I did a little comparison and into of two nav systems a while ago, it might be of help:
http://www.jwardell.com/info/nav.html

 

If the mount is anything like the Garmin Nuvi mount you can stick it to your speedo face. Let it cover up the 90 - 140 mph range. It is close enough, in the shade for better screen resolution, and the antenna is right at the edge of the dash.

I have been using mine there and it works great. And when you have a co-pilot/naviguesser you can both see and operate the unit as needed.

I forget where I saw it, but there is a picture fo this on one of the web sites. That great big MINI speedo face works great for this. A search under Nuvi might turn it up. If not I can post a photo of mine.

 

I started reading this thread to find out about which unit I should buy, and figured I might be able to help with mounting question.

Dunno who makes it, but I have a rubber "sticky" pad on my dash, actually 2 of them and they work VERY well. Bought at Radio shack for $5/a piece. I keep my phone, radar detector, etc on the dash and they never fall off and there is no residue on dash or device. Every 6 mo or so I wash in the sink and they are all sticky again!

Might work with GPS?

 

After checking the TomTom 910 and the Garmin Nuvi 350 at stores and online we went with the TomTom. However I do not recommend it. The extra weight of the TomTom is so much that it has difficulty staying suctioned to anything. We have tried it all over the winshield and even the face of the tach. Our best is about 1.5-2 hours of up time before it falls off. The Garmin Nuvi has a smaller face (the main reason we did not get it) but is easily 1/4 the weight.

 

I ordered the Garmin SPC 330...cheap on amazon for less than $400 (no tax or shipping) because I just want good navigation, no BT, no MP3, etc. I am a sailor and have had 4 Garmins on my boats. I know it will be fine for what I need.
I thought I would add to the thread about TomTom..even the guy at Circuit City told me not to buy one. Apparently alot of them come back and not just because the maps are out of date.

 

Loving the Garmin nuvi 350...size, accuracy, MP3 player, SD expansion,and text to speech....only garmin support is almost non existant...getting to be a trend these days wuith everything you buy!

 

Anyone seen or waiting for the Garmin Nuvi 660??

Larger screen, integrated traffic receiver in power cord (normally a $180 option for the 350), and all the other features of the 300 series.

The MP3 and Bluetooth aren't all that exciting for me considering my favorite phone, a TMobile Sidekick 3 isnt' on the bluetooth compatibility list, and I'd rather use an iPod for MP3's....

The 660 is supposed to be released this month---trying to decide if I should preorder it or just got a 350/360.

Richard

 

I have the Garmin Streetpilot c330, and could not be happier. Cheap, accurate, easy to use, and extremely accurate. Did I mention its accuracy? But, I dont find it necessary to have an mp3 player, photo viewer, or movie player in my navigation system... all it needs to do for me is navigate - which it does exceedingly well. Coming up with an OEM look mount for a portable unit is going to take some thought though.

 

octaneguy- huh??!! that's a weird rule. hope they dont
enforce that in IL, cause my radar detector is on suction cup mounts.

 

JColleteiii
Thanks! I agree with you!

Kenchan
I just searched the DMV and came up with these rules. It would seem to include even windshield radar mounts and uhm, my VacuCams when mounted on the glass. Time for another disclaimer. EEEEK.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

 

yikes!

 

Oops!!! I spent the Labor Day weekend in MN with my Garmin C340 hanging in the window Thanks for the tip OctaneGuy

As far as the Garmin C340, it hasn't let me down yet! I've had it since April. Taken it to the Dragon then MN and points in between. After spending a good hour on 294 in traffic after MTTS-Indy, I'm considering getting the "live traffic" subscription (that's the difference between the C330 and C340, the C330 can't get this option)

 

The Garmin C330 works great for me because the only traffic problem I have in my daily commute is whether the cat stops in the middle of the narrow hallway between my personal residence and my studio.

 

After days and days of agonizing, I decided to go with the Nuvi 350.

I wanted the latest sensitive antennae, and since my TMobile Sidekick 3 isn't supported through bluetooth nor does it feature voice activated dialing, I didn't think this feature was needed. Also, the FM transmitter feature to broadcast sound to the car is a good idea, however here in Los Angeles, there aren't any dead channels with static, so that wasn't desirable either.

In short, I wanted a system that was affordable, excellent performing, and had the features I needed now and this was it.

