I have opted for a Garmin Nuvi 1490tv and wondered if anyone here has installed one of these? My plan is to try install the unit in the dash top 'cubby' - I am looking to run a power socket to here and have seen some threads as to how this might be done. However, the unit also has two aerials for the digital TV and I am thinking of locating these on the front and rear windscreens - I am keen to hear of anyone else who has tried this and how they ran the cables invisibly to the front of the car. I am thinking the most obvious route is to try and run behind the roof lining and then down the front A-pillar eventually feeding through to the dash 'cubby'. Would apppreciate any feedback from anyone else who has tried this and any lessons I can learn (I am pretty cack-handed at the best of times!).

I am slightly concerned at 'butchering' my nice new car but I am reluctant to have wire spaghetti visibly running through the car so if I can keep the cables out of sight, so much the better.

Cheers.

:S

I am thinking the most obvious route is to try and run behind the roof lining

I'd tape foam around most of the length of the wire that will be inside the headlining - Skoda don't appear to use that sound deadening material that other manufacturers use against the metal roof panel, so it might click against the metal making an annoying noise. I might be over cautious here though!

What's your impression of that satnav so far?

Accessing the a-pillar is easy, it just pulls off and there's plenty of holes to slot cable ties through to tie the wire down the length of the a pillar. There's enough space to feed the wire into the dash behind the fusebox, although it's fairly fiddly to route it along behind the instrument cluster - there's a lot of crap in the way in there i used an unfolded wire coat hanger to run my fiscon microphone wire that route, next time around i'll take the shortcut and unscrew the instrument cluster for nice simple access in there. Everything else towards the head unit area is easy, tons of access once the top box is out. Loads of space for stuffing cables / connector plugs etc.

From the a pillar to the back, a fish tape will work through the headlining, you can get access at the a pillar windscreen corner.

Other option would be to unclip the trim along the door bottoms and run the wire along the bottom. Although if you're going that route, for some reason I really struggled with the seat bolsters at either side at the rear when i took them off for something else.

I'd tape foam around most of the length of the wire that will be inside the headlining - Skoda don't appear to use that sound deadening material that other manufacturers use against the metal roof panel, so it might click against the metal making an annoying noise. I might be over cautious here though!

What's your impression of that satnav so far?

Accessing the a-pillar is easy, it just pulls off and there's plenty of holes to slot cable ties through to tie the wire down the length of the a pillar. There's enough space to feed the wire into the dash behind the fusebox, although it's fairly fiddly to route it along behind the instrument cluster - there's a lot of crap in the way in there i used an unfolded wire coat hanger to run my fiscon microphone wire that route, next time around i'll take the shortcut and unscrew the instrument cluster for nice simple access in there. Everything else towards the head unit area is easy, tons of access once the top box is out. Loads of space for stuffing cables / connector plugs etc.

From the a pillar to the back, a fish tape will work through the headlining, you can get access at the a pillar windscreen corner.

Other option would be to unclip the trim along the door bottoms and run the wire along the bottom. Although if you're going that route, for some reason I really struggled with the seat bolsters at either side at the rear when i took them off for something else.

Cheers for the feedback - thanks - I'll need to wait for a decent day and give it a go.

I'm really impressed with the Garmin - great piece of kit. The built in Bluetooth is great - I can even access my address book something I am unable to do with the factory-fit unit in my Saab!

The TV is a neat feature - I used to have an MG ZT complete with TV and the kids loved it especially if mum was going into the shops - kept them occupied and saved my sanity! I am hoping if I can get this all wired up this will be equally well received by them! :yes:

I am still a bit nervous about trying to wire this up but I'll endeavour to give it a go!

Cheers.

I see you're in Glasgow, if you get major problems feel free to give me a shout. I don't have loads of free time thanks to work just now but i'm sure i'd be able to lend a hand some time.

Meantime someone else here will post soon with better info