Hi simont, The sound quality, whilst not up to the radio's standards, is quite OK for route instructions - I have my volume at the 80% level with no clarity issues at all at our speed limit of 110kph (68mph), so there is still volume in hand. As for the microphone used with the Bluetooth hands free phone facility, you would need to put a small hole in the mask. I've decided not to use the 'phone facility because, when I did try it out prior to fitting the mask, I found that the microphone sensitivity is pretty low and required a real shout for the caller to hear you. I checked with Garmin and there is no way of increasing the microphone gain.
Cheers, Graham.

Nice to see that somebody at LR Australia got the smarts and arranged black covers to go over the aftermarket fit on the Garmins. The one fitted on my SD4 looks good (picked up last week). Most of the piccies posted here to date show a fugly brown colour. The Nav unit itself works well in the city but seems to give up entirely once you hit the country roads. Has anyone tried the offroad mapping software like TOPO?

I bought my 1490 from JB HiFi and it cam with the Topo maps for free (value of $200+) and while the memory card is in the unit I have never used them. Although, every now and then I do get advised to take a 'track' through out local council bushland reserve when I deviate from the route it prescribed, which probably woouldn't be appreciated from all the dog walkers on that path  1st time FL2 owner. 2007 SE i6 in Tambora Flame.

With the Dealer fitted Garmin 1490 unit has anyone accessed the micro SD card slot yet to add maps? I am interested in adding the Topo map but I'm not sure how difficult it is to gain access to this area. I have the Topo map on my handheld Garmin 62S but would be nice to have also on the built in unit. Any help would be appreciated.

I wish I had followed the example of jdwhyte and bought the 1490T myself so I could have negotiated TOPO maps. Alas, I didn't and the 1490T mapping software is a shocker once in the country and off the main roads (where I live). I will therefore need to buy TOPO maps and load via SD slot.
When I picking the FL2 up, I specifically asked the dealer how to get access and told me it was quite simple - prize open the panel which looks like a speaker cover directly above the Touchscreen and it is easy to gain access. Given earlier stories about access via glove box removal, it all sounded a bit too simple, though he was the Service Manager in earlier years and should know his stuff. I haven't pried it open yet but will soon as I need the TOPO maps sooner rather than later as I'm planning a trip up to Rules Beach and Eurimbula Nat. Park next week.

jaksbak; I shouldn't be too concerned about access, your Service Manager is probably quite right in his comments. The removal of the glovebox - at least in my case - was only to put the power supply socket and isolating switch in place. It certainly doesn't need touching again to get to the Garmin. As far as the maps go I think it's all down to deals at the time. I got free map updates for the life of the unit when I bought from JB, but I will probably go for the TOPO at some time. Incidentally, you can download TOPO directly into the Garmin via the Garmin web site as an alternative to the SD slot. An odd thing I have noticed with the supplied mapping is the number of country roads it shows which don't actually exist, presumably bush tracks that have fallen into disuse and future roads that are planned and shown on the shire maps but not yet built.

I don't think it's been answered yet, but if its permanently wired in and powered by the ignition switched accessory fuse. What happens when the ignition is switched off, does it stay on, powered by it's own internal battery and then gives an option to turn off again on screen?

being a garmin it will ask you if it should continue under battery power , if you dont press yes within 30 seconds it will shut down At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

It may be CG knowledge, but it is the truth!

The 1490 is a 4.3 inch screen.

Has anyone tried fitting the newer 5 inch screen models? 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

1490 is a 5" screen as is the 1410

EYorkshire wrote:

1490 is a 5" screen as is the 1410

Your RIGHT

I was getting mixed up with the 1390 which is 4.3 inch.


OK - so my question is now whether anyone thinks there is much real difference between the 4.3 and 5 screen sizes

And I don't mean 0.7 inches.... 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

1.77800 centimetres a google fact  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Simont. In my gallery is a picture of the 1490T installed. There is a noticeable difference between the 1390 and the 1490 since the .7" is diagonal, so the 1390 is smaller in both height and width. The 1490 is a very close fit in the OE box.
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egipp

Thanks for the reply.

Guess I will have to save a few more pennies as I think the 4.3 will look too small.

If/When I get one would like it to fit as your does.

Thanks for sharing...  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone