaps you can expand on what you can now do in layman's terms!

Excellent work!!

[nomad71]

Hi kspec,

Well done from me also.

Do you now have the knowledge to find the GUI files for the Radio, etc.....

I'd love to work out how to alter the colour scheme so it is much more visible in the daylight. The navigation interfaces are pretty good, but the interfaces that came with the Polaris/Caska unit for Radio and some other features are pretty crap.

Does your Windows CE interface give access to these files and possibly the access to modify them?

Cheers.

[kspec]

Haribolman - im not really sure about spoken street names.. havnt herd it.. but it does have red light camera alert... music pause and it says "red light camera" something like that.. and also lots of POI.. hehe

nomad71 - .. in wince u can access registry, unhide hidden files and and install *.cab files.... but after u reset the system it doesnt save the settings everything is errased,only what u install in the SD card will save..... wince is actualli just the NAV function.. i think the radio/dvd GUI is in the firmware chip not on the wince flash chip.. i can change the colors of the road/text in the sygic drive software but not the radio/dvd stuff..

if you download my attachment.. put in another SD card..and click on WINCE icon u will get into the my computer section and access the wince stuff.. see what you can do.. i havnt really bothered looking through it..

[the swiftness]

Hey was just wondering where you got your dash mold from? and how easy is it ti replace?

[Suziswiftsport07]

I have just ordered

The Caska Unit from Efrontier $745
The TV Tuner and Remote $38
Plus Delivery came to $822 all up

The Fascia I got off Ebay from SashiiShop in Carbon Fibre for $69 delivered
The Wiring Harness from Super Cheap for $8.45
The Reverse Camera I got off Ebay for $38 delivered

Next week on my 4 weeks off work I will begin to install it and let you all know how it goes.

[cashie]

I am just about to buy one of these Caska units.
Polaris are saying they will no longer sell the GPS software seperately "due to people buying units overseas and buying their software"....
Where can I pick up Australian software?
Will any nav software on an SD Card work?
What is the best to use?

[Pedro_perth]

I am in the same situation as Cashie, based on everyone's experience with the Caska unit, I am ready to buy one but would like to know where I am going to get the Australian maps from (especially Western Australian maps) for the GPS to work.

Any advice would be greatly aprpeciated.

[Haribolman]

Latest upgrade to the Polaris...

http://www.redlinegti.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=38902

[Haribolman]

I was down in Sydney last week getting the software upgraded in my Polaris and they mentioned that they will soon be releasing a new version with a digital TFT screen. So I did some research and this is what I found. Already released overseas, the new Polaris / Caska has a screen upgraded from the old analogue resolution of 480 x 234 to the digital 800 x 480.

The new unit also features a virtual 6 disc CDC (seems to be a hard drive that stores up to 6 discs on it), the video screen now features zoom and the TPMS has an interesting feature that allows you to tell the unit when you've rotated the tyres so it re-assigns the signal from the valve transmitters to their new locations! Smooth!

Caska's Chinese site gives details http://www.coagent.cn/view_pro.php?id=35 and they now have a Europe site showing the new unit http://www.caska.com/user-interface-sample/

Also, I have found them selling on ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320457977089&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Note: All of the new units I've found so far are designed for particular vehicles, not a universal type like we use in the Swift.


While I was getting my software upgraded I discovered that because my unit is one of the early analogue models, it has the old GUI in it. The newer analogue models have a much easier to read GUI where the colours have been changed to make it easy to read in daylight. I also discovered that there's a hidden menu that allows you to change contrast settings (a different menu to those mentioned in the handbook) and I found out that my settings were way off! So they adjusted them and now I've got a much brighter screen in daylight!

For the record, the software upgrade on the early models fixes the bug that turned the bluetooth off when deselcting reverse gear! It also fixes an iPod bug. It also changes the colour of several menu items making them very easy to see in daylight. And finally, the upgrade included a complete new CD/DVD drive being installed to eliminate potential skipping issues (which I've never had despite running coilovers and 35 series, 18" tyres!!!).

