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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject: Home made Active 720 Mount |
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First of all this requires "adjustment" of the supplied Home docking cradle, and the provision of some Brodit hardware.
Tools Used:
A Dremel, or small electric drill, files, screwdriver, hacksaw and a Torx bit No6.
Objective is to provide an Active powered mount for the 720 that is powered from the cars ignition, full access to the RDS-TMC/ iPOD connector and the Audio output connector. The assembly actually screws to a Brodit Pro-Clip so it will fit a number of different vehicles, I would have used a "Move It" Clip but didn't have any spare last night, I can always retro fit the Move It clip later though.
First of all you have to dismantle the Home dock, this is relatively easy:
1/ Peel back the rubber pad from the underside of the base.
2/ Remove the four Torx No6 screws securing the metal plate to the mount body.
For the Brodit Tilt/ Swivel component I used an existing part from the scrap bin, I broke my XDA-Exec Brodit holder by forcing it in the holder with an extended batter fitted - at first this worked but over time the holder snapped - there was nothing wrong with the swivel part though so I simply unscrewed it. (Note the failure of the Exec Holder was entirely my fault, but part of it now lives on).
Fabricate the bracket out of 25x25x3MM Aluminium Angle section which should be around 120MM long, holes to secure the bracket to the swivel part and the metal base plate were drilled out at 3,5MM Diameter.
Self tapping screws secure the tilt/ swivel part to the bracket while M3 screws and self locking nuts hold the bracket to the metal base plate
Mark out the metal base plate for the holes to take the RDS-TMC/ iPOD connector and Audio line out plug, I found it easier to file these into a rounded slot, the slightly larger access provided makes connection much easier.
Make sure the metal plate holes are in the correct place before re-attaching the base to the plastic body of the holder, using the metal plate as a template drill out the plastic to gain access through to where the x20 would sit.
Clean out any remaining swarf etc before fitting the x20 in to the mount and make sure the connectors can be fully located in the respective sockets, note you should turn on the x20 and connect the RDS-TMC or iPOD to make sure the connector is fully mated and the two devices are functioning - if not you might need to remove a little more material.
Fit the Pro Clip to the vehicle, and mount the x20 in to the shoe - it should look something like this:
Electrical Power
The existing Home Dock is fitted with a standard USB connector, plug this in to the ciggie socket via a USB power adaptor, I had one in the "spares box" but these can be obtained for very little cost, I might hide the wiring over the weekend and bury another socket behind the dashboard to tidy up the installation
Around two hours to make at zero cost - all that is left to do is painting the bracket which I will do later, the device sits nice and solid in the mount, even hitting speed bumps at speed does not dislodge the device (I had to try that to be sure of the units security). In position I can adjust the angle to suit my driving position and it is much easier to put on and off the mount - quite a neat looking installation - but I am sure the official Active unit from Brodit will be better - Mike |
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superseagulls Occasional Visitor

Joined: Aug 01, 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Rockledge, FL Originally Brighton UK
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Great job Mike, this was along the lines of how I anticipated making mine this weekend. Good to see another person with a spare parts box, mine seems to be overflowing everywhere, my wife calls it the 'cable guys' stuff!
It's great to see that Tomtom with all there $millions could not have offered anything smilar! |
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KenD Occasional Visitor

Joined: May 12, 2004 Posts: 31
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Mike,
The mount looks great. I have a position on my dash that will take the mount as it is, without any brackets. Can you tell me where I can get another 720 USB Mount, as I want to keep one connected to my computer and the other in the car. TT don't seem to advertise the USB Mount.
Also will any USB Cigarette Adaptor do, as I'm cocerned about voltage. I already have a Belkin USB adaptor for my PDA will that do? |
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mostdom Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 1964 Location: Surrey, UK.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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KenD wrote: | ...Can you tell me where I can get another 720 USB Mount, as I want to keep one connected to my computer and the other in the car...
...Also will any USB Cigarette Adaptor do, as I'm cocerned about voltage. I already have a Belkin USB adaptor for my PDA will that do?... |
If you can figure out a way of making the bracket quick release you wouldn't need a second cradle, and with crime on GPS theft I'm not sure you would wan't to leave it on show like that.
Mike, is that setup easily removable at all? i.e. Quick release.
USB has a voltage standard, meaning your Belkin adapter will do fine! _________________ Dom
HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Love reading these sort of threads. Had to have a chuckle at the bit "Fabricate the bracket out of 25x25x3MM Aluminium Angle section..." because I'd love to have the tools, equipment and materials to be able to just pop down to the garage and do such a thing..... My neighbour used to have a garage full of lathes, band saws etc but he moved away.
One day I'll do something worth while and get to show it off like this.... |
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DennisN Tired Old Man


Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 14906 Location: Keynsham
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:18 am Post subject: |
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PaulB2005 wrote: | One day I'll do something worth while and get to show it off like this.... |
I rather specialise in hand crafted Reset tools.
"Fabricate them out of bent things, straightening where required, using a couple of fingers strategically grasping the relevant parts".
 _________________ Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: |
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KenD wrote: | Can you tell me where I can get another 720 USB Mount, as I want to keep one connected to my computer and the other in the car. TT don't seem to advertise the USB Mount. | I have no idea where you can get a second Home dock from, if sufficient people ask for them I guess they might be made available as an optional extra accessory etc. I simply use a mini USB cable straight into the 720 for home PC connection.
KenD wrote: | Also will any USB Cigarette Adaptor do, as I'm concerned about voltage. I already have a Belkin USB adaptor for my PDA will that do? | The regulator should be 5V but make sure it is a high current capacity device, the TomTom car charger is rated at 2A - the adaptor I am using is 2A but is a no name unbranded device from the "Spares" box.
mostdom wrote: | Mike, is that setup easily removable at all? i.e. Quick release. | The Brodit Pro Clip is not fully secured into the vehicle as yet, so I can remove the whole assembly in seconds, when I get a new set of "Move It" clips I will be fitting these in-between the tilt/ swivel unit and Pro Clip which will offer the ultimate solution, I would have done this in the first place had I got a pair of clips spare!
PaulB2005 wrote: | just pop down to the garage and do such a thing | What’s wrong with using the kitchen table - just don't get caught.....
Mike |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:39 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | I rather specialise in hand crafted Reset tools. |
Those are half completed emergency CD ejection tools. A complete one looks like
Quote: | What’s wrong with using the kitchen table - just don't get caught..... |
Now that argument didn't work with the wife. What is wrong with her? |
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mostdom Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 1964 Location: Surrey, UK.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:35 am Post subject: |
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Desperate to join the ranks of greatest innovators of our time I present you with my novelty sticker applicator.
Names have been changed to protect the innocent
I hope magnetic strips can't be read over the internet.  _________________ Dom
HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot |
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PaulB2005 Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 9323 Location: Durham, UK
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | I hope magnetic strips can't be read over the internet. |
It says
0110001001011000100101000010100001100010100
Anyway back on topic...
Should we / could we have a separate forum for "home built" stuff like this? Would be interesting.... (well I'd read it anyway). I'm sure theres a load of advise of modding in here that could be collated - I'm sure I've seen some sort of mod to the traffic antenna a few times before.... |
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mostdom Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 1964 Location: Surrey, UK.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:42 am Post subject: |
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PaulB2005 wrote: |
It says
0110001001011000100101000010100001100010100 |
Doah  _________________ Dom
HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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PaulB2005 wrote: | Should we / could we have a separate forum for "home built" stuff like this? Would be interesting.... (well I'd read it anyway). I'm sure theres a load of advise of modding in here that could be collated - I'm sure I've seen some sort of mod to the traffic antenna a few times before.... | Good idea, will have to ask one of the Admin team, there are plenty of other mods people will have done, I could start off with an article on connecting the nav unit to the car stereo as that is one with plenty of options most of which I have tried, then there is my Modified Otter box, which I stupidly blew up the last time I charged it (don't use the wrong charger with high capacity NIMH batteries) new one is built though now, followed by the car PC and GPS system bolted to the roof, when I put the display back in the car, MOT test failed because the tester didn't like the Windows XP screen as the dashboard! - Mike |
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Daaave Occasional Visitor

Joined: Jul 28, 2007 Posts: 15 Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Nice one Mike, my idea first though!
I thought about taking photos and writing a guide, but couldn't be bothered but I'm glad you made the effort!
I had my power cable wired into the car in the end. I cut a hole in the base for the line-out connector but now don't use it because of my ground loop hum problem But the FM transmitter is almost as good. The only annoying thing is that the music and voice seem to operate at different volumes! |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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After all the time you spent measuring the base for the cut out and providing the aperture for the line out you may as well still use it, why not try a Ground Loop Isolation unit such as THIS then you can connect the cable to the head unit without the problems of re-tuning etc - Mike |
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