Custom Garmin GPS installation
- Thread starter wkparker
- Start date
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That looks great! I have the exact same Garmin unit, but I haven't decided if I should mount it just yet. I'm still saving for the oem-value unit. After seeing your install though, I'm tempted to go this route instead. I see you've got the antenna up in the photo. Do you have an external antenna too? I find that I lose satallite reception quite often while driving around with my 3600. Maybe it's in the positioning of the unit?
97RUNNERltd
New member
I have thought about getting this unit. Do you find it easy to use and does it route and map well. Does it take much time to download new maps if you are going to a new location? thanks
Tomcat, so far I've just been using the built-in antenna, but I'm thinking of adding an external one - it does seem to lose reception more than I think it should. I seriously considered an in-dash unit (and may still add one), but, since I had already planned to buy this Garmin unit, went with this for now. The nice thing about the install is that I can pull it all out and return it to stock in less than an hour.
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97, it is easy to use and routes pretty fast. The voice is very clear and easy to understand. To d/l maps, you load them to an SD card via a hotsynch, so it takes a few minutes to generate the file (depending on how many "areas" you are creating) and load them. I just added about 30 megs of new areas tonight and the total time was less than 10 minutes.
It is a nice unit. I agree voice is very clear and you can set destinations and route preferences very easily. I like the fact that it also holds a ton of points of interest just like the in dash units. (stores, banks, restaurants, gas, etc) Location is very accurate as long as it doesn't lose the signal. I'm just worried that someday it will lose the signal right before it is supposed to tell me to turn. I'm planning on trying the external antenna.
sharp4runr
New member
You are indeed very talented!
I have had both the 700 and the ique3600. In terms of resolution the ique3600 is a much better unit than the Magellan (can't say about the street pilot). The Magellan is a 320x240 display and the iQue 3600 is a 320x480 display (16 bit).leebay88 said:
The Street Pilot uses the same maps as the ique and I can tell you that the Garmin has way more points of interest than the Magellan (6M vs 2M if I remember).
If you are looking at a portable GPS/autonav the ique is much more useful in day to day use than either the SPilot or the Roadmate because it is a full fledged PALM (os 5) PDA as well as being a GPS. You can for instance navigate to a contact in your address book, and new waypoints are added as new contacts so they get synced back to your PC automatically. It
Expat
Banned
Wow..I love your speaker setup. I will have to consider this with mine.
I think your setup may be a little to far inside th cabin though to get good reception all the time. I think that's why you notice you lose it sometimes.
I have mine set closer to the dash so it has a clear view thru the window and have no problems with the reception.
You did a great job all the same. Props!
Can you post photos and more details on the wiring? Presently I have my unit powered by the standard Garmin mobile unit (plug in with attached speaker) which I insatlled under the centre console and wired an additonal lighter socket similar to you. I ma not happy with the volume of the speaker hidden under the console when I have music playing and driving on the highway. You speaker mod is awesome and I'd like to copy it, but I am a doofus at electrical. Can you put everything in lay terms with photos? I know its asking lots but its a great mod you have made.
Thanks anyways.
Cheers
Mark
I think your setup may be a little to far inside th cabin though to get good reception all the time. I think that's why you notice you lose it sometimes.
I have mine set closer to the dash so it has a clear view thru the window and have no problems with the reception.
You did a great job all the same. Props!
Can you post photos and more details on the wiring? Presently I have my unit powered by the standard Garmin mobile unit (plug in with attached speaker) which I insatlled under the centre console and wired an additonal lighter socket similar to you. I ma not happy with the volume of the speaker hidden under the console when I have music playing and driving on the highway. You speaker mod is awesome and I'd like to copy it, but I am a doofus at electrical. Can you put everything in lay terms with photos? I know its asking lots but its a great mod you have made.
Thanks anyways.
Cheers
Mark
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Crossfire, the same bracket should work for the 60c. Since this location puts the antenna a bit far back, I occasionally lose satellite reception (usually going down a hill - that points the antenna towards the horizon), but I plan to add an external antenna to resolve that . The tall antenna of the 60c would probably work better in this location than the one on the iQue.
hubbabubba
New member
wkparker,
Nice install! Where did you get your Bracketron mount?
Nice install! Where did you get your Bracketron mount?
hubba, thanks for the compliment. I bought the bracket on eBay - cost was just under $40. Here is a link to a current auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60206&item=5748962821&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60206&item=5748962821&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V
mit_pied, it should work for smaller LCD displays - take a look at the auction photos (link above) for a bracket with a satellite radio receiver mounted on it (that's what it is designed for). Those are wider than the Garmin GPS and don't seem to interfere too much with the HVAC controls.
No, I'm not a professional installer, but my background is in theatre design and I spent a while as a model maker and stage carpenter. This is just a (expensive) hobby ...
No, I'm not a professional installer, but my background is in theatre design and I spent a while as a model maker and stage carpenter. This is just a (expensive) hobby ...
GYoter
New member
Nice install man, i didnt know that there were brackets like that available. I have since ordered one ($28 from CellularMount.com) and mounted my mp3 player to it. Works out great.
I have a question about the power outlet you installed, what new hardware would i need to do that? Is that in the back of the glove box? Where did you take power from? Im not too concerned about making it a switched outlet. Thanks for any help.
I have a question about the power outlet you installed, what new hardware would i need to do that? Is that in the back of the glove box? Where did you take power from? Im not too concerned about making it a switched outlet. Thanks for any help.
