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...and I bought it. So, we'll see if it is a POS or not for the purpose
It looks like you ordered into the TRIO STEALTH LITE 4.3" 4gb Tablet but then went another way instead. Reviews seem mixed.
I just ordered one for $25 to see if it would fit the bill to be stashed in the cubby. Cheaper than an old phone and a little larger. Just wondering if anyone tried one yet and if so how it worked out?
I do not see how you guys fished the camera into the front grill. I've only been trying for about 20 minutes, but I do not see a way for this to be done yet. Is there a better picture that shows how it is routed?
I do not see how you guys fished the camera into the front grill. I've only been trying for about 20 minutes, but I do not see a way for this to be done yet. Is there a better picture that shows how it is routed?
Sorry I am at work at the moment so I can't snap a pic. But if you get a flashlight and look from the grille toward the engine, you will see a small opening on the bottom left at the back of the grille opening. This goes through to the engine compartment. A opened-up coat hanger would work to pull a wire through from the other side - tape the wire to the coat hanger.
OK hopefully this will help you - here is where the wire goes through - just look for this round thingy - that is the technical term
Last edited by C6 MoneyPit; May 1, 2017 at 08:52 PM.
Reason: Added photo
I even went back and cut out the blue connector and wired the 2 directly and also cut out the small gauge wire that looks like it has a pinch. And I moved the black ground to a different place. Zero. No power.
I even went back and cut out the blue connector and wired the 2 directly and also cut out the small gauge wire that looks like it has a pinch. And I moved the black ground to a different place. Zero. No power.
I had that issue when I first put everything together. I disconnected the power supply at the transmitter and reconnected and also did the same to the other power connections (cables not the power supply wire) and it started working. Maybe give that a shot? Also I know maybe a dumb question but do you have the car turned on? Fuse 28 is switched to the ignition.
Last edited by C6 MoneyPit; May 1, 2017 at 08:57 PM.
[QUOTE=cberistain;1594656692]Where would the power connector go on this board?
Fuse 28 - look at the picture above or the diagram on the back of the fuse box lid.
Last edited by C6 MoneyPit; May 2, 2017 at 11:58 PM.
That's what the problem was. This was not a permanent mounting spot as it was getting dark and I just wanted to see the thing power up. But after I found a better, permanent location to mount it, it fired right up.
This way of adding a front view is well and good, however, when you are going to park, you have to unlock your phone, start up the app, and sync to the camera.
I installed Navtool ($300) and all I do is push the back button for 3 seconds. I realize that the "tool" in Navtool may be referring to the people in that company, but I still like their solution better than fumbling with my phone (which is usually in my pocket) to park.
It's not the most ideal method for having a front camera, i'll give you that. But with my iphone and the fingerprint recognition, I simply press the home button and tap the app. Since I drive with my phone in the cup holder, I would guess that I'm looking through the camera in 3 seconds or less from the time I grab my phone. If I had to punch in a passcode, then yea that's no good. Press the home button, tap the app, 3 seconds or less I'm certain of it.
This way of adding a front view is well and good, however, when you are going to park, you have to unlock your phone, start up the app, and sync to the camera.
I installed Navtool ($300) and all I do is push the back button for 3 seconds. I realize that the "tool" in Navtool may be referring to the people in that company, but I still like their solution better than fumbling with my phone (which is usually in my pocket) to park.
I still like my install, instant on, one button to open monitor in line of sight, and less than $80.
It's not the most ideal method for having a front camera, i'll give you that. But with my iphone and the fingerprint recognition, I simply press the home button and tap the app. Since I drive with my phone in the cup holder, I would guess that I'm looking through the camera in 3 seconds or less from the time I grab my phone. If I had to punch in a passcode, then yea that's no good. Press the home button, tap the app, 3 seconds or less I'm certain of it.
It's true, not ideal...but it is less than $100 and you installs it in about 1 hour. For those of us that have pre-2016 cars or even guys that have later cars that are 1LT, its a viable alternative. I'm also not sure how the dealer would look at the installation of NavTools if you have an Infotainment Warranty Problem.
It's true, not ideal...but it is less than $100 and you installs it in about 1 hour. For those of us that have pre-2016 cars or even guys that have later cars that are 1LT, its a viable alternative. I'm also not sure how the dealer would look at the installation of NavTools if you have an Infotainment Warranty Problem.
Navtool is plug and play so it disconnects easily (well, sort of).
Using Amazon Prime, mine was $66 and some change. I had an issue figuring out how to route the thing near the grill under the hood. Had an issue grounding the thing. But even still it was about 1 hour.
So I continued my quest for this usable cheap camera option and made a couple of additional sizable investments - it was worth the penalty withdrawal on by 401K. My issue was I didn't like using my phone for this purpose for the reasons others have already pointed out. And also having to mount it in landscape position was also not the best. So the quest continued for a more "dedicated" monitor that required no wiring and would fit in the cubby.
In addition to the $65 I have spent so far, I bought this super cheap so-called "mini-tablet" for $25 on fleabay. It's called a Trio Stealth Lite 4.3" Android media player. And you are correct that for $25 it is no iPhone LOL. But I was able to download WIFIAV from google app store. And I paired it with a $10 stand from Amazon. The biggest issue I notice with it is the latency - you need to pull in slowly as the screen has to catch up with where you actually are. With my iPhone it seemed almost instantaneous.
So it works and the only thing I connect it to is the WiFi in the car so we will see how it goes. I will have to turn it off and on but I think that will be OK. As you know there is a USB in the cubby to keep it charged. Here are a couple photos - total investment is now up to $100 If this thing is too slow I may try a cheap unlocked smartphone with no sim card - and now without further ado here are the photos of my high-end mini tablet and stand