Anyone have the Brodit Hardwire PDA Mount?

Wardy · 10-04-2005, 00:11

Have it fitted with the Brodit centre vent attachment, and it's working well, but I've taken the wiring off for the moment. I'm not sure where to take it, where to tap into the power etc?

Thought about running it through one of the blanked dash buttons, or at least creating a space between two of them?

Any suggestions/experiences?

Thanks, Steve

**VRStu** · 10-04-2005, 00:26

Got one in the garage waiting to go on.

Been waiting for radio removal keys.

Wardy · 10-04-2005, 00:31

Let me know how you get on

And you should have shouted for some keys, I'd have sent you mine

Steve

**VRStu** · 10-04-2005, 01:19

Thanks.

I managed to get the Dealer to order me some only about £1.20 for a pack of 4.

Handy to have around.

I think I'll be cutting a blank button for the power cable and I expect to take power from the Radio switched live.

I've also toyed with the idea of putting the GPS aerial in the dash, I'm sure I read somewhere that it had been done.

Wardy · 10-04-2005, 01:24

Fair enough, that's cheap at least.

If you can do a few pics for a 'how-to' along the way, that would be great

I use the TomTom Wireless Bluetooth receiver, so thankfully I only have the PDA wiring to bother with.

Steve

**VRStu** · 10-04-2005, 09:20

I'll be doing the TT Wired version so it has the aerial on a cable.

WW_VRS · 10-04-2005, 10:11

Definitely use the blanking plates, they're cheap, easy to work with (relatively) and there is great potential to cover up mistakes by using some spares

Wardy · 10-04-2005, 12:59

So what would you recommend - just simply drilling a hole through the middle of one of the blanks?

Steve

**VRStu** · 10-04-2005, 13:03

You can get the blanks out easy enough.

I think I will use the Brodit on the left vent and use the very left blank plate.

***ColinD*** · 11-04-2005, 12:25

In the Octavia you can ease the central vent section out. I have power for my touch screen coming out there....

Just looking at a proclip myself for the PDA / Phone. Where did you get yours from?

Wardy · 11-04-2005, 12:29

Yes, that's a possibility Colin. Where did you tap into, to get the power? That's my sticking point at the moment as I don't have any experience of car electrics, and don't really want to go messing with stuff I don't know anything about

I got a bargain buy from eBay for the PDA mount itself, and ordered the Proclip direct from the Brodit UK website. Quite pricey for a piece of plastic, but it does the job very well, so can't complain really.

Steve

***ColinD*** · 11-04-2005, 13:34

Plumbed it into the radio power to be honest.

Looking on here at the moment: http://www.handnav.co.uk/bundles.php?id=234

Yes rather a stiff price for a bent bit of plastic.

Looked on Brodit for a Uk ordering, found nemesisgb.com...

Wardy · 11-04-2005, 14:15

Colin - my mistake, I did order the Proclip from Handnav in the end. Quite slow delivery to be honest as well. But they seemed the only UK place I could find that sold the Brodit stuff?

Steve

ap0gee · 11-04-2005, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

Been waiting for radio removal keys.

Whay not just snap an old junior hacksaw blade in half? Worked fine for me...

**VRStu** · 11-04-2005, 17:21

Steve - Do you have a multimeter?? You should get one if not, very handy for working on the car. Maplins have got a very nifty little digital one for £7 at the moment.

Why not just snap an old junior hacksaw blade in half? - I like to at least try and have the right tools and for the sake of just over a pound I wasn't really worried about eating into my overdraft

Lyserman · 11-04-2005, 21:20

If I had logged on this morning I would have taken some pics of the install.
Just fitted the Brodit Pro-clip and active swivel mount with ps2 cable to my furby today.

Very simple, very professional cradle from HandNav (excellent service) and it took 3 days to arrive just like the man said it would.
It will only fit on the RH vent (for a RHD) as it is shaped to fit accurately. I removed the RH button blank and filed the cutout for the cable. The only problem I had was the voltage convertor was too big to fit through the hole left by the button. This was solved by unscrewing the pda connector from the cradle and threading it carefully through the hole.
My gps receiver is fitted on the dash under the tax disk and the cable runs along the gap between the dash and the window pillar then drops behind the plastic cover on the left of the glove box and then under the dash to the connector. I was going to go bluetooth for the receiver but I have read that they have a habit of dying after a few months, so I will remain wired.
I will post some pics of it tomorrow if anyone is interested.
I have tried and binned a fair few cradles in the last couple of years and this is by far the best of the lot. Expensive for a bit of plastic? Yes, but it is the right shaped bit of plastic and it is solid. Big

from me.

Wardy · 11-04-2005, 21:28

Yeah, pics would be appreciated mate. Sounds like a tidy install

With the price, I didn't really have a problem paying that, as I knew it would be good quality and I wasn't disappointed. Was just preparing people for the possible shock

Steve

Wardy · 11-04-2005, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

Steve - Do you have a multimeter?? You should get one if not, very handy for working on the car. Maplins have got a very nifty little digital one for £7 at the moment.

