Mounting Locations For Garmin Navi In The 4th Gen

[dheeter]

I just got a Garmin Nuvi 780, and currently have it mounted in the lower corner of the windshield on the drivers side. Just wondering if anyone has mounted their navigation in a unique way so it looks really clean?

I was thinking of maybe cutting out that small storage area below the climate controls, but I dont know how convinient it would be to look down there. Anyways let me know if you got anything and post some pics.

Thanks.

 

[RickC]

I would think the higher up it is the easier it would be to see.

 

[blindside]

i have a 660 and i have a gooseneck mount that is bolted on to my passengers seat i'll snap a pic later if you wanna see how it looks

the other mount i have is this i use it on my car

 

[Lowpro]

I tapped into the power (center console) by adding an extra 12v outlet and running all of the wires under the center console.

The clip is from ProClip USA

 

[dheeter]

Thanks for the replies, Those are a step in the right direction, but I am looking for something that looks more factory like this

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1158244

 

[Cornfed]

I now use a 5" arm instead of the 3" arm in the pic that works way better, no more leaning forward to reach controls, and use a clip on the center/right vent that holds the power wire neatly alongside the stereo.

Write-up

 

[toto]

In the Chicago metro area (including the suburbs), you could never leave a portable GPS unit visible in a parked car. Even areas that don't have crime problems otherwise have had lots of broken windows to steal the GPS units from cars in retail store parking lots. You can't even leave the empty mount/cord visible - the crooks assume the GPS unit itself is in the glovebox and pop the window anyway. Just something to think about. I'm not sure why the GPS units are being targeted so specifically... they must be easy to sell.

 

[dheeter]

Cornfed, that looks really clean, nice job. Unfortunately I do not have the JBL system, so there is no panel there to mount anything too.

toto, that is a good point. Fortunatly I live in a place where there is ver little crime. I have my windows tinted and a good alarm. But I still like the idea of keeping it out of the windshield, just because shit happens.

I think I might try to cut the pop out storage box below the climate controls and mount it flush with that. That way, there would be no wires or mounting hardware visible and it would look like it came from the factory that way.

I know it's a longshot, but has anyone done anything similar to this?

 

[SportRunner]

I replaced my sunglass holder with one....

 

[Kmvreter]

... The clip is from ProClip USA

I fabricated a removable clip based on this design. I find this location very handy.

 

[RickC]

I replaced my sunglass holder with one....

This is exactly what I was thinking, but maybe keeping the door and just swing it down when I want to use it. This idea keeps it out of sight.


Good Job!

 

[ALLEGRO]

I just use the suction-cup and put it in the same location as Lowpro

 

[gqr1c3boi]

I replaced my sunglass holder with one....

If you want a flushed look, try doing a fiberglass mold around it to make it look factory-ish and have it painted. I know that overhead console just pops out so it wouldn't be too hard to get in and out. Just a suggestion.

 

[trey99ek]

I keep mine right where you have it. Windshield mount makes it fit nice in the corner. I don't like them up too high because it blocks view and down in the middle console is inconvenient because you have to look off the road to see it. I agree to those about these getting stolen, it happens a lot. I have a power adapter hardwired and coming out of the corner of the dash. I leave the car, unmount the window mount and tuck in the cable.

Clean, simple and no cutting or scratching up anything.

 

[Rolltide10]

If the trim around your radio/climate controls has a glossy finish you can use the suction cup and stick it right below the passenger airvent. Or suction cup it to wear the 4wheel drive would go. I have it this way in my car and it looks very clean.

 

[dheeter]

SportRunner, that is a good idea. I would have to fill in the holes on either side to make it look like a factory mount. Those holes would drive me nuts, I am anal about that sort of thing. I dont know how to do fiberglass work, but if I could get something made for under $100 I would do it.

I could cut the storage box myself and find some sort of trim to make it look finished. Either way, I would like it so no mounting device or wires are showing at all.

Thanks for all the replies. Keep the pics coming.

 

[SportRunner]

This is exactly what I was thinking, but maybe keeping the door and just swing it down when I want to use it. This idea keeps it out of sight.


Good Job!

I began to start the mod with leaving it in the sunglass holder it-self but I didn't get a good view from it....it was at too much of an angle so I decided to place it directly in there.....one day I'll paint inside there and make it totally black, which would make it look more clean.... as far as making a plastic mold for it, that would look awesome dheeter, let me know how it turns out and maybe i'll consider doing it as well....

 

[snowjay]

I just use the suction-cup and put it in the same location as Lowpro

This is the same as I do.

I installed a power outlet inside the glovebox, so when in a questionable area I just pop the whole thing off and throw it in the box and lock it. No visible trace.

 

[dheeter]

I began to start the mod with leaving it in the sunglass holder it-self but I didn't get a good view from it....it was at too much of an angle so I decided to place it directly in there.....one day I'll paint inside there and make it totally black, which would make it look more clean.... as far as making a plastic mold for it, that would look awesome dheeter, let me know how it turns out and maybe i'll consider doing it as well....

How did you wire it up there? Is there a good power wire and ground in the overhead center console? If so which wire is it? I bought a hard wire for it, so as soon as I know how to rig it I will change the location.


I think for now I am going to use the suction cup mount and mount it above the rear view mirror. If I dont really like the look of it I am going to try to make a mount for the sunglass holder. But I do use that case, and would like to keep it if possible. I realized mounting it flush in the pop out storage bin wouldnt work unless you never used the cup holders, plus it was not convenient to look down there.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[SportRunner]

I just ran power wire up there and added a cig. outlet so I wouldn't have to destroy the power cord......works great, no problems whatsoever.....