I have posted some pictures of my Garmin Nuvi 660 install into my gallery. I removed the center dashboard cover - following instructions I found elsewhere on NAM, and then drilled a small hole in the dash cover. I then mounted a small plastic ball I purchased at Home Depot, using a flat head bolt. I dipped the ball into PlastiGrip before I mounted it - it gave the ball a nice grippy/rubbery finish that holds the mounting cradle very well.

As you can see, the Nuvi cradle mounts onto the ball. I guided the power wire down along the center console and it is plugged into the lighter socket. The second wire is the Aux feed from the mp3 output of the Nuvi - that wire feeds to the Aux input I installed into the back of the radio - again following instructions I found here on NAM. When the radio is set to Aux, the Nuvi gives its directions through the radio, temporarily interrupting the music playing on the Nuvi. The Nuvi accepts SD cards in the tiny slot on the right side - I have loaded music playlists onto the cards.

Ditto the Bluetooth with my cell phone - when the radio is set to Aux, the phone calls play through the stereo speakers - the Nuvi interrupts the music during the call.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with the results. The Nuvi is in a location that easily allows viewing and utilizing the touch screen - for both driver and passenger. It unclips from the cradle quickly when I'm out of the car - I do this religiously in order to prevent any temptation for a passer-by who might decide they'd like to grab the Nuvi.

The entire job took slightly under an hour.

 

Looking good. is the nav hard to read at that angle?

 

Actually - the display is quite bright and it is easily seen from both seats.

 

Looks good.

 

very nice... Where do we find these ***** at Home Depot....

 

I found the ball in the plumbing department - I think it's a part that is used in the assembly for a sink drain stopper. I will post some before and after pics when I have a moment.

 

Not sure whast you mean "mounts onto the ball". Does the cradle actually attach to the ball via friction, or does the ball just serve as a shock-absorber? Looks like a very clean install, though - nice work!

 

Nice Job!

 

I am in the market for a GOS and the 660 looked like a real good unit. Thanks to you if i get that one I have a idea how to mount it. Thanks for sharing.

 

That looks *very* nice! Did you ever get a chance to take pics of the ball by itself?

 

In my gallery - image 1 of 10 shows the ball itself. I've continued to be pleased with the setup and absolutely love the Nuvi 660.

Dave

 

Hello Dave:

Wow, great job on the install of the Nuvi! I too have a Nuvi and would like to integrate it with my radio. Could you post or PM me on the link for the instructions on the AUX input on the radio? I went outside and fooled around with the radio and could not bring up the AUX on the display. How do you set your radio to AUX?

Thank you!
Michael

 

The aux input is an option from MINI. It runs about $40. You can also get it from Outmotoring.com. If hitting "mode" doesn't bring it up, you don't have it installed.

 

that looks very cool
a nice clean setup