So, I'm now a happy camper with a brighter screen and easier to read screen items and I recommend anyone looking at a new unit to wait for the digital screen...it'll be worth it!

[samiya]

How do I know if my Acer Aspire has bluetooth capability? I am trying to connect my Palm Centro to my (newer) Acer Aspire and neither my phone or my laptop will recognize one another. I know for a fact that my phone has bluetooth capabilities and that they are turned on, but when I press the bluetooth button on my laptop it shows a red "x" through the bluetooth symbol.
_______________________
keyword research ~ keyword tool ~ keyword tracking ~ affiliate elite

[Johnny Swift]

Thats awesome, i would love to upgrade to sumthin like this in my 07 sport. I really miss my bluetooth outta my old car and that looks like it has everything!!!

[Team Penguin]

hell yeah tidy and a good effort.

[Haribolman]

Thats awesome, i would love to upgrade to sumthin like this in my 07 sport. I really miss my bluetooth outta my old car and that looks like it has everything!!!

There's a very affordable way to have something similar in your car now...and it comes complete as a one piece unit that simply replaces your entire audio panel!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370312021281&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Check it out! Price and specs look really good. And yes, it has the high res digital LCD screen.

Alternatives include the Polaris unit with digital LCD screen for $1695 http://polarisgps.com.au/index1.html

I also notice that the Caska version (from which the Polaris is rebadged) can be bought on ebay for just over $1000. I can't find a generic or Suzuki specific version just yet, but this will give you an idea of what's available. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Caska-Mazda-3-Car-DVD-Player-GPS-RDS-USB-SD-TV-iPod_W0QQitemZ220536987892QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_In_Car_Audio_Players_PP?hash=item33590760f4

[Haribolman]

Well, I just want to mention how happy I am with the Polaris customer service. (Hi Nicole!!!)

Had been having issues getting my GPS to lock onto a signal. Sometimes it would, sometimes it wouldn't.

Sent my unit to Polaris Head Office in Sydney and they although it is long out of warranty, they replaced the GPS module, updated the maps and posted it back...all for free!!!!!

The map updates usually cost me $165, and if you add in the price of a new GPS module, labour and then return postage...I think I just saved at least $300!!

So a very big thank you Nicole!

My Polaris is working better than ever. Locks onto a full GPS signal usually in under a minute. Sometimes almost immediately. And holds the signal even under cover!!

[nomad71]

Hey Hari,

Thanks for the update. They also helped me out by reloading maps onto my SD card after the unit stopped finding the map software. I am having a couple of issues though:

1. If I set a destination and then switch off the car, when the car is started again and navigation selected, the map software calculates a route from somewhere in Sydney (I think) before eventually deciding I'm in Brisbane and re-calculating the route. It take so long that sometimes I have to pull over and wait for it to catch up so I know where the next turn is. I wonder if there is a way to set my default location (I've already set my home location).

2. Although the unit holds my radio station data, whenever the car is started the radio defaults to the first station programmed in rather than the last station I was listening too.

3. Along a similar vein to the last point, every time I start the car, the graphic equaliser is switched on even if I've switched it off last time I was in the car. These last two issues are almost like it's not holding its settings even though it still holds the radio station tuning data.

4. I'd love to update the firmware like you have to improve the colours and visibility of some screens. However, I'm not about to pull the unit out and send it away or drive to Sydney. Are there any other options for me to update the firmware?

Hope you have some knowledge/experience in any of these areas. Cheers.

[Haribolman]

Hey Hari,

Thanks for the update. They also helped me out by reloading maps onto my SD card after the unit stopped finding the map software. I am having a couple of issues though:

I think you'll need to contact Polaris about these issues.

I'm not having them as far as I can tell.

As for updating the firmware, it can only be done at their office in Sydney. So, unless you post it or drive it there, you're only other laternative might be to invest in the new digital screen model!

[Rakic90]

Does anybody know if and how I can upgrade firmware on my Caska with the New European GUI?

[nomad71]

I wold LOVE to know this too if anyone has any knowledge.

[Haribolman]

I wold LOVE to know this too if anyone has any knowledge.

I'm assuming you've already contacted Caska Europe to see if it's possible. I contacted them some time ago and found them to be informative.

http://www.caska.com/

[Rakic90]

Yeah, of course I contacted them. And they responded something like (assuming that they are Chinese ppl working in Hungary or Netherlands for Caska), "yeah, we have your HU for Mazda 6 2009, the price is like 800eur. If you would like to order reply to this e-mail."

There MUST be a way to upgrade fw, just need required software, and of course, required firmware version. But where to get? I googled a lot, and came across forums.caska.com, but it's down now... Also, I went on http://www.caskaglobal.com/38/support_l.shtml there is "Update Online" and "Downloads" section where you can download "MST776-TOOLING (USB)". But after clicking on that, it gives Bad URL.

That is as much as I could find. Try something yourself and report back.

[nomad71]

I emailed Caska twice and was told my local area representative would get in touch. I was even given his direct contact details but no response from him at all.

BTW, is anyone else using maps other than the ones supplied by Polaris? I have the Polaris supplied maps but they are getting out of date and are not very user friendly. I'd really like to update to some better quality maps if anyone knows what other maps would be compatible. I'm happy to pay for them if I know they'll work.

[Haribolman]

I emailed Caska twice and was told my local area representative would get in touch. I was even given his direct contact details but no response from him at all.

I'm assuming you emailed Polaris as they are the sole Australian Caska representative. See if you can speak to Nicole in Sydney, I found her to be quite helpful.

BTW, is anyone else using maps other than the ones supplied by Polaris? I have the Polaris supplied maps but they are getting out of date and are not very user friendly. I'd really like to update to some better quality maps if anyone knows what other maps would be compatible. I'm happy to pay for them if I know they'll work.

I've been using IGO8 for some time now. Took a few goes for my IT mate to get it to work. MUCH BETTER than the Polaris maps. I was getting annoyed with the Polaris maps because they would sometimes pick up the speed limit from a adjacent street instead of the actual street being used.

The IGO maps are more detailed, but because it's a hack, it doesn't have all the features available, and any settings I change reset to default when the car is restarted. For instance, I like to change my speed warnings to 5km/h above the limit, however they reset when I turn the unit off.

My preferred map would be the one used on my wife's Navig8r. I love it's spoken street names and speed alerts and free map updates!

[danatoakhill]

Hi all,

Did anyone find an answer to the firmware / OS upgrade question? I've got a Caska unit for my Mazda 5 and it's running Windows CE5. Just wondering if there's a way I can update the firmware, or at least check what the latest firmware is and also about the possibility of updating to Windows CE6?

Thanks for any help,

Dan

[nomad71]

Hi Dan,

I haven't had any joy obtaining the firmware update. Very keen to apply it though if anyone can advise. Also keen to find alternative compatible maps. Look forward to any help people can provide.

[zedd]

Software for Double Din DVD/GPS. Use at your own risk.

GPS Underground - Navigator maps IGO, Garmin, TomTom, Navigon ....

There is stuff available for WnCE5 but there is a lot more for CE6.

Winpatch:
New interfaces for WinCE 5 and 6
VW Golf Forum discussing Winpatch and adding 3G and WiFi to WinCE 6 units
BMW Forum discussing Winpatch and adding 3G and WiFi to WinCE 6 units
If you have a WinCE6 unit and you can get it on the network, you can use VNC to remote control the head and 3G will get the Internet for you.

InnoSoft:
WinCE5, WinCE6 and PC This one you have to explore - has heaps of Apps and games to download. You can use the PC environment to make changes and then upload them or just for a roll your own carputer.