All I can say is I'm speechless. The nav arrived today and it's incredible. The ability to find the nearest gas or food is so quick and intuitive. Adding addresses was a piece of cake, and it locked onto the satellites much faster than any other portable nav I've tried in the past. And best of all, it feels accurate--need more testing to know for sure, but my OEM nav is often off by a mile on some addresses. Can't wait to see how this works.

It arrived in a huge box


Inside was this


Inside that was this


And here it is!


Although I know in CA its against the law to mount it on the windshield, that's the best place for me.




It's perfect!

All in all I paid about $610 from Amazon with overnight shipping. Best of all it came with a fully charged battery so I could play with it out of the box!

 

I got my Nuvi 350 about 3 weeks ago for about the same $$ as Octaneguy (Ebay as well w/ V8 maps)...I love it! Locally it is still $800!!!!

I am in Nevada so I usually have it mounted where Octaneguy has his...when I go to CA...I do what Cody does and fasten it to the right side of the Speedo...

suggestion...do NOT do web updates,...d/l the file and do them yourself....there are reports of dead bios issues using the web update install process..

Only complaint is that it tells yout to turn just a little late...especially in the MINI

recommended!

 

Amen to that! I have two Magellan 700s that have been back for service two times each and they still can't get them right. It is simply inexcusable how inept they are.

I also have a TomTom and love it. It locks on immediately and the interface is great. And I can do the updates with my Mac when necessary. You should consider that too.

Rich

 

Anyone else with a Nuvi 350 find it hard to hear over road and radio noise? When I turn up the volume all the way, it sounds really "tinny" and not very clear. Anyone else have this problem? I'm thinking of getting one of these http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=188 Has anyone used one? Do I need to add a ground loop isolator with it?

 

I plug my Nuvi 350 into the AUX input (about $40 at mini dealer...put it in yourself...easy). That way it comes thru the radio speakers In my MCS (HK but it does not matter).

I now use the MP3 function so when the Nuvi has something to tell me, it cuts out the music and does it's thing

 

We use our NUVI with the Aux-In for both navigation and MP3/audio books and it works great. If you use the NUVI on internal battery power there are no problems, however, if you use car power you will probably experience the well documented cut out after 10 minutes or so of use. This can be cured by usuing a ground loop isolator - available from Radio Shack or Crutchfield

 

We have an iPod connected with a DICE adapter and don't really want to use the NUVI for music. My wife just liked the size of the NUVI (fits in the purse better) better than the C340 so we went with the NUVI.

 

I have just been notified that my nuvi 660 is being sent as of tomorrow. GREAT As I leave on a long trip starting in October, covering over 6500 miles and wanted a GPS system, after using a friends while on the MTTS, though did not 'need it on the MTTS it's self, it was handy getting ot the check-in destination.

I am curious how the unit will be, it does have a little bigger screen than the 350 and sesveral other additions. the price was steeper than the 350 but I found it much less than the MFSRP.

Watch out....I will be waving at all you MINI's as I drive through your states/cities.

 

I bought the Garmin Quest 2,(www.gps4fun.com) it will leave a bead crumb trail so as you drive around and you find some good roads you can save the route and be able to find it later. The only down side is it does not have a touch screen, you have to use a to pad to move the curser to highlight the letters to spell out the address. It comes with a suction cup for the window and the power cord with a speaker built in.

 

I am using the new 6000T in my O5 MCS with great results. I like the screen and voice prompts. I chose the Magellan primarily because of its realtime traffic capability * via FM radio broadcast* rather than via your sirius link [ garmin] or via your cellphone's data conection [ tomtom.]

The realtime traffic/detouring was a major consideration here in LA.

The bluetooth squeakerphone works ok [ just ok].
Overall I am really pleased with the unit.

regards,

rob

 

with the Mini so snug, the Nuvi 660 fits on driver window just as well. that will be my choice for California driving... Although the Speedo will be tested. We swoimmers like anything Speedo ya know! LOL

I also got the discount card Garmin offers, 20% discounts at subway and sonic, hotels, etc... figure it will pay for it's self with my son's appetite in route to California, LOL

 

When I bought my 2005 MINI it came with the OEM iPod controller through the head unit. Anyone know if I could still add an Aux jack for my Nuvi 350?