Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS Unit
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Joined: September 23, 2004
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I get lost backing out of my driveway, so it was time to get a GPS unit. Most have a suction cup mount and have a power cord running to an available power outlet. Well, the inside of my Mustang must remain neat and efficient, and then there’s that nifty power outlet right above the radio. Sure would be a good place to mount a GPS.
I did a fair amount of investigation of different units and decided on a Garmin Nuvi 350. It is small, very portable (shirt-pocket sized), and battery or external power operated.
Being an engineer, I just had to modify the mounting scheme to mount directly into the dash power point. I cut the suction-cup mount where the mount attaches to the suction-cup. I then mounted that piece directly to the power cord plug, and shortened the cord attaching to the mounting clip. The result is a fully self-contained powered mounting system. The ball-and-socket is fully functional and the unit can be pivoted to the best angle. The unit is off the window, and there are no messy power cords hanging around. There is still a clear shot from the GPS antenna to the sky. It works very cool. I even installed a power point in my second vehicle, an Aerostar van, between the air-conditioning outlets so I can take the entire assembly from Mustang to Aerostar.
Just thought this might be interesting to share.
I did a fair amount of investigation of different units and decided on a Garmin Nuvi 350. It is small, very portable (shirt-pocket sized), and battery or external power operated.
Being an engineer, I just had to modify the mounting scheme to mount directly into the dash power point. I cut the suction-cup mount where the mount attaches to the suction-cup. I then mounted that piece directly to the power cord plug, and shortened the cord attaching to the mounting clip. The result is a fully self-contained powered mounting system. The ball-and-socket is fully functional and the unit can be pivoted to the best angle. The unit is off the window, and there are no messy power cords hanging around. There is still a clear shot from the GPS antenna to the sky. It works very cool. I even installed a power point in my second vehicle, an Aerostar van, between the air-conditioning outlets so I can take the entire assembly from Mustang to Aerostar.
Just thought this might be interesting to share.
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Joined: August 23, 2005
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That is a great idea! I've wanted a GPS, and like you, I thought the power outlet would be a perfect place to mount one. I searched everywhere, thinking that surley someone was offering this as an accessory, but nothing. You could sell these! I would buy one ! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]
What did you use to secure the plastic pieces to each other?
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(06GT @ April 25, 2006, 12:37 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
What did you use to secure the plastic pieces to each other?
[/b][/quote]
The underside of the suction-cup bracket was webbed (not solid) and had a hole near the center. I tapped the hole for a short 1/4-20 bolt, drilled a matching hole in the top power cord cover and bolted the two pieces together. I then drilled two holes in the top power cord cover to align with the webbing holes of the suction-cup bracket and filled those holes through to the webbing holes underneath with JB Weld epoxy. These act as “cement posts” to keep the two pieces from turning. It was almost like these parts were made to be modified like this - just like Mustangs! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
What did you use to secure the plastic pieces to each other?
[/b][/quote]
The underside of the suction-cup bracket was webbed (not solid) and had a hole near the center. I tapped the hole for a short 1/4-20 bolt, drilled a matching hole in the top power cord cover and bolted the two pieces together. I then drilled two holes in the top power cord cover to align with the webbing holes of the suction-cup bracket and filled those holes through to the webbing holes underneath with JB Weld epoxy. These act as “cement posts” to keep the two pieces from turning. It was almost like these parts were made to be modified like this - just like Mustangs! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
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Joined: September 23, 2004
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Garmin Nuvi 350
http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi/
Bought From BestBuyPCs:
http://www.bestbuypcs.com/store/ccp51/cp-a...12&cat=&catstr=
Disclaimer: Garmin seems to be well mentioned in the on-line investigation I did. The Nuvi 350 meets my needs; yours may vary. I do fully like the unit after using it several times, both locally and over a 300-mile trip. As far as BestBuyPCs, their price was almost too low (compared to other web sites) that I almost suspected some kind of scam. However, I did order it and I did receive a properly functioning unit in an apparently new box, without any sign of a refurbished unit being passed off as new. This is not an endorsement of BestBuyPCs as I only have the one experience with them, but I do report that my sale went smoothly and my unit is fine. Their cost is shown on the provided web site. Any modifications of your unit are your responsibility regarding safety and manufacturers warranties.
Double-Disclaimer: The modified unit location is a little more awkward to view being mounted below the dash, not on the windshield. However, focusing your sight on a windshield-mounted device still takes your eyes off the road ahead (and the Mustang was Built For The Road Ahead), and the lower mounting of the unit takes your eyes further from the road - however, no worse than an OEM dash mounted unit. That is why the primary lead is the audio clues, and not so much looking at the unit screen. BTW, this unit DOES have the advanced feature of announcing street names - “Turn right at Mustang Avenue”, rather than the generic “Turn right 200 feet ahead” as found in some lower priced units. This is not a Garmin exclusive, however. As Garmin states, care must be exercised when adverting your attention from your driving to view the GPS screen.
http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi/
Bought From BestBuyPCs:
http://www.bestbuypcs.com/store/ccp51/cp-a...12&cat=&catstr=
Disclaimer: Garmin seems to be well mentioned in the on-line investigation I did. The Nuvi 350 meets my needs; yours may vary. I do fully like the unit after using it several times, both locally and over a 300-mile trip. As far as BestBuyPCs, their price was almost too low (compared to other web sites) that I almost suspected some kind of scam. However, I did order it and I did receive a properly functioning unit in an apparently new box, without any sign of a refurbished unit being passed off as new. This is not an endorsement of BestBuyPCs as I only have the one experience with them, but I do report that my sale went smoothly and my unit is fine. Their cost is shown on the provided web site. Any modifications of your unit are your responsibility regarding safety and manufacturers warranties.
Double-Disclaimer: The modified unit location is a little more awkward to view being mounted below the dash, not on the windshield. However, focusing your sight on a windshield-mounted device still takes your eyes off the road ahead (and the Mustang was Built For The Road Ahead), and the lower mounting of the unit takes your eyes further from the road - however, no worse than an OEM dash mounted unit. That is why the primary lead is the audio clues, and not so much looking at the unit screen. BTW, this unit DOES have the advanced feature of announcing street names - “Turn right at Mustang Avenue”, rather than the generic “Turn right 200 feet ahead” as found in some lower priced units. This is not a Garmin exclusive, however. As Garmin states, care must be exercised when adverting your attention from your driving to view the GPS screen.
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