InnoSoftMainMenu.jpg (119.66 KiB) Viewed 15144 times

Both environments are loaded by replacing the command line for the Navigator software with the command to run one of the replacement environments. Once you have the replacement environment running, you use it to run the navigator, music apps, video player (new media player), Internet browser and whatevere else you now have access to. Just like a baby Windows computer.
I've only recently started playing wth this software so haven't worked a lot of it out yet.

Link to some other good s**t for the Swifts (direct ships out of China) AliExpress Suzuki badged 7" Double Din DVD/GPS etc, Scuff plates, lots of LED things, lights .... whatever you see for a new Swift / Liana / Aerio on Ebay you will find here. Some listings are for bulk supply (good if someone wants to set up a group buy), some are for single items but the postage kills the idea and other stuff works out OK - same as eBay Check before ordering. Delivery can be more than a month so don't have a brain fart and expect to see it delivered tomorrow.

Same place - Reversing camera Replaces one of the numberplate lights so it looks factory. I'm about to install one of these so I don't have to cut a hole in the back of the car. You pull the light out and replace it with the camera. Have to wait and see if there is enough light on the numberplate from the remaining light not to get defected .

Should set up a separate thread for these double din mods so they ca be found easily. There is enough in these links to get everybody in to trouble for quite a while..... I'll copy this post across and make a new thread. That way as people work out how to make some of this stuff work, everyone will benefit.

[Haribolman]

zedd, I thank you for a most informative post. I followed the links and got promptly lost in all the technical talk!!

Anyhoo, time to upgrade my Polaris and because I want to keep my integrated TPMS, I can only upgrade to another Polaris (or Caska) as no other unit incorporates it. The latest Caska K117-A (also known as Caska CA117-A) is not sold by Polaris in Australia, so I've been contacting sellers around the world with no luck so far. Manufacturers in China all say they're out of stock. Caska UK doesn't reply. Caska Europe won't sell me one! And Caska Singapore doesn't reply either!

If I can't get a Caska, I'll have to use another brand (I've already chosen the alternative) and do without the TPMS. This means I'll then have to buy a new seperate TPMS system with a seperate screen and mount it somewhere. An option I don't prefer. The only upside to all this is that I can get a Non-Caska unit direct from China for a very good price, complete with digital TV, and it's a better looking unit than the Caska too!

Anyone have any suggestions how I can source the Caska K117-A?

Ta!

[jason73]

I've just installed a Pioneer AVIC F20BT in my wife's Sport. Nice and easy to bypass the wiring meant to prevent you from playing video whilst driving too!!! As you would expect from Pioneer, a very well rounded unit.

[Haribolman]

I've just installed a Pioneer AVIC F20BT in my wife's Sport. Nice and easy to bypass the wiring meant to prevent you from playing video whilst driving too!!! As you would expect from Pioneer, a very well rounded unit.

Apart from the price, it doesn't support TPMS. And nor is it a truly integrated unit. It's a double din, the same as I have been using. Now I'm going for one designed just for the Swift's dash.

This is the new Caska. http://www.caskamultimedia.com/en/produ ... 34-ca117-a

And my alternative http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8-Suzuki-Swi ... 4ab4dfe3ae

Last year I installed a similar model-specific unit in my parent's Corolla, and they're wrapt. It looks like it came with the car! It has a 7" high res screen and fits so well into the dash you can't tell it's not original. I also installed a rear camera in their car that replaces one of the rear number plates illumination lights. Discreet and works well!!

[Pauly]

And my alternative http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8-Suzuki-Swi ... 4ab4dfe3ae

Last year I installed a similar model-specific unit in my parent's Corolla, and they're wrapt. It looks like it came with the car! It has a 7" high res screen and fits so well into the dash you can't tell it's not original. I also installed a rear camera in their car that replaces one of the rear number plates illumination lights. Discreet and works well!!

I was just looking on eBay for an aftermarket dash facia and stumbled across this same h/u!
Seems like a much better deal with less hassles than going with a dash facia and universal h/u.

Any idea on the price of the caska unit? Or has it already been mentioned and I missed it?

