Clever places to mount GPS?

[Riksta]

Today I finally went out and took the plunge, bought myself a GPS unit from Harvey Norman during the sales.

It came with that rubber windscreen suction stalk thing, but in my opinion these look a little tacky, and they also scream out to people "BREAK INTO MY CAR, THERE'S PROBABLY A GPS HIDDEN IN HERE!" when you're parked.

What I'm thinking of doing is mounting it somehow (easily removable of course) in front of the ashtray on a 45 degree upward angle or something, out of plain sight (unless you're looking into the car) and a little more like its "meant" to be there than hanging off the windscreen.

I of course accept the fact that it isn't going to fit INTO the dash perfectly or flushly, but the nicer I can get it mounted or whatever then the happier I will be.

So if you've done this kind of thing I would very much like to hear from you in here as well as seeing pictures, I'm hoping one of my AU brethren can inspire or help me out with this

Thanks in advance!

[Mechan1k]

I have had my GPS mounted on my dash via a windscreen suction cap for a few years ... but ... I don't leave my vehicle parked for too long in public places .... plus I am in and out of the ute regularly ... and i keep an eye on it all the time.

The problem with the GPS being so low in the console is:

1) seeing the screen while driving (it does come in handy when you need to see the map on it on the odd occasion)
2) locking on satellites from down there is going to be a lot harder than from on the dash top
3) entering directions into it with the shifter so close to it as well ... it will be a pain.

At the end of the day ... the rubber suction caps are very easy to remove and put back up (takes 2 seconds) ... so you can remove it from site with ease.

Although take a small cloth with you and wipe the windscreen to remove the suction cap mark it leaves though (not really hard to do). It may take a few mores seconds everytime you park the vehicle ... but it is worth it.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Riksta

What I'm thinking of doing is mounting it somehow (easily removable of course) in front of the ashtray on a 45 degree upward angle or something, out of plain sight (unless you're looking into the car) and a little more like its "meant" to be there than hanging off the windscreen.

Funny ain't it. I used to think people were bone lazy using gps's ("how difficult is is to read a street directory" lol) but having had one for a while I wouldn't be without it.

I had planned to get a double din head unit with a gps module (I thought it would be a neater proposition than a windscreen mounted unit) but having used mine for a while now there is no way I would want it mounted any lower than the top of the dash - I have mine suction cup mounted on the bottom right hand corner of the windscreen. I've tried it in different positions and that works best for me.

You may have the reflexes of a cat and it won't be a problem for you having your eyes that far off the road but I'd sit it down there first and have a drive to a busy location you don't know and see if it's convenient trying to watch it and the road.

I remove mine and the holder when the car's parked.

[Riksta]

Well, I'm thinking that if its mounted as an easily removable device, I can take the thing out and hand-hold it to enter the directions.

I had it sitting in that tray under the ashtray leaning up on an angle on my way to work and it was quite easy to see at a glance, and the directions were easy to hear.

Another place I am thinking of putting a mounting bracket is to the right of the two air vents in the centre, which will bring it up higher, easier to glance at and enter directions into. I'm thinking of cutting the end bit that clips the GPS onto the suction thing off and sticking that there so the proper clip is ready to just put the thing on & pull it off at my convenience.

It didn't seem to have a problem with satellite locking down low today, but it was a very clear day.

[rag top]

Originally Posted by Riksta

What I'm thinking of doing is mounting it somehow (easily removable of course) in front of the ashtray on a 45 degree upward angle or something, out of plain sight (unless you're looking into the car) and a little more like its "meant" to be there than hanging off the windscreen.

What about getting hold of the satnav mount (as shown in the AU2 ute brochure), and modifying that to suit yours? It mounted in front of the ash tray(from memory it replaced the ash tray), angling upwards.

[Riksta]

Now that's the kind of thinking I like!!!

I'll have a look into that, don't care if I replace the ashtray since I don't smoke in the car anyhow. Wonder if they'd still be an available accessory at the dealers, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it on eBay.

[rag top]

I've never seen one in real life, but it is clearly listed in the brochure as an option, with pics.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Riksta

I had it sitting in that tray under the ashtray leaning up on an angle on my way to work and it was quite easy to see at a glance, and the directions were easy to hear.

I've found that most of the time it could be mounted anywhere. It's when you get into traffic in locations you don't know it *has* to be where it's easy to see. As an example, when we went to Tassie earlier this year I used the gps to cross Melb. I've been to Melb a few times but always manage to go different ways to anywhere, lol.
Anyhoo, the most difficult situations are multilanes where you're being told to "turn right (or left)" but you're not really sure if it's the street right in front of you or the one 50 metres further on and you have to commit to a right or left turning lane and there's traffic up your clacker.
It's up to you, of course... you may find your preferred position perfectly suits you.

Originally Posted by Riksta

It didn't seem to have a problem with satellite locking down low today, but it was a very clear day.

I don't think I've had any trouble at all with satellite location. The fun bit was on the boat to Tassie when I took the gps to our cabin to charge the battery.
Turned it on and voila... all blue around us and 25kph

[waggaclint]

ive got a tomtom and i sit it just in front of the ashtray all the time never had a problem hey works fine every time.....im keen to see one of these ute satnav mounts might have to look into that....anyone got a pic of one....

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by rag top

What about getting hold of the satnav mount (as shown in the AU2 ute brochure), and modifying that to suit yours? It mounted in front of the ash tray(from memory it replaced the ash tray), angling upwards.

That wasnt a mount, it was a complete system, and it was a very crap system indeed. Didnt show maps, only showed directions, always got lost etc, was hopeless.

To get it you would have to buy the complete system I'd reckon, which wouldnt be cheap and would be virtually useless given you couldnt update it etc now. However Im happy to be proven wrong .

[CATXR8]

the bracket is no longer avaliable from Ford. I was rying to get the bracket for the TS 50 :

[StealthAu]

This is were I have mine setup



and when it is not in use



it is out of sight. Don't think it would be a great setup if you had a manual.

[JC]

Originally Posted by stockoau

This is were I have mine setup



and when it is not in use



it is out of sight. Don't think it would be a great setup if you had a manual.

That's where I had mine too in the AU - the phone bracket mount thing in the console works great.

Now that I have the GPS on the mobile, I just have one of those phone holders that clips onto the air vents in the Exploder - works a treat!

[rag top]

Originally Posted by b2tf

That wasnt a mount, it was a complete system, and it was a very crap system indeed. Didnt show maps, only showed directions, always got lost etc, was hopeless.

To get it you would have to buy the complete system I'd reckon, which wouldnt be cheap and would be virtually useless given you couldnt update it etc now. However Im happy to be proven wrong .

Could well be right b2tf - I was only going off the image in the brochure...
http://www.fordforums.com.au/photos/...php?photo=3712

[Riksta]

Yeah looking at that brochure it appears to me that it is a whole system that just fits in where the ashtray is unfortunately :(

That setup coming out the centre console doesn't look too bad, but I haven't got the phone presenter thing in mine to mount it on.

I'm quite happy to use my current location in front of the ashtray for a while more. It fits just sitting without being secured quite nicely, doesn't move an inch when turning corners, taking off or braking.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Riksta

Yeah looking at that brochure it appears to me that it is a whole system that just fits in where the ashtray is unfortunately :(

That setup coming out the centre console doesn't look too bad, but I haven't got the phone presenter thing in mine to mount it on.

I'm quite happy to use my current location in front of the ashtray for a while more. It fits just sitting without being secured quite nicely, doesn't move an inch when turning corners, taking off or braking.

You can get the Phone presenters off ebay for around $20, or ford for about $15.

[StealthAu]

Originally Posted by JC

You can get the Phone presenters off ebay for around $20, or ford for about $15.

I got mine from ford about a month ago, took less then an hour to set it all up. It's in a good position for when in use, and there is nothing in site to tempt scum when it is parked.

[rag top]

Could always send a PM to Stav to see if he has any second hand ones available.

[AUIII]

I have mine in the same place as stockau, Its great ready to go whenever i need it.