GPS Mounting Options

[morbo2000]

Not sure if this is a problem or not but if you mount the gps next to the A-pillar could it get in the way if the A-pillar airbag need to deploy?

[Kai]

id so knock that off when changing from second to third.

[STV4SYT]

Here's where I have my Garmin Nuvi 760 positioned.

Damn, i take it you use voice on it and arent continually looking down there to see where go?

A Pillar for me, mobile phone mount and bought a retractable phone charger (as opposed to the twisty type) and it sits nicely over the steering column and is ready to just plug in when i need it.


Apparently you can get done for having it mounted in the middle of the windscreen as it obstructs vision.

In saying that saw a cop car the other day with one mounted there.


Personally i dont use it with volume just follow the arrows.

[RhysQ]

Damn, i take it you use voice on it and arent continually looking down there to see where go?

agreed, that's a very dangerous place for it.

[pixl]

I've taken those pictures with 3rd gear selected, so there's heaps of room. No chance of hitting it unless your hand flies off the shifter. Also, no tell tale rings on the windscreen. Tinted windows means it's also near impossible to see it, not that I leave it in there anyway.

Yeah, it's tuned into my radio. But even still, I hardly use it. Glancing down when stopped at the lights has been more than sufficient. Just reading the top of the screen "Turn left at Smith St in 400m" -- Also, before I take off, I always run through the turn by turn sim just so I get a good idea of what general direction I'm heading, so no surprises.

I've never understood why it's so important to have it smack bang in the middle of the windshield. Personally, I find it more dangerous as I've seen people staring at the screen watching their car take a corner as if it's a damn video game!

[The_Hawk]

A Pillar for me, mobile phone mount and bought a retractable phone charger (as opposed to the twisty type) and it sits nicely over the steering column and is ready to just plug in when i need it.

It seems that now when hard installing phones and things into cars they are simply adding in an extra cigarette socket under the dash and plugging in a stock car charger, the benefit being that when you swap phones, they pop the panel off and swap the charger over for a new one, otherwise it all looks hardwired

Same can go for your GPS, get an extention for your lighter, hard wire it in behind the dash and plug your GPS charger into that leaving only the plug to the unit itself exposed for the minimum distace needed.

[STV4SYT]

It seems that now when hard installing phones and things into cars they are simply adding in an extra cigarette socket under the dash and plugging in a stock car charger, the benefit being that when you swap phones, they pop the panel off and swap the charger over for a new one, otherwise it all looks hardwired

Same can go for your GPS, get an extention for your lighter, hard wire it in behind the dash and plug your GPS charger into that leaving only the plug to the unit itself exposed for the minimum distace needed.

For all i use it its hardly worth it. gets used maybe 2-3 times a month.

When i was travelling around oz and had an old EA wagon, i had a fridge in the back that i had hard wired with a on/off switch just down by the drivers seat where the wire passed thru. Was very handy.

For now though, my $6 retractable ebay special is more than up to the job.

[DaveMack]

I tested three or four GPSs in 'The Goodguys' shop ... hopeless technology! I put in fairly simple routes that I knew ... and these pieces of s**t started putting in roundabouts that don't exist, going round in circles and coming back to the same spot (NOT the programmed destination) over and over again.

They'll have to try harder if they want my bux.

Dave

[pleung]

My experience with GPS are more positive than negative. Firstly it is not perfect and I use it more of a guide, giving me a rough idea on where to go "next"; I still rely on the road signs to make sure I am in the right lane.

Keeping in mind I am currently in Hong Kong, where it is a city where GPS is renowned to be next to useless as the streets are narrow (GPS thinks you are on the street running parallel to you) and there are lots of tall buildings (GPS can't even find you as there is not enough sky)... so there are 3 key things that I suggest to my friends when getting a GPS device

1) The GPS device uses the latest chipset, locking onto a max of 32 sats (I have had my GPS device re-pick up sat signal when leaving one tunnel and entering another tunnel where the gap between the two tunnels is only about 100m which take around 3 seconds to cross.

2) Good maps, I am using the popular mapking here in Hong Kong. As mentioned I only use it as a reference, so it is good that all the fixed speed cameras are in the map and also that the user interface is easy to use as if you need to "re-program" your destination you can do it quickly at a red light (or on the move if you darn.. but not recommended!!!)

3) Mounting location; i prefer centre of the wind screen myself, mine is low on the dash and I have a high seating position so all my GPS phone "blocks" is the bonnet... but i do agree that people who look at the GPS device whilst driving for the first time may find it difficult to focus on something near (the GPS) and then back onto the road ahead, so be careful, but once use to it, it is okay.

The negative side, i do agree that sometimes the roads it takes is a bit silly, but what i have found is that it does get me to where i want to go eventually, maybe with a slight detour... but then lets face it, you can't compare a computer program to a local who lives and grew up in the area as the person will know all the "short-cuts" and "tricks".

[VW GTI]

I tested three or four GPSs in 'The Goodguys' shop ... hopeless technology! I put in fairly simple routes that I knew ... and these pieces of s**t started putting in roundabouts that don't exist, going round in circles and coming back to the same spot (NOT the programmed destination) over and over again.

They'll have to try harder if they want my bux.

Dave

Were you IN the shop?

The satellites can't actually see you/the signal when you're indoors and sometimes in cities with very high high-rises so they get confused. Which is fine, because you usually don't need directions to get out of the store.