Navigation & Audio Portable GPS for R56
#1
Portable GPS for R56
Greetings fellow NAM'ers.
Being a man of limited means (I just bought a MINI after all), I can't afford $2000 for a built-in system, and the MINI branded NUVI is seriously overpriced.
So what have you got in your MINI?, how did you mount it(there is no Pro-mount for the R56), does it look cool, and does it make a good cup of tea .
So any reviews, suggestions, and pics would be greatly appreciated
Being a man of limited means (I just bought a MINI after all), I can't afford $2000 for a built-in system, and the MINI branded NUVI is seriously overpriced.
So what have you got in your MINI?, how did you mount it(there is no Pro-mount for the R56), does it look cool, and does it make a good cup of tea .
So any reviews, suggestions, and pics would be greatly appreciated
#2
1st Gear
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NorCal
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#3
Greetings fellow NAM'ers.
Being a man of limited means (I just bought a MINI after all), I can't afford $2000 for a built-in system, and the MINI branded NUVI is seriously overpriced.
So what have you got in your MINI?, how did you mount it(there is no Pro-mount for the R56), does it look cool, and does it make a good cup of tea .
So any reviews, suggestions, and pics would be greatly appreciated
Being a man of limited means (I just bought a MINI after all), I can't afford $2000 for a built-in system, and the MINI branded NUVI is seriously overpriced.
So what have you got in your MINI?, how did you mount it(there is no Pro-mount for the R56), does it look cool, and does it make a good cup of tea .
So any reviews, suggestions, and pics would be greatly appreciated
MMM
#4
TomTom 910 - it is so cool. The only difference I can tell is that it doesn't have a MINI icon moving along the road like the NUVI does. Bluetooth for your cell phone works perfectly as well. A much better alternative than the 2k BMW wants. And a great support group too.
#5
#6
I am using the Garmin NUVI 360. I downloaded the MINI logo and graphics. While still searching for a better mounting method, I am currenlty using the supplied suction cup mont of the MINI's speedometer. I ran a 3.5mm stero mini jack from the Nuvi to the MINI AUX in. I can get the sound from the GPS through the MINI audio system when I switch to AUX input. I also loaded up some 2Gb SD cards with MP3s and I am using that as an MP3 player. I am pleased so far.
I would like to find a better mount, but I want something that will work near the center of the car, as my kid wants to see it from the back or passenger seat.
Let me know what you find...
I would like to find a better mount, but I want something that will work near the center of the car, as my kid wants to see it from the back or passenger seat.
Let me know what you find...
#7
My NUVI 360 makes great tea... Garmin has a line of lower cost NUVIs (less the mp3 player) that look neat. Still don't have a good way to mount it though.
*update* Proclip, www.proclipusa.com now has a mount for R56 MINIs. I just ordered the mount and bracket for the NUVI. Haven't received them yet, but here is what the mount looks like. The NUVI specific peice is a little ball that mounts on the plate shown below. It uses the NUVI's bracket and power cord. Should be cool!
*update* Proclip, www.proclipusa.com now has a mount for R56 MINIs. I just ordered the mount and bracket for the NUVI. Haven't received them yet, but here is what the mount looks like. The NUVI specific peice is a little ball that mounts on the plate shown below. It uses the NUVI's bracket and power cord. Should be cool!
Last edited by z3bum; 07-09-2007 at 06:12 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
I like the Garmin 670 for its size, ease of use and relaibility. I have ahd a few otehr brands but the Garmin was always the most intuitive. It comes with all kinds of mounts etc and is a very complete system. The entire US is already loaded into its memory and you can add your own photos , music etc. There is also blue tooth capability .
#9
I got a Garmin Nuvi 360 for my wifes 05 MCSa. It works great, we have it mounted to using the standard windshield mount on the left side. I haven't hooked it up to the aux port on her stereo though, I may consider doing that in the near future. We really love the Garmin though, I hope I like the OEM Tom Tom unit in my MCSa when it arrives in about 5 weeks.
When I was shopping for a unit for my wife, I compared Garmin to Tom Tom and it looked like the Garmin maps were better in my area.
When I was shopping for a unit for my wife, I compared Garmin to Tom Tom and it looked like the Garmin maps were better in my area.
#10
#11
#12
Here is a thread discussing the Garmin's mounted (& hard wired) on a Kuda mount. I will be doing this same install this evening on my R56.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=111280
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=111280
#14
#16
I have the Nuvi 680 and had the dash mount stuck to the dash in my previous car but (obviously) didn't want to leave the glue residue on the dash of my new MCS. So... I was using the windshield mount but found that the suction cup kept falling off more frequently (luckily I had a couple of them from previous GPS units).
I broke down and bought the Kuda mount and installed it last weekend and wanted to wait a few days before posting my comments. Please note that I did not decide to hard wire it just in case I didn't like the mount.
I like having the GPS in front of my right hand as it is extremely easy to press buttons on the Nuvi there. However, I don't like the fact that it seems to be kind of close to the steering wheel. I can stick my finger out while grasping the steering wheel and touch the unit. I guess this is convenient to use while driving but it seems a little weird having it that close.
Other than that one issue, I like it so far.
I broke down and bought the Kuda mount and installed it last weekend and wanted to wait a few days before posting my comments. Please note that I did not decide to hard wire it just in case I didn't like the mount.
I like having the GPS in front of my right hand as it is extremely easy to press buttons on the Nuvi there. However, I don't like the fact that it seems to be kind of close to the steering wheel. I can stick my finger out while grasping the steering wheel and touch the unit. I guess this is convenient to use while driving but it seems a little weird having it that close.
Other than that one issue, I like it so far.
Last edited by cob666; 10-12-2007 at 04:42 PM. Reason: typo
#17
#20
Garmin #1
This is the one I have and at about $250.00 at Walmart it fits the budget and works G R E A T ! IMHO. Doesn't have all the top of the line features but I decided and discovered they aren't worth the extra $ IMO as well. I think I saw them at Walmart last week for $228.00. I just stick mine in the cup holder or suction it to the window.
I have a Garmin streetpilot C330 that I purchased about a year ago that I will be sharing with my other car as well. Great great GPS, I won't travel anywhere without it!
I use a friction mount on the dash which I believe will work just fine in the MINI, I'll know when it arrives .
I use a friction mount on the dash which I believe will work just fine in the MINI, I'll know when it arrives .
#21
#22
If you've already got a Garmin Nuvi 3-series you just get the mount from the 'official' portable Nav package that sits to the left side of the tach and then hardwires in down somewhere in the bowels of the steering column area.
#23
Well, I went with the change from under the cushions of the couch. Microsoft Streets and trips and a laptop. I bought S&T for home use while planning. Then I got a great deal on the laptop. So I didn't have the gps antenna when we went on the trip.
OK. At least it was easier than refolding a map! S&T has all the gps support tools built in, all I have to do is add a $36 antenna. D'oh!
It's on order!
OK. At least it was easier than refolding a map! S&T has all the gps support tools built in, all I have to do is add a $36 antenna. D'oh!
It's on order!
#25
Well, NUVI 650 came today - took about 10 minutes to update and add the Mini splash screen and Cooper icons, then about 1 minute to mount on the ProClip. It's in a great spot but the glare isn't right in your face at night. Highly recommend this arrangement for people who want quality GPS Navigation in their Mini without paying the dealer's butcher bill.
Last edited by MiniWidower; 10-23-2007 at 01:16 PM.