Hi everyone,
I am buying a portable GPS next week but I really dont want to mount it to the windshield. Any creative locations you thought of to put your nav (other than the factory garmin)?
I havnt done too much research but the only ones i found that stick to the dash are the sonys. Any others? Also, who has stuck theirs to the speedo?

 

there's a lot of threads on this topic. almost any gps can be stuck to the dash somehow. garmin comes with a dash double-sided tape to stick it's mount on the dash. i would be wary of damaging the dash. people have had success with the various beanbag type mounts. people have suction cupped to the speedo. if you want something cleaner, check out Kuda or Proclipusa. i just noticed Minifini has a new cupholder and will also offer an attachment for GPS/pda/phones. anyway, here's my prior installs, the Kuda mount and a custom one I made myself in emulation of the factory garmin. there's also the Proclipusa solutions.

 

I'm using the Garmin Nuvi mount from Craven Speed. They now have a mount for TomTom as well, and a new single attachment bracket.

I just didn't like the looks of the Kuda system in pictures.

 

Love the Kuda mount -- ran the wire back through the dash.

With the Nuvi in the Kuda mount, I don't have to take my right hand off the steering wheel to touch the screen; very convenient. Also don't have to look down to see what's going on.

 

Gotta say the kuda is nice! You can install in in under 2 minutes without taking the car apart too.
This is it with my Navigon mounted. Blends well!

 

How do you like the Navigon?

 

Love it! Easy to work and so far has been spot on. I was on a business trip to D.C. and had it set on smart route or what ever it is called and it drove me around all the traffic jams! I have the 5110 (the same as the 5100 but with worldwide maps).

 

I have a year-old Navigon 2100, that I also am quite fond of. Got it after the last Xmas season, for $158 all in, including lifetime traffic.

Screen could be a bit brighter in direct sunlight, but overall it is a first rate unit, with great text to speech software. It uses a tweaked version of the same Navteq mapset that Garmin uses. Also Navigon sells a three year map update plan, which is often available via websearch for $49. I purchased my map update plan last August for $28 all in from macmall, after seeing a post on fatwallet.

 

I didn't like the bulge look of the Kuda when the GPS is removed so I made my own bracket that almost disappears except for the hole above the a/c vent.

 

I didn't like the bulge look of the Kuda when the GPS is removed so I made my own bracket that almost disappears except for the flange above the a/c vent.






My Garmin 660 mounts right where I want it similar to the Kuda




In addition to some intensive sheet metal fabrication and dash disassembly I had to make this bracket and get a ball adapter:

 

looks great! custom jobs always are more satisfying. wish i could do metal work. did you think of painting the screw and nut thingy black to blend in better? also, nice oil gauge.

 

I suggest you consider mounting it on the speedometer face, using the suction cup mount that comes with the NUVI......and remove it when not actually using it, and store it in the "secret" compartment. I find this location to be great, gives a good view of the screen and easy access to operate the user interface. There are a lot of bad guys out there who break into cars to steal the NAV and any type of permanent mount is a dead give-away that you have a NAV, whether mounted or not. Some people have suggested putting a hat or something over the permanent mount when you remove the NAV, and I suppose that works.....but for me, just removing the whole thing is the better solution. Good luck with your decision.

 

This is what I do and I think it works well. I have a Nuvi 775T widescreen and I can suction it to the upper right part of the speedo and see up to 80 mph and 6 of the fuel gage candy corns so for me is not obtrusive at all. Nav, cables and mount just fit in the secret compartment when not in use.

 

No risks of breaking the speedo covering?

 

Every person who rides in my car comments on the Kuda mount looking factory and being easy to use and see. I have a Garmin Nuvi 360.

CravenSpeed has just come out with a mounting bracked that looks pretty cool, too.

 

I really like how your GPS does not block the speedo

I'm in the process of aligning and screwing in my Garmin to the Kuda that I just got in the mail. The tips on this forum are just amazing and gives me a sense of direction when planing a mod/install to my precious mini.

I have to admit the kuda will be a nice "line of sight" enhancement from where my dealership originally installed and mounted my Nuvi 360 -left side almost hidden behind the steering wheel using a bracket- however the pro to this is that it's not as noticible to a thief, the con of course is that the line of sight when driving really sux!

The advantage of the Kuda, more than just the asthetics, is really the line of sight and more room for other gadgets! (boost guages, V1 remote, scangauge, etc etc.) But the major con of the kuda i believe is that any portable GPS mounted on it is asking to be stolen since the device is mounted so high up. My solution is when I park in the "ghetto" of the town/city, I just pop off the Nuvi, and toss it into my "secret compartment" ya know, the one that only die hard Cooper owners know about! ssshhhh! And if I forget to dismount the device from the kuda...I pray that the "knight rider" factory installed mini alarm that glows near the top of the Tach, near the kuda mount, deters the theif from even thinking of stealing it. I'm waiting for BMW to come out with the eletectric force field feature, a bubble of electricity around the mini.

Oly

 

Thanks for the comments.. I am lucky enough not to need to remove the Navigon that often but I was thinking of another option.. You know those little mirrors you have for babies that you mount on the dash? Little velcro on the Kuda and a little velcro on a little mirror.. VIOLA instant baby mirror that with a simple tug returns to a navigation mount! I have also seen blind spot mirrors mounted on the dash that would look the same.
A thief would peak in and see the mirror and think, oh a mirror not Oh sweet a navigation mount!

 

That's a awesome idea!! Luckily I do have a baby seat in the back so this baby mirror idea you came up with may work out well in my situation! Sadly, It's slow here at work so I went over to http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2402035 and found a mirror that I could attach to the garmin slip cover case that would go over my nuvi while still mounted to the kuda.

If i ever have the time to do this, I'll call it the "David in Germany Mod"!

 

hehe, Nice!

 

Actually you've hit on a good idea. I've also been thinking along these lines and have been on the lookout for an extra Nuvi mount (I have a 650) that I could use as a mount for a mirror. However, I can't seem to find a vendor who will sell just the bracket (the part with the plug receptor; see pic below) without the ball+suction cup piece too. I don't want to pay the $$ for the whole shebang.

Anyone know of any sources?

 

I think I have an extra I can unload for cheap or some beers since my first Nuvi 660 got stolen while on the famous Kuda mount. I'll check when I go home. Remind me with a pm if you're interested.

 

Sent.

 

I would seriously doubt the Nuvi, mount and cable weigh enough to damage the speedo cover plastic.

 

Here is were i have instal mine..

 

These and oter picture in my gallery..and i have and spare braket ,, anybody

MC 2