Ideas requested for where to go from here

CAA_1231133334 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 31, 2015 Posts: 31

All,
I have been a long time user of a Road Angel. However its getting old AND I have a new car so I thought - why not look outside the box and see if there is a better way of doing this.

Car 2012 Honda Accord with SatNav and BT Phone integration . Phone is a Samsung S4 Mini currently - but can be upgraded if necessary.
Whilst price is an issue - its not the most important issue. I would like to get this right at the first attempt.

Picture of dashboard at the bottom of this message

The dashboard is quite high so any mounting on the top is going to be a problem with view. I am currently thinking of mounting any kit on or next to the A Pillar although a Road Angel Gem (or my old Professional Connected could go the the left of the SatNav Screen angled to point at the driver)

However – a more modern idea would be to use a phone with an appropriate Camera Database (I do not plan on using it for SatNav which the car covers already – however who knows what would be needed with the next car)

So my idea was to mount in some manner a QI enabled car dock in an appropriate place and via an appropriate method) and use CamerAlert as my Camera Alert system. I may use a separate radar Detector so I can tell which Gatso’s are live – but may not. [Yes I know the Samsung isn’t QI enabled – but a different model can be]

I have tested CamerAlert and that seems to tick the right boxes and I am more than happy to subscribe (it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than Road Angel). There is no active detection – but GPS is the most important. Laser detection is useless (well I suppose it tells you that you will have a ticket arriving in the next few days and radar detection is only so so (at least in the UK)

I am trying to test the Snooper iRadar app, but either than needs the hardware attached or it just ain’t working as it failed to warn me of any fixed camera on my journey (I shall be contacting Cobra tommorrow to try and find out)

What I am asking is if anyone has any alternative ideas / suggestions that I haven’t considered

Thanks for reading

Sean

Kremmen · Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 7:07 am Post subject:

Whatever solution you go for, Honda's have what they call an 'option connector'. This is a very useful fully fused way of connecting extra equipment without overloading existing fuses.

I've got my Garmin wired to an ignition 1 & 2 slot and my dashcam wired to an ignition 2 slot.

You can get the proper Honda option connectors here: http://www.civinfo.com/forum/group-buys/230594-group-buy-original-honda-civic-option-connectors.html

Loads more info in the thread.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

CAA_1231133334 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 31, 2015 Posts: 31

Oooo - now thats a good idea.

I hope that civic = accord for plug purposes - but I shall have a poke around to see if its the case

Thank you

M8TJT · Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 10:17 am Post subject:

I have an Accord the same as yours (Only newer and manual Very Happy

). I have made ip a thin metal bracket that straddles the air vent just below the A plillar and slots into the gap between the soft(ish) dask and the hard plastic of the vent. This is extended upwards with a home made holder for my satnav, but could equally hold a phone. I would take a couple of photos, but can't be assed with the convoluted method of attaching pics to posts here.
Can you reduce the size of your pic so that it doesn't screw up the forum width please?

CAA_1231133334 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 31, 2015 Posts: 31

I did reduce the photo - thats half the size of the original

I shall see if I can - but editing the file probably creates a new URL

Sean

Edit: Photo reduced as requested (I hope)

M8TJT · Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 12:54 pm Post subject:

That's better Very Happy

I've answered your PM

gazza70 · Regular Visitor Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 129

There is a company called Brodit that make car mounting brackets and this is what they recommend for your car
http://www.brodit.com/product.html?id=654194&pn=prod&brand=Honda&model=Accord&year=2012

M8TJT · Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:54 pm Post subject:

I investigated those, but it is a bit on the low side. You have to look so far away from the recommended direction whilst driving a car, which is why I made my mount for the right hand air vent Very Happy

I have also got a slotmount close coupled to a home made holder for my phone. Trouble is that it does not have a positive locking device and occasionally falls out of the CD slot.

CAA_1231133334 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 31, 2015 Posts: 31

I am wondering if I can fit the device here

Alternatively one of these might eventually work well
https://www.navdy.com/ - just not initially

Sean

M8TJT · Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 7:53 pm Post subject:

That's pretty much where mine is. I'll take some snaps tomorrow and email them.

M8TJT · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 12:31 pm Post subject:

Well, it's still raining and I haven't forgotten you, but might I suggest that if you put the device where you have indicated, you will not be able to see it. The steering wheel, your hand or your arm will be in the way. I am speaking from first hand experience here. It needs to go above the vent.

CAA_1231133334 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 31, 2015 Posts: 31

Connected in some manner to the A Pillar I guess. I am not keen on suction mounts

What I do not wnat to do is disturb the vents - those keep me warm (or cold)

Sean

Kremmen · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:35 pm Post subject:

If the A pillar has an airbag keep it low.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

M8TJT · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:43 pm Post subject:

Have you received the two emails that I sent you with photos Sean?

CAA_1231133334 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 31, 2015 Posts: 31

Yes thank you - just checked now - (been away for a couple of days)

Sean

OK - I see what you have done with that - but don't you end up blocking the heat / cold from the vent?

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