I bought a Mini S convertible yesterday. I have always had Navigation systems in my car, but I could not live without the large dashboard speedometer.

Has anyone found a good GPS that can sit in the cupholder, or another convenient place?

Thanks.

 

TomTom's....http://www.tomtom.com
...amazing Navigation systems

Giancarlo

 

ditto

 

I got a TomTom Go 910 lately. I love it alot, since it got so much for such a small unit (20GB hdd, can play song, audio book, photo album....) and lots of nice navigation feature... and 16:9 screen.
However when I compare it to the OEM navigation unit, TomTom didn't do a great job in updating the maps info.

 

I have a Sony NV-U70. $499 - free shipping, Crutchfield. Love it!

 

I have a Garmin Nuvi in my MCSc. I love it. Works great and is so thin it can mount right on the speedometer. No need for external antenna top up or down.

 

If you live in the U.S. I'd stay faaar away from anything that TomTom has to offer as their TeleAtlas-based North American maps are absolutely horrible (the maps are way out of date as are the POI's). It's a real shame since their mapping program and GPS units are very feature rich and of high quality.

You'd be much better off getting a portable GPS system that uses the better Navteq-based maps such as the Garmin units (the Nuvi is great!). Or better yet, get a Pocket PC as there are dozens of really cool GPS applications that work with it and most of them are updated regularly (i.e. on a yearly basis).

Just my $0.02...

 

Here's how I mounted my Magellan 760 using a Panavise mount.

I like how it functions.

 

Am I glad I joined this forum (and bought a Mini)!

Your insights are great. It looks like the speedometer glass is being used as a mounting point for suction cup mounts by some.

I can't tell if the Garmin is clamped to the right verticle bar below the dash or if it is attaced to the cupholder, like the one that came with my car.

I think I prefer the look of that position to the one on top of the speedo.

I am beggining to think I might not need the GPS. Everywhere I drive my convertible, people turn and shout, "great car," or "looking good!" If I ever get lost, I am sure there will be many people watching over me (or, at least my car!)

Dan

 

That looks familiar ... What a sec ... You helped me and it looks like we have the same car

 

Any shots of the mount attachment to the car?

And what is the coiled cord at the right side of the steering wheel?

Dan

 

The cord in Morris' car looks like it going up to a radar detector
Sorry, I dont have a shot of just the mount but the magellan mounts to a plastic mounting piece where it draws power. The unit just click into place. The plastic mounting piece is bolted onto a metal square plate ... see http://panavise.com/nf/comm/indash/i...anddatarq=Mini

 

Thanks for the panavise link. It looks easy.

Dan

 

Anyone have a Lowrence unit? Their screens are the best.

 

I just picked up a tomtom 910. I can not get the phone to sync up the phone book. I can get the blue tooth to work. My phone is a Samsung A900.

 

I have a Garmin Quest that is mounted (with a suction cup) like Poiman's. What I like abut the Quest is that it is portable and can operate on battery power.

 

I use the Nuvi mounted to the speedo, like Poiman. I agree it might not be the most aesthetically pleasing spot, but it's *so* convenient -- extremely easy to access & look at while driving.

 

jody,

I have the Lowrance iWAY 500C and love it to pieces. It is, though, a little large and heavy. But it does fit on the left (driver) side of the dash mounted on a Ram ball fitted to a Ram pedestal (lead with three flexible "feet"). I bought the iWAY 500C for its large screen. It is easily switched between my motorcycle, Alfa Romeo Spider, and Suburban--very versatile, but not portable (Runs on 12V power or 110 AC--vehicle or house current)

Consumer Reports has an article on GPS unites in the Aug, 06 issue on page 8. They really liked the Garmin Nuvi and 2370. These would be my second choice if I could use their small screens. I don't, though, think they gave the Lowrance much thought as their focus seemed to be more on being portable (as in can be powered by a self-contained battery).

If given the choice again I'd buy my iWAY 500C again.

 

i see frys has a 350C for 500$ (not including 50$ rebate) this weekend.
has mp3 player, but drive is only 4 gigs i think
and runs on a battery

i might check it out, as long as there's a good return policy.

 

Check out the prices on GPS equipment at www.gpscity.com , they carry most brands.

 

Hi Guys,

Well... I broke down and bought a nuvi 360 yesterday. What an AWESOME device this one is. I'm very impressed with it so far (but then, I've always been a HUGE Garmin fan from the get go ). The nuvi 360 came with the latest City Navigator North America v8 maps (with NavTeq map data) and they're spot on for my area so far (as are the POI's).

One of the things I like best about the nuvi 360 is the really cool Bluetooth functionality. It works great with my Sony Ericsson phones and has a really easy to use finger touch interface.

The nuvi 360 is going to be replacing both the Garmin Quest and the Parrot 3100 Bluetooth devices that are currently installed in my MINI. Since the nuvi now has Bluetooth capabilities, I no longer need the Parrot 3100 (BTW, there's a write-up I did of the Parrot 3100 Bluetooth install over on MotoringFile.com here).

I'm going to be hooking the nuvi up in two different ways... The first way is using MikeyTheMini's Portable Nav Interface kit (there's a write-up I did of the nav interface install for my Quest unit over on MotoringFile.com here). This installation method will allow me to hear the nuvi's nav instructions and Bluetooth-based phone calls over my factory radio while still being able to listen to the radio or listen to a CD. The second installation method will use the OEM Aux input so that I can listen to MP3's that are stored on the nuvi via my MINI's factory radio (as well as being able to hear nav instructions and Bluetooth-based phone calls with a high sound quality). I'll simply switch between the two connections depending upon my needs at the time.

 

OK... this is my very first post since I am the proud new owner of an '06 S. I must have a nav and the factory one seemed expensive for the feature set. The Nuvi 350/360 looks like the best choice for me in terms of size, features and esthetics. You can tell by my handle I am a computer consultant and I want the bells and whistles but the install of my in car electronics must be very clean (no exposed wires etc.) I've seen an aftermarket ipod dock http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm that fits in a glove box organzer and I was wondering if anyone has installed a power adapter in the glovebox that can charge the nuvi 350 or 360 while not in use. The adapter would need to be hot while the car is off. This way there would be no need for a cig lighter adapter. Another question... Will the Nuvi perform well without any external antenna?

 

my Verizon cell phone

Up side: Always with me.

down side: $9.95 a month

Earl

 

im looking for one too...

 

Has anyone used the Alpine Blackbird http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...odel=PMD-B100?

I am thinking about this one since I am going to install the Alpine D100 head unit in my MCS. I am trying to decide between the in-car DVD based 872 or the Blackbird. Both interface with the D100. There is a Blackbird dock (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-BlSw37X...arch=blackbird) and ext ant so you can mount it in an out-of-the-way place like the glove box or boot. Then just undock it when you need a portable GPS.