Can anyone recommend a small, portable GPS unit that can mount somewhere besides the windshield?
I rarely use my Tom-Tom because I just don't like having something stuck on my windshield and it won't fit anywhere else.
Thanks

 

you could consider a single DIN navigation unit like this about $800 installed

I have a single DIN JVC video unit but opted not for the nav unit. I travel heavily out of state and did not need NAV in my car.

I use NAV on my cell phone. I have http://vznavigator.com/ and use this cell phone. Samsung SCH–u740 Black.a dual–hinged form factor that transforms it from a standard handset to a mini messaging center with GPS NAV.

Perfect, its in my hand or on the dash with a stickypad. I can listen to it thorough Bluetooth to the car speakers when I want and where I go my phone is with me and so is my NAV.

 

How about a cell phone GPS software or service?

 

Cell phone GPS

 

I installed my Garmin nuvi on the extra parcel shelf in the console under the radio. It works great but only with the aux antenna, which is threaded through the dash and comes out next to the alarm light.

Stefan

 

I have a Garmin C330 and a smaller Garmin I3. The smaller you get, the easier it is to mount, but the harder it is to use. I don't like mounting it to the windshield either, but that whole "lost satellite reception" thing is a pain in the backside

For the record, mine work (most of the time) sitting in the console or in your ashtray, or in the passenger seat, or passenger footwell, but without it on the dash/windshield, I can't really see the screen. The unit really needs to be where you can access and view it.

Unfortunately, I think portable units will always be ugly to behold (and mount). There's just no way around it...

-td

 

A fella over on RennTech posted a pic of a mount he made out of PVC pipe allowing him to put his GPS into the cupholder. He has the 2002+ style cupholder, but you shuld be able to do similar wth the cupholders you have. I can't post a link yet I guess so here's the link with underscores instead of periods.... www_renntech_org/forums/index_php?showtopic=15418

 

I installed my Garmin nuvi on the extra parcel shelf in the console under the radio. It works great but only with the aux antenna, which is threaded through the dash and comes out next to the alarm light.
Stefan

+1 on Stefan's solution. I had a stereo shop install for $50 and you can use the suction cup to attach to the underside of the plastic enclosure. If you locate it to the left of the parcel shelf you can see it while in 1st + 3rd gears.......
Scott
'02 C4 Cab

 

Exactly. The underside inside of the plastic tray is very smooth, allowing the suction cup to be used for easy repositioning and removal. The aux antenna also works well.
Stefan

 

Thanks for all the ideas guys.
The cell would be an easy solution but not practicle for my needs.
Love the cup holder and storage shelf ideas. I half-heartedly tried both those with my previous unit but it was too large & heavy. Does the garmin come with a mounting bracket that can be postioned / stuck to the underside of the shelf or does it need to be modified?
Thanks again

 

No need to buy anything (except the aux antenna) or modify anything, you just use the windshield mount.

Stefan

 

Garmin Nuvi

 

To power the unit you would either have to use the cig lighter or better yet sacrifice (cut the end off) the cig lighter and hardwire it from the fuse box to the shelf location as Stefan (I think) and I have done. Then when you take the unit out simply unplug the antenna and remove the Nuvi. BTW I just bought the new wides-creen Nuvi for my father and it is beautiful, bigger and brighter. Might be a tight squeeze beside/behind the shifter though.

 

I did not sacrifice the cigarette lighter. Instead, I installed an auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter type) under the dash by the fuse box, and snaked the wire from there to the center console. The antenna cable goes under the alarm light throught the dash and to the center console.

Stefan

 

Sorry about that. I meant "sacrifice the cigarette lighter power cable" not the cigarette lighter itself......I mean, who smokes these days anyway in a convertible?
Your solution is a better one as you can still use the cable instead of having to order a new one like me!