I'm sure I can come across one pretty easily

And I agree with you about the hacksaw tip, especially considering the price of the Skoda tools...

Steve

Lyserman · 12-04-2005, 12:03

As promised here are the pics! I took the power from the switched live feed to the head unit. I will also be experimenting with fitting the gps receiver above the glove box under the dash as it seems to be non-metallic up there. Will keep you posted.

Wardy · 12-04-2005, 12:43

Thanks for those very helpful. I just don't know what to do with taking power from the "switched live feed" to the headunit

My Brodit mount just has two bare wires at the end...

I'm using the original Symphony single CD HU.

Steve

Lyserman · 12-04-2005, 18:15

That is where the multimeter comes in handy. One of the red? wires going into the back of the head unit will only show 12v when the ignition is switched on, hence "switched live".
If you have the mount which only feeds power to the PDA then you could wire it into a permanent live but as mine feeds the receiver as well I could end up with a flat battery as the receiver would take power all the time albeit a small amount.
If you are not confident in using a multimeter then I suggest enlisting help on this forum from someone living close to you. Having your car go up in smoke from a wiring fire will certainly ruin your day as could blowing up the head unit.

As an aside I just placed the receiver on top of the blower motor under the dash and got nearly full signal from 6 satellites

I am off to Peterborough tomorrow so I will see how it fares on the road.

**VRStu** · 12-04-2005, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyserman

As an aside I just placed the receiver on top of the blower motor under the dash and got nearly full signal from 6 satellites

Nice one mate - Thats what i'm after doing.

Was it a TomTom kit you used?

Lyserman · 12-04-2005, 20:04

It is a Rikaline 6010 receiver and it was the cheapest one I could find at the time and I cannot fault it.

I use TomTom and POIwarner and find it sufficient. POIwarner is constantly updated with the speed camera details by the subscribers as they drive past them, then when you connect to the internet it updates the central database and we all benefit, well worth the £12 annual subscription.

Wardy · 12-04-2005, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyserman

That is where the multimeter comes in handy. One of the red? wires going into the back of the head unit will only show 12v when the ignition is switched on, hence "switched live".
If you have the mount which only feeds power to the PDA then you could wire it into a permanent live but as mine feeds the receiver as well I could end up with a flat battery as the receiver would take power all the time albeit a small amount.
If you are not confident in using a multimeter then I suggest enlisting help on this forum from someone living close to you. Having your car go up in smoke from a wiring fire will certainly ruin your day as could blowing up the head unit.

Thanks for the pointers, I'll take a look but might well end up shouting for help

Steve

10-04-2005, 00:11	#1
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Anyone have the Brodit Hardwire PDA Mount? Have it fitted with the Brodit centre vent attachment, and it's working well, but I've taken the wiring off for the moment. I'm not sure where to take it, where to tap into the power etc? Thought about running it through one of the blanked dash buttons, or at least creating a space between two of them? Any suggestions/experiences? Thanks, Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

10-04-2005, 00:26	#2
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	Got one in the garage waiting to go on. Been waiting for radio removal keys. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

10-04-2005, 00:31	#3
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Let me know how you get on And you should have shouted for some keys, I'd have sent you mine Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

10-04-2005, 01:19	#4
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	Thanks. I managed to get the Dealer to order me some only about £1.20 for a pack of 4. Handy to have around. I think I'll be cutting a blank button for the power cable and I expect to take power from the Radio switched live. I've also toyed with the idea of putting the GPS aerial in the dash, I'm sure I read somewhere that it had been done. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

10-04-2005, 01:24	#5
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Fair enough, that's cheap at least. If you can do a few pics for a 'how-to' along the way, that would be great I use the TomTom Wireless Bluetooth receiver, so thankfully I only have the PDA wiring to bother with. Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

10-04-2005, 09:20	#6
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	I'll be doing the TT Wired version so it has the aerial on a cable. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

10-04-2005, 10:11	#7
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,864 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 46 Thanked 85 Times in 75 Posts	Definitely use the blanking plates, they're cheap, easy to work with (relatively) and there is great potential to cover up mistakes by using some spares __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

10-04-2005, 12:59	#8
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	So what would you recommend - just simply drilling a hole through the middle of one of the blanks? Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

10-04-2005, 13:03	#9
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	You can get the blanks out easy enough. I think I will use the Brodit on the left vent and use the very left blank plate. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

11-04-2005, 12:25	#10
*ColinD* Site owner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hill & Mountains of North Wales Posts: 10,297 Members Car: Roomster Scout Images: 3 Thanks: 26 Thanked 174 Times in 80 Posts	In the Octavia you can ease the central vent section out. I have power for my touch screen coming out there.... Just looking at a proclip myself for the PDA / Phone. Where did you get yours from? __________________ ColinD 1.9 Scout Roomster - Standard www.BRISKODA.net :: Site Owner E-Mail : webmaster at briskoda dot net Got a comment to make about the site? Please feel free to use the feedback form here, we welcome your views.

11-04-2005, 12:29	#11
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Yes, that's a possibility Colin. Where did you tap into, to get the power? That's my sticking point at the moment as I don't have any experience of car electrics, and don't really want to go messing with stuff I don't know anything about I got a bargain buy from eBay for the PDA mount itself, and ordered the Proclip direct from the Brodit UK website. Quite pricey for a piece of plastic, but it does the job very well, so can't complain really. Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

11-04-2005, 13:34	#12
*ColinD* Site owner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hill & Mountains of North Wales Posts: 10,297 Members Car: Roomster Scout Images: 3 Thanks: 26 Thanked 174 Times in 80 Posts	Plumbed it into the radio power to be honest. Looking on here at the moment: http://www.handnav.co.uk/bundles.php?id=234 Yes rather a stiff price for a bent bit of plastic. Looked on Brodit for a Uk ordering, found nemesisgb.com... __________________ ColinD 1.9 Scout Roomster - Standard www.BRISKODA.net :: Site Owner E-Mail : webmaster at briskoda dot net Got a comment to make about the site? Please feel free to use the feedback form here, we welcome your views.

11-04-2005, 14:15	#13
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Colin - my mistake, I did order the Proclip from Handnav in the end. Quite slow delivery to be honest as well. But they seemed the only UK place I could find that sold the Brodit stuff? Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

11-04-2005, 17:21	#15
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	Steve - Do you have a multimeter?? You should get one if not, very handy for working on the car. Maplins have got a very nifty little digital one for £7 at the moment. Why not just snap an old junior hacksaw blade in half? - I like to at least try and have the right tools and for the sake of just over a pound I wasn't really worried about eating into my overdraft __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

11-04-2005, 21:20	#16
Lyserman Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West UK Posts: 45 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If I had logged on this morning I would have taken some pics of the install. Just fitted the Brodit Pro-clip and active swivel mount with ps2 cable to my furby today. Very simple, very professional cradle from HandNav (excellent service) and it took 3 days to arrive just like the man said it would. It will only fit on the RH vent (for a RHD) as it is shaped to fit accurately. I removed the RH button blank and filed the cutout for the cable. The only problem I had was the voltage convertor was too big to fit through the hole left by the button. This was solved by unscrewing the pda connector from the cradle and threading it carefully through the hole. My gps receiver is fitted on the dash under the tax disk and the cable runs along the gap between the dash and the window pillar then drops behind the plastic cover on the left of the glove box and then under the dash to the connector. I was going to go bluetooth for the receiver but I have read that they have a habit of dying after a few months, so I will remain wired. I will post some pics of it tomorrow if anyone is interested. I have tried and binned a fair few cradles in the last couple of years and this is by far the best of the lot. Expensive for a bit of plastic? Yes, but it is the right shaped bit of plastic and it is solid. Big from me. Last edited by Lyserman; 11-04-2005 at 21:22.

11-04-2005, 21:28	#17
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Yeah, pics would be appreciated mate. Sounds like a tidy install With the price, I didn't really have a problem paying that, as I knew it would be good quality and I wasn't disappointed. Was just preparing people for the possible shock Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

12-04-2005, 12:43	#20
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,707 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 366 Times in 354 Posts	Thanks for those very helpful. I just don't know what to do with taking power from the "switched live feed" to the headunit My Brodit mount just has two bare wires at the end... I'm using the original Symphony single CD HU. Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

12-04-2005, 18:15	#21
Lyserman Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West UK Posts: 45 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That is where the multimeter comes in handy. One of the red? wires going into the back of the head unit will only show 12v when the ignition is switched on, hence "switched live". If you have the mount which only feeds power to the PDA then you could wire it into a permanent live but as mine feeds the receiver as well I could end up with a flat battery as the receiver would take power all the time albeit a small amount. If you are not confident in using a multimeter then I suggest enlisting help on this forum from someone living close to you. Having your car go up in smoke from a wiring fire will certainly ruin your day as could blowing up the head unit. As an aside I just placed the receiver on top of the blower motor under the dash and got nearly full signal from 6 satellites I am off to Peterborough tomorrow so I will see how it fares on the road.

12-04-2005, 20:04	#23
Lyserman Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West UK Posts: 45 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It is a Rikaline 6010 receiver and it was the cheapest one I could find at the time and I cannot fault it. I use TomTom and POIwarner and find it sufficient. POIwarner is constantly updated with the speed camera details by the subscribers as they drive past them, then when you connect to the internet it updates the central database and we all benefit, well worth the £12 annual subscription. Last edited by Lyserman; 12-04-2005 at 20:10.