Topic: GPS Mount

[Jeffy]

So, I sold the old GPS and bought a new one.  The new one works great but doesn't lend itself to being mounted easily.

So what did I get?  Well I had a GPS III Plus.  A great GPS but had some problems.  I wanted a few more features and went with a eTrex Legend C.  I didn't feel I needed the CX.

Now the problem of where to mount it.  Garmin makes a mount as well as RAM and a few others.  I'd like the GPS mounted inline with the other gauges and out of the sun.  So a top of the dash mount or a suction setup won't cut it.  I've seen one mount that puts it on the driver side windhshield bracket.  Well, I'd like the passenger to be able to see it also.  Not to mention, I'd liek to be able to lower my windshield.  I've got a center console and could mount oit off that but it would have to attach to the lid which would make it a bit awkward.  I want the GPS mount to look clean and not put screws though the plastic dash.

So, after thinking about it I've come up with an idea.  There is a gap between the 'pods'.  What are pods?  Well if you have ever taken apart the dash, you know the plastic comes off in three sections.  Those are pods.  This is what makes converting it to RHD doable.  So what does this have to do with the mount?  Well, between the pods is a gap.  Several mm's thick.  I'm thinking about making a mount that screws into the instrument panel.  (That's the metal panel behind all the plastic.)  and put a 90 degree bend in it and have it come out through the gap between the pods.  Then have it bend with a slight angle so it matches the slope of the gauge panel.  this would put it in front of the 4WD light but not be against the dash.  My GPS uses a USB plug to connect and power it so I'd like to leave 2" between the GPS and the dash.

I could bolt the GPS to that but I think it will be better to mount the GPS to another plate and bolt the two together with isolation bushings so it doesn't shake the GPS too much.  Much like how Touratech does it.



So what do you think?  (I'm thinking about getting a cheap 18" metal break. but I could do it with a vice and a rubber mallet too.)

[chrisfranklin]

I've got a GPS V and I had it mounted a couple of places that worked well.  But, I finally decided on the second one for ease of use and security.

1) I didn't have a center console for a while, so I had room to mount the GPS between the seats on its included plastic mount.  In addition to the 12V power cable, I also picked up a wired remote-mount GPS antennae and wired it to the unit.  I, at first, went with this set-up because I wasn't in to the whole idea of having to remove and lock up my GPS Unit every time I parked.  This way I could just unroll the carpeting that normally goes where a center console unit goes and lay it over the GPS, basically covering it whenever I parked.  This worked well.  Wasn't thrilled at the idea of looking down between the seats to get directions, but this kind of permanent location was convenient and worked well.

2) Problem was I had my car alarmed, but somebody nevertheless proceeded to swipe a bag out of the back of it it a couple of years ago when I had the top off (GPS was covered so it was not detected by the thief).  So I invested in one of those Tuffy center consoles with room for a radio receiver/CD and secondary sirius unit.  I had to move the GPS so I decided it would be ideal if I could have it mounted on about the same level in front of the drivers position as other key instruments such as the speedometer and tach.  So I took the plastic GPS mount and, using double-sided tape, affixed it upside down on the dashboard overhang in the spot just behind the steering wheel. And, I stopped using the remote-mount antennae (cool thing with Jeeps is that it turns out that the GPS receives strong signals through soft-tops without a remote mount antennae).  
                So basicaly I just run the power cord to the cigarette lighter and then plug it in the unit.  When I park I just unlock the GPS unit from its mount behind the steering-wheel.  I then simply take the unit, still plugged in to the 12V outlet, and stow it in the locked center console; reverse when I get back on the road.   Naturally the power cord hangs out of the left side of the center console when locked, but I find it a small price to pay for the usability.
                Cool thing with the Jeep is that the driver's view of the GPS in this position is not obscured by the steering wheel;  its almost like Jeep expected somebody to mount something like this there.  The only thing that is obscured is the turn signal indicators.  But, when I see the green flash of the turn indicator arrows behind the GPS unit which is enough to let you know if an indicator is on or off.  I also use velcro on the power cord and the dash to keep the power cord for the unit off the driver's right leg.    I've been using this set-up for the last couple of years with no problems, security of otherwise.

[Jeffy]

Well, the GPS V and earlier models have all been discontinued.  Even when I had my GPS III+, I never trusted tape.  I also had the remote antenna cable and though it worked rather well.

In any case, I want the GPS to be mounted solidly to the Jeep somehow.  In a rollover, flop or a decent thump, I don't want to be looking for it on the floor or have it end up flying.  I think the mounting idea I've got will work well.  Especially if I can have it use existing holes.  The base should be pretty strong and could take some weight.

I've looked at some other RAM mount and I'm not too sure if I want to spend $50-100 for a mount.  Touratech makes some nice mount for bikes.  Bikes that do the Dakar and other rallies.  Most adventure riders use them as well.  So why not model the mount after the best?

There was a bit of a debate whether to use steel or aluminum.  Steel could be 2-3mm's thick.  Aluminum would have to be double that to have the same strength. The other problem is vibrations.  The whole mount will have to be around 8-10" long.  GPS's have a nasty habit of turning off if there are vibrations while using batteries.  My poly mounts aren't going to help it any.

I'll have to take apart my dash and look back behind all the plastic again.  Probably make some sketches and mock up too.  I wish I has a sheet metal brake.  If I'm really anal on how it looks, I might just buy one.  I used to make metal project boxes and got fairly good at it.

If it comes out nice enough I might make a small batch.

BTW: this is my 3rd GPS.  Had an old Magellen back in the late 90's when they started making cheaper commercial units.

[chrisfranklin]

Yeah, I don't trust tape either, but this stuff has held solidly for more than 2 years and probably a couple thousand attach/detachments, hot/cold weather, offroad, etc.  I could wear a construction helmet and do a superglue commercial with the stuff.  

But, yeah, if you gotta have a solid mount on metal, what you're talking about sounds good.  

This GPS V is the first GPS that I've owned and it was the cheapest map-based one I could find at the time in 2002.  I did buy my dad a
Garmin GPS "45" for XMas 1995 for boat-use.  It was white, waterproof  and just let you enter waypoints; but there were no maps, minimal waypoint memory storage and the processor was extremely slow (depending on location you could sometimes wait 10 minutes or longer for it to get a fix on enough of a signal for a 3D location).  Then again maybe the units signal reception was weak by today's standards or the signal has since been enhanced.