First off thank you to unixgal,lacning74 and larrydata for their threads and and DIY instructions.
Today I went out to my MCSa with the printed instructions from those mentioned above and all kinds of tools including 2 different sized torx bits T20 and T25 to dismantle the speedo housing,etc. so I could install my KUDA mount.After lining it up against the right corner of the speedo I pressed the tabs under the housing and it fit snuggly and wouldn't budge.Done.No tools nothing took only a minute or so to do.Thanks also to JudgeS for mentioning that.
BTW I didn't direct wire my Garmin nuvi yet since I just run it on it's internal battery power.If I plan on taking a long trip again I will take apart the dash and direct wire it with the instructions I printed.Here are my pics.

KUDA mount installed with the nuvi adaptor # HA-CNM21(yes I should have order the other nuvi adaptor # HA-CNM22 originally but this seems to work okay):

KUDA mount with Garmin nuvi support bracket:

KUDA mount installed with Garmin nuvi 760:


Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

 

Looks great to me... Does the location affect signal strength for the GPS at all?

 

Jim,
Nice, clean install there. I just picked up a Nuvi 750 and am waiting for my MCS to arrive. I've been using a Garmin Bean Bag mount and it works just fine in my other vehicle. I have to see how well it does in the Mini. That Kuda mount does look great on your dash...I may end up going the Kuda-route.

Tank

 

How are the smaller GPS units stacking up. I'm thinking about getting a smaller GPS unit (I currently have the 680, its the same size as your's) but don't want to compromise in features.

Turn by turn voice prompts are a must.

I'm half kicking myself for not getting the GPS but that's a 2k option . I can do alot with 2k

 

Be glad you saved the 2K. The Garmin Nuvi series is very good. By small, do you mean a smaller screen-size than the 4.3" screen shown above? I have a Nuvi 260 and the 750 mentioned above. The 260 has a smaller screen and came loaded with North American and European maps. The voice prompts are great on both. Besides the screen size the 750 has much more capability...the biggest difference is the fact the 700 series newer model Nuvi's can save up to 10 routes, while the others cannot. The 700 series has few other features such as bluetooth, FM TMC Traffic updates, and a built-in MP3 player. The latter were not selling points for me but for a few extra $$$, the route capability was well worth it. As far as the screen size is concerned, I recommend going with the larger screen. It's much easier to see and if you have large fingers it is much easier to program on the touchscreen.

 

IMO the 680 and 750 are almost in a dead heat. The 680 came with MSN Direct for 1 year free, 750 has the TMC service, but only for 3 months. Biggest difference is the 750 does not have the flip out patch antenna like the 6 series has, and the ability to save multiple routes.

If anything the 760 would be a little better. It has an upgraded interface, qwerty keyboard and multiple routes. Still, if you have the 680 I would keep it until the new 8 series drops significantly in price.

All nuvis have MP3, and the 750/760/680 all have integrated bluetooth, I use my 680 in my current car with the Garmin external mic and pipe it all through the stereo for a cheap BT in car solution. Works well for me so far.

 

First thank you Tank and everyone else for your comments

gdmaddog the signal strength works great in that location.

SmokeM the screen size does make a difference as I first had the 3.5 inch LCD screen but found myself having to concentrate more looking at the screen then driving where the 4.3 inch LCD screen gives you more viewing area.I had problems with 2 of my Garmin nuvi's the 360 and 660 but that was more from where I bought them meaning a questionable reseller which I promptly returned both for a full refund.My 760 that I bought on sale from Costco back in June and not a single problem from day one.

I've tried several other portable mounts such as the Bracketron Nav Mat and the Garmin bean bag mount which both worked fine in the R56 with no slipping or sliding on turns or take offs and the key word is portable where you can take it from car to car.

I wasn't even aware of the KUDA mount other then from car magazine ads but never thought about it for the R56 until I started reading the KUDA threads from those mentioned in my above post and loved the way it looked and integrated with the dash of the car.

 

Here are a few shots of my "double Kuda" install for the Nuvi and my iPhone.

 

^^Very nice

 

The Nuvi 750 does not come with bluetooth, I almost bought a new one from Sams Club because they are only $399
but it did not have the blue tooth feature that my Nuvi 660 has.

 

Yeah that does suck to hear.

Anyway here is a link for all of the Garmin GPS units that have the Bluetooth option so far.

Link:http://www8.garmin.com/bluetooth/compat-gps.jsp

 

My bad. Buddy of mine has the 750 and said it had BT. Guess he was mistaken (he doesn't have a BT phone anyway).

 

Thanks for this. This is exactly what I wanted to find out about going with a smaller screen. I currently have my GPS stowed in the hidden compartment. I would love to get a kuda mount and be done with it. I'm a little leery with leaving any traces of a GPS in my car. With my luck a crack head will smash my 1000 dollar glass to steal my 300+ dollar GPS unit. So for now, I suffer with the wires, the suction cup and mounting and dismounting every time I need it (which isn't alot).

 

^^You are welcome SmokeM.

Should you go with the KUDA mount down the road you could always throw a hat on the dash (over the mount) or even a small towel over it when you leave your car.Just a thought.

 

Did you have any problem with your temperature dial? I ended up not using the lower tab on the left side of the mount because the temp control kept sticking.

 

I think i responded to you in a different thread about this. Yeah, it sticks a little - the Kuda folks didn't think that one all the way through. It loosened up a bit over time - however it didn't matter much to me because I don't mess with the auto climate control very much anyways. Bending the tab in sounds like a good idea too.

 

Where did you get the adapter? I can't seem to find that part on the Kuda site.

Jim

 

Jim here is the link for the correct Garmin nuvi adaptor for the KUDA mount:

Link: http://www.kudausa.com/garmin_nuvi_m...ring-1228.html

Here is the link for the adaptor that I got but really should have bought the above posted adaptor but it works just fine for me even though it is designed for metal dash mounts.

Link: http://www.kudausa.com/garmin_nuvi_m...late-1240.html

 

Thanks Jim R, some of these vender sites are not user friendly. I got it now.

Jim

 

Also, look at Kuda's store on ebay
http://stores.ebay.com/KUDA-CAR-CUST...-LEATHER-BASES

it IS operated by Kuda USA, not a reseller. I saved about $20 buying everything through the ebay store, and had fantastic customer service.

 

Great to hear that and you are welcome Jim

 

Now that I have ordered the adapter and having looked at all the ways to mount the Garmin posted here, I have come up with, what I think, might be really cool. Of course I have thought these things before and been very wrong, so if it does in fact work I will post a picture.

Jim

 

Nice job! I wish I was smart enough to figure out the quickie install tip when I did mine. It seems like ages ago. I didn't even know what a Torx screw was at the time. At least it got me comfortable with removing my stereo and center console for other mods. Be careful, it's addictive.

 

Jim R, Can you expand on this just a bit or direct me to the post from JudgeS, please?

Also what type screws did you use? Even with your provided information I managed to order the same mount you did.

Jim

 

Here you go plus I added that thread to my favorites for future reference.

Link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=110837&page=3

Here is JudgeS single post from there too.

Link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...3&postcount=51

Jim that is okay and not to worry as it works fine.

Now regarding which screws,I first drilled small holes through the Kuda mount using the adaptor as a template then I used the 4 screws,4 washers and 4 nuts to anchor it to the mount.

I hope that helps.