Speaking of GPS

[Wayne02]

I recently purchased a Garmin Nuvi 1490 to put in my truck (late model gmc sierra). I’d like to mount it somehow, and I am aware that theft is a concern with these devices. I’m wondering what the options are for mounting these things.

I have tried the mounts that clip to the vents with my old tomtom but found them to be very flimsy and unsecure. The gps rarely stayed oriented properly, and if you needed to tap the screen this would also throw the gps out of kilter. Always felt we had to handle/use the gps with kid gloves with this kind of mount. Also tried the bag on top of the dash mount and by the end of the week the gps was in the far corner of the dash on the passenger side.

The window suction mount that came with the Garmin seems to hold much better than the old tomtom suction mount but the only position I like is with the gps to be on the far left, up against the A-pillar, and right down on the dash to keep it out of the line of sight as much as possible. This of course requires the power cord to be run across the dash/instrument cluster/steering wheel from the cig plug to the gps. This particular gps has traffic and the receiver is in the power cord, so the cord is no small piece of cable.

At this point I’m not necessarily opposed to drilling holes in the dash or sticking something on the dash as I want to get this problem solved. But of course it would be better if there was a workable solution that didn’t require drilling.

What type of mount do you use?

These Ram mounts look like they might be pretty stout, anybody have experience with these?
http://www.ram-mount.com/ramgps.htm

Thanks

[feralmerril]

Yeah, thats pretty much what I have in my car. Its just a ugly bracket that I snap the gps in and out of. I have a tom tom I bought a couple years ago and never updated. It has a english sounding womans voice.
It can be a pain to program. Probley wouldnt be too bad if I used it more.

[PALADIN85020]

Here's the hands-down best solution to mounting a Garmin GPS. This is their bean-bag mount. The GPS detaches easily. Throw this mount on the dash, and it won't slide around. They make other dash mounts including one with a sticky underside, but it's a mess to care for. This one allows lots of alignment latitude. Best thing is you can take the mount and the GPS off the dash and stow them quickly to deter theft. There is no permanent sign that you have a GPS in the car. I use this for my Nuvi 1450 and I can't recommend it highly enough.

John

[loutent]

We also use the beanbag "mount" for our Garmin - agree with John - it is great and stays put - a little expensive I suppose (maybe $35 or so IIRC) but well worth it.

[TACC1]

On our vehicles, I found that instead of using the factory
adhesive, I cut some velcro and stuck it on the dash, and stuck the
opposing velcro on the underside of the disc. The velcro will come
off the dash when you want it off, without making a mess. This way,
all the vehicles have a square of the smooth velcro, and any GPS
can be mounted in amy vehicle. As far as the cords are concerned,
used narrow strips of velcro to route the cord out of the way. The
cord can be removed just by pulling the velcro strips apart.
We've been putting the units pretty much in a line from the driver to
the front right corner of the vehicle. Just clean the surfaces where
you're going to stick the velcro.
If your suction cup doesn't hold onto the disk, clean both the disk and rubber with Windex, or even water. Dust you can't even see will eventually make a bad seal.
When not in the vehicle, I put a hat or cap over the unit. Looks like
just a cap on the dash. Also cover GPS from direct rays from the sun when the vehicle is parked. Works for us, TACC1.

[Onomea]

I have good success with the suction cup on the front window/wind shield.

[sar4937]

I do not have a Nuvi, but I have been using this company and they are really functional ProClip Mounting System - Garmin Nüvi 1490T - Garmin Ball Mount

[johngalt]

I have a Lowrance unit that uses the suction cup mount. I had some problems with it coming off. I've found that I have to moisten the edge of the suction cup, make sure it is square with the glass when I stick it on, and low enough that it is sitting on the dash. The suction cup isn't meant to bear the weight of the GPS, but to keep it from sliding off the dash.