Where do you put your car GPS?

crazyfingers · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:23 am Post subject: Where do you put your car GPS?

I have been using GPS in the car since 2003. First I used the Garmin iQue 3600 and now the Nuvi 750. I have always preferred to place it in the lower driver side corner of the dash so that it doesn't obstruct my view of the road.

But I notice that every single other car with a NAV system on the dash put them in the middle of the dash and sometimes right below the rear view mirror. I don;t understand this.

I could understand doing that if good reception was an issue but I have never had reception issues in the corner of the window.

So I'm wondering where you place your unit and why.

Thanks

if1977 · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:16 am Post subject:

My unit is listed below and i also have mine at the bottom right hand corner as i do not remove my dock it seems neat and dity there. You will find that people putting their unit in the middle will be removing the whole unit daily for safety reasons and this is the easiest way to set it up.
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missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

For long distance navigation I use the iQue in the RAM mount:-
For local navigation and for speed cameras I change the iQue RAM backplate for the 60Csx backplate.

In these positions:-

I am totally opposed to GPS units on the windscreen or in your line of site, and I believe that it is already illegal in some countries including USA!

wiz · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject:

Like Strumble I use a PDA and it sits nicely between the radio and the steering wheel in my VW Golf, easy to see & reach its at the same high as the speedo etc.
Laughing

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finlay · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 02, 2006 Posts: 6

Hi,

I place mine in the middle lower area of my windscreen, leaving a gap under the rear-view mirror, with my TomTom resting on the dash board.

The reason for this is so that the Sat nav doesn't obscure my view of the road, in any way as the Police can stop you and get you to relocate it.

It also allows anyone in the back of my car to follow the journey, knowing how long it will be before we get there! and where we are. The unit can be used by a passenger while driving so you won't need to stop, keeping your license as the Highway Code has been updated.

The unit is less likely to be stolen by an opportunist thief who could grab it while I am in a queue of traffic or at the traffic lights in the summer when the window is down, or smashing the window.....

Laughing

GerryC · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:

The main reason mine is in the centre dash is that I'm left-handed. Laughing

Other reasons include passengers being able to see what's going on as well.
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crazyfingers · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:59 am Post subject:

Thanks for your comments. If I had put the iQue in the middle it would have blocked my view and if I had lowered it below the dash it would have blocked some car controls or one of the blowers. As it is, the Nuvi can use the same permanent mount.

By the way, when I went to the grocery a bit earlier this evening I saw a car with the unit stuck with a suction cup midway up the window between the dash and the rear view mirror. I don't get why people do that.

I don't know if there is a law against it here. I know that suction cup mounts are not allowed in California or Minnesota. As it is, I have various government issued stickers on the glass right behind where I keep my unit so if the unit wasn't blocking any view, the government issued stickers would block that view. The stickers are where the government wants them stuck.

MaFt · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

i prefer to put them in the bottom right of the screen BUT as this part of the window is more curved then you start to find it falls off easier...!!

recently i've started putting them in the center, bottom of the screen but it's not as easy to make adjustments with my left hand...

MaFt

philpugh · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:23 am Post subject:

My 660 is mounted on a PROCLIP over the centre console of my VW.

I don't like things obstructing my windscreen and the fitting position I have now is fine for my needs. It alos allows me to plug the TMC into the car aerial and the sound out into the AUX IN socket on the radio, both with minimum wiring on view.
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MarkHewitt · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:41 am Post subject:

My suction mount is on the glass in front of the instrument panel, so I see the TomTom ONE through the steering wheel.

It covers over the rev counter, but that's no great loss.

MaFt · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

DennisN · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

And before any smartypants southerner softypants asks, I was parked. Laughing

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If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

mikealder · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

Hey Dennis, How come all your units point in the same direction? I had a bit of fun a while back where none of them appeared to agree:

As you can see I use the windscreen mounts, but I also make sure the top of any device is below the end of the cars bonnet when viewed from the drivers eye point, this way it cannot be an obstruction (unless I get pulled by a 4'6" officer - then the child’s boost seat in the back might be useful - Mike

DennisN · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

At that particular point, Keynsham is virtually a one road town and anyway, you can only see less than a quarter of a mile ahead on the devices. Plus which, they know if they don't behave they'll go back!!

I had wanted to post a link to your picture Mike, but couldn't remember where I might find it. Then there was that link to some guy on UTube with about thirteen, all speaking Polish, on his video, wasn't there?
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

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