[Haribolman]

I was just looking on eBay for an aftermarket dash facia and stumbled across this same h/u!
Seems like a much better deal with less hassles than going with a dash facia and universal h/u.

Any idea on the price of the caska unit? Or has it already been mentioned and I missed it?

If I could get a bloody supplier to source the Caska for me, I could get it for under $800.

The other headunit found on ebay can be sourced direct from China for $325 delivered! At that price I don't care that it misses out on TPMS and TV.

[zedd]

Check your TPMS output - some TPMS units can output video that you can plug into the AVI port on the head unit. Might loose the reversing camera though.

Edit - just looked at the handbook for my Chinese 7" - it has a camera port (just video) and an AVI port with both audio and video (for an external DVD).

[Haribolman]

Check your TPMS output - some TPMS units can output video that you can plug into the AVI port on the head unit. Might loose the reversing camera though.

Interesting thought. Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

[danatoakhill]

There is stuff available for WnCE5 but there is a lot more for CE6.

Thanks for all the info...I'm wading through it, but wanted to ask...my unit runs Win CE 5...is there a way of upgrading to Win CE 6? Buying it and upgrading would be fine...just not sure how it works with CE.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

[zedd]

Couple of things to get your head round - the GPS runs CE 5. The rest of the box runs Linux. Both OS's are embedded (in a chip - you can't change the contents). There are 2 computers running 2 different OS's.

All the hacks rely on the fact that the units allow you to pick your GPS software (IGo, Tot-Tom, Route 66 .... etc) so there has to be a way to pick the executable for the GPS software. Now, instead of running the GPS software, you run another shell that gives you access to the GPS CE and lets you load other 'stuff' on the SD card and then run it.

If you want embedded CE 6, you'll have to buy a later unit. 6 gives you the 800x 480 resolution for really smooth windows, way nicer looking shell / menu. CE 6 can allow you to do other tricks like start a network, run remote control software to drive the Win computer (if it has the hardware) or add in wireless to get on to the internet (get real time maps for the GPS) Anything else like a decent media player with song lists or DVD players, games etc will run from CE 5 - you do have to stop the current Linux media player as part of the changes.

You have to remember that the available memory is VERY limited (it was only meant to run the GPS software) so be realistic about what you load. Winpatch gives you the Iphone look buttons and Innosoft lots of little applets. Innosoft is free and Winpatch is about $20USD. Play with Innosoft and see how you go.

The biggest problem all the hacks have (and I only listed 2) is making your changes stick through a reboot. Some of the settings just won't save (no matter what the forum posts say) and you have to resetup after a reboot. Right pain if you want the new shell to load and run your GPS without any interaction.

That's what playing with this stuff is about - defeating the manufacturers who think they should be the only ones to load and run the software so you won't hurt yourself playing with the options instead of watching the road.

[Haribolman]

Just arrived direct from China yesterday. My new 8" touchscreen headunit! So much more screen than my old 6.5"!

Very simple plug and play connection...except I had to seperately wire up my existing infra-red reverse camera activation wire and my infra-red front camera. Wasn't able to get the unit supplied with Digital TV, but it comes with analogue so I connected it to my exisiting TV antenna.

Will later have to install a seperate TPMS system.

Anyhoo, the screen is large and clear. Sound is great. Only had one issue. Somehow I pressed the wrong buttons and stuffed up the IGO GPS program. Won't load any more. Dammit!

[zedd]

Based on my 7" - that should be easy to fix. Go to the GPS settings, browse for the folder and then the executable. Save that path and IGO should load again. That is also how you change from IGO to one of the GPS programs or update IGO to a new version. You load the new GPS software on the SD card, change the path, pick the executable and away you go with another GPS package.

[danatoakhill]

Thanks again Zedd for the clear explanation!

I'm still fairly new with this kind of unit so these maybe stupid questions but where can I find out if it's running win CE5 or 6? I was pretty sure it was 5 but wanted to be certain.

Also, is there a way of connecting these units to a pc to do anything with them?

Thanks for the help!

Dan