So I just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 660. I’m wondering about hard-wiring options. Does anyone have input that has this unit? I’m particularly interested in which power source is best for the unit to work properly.
Garmin GPS hardwire question:
SeanVree
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You have a couple options and a few things you should take into consideration:SeanVree said:
1. You have FM Modulation and Traffic Alerts through the adapter that came with it.
2. The unit has a headphone jack that you could use with a PIE adapter in conjuction with your factory stereo (bypassing the FM modulation BUT losing the Traffic Alerts).
3. Power should be key on hot since the unit automatically turns on and off.
Ok with all that being said you need to decide if Traffic Alerts are important. If you want to recieve traffic alerts you should wire in a hidden cigarette lighter adapter powered by a key on hot and use the supplied power adapter that came with the unit. This keeps the wires and adapter hidden. Nothing looks worse than a bunch of stuff hanging all over your dash.
If you don't want traffic alerts or it is not important to you since the trail period ends in a few months anyway...you can purchase an adapter that supplies power only (no FM modulation) to the unit for about $24.00. This can be hard wired in to a key on hot...but make sure you run an inline fuse (same kind that is in the cigarette lighter adapter) (or wire in a hidden cig adapter). Then you could use a PIE adapter from your stereo to the headphone jack on the unit to hear it through your speakers.
I decided I wanted the traffic alerts so I used the supplied adapter and wired in a hidden cig lighter powered by a key on hot. I had to extend the adapter because I did not want anything mounted on the dash, and the location I chose for the unit was the top left corner of my windshield (no it does not block my view in anyway). That location also helps when using the bluetooth because the mic is close to the driver.
*caution: if you decide you want to extend your adapter...do not cut through the wire right away. Peel back the insulation and foil and you will see a bundle of 10 wires (to include a drain wire). You will see two "red" and two "brown" wires. Mark these so you know which ones to connect to which before you cut. Once that is done just go to a computer supply store and pick up a 3 foot (10 wire bundle) extension and solder all the wires together.
Here is what it looks like. I ran the wire behind the dash and up the drivers side A-Pillar and accross the headliner down to the mount:
This is the hidden cig adapter powered by a key on hot:
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WOW! THanks, this is really helpful. A couple questions though:
1. What's a "PIE Adapter"?
1. What's a "PIE Adapter"?
2. Where would I get a cigarette lighter? ANd where do I wire it to? Why wouldn't I just bypass the cigarette lighter and splice directly into the key on hot wire?Bear Hunter said:
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I'm not sure if your Titan head unit has an Aux jack in the front or not...but a PIE adapter connects to the back of your head unit and allows you to run things such as satellite radio's, I-Pods, etc...hard wired to your stereo so you don't get that FM modulation interference. If you have an Aux jack in the front of your head unit, you could get an I-Pod adapter from Best Buy that has a male end on both ends (one connects to the GPS and the other connects to your head unit)SeanVree said:
I picked mine up from the computer supply store where I bought my 3ft wire bundle extension....but I imagine you could find one at an Autoparts store or probably even Radio Shack.SeanVree said:
You would bypass the factory cigarette lighter (since the factory cig is a constant hot) and wire it to a key on hot. I would probably run a relay triggered by a key on hot... and wire your hidden cig lighter to that.
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Ohhh, okay, i'm tracking now. So you mean something like this:Bear Hunter said:
http://www.autotoys.com/x/cust/product.php?productid=8372&cat=31&page=1
Okay, tracking on the power thing!
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Yep, That seems a little expensive though....It will also allow you to use the MP3 player function the unit has and also sound decent. I'm going to do something like this eventually...that way if I get a phone call, I'm not messing around with menus to activate the FM Modulation...just have to connect the jack and push the AUX button. I'll be running this behind the dash, up the A-Pillar and accross the headliner and down to the unit.SeanVree said:
phraingq ... Old truck was never found. I picked up an 07... that is a picture of it on the gps in my original post.
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Yep, that's what I plan to do with this new GPS unit I'm going to install. The only downfall I see is that if you want to use the audio features of the GPS unit, your head unit has to be on the AUX source, right? That kinda sucks because I'd like to listen to music AND have the GPS audio functions. Oh well.Bear Hunter said:Yep, That seems a little expensive though....It will also allow you to use the MP3 player function the unit has and also sound decent. I'm going to do something like this eventually...that way if I get a phone call, I'm not messing around with menus to activate the FM Modulation...just have to connect the jack and push the AUX button. I'll be running this behind the dash, up the A-Pillar and accross the headliner and down to the unit.
![Image]()
phraingq ... Old truck was never found. I picked up an 07... that is a picture of it on the gps in my original post.
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Yeah... I was only going to do it for phone calls and for the MP3 player function. For Navigation I would use the units internal speaker (audio jack disconnected)...then if I got a phone call, I would plug it in and hit the AUX button. Thats really the only way...even if you used FM Modulation you could not listen to music at the same time because it has to be set on a certain channel. The PIE adapter on the other hand will give you the best quality and allow the MP3's to sound decent.
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No problem...post some pics when your done
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awwsome dude.
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Take a look at this...http://www.titantalk.com/forums/714917-post57.htmlSeanVree said:
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Sorry it took so long to respond.... I have been in the process of moving:SeanVree said:
1. I don't use the visor...but if I were to lower it, yeah it would cover it.
2. Yep using the supplied suction cup mount directly on the window
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