Now that I've done Aux-In, what of Bluetooth?

[brhays]

I saw this on iLounge today.

http://www.scosche.com/scosche_bluetooth.aspx?CategoryID=122&ItemID=IUBCKH

Seems like a cool, if spendy, way to give my car Bluetooth functionality and iPod integration in one shot.

Either that, or a Mac Mini install... drool...

[mickeyd2005]

The Scosche looks like a good combo.

However, for a two hundred more than the cost of the scosche+ipod, I think one of the new all-in-one nav systems might be an option. Check out the TomTom 910, Magellan 6000T, Magellan 860T, Garmin 550, or Garmin 2820.

[brhays]

Wow, if the TomTom iPod cable were available yet, this is exactly what I'd want. Control of the iPod through the navigation screen, Bluetooth calling, and GPS is essentially all I'd want from my carputer, since I'm not really into mobile video.

Thanks for the tips, looks like I'm after the TomTom 510 and iPod interface cable. I'll snoop around and see if/how people are installing those.

[mickeyd2005]

That combo would do everything too.

The problem is ... I would want to remove the navigation system everytime I leave the car. It just seems like one more cable to deal with.

I haven't had a chance to really look at these navigation systems up close. I think the Garmin units' docking stations just to hold them in place. I would still need to plug the audio and power cables in.

I wished they would come up with docking stations like my XM radio... that would be the most convenient.

[brhays]

So, I went and picked up the Tomtom 510 today. The bluetooth support seems great so far, but the iPod cable hasn't been released yet. Soon, though, soon. The navigation is superb, and I'm exploring mounting options tomorrow. I'll be sure to take pics.

The way it docks is brilliant, the device doesn't have any plugs except for the docking station connector, all the wires connect to the docking cradles. It's really well designed, now I just need to figure out how to cram this into my cubby.

[mickeyd2005]

I look forward to seeing some pictures.

Last night, I stopped by BestBuy. The salesperson pulled the TomTom 910 out of the box for me. I didn't see the 510. I think the mounting system is far superior to the Garmin 27xx series. No cables. It just pops right off the base.

I really like the small size of the new 510 and 910. The screen is 4.0 inches widescreen yet the whole unit is not much larger than the screen. There were some other GPS units but they all had 3.5 or 3.8 inch screens yet they were all bigger than the new TomToms. I also didn't like the fact that it took quite a bit of force to remove some unit's from their base.

I'm thinking about mounting mine on top of the dash just to the right of the cubby hole. I'll drill some holes in the cubby hole and run the wires into it. I think the only way for it to fit inside the cubby hole is to remove the door and even then I don't think it will be easy to remove it from the base.

[brhays]

Pics coming soon, but beware the ugliness of the install.