I am looking to mount a handheld GPS on either the Kuda mount or the Proclip mount. Any pro/cons of these?

I'm looking at this Kuda, Does anyone have picture of this from the driver's side view?


The Proclip is this model.

I'm liking the Proclip better since it is much smaller looking, but it covers part of the dash line (I have the yellow color line in my car). The Proclip looks like it is covered with a vinyl type material. Their website doesn't show a picture of how close to the heater controls it is and how close it might be. Plus the Nav equipped car has different controls in the area where the Kuda mounts. Does that Kuda mount work with Nav equipped cars?

 

Since you're concerned about possibly blocking heater controls, are you also considering the dash-mount version of the Kuda?

 

I just did the dash mount version on my wife's 06 Cooper and was incredibly impressed with it. I'll definitely be getting the same when I finally get my 08 MCS.

My dear but very short armed wife cannot reach the unit if installed on the windshield, so this is a great location for her and there is enough visible sky for the GPS to function well. Since she doesn't have a sunroof, locating it further down would hinder GPS reception.

 

The GPS I am mounting is a handheld model that sits vertically. I don't want it blocking my view out the windshield.

 

Which model? Even something like a Garmin 60 series would only have the antenna sticking up above the windshield with the Kuda dash mount.

What I might do in your situation is order a couple mounts and plan on returning the one you like the least. Something about holding it and seeing it for real can make a huge difference.

 

Garmin 76CSx. Same as the 60 line but a different case. I don't want it high up on the dash.

As far as satellite reception, the 76CSx has the newer chipset that works wonders. Even with zero view of the sky it works great.

 

I agree - since the 76CSx has the SiRF receiver, it's not going to matter where you mount it. With my old non-SiRF 276C, I couldn't get a satellite lock from inside the garage even with the garage door open, no matter where I mounted it. With the Nuvi, I can get a ten-satellite lock from inside my living room.

I don't have any experience with the low-mounted Kuda, but I have the dash-mounted version in both of our MINIs, and I can say that they're very sturdy and that the leather covering is very nice (even if it's not a very good colour-match for my grey dash).

Also, the front of the Kuda mount itself is just a flat blank surface to which you attach your device-specific mount, so you may be able to offset the device mount a little to the right to keep it from interfering with your heater controls.

 

I just got a TOMTOM ONE 3rd Edition...will it work with the Kuda mount?

 

Well, they list an adapter for the TomTom 1 Version two, as well as the TomTom 1 XL, but I don't know anything about a "third edition".

Best bet would be to check out their site at www.kudausa.com and/or give them a call to be certain.

 

how much does the MINI mount cost for the Garmin? I'm considering a Nuvi 650 and the Kuda looks nice, but I'd prefer a hardwired solution out of sight. One thing I hate seeing are longhaul commuters with Mission Control on the dash....cables running everywhere.

 

I think the dash mounts were around $85, between the mount itself and the device-specific attachment.

You can hard-wire with the Kuda mounts, since both mounts place the device close enough to a panel that you can snake the wires though to get them behind the dash.

 

doesn't the dealer solution offer a plug and play solution? that would seem to be a better option if so, though I can easily hardwire to my aftermarket radio's harness without need to cut any factory looms.

 

The dealer solution won't work with the 6xx series, as it's designed for the 350/360, and the 6xx series is too wide - there's not enough room between the mount and the column gauges.

Also, you can hardwire any unit without cutting looms. You can either just tap into an existing wire without cutting it, or you can plug an "Add-a-circuit" or similar device into your fusebox to give you another circuit for power.

 

add-a-circuits never work well and vampire taps are a decent option, but easier to do it on the 12V triggered output of my CD unit. Most NAV's have an internal battery as well, so that works out ok in case you power down the CD.

 

I have the Proclip solution pictured above, with my Garmin NUVI 360. It is fantastic to have a solidly mounted GPS when zipping through corners! I really like it. But... when the external audio cable is connected, it bumps the passenger's knee, and sticks out a bit. The solution is a nice audio cable with a 90 degree bend in the connector, but I haven't found one yet.

 

Triggered 12V output? Are you talking about the blue antenna/remote amp turn-on lead on an aftermarket head unit?

 

yes, though that's not really meant for more than 5A. better to tap off the switched lead

 

That's what I was thinking. I didn't realize that the turn-on lead would even handle five amps. If it can, that would be handy for a battery-equipped GPS.

 

Try This: Worked great for my Sirius w/Proclip:
http://cgi.ebay.com/6-ft-3-5mm-1-8-r...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I won't have the external connection problem. I will have to build my own mount to hold the GPS but that isn't a problem. The Proclip clips onto the dash, where are the double stick on the bottom of the Proclip? Is it the whole back side of it or just in a couple spots?

If I wanted to go with the factory mount, this plate would work well. I don't really want it up high on the dash though.
http://www.minidomore.com/interior_a...ipod_mount.php

 

How do add-a-circuts not work well? It provides power to my V1 without any problem so far. I used the same fuse that feeds the cig light outlet so it's switched.

 

it's more about the physical nature of it....it's a hard fit in the socket with the fuse attached. it's a brilliant solution, but in the MINI...you muck up the fuse socket by doing so. at least in the R56 I wired up for gauges that is. I haven't checked out my own R53 yet but figure it's similar.

 

What does muck up the fuse socket mean?

The one I used fit in just fine. I downsize the two fuses to not overload it as well.

 

That Kuda mount is cool.

 

Here's a crappy cellphone camera shot I just took. This is the ProClip mount with Sirius Sportster 5 in my wife's '07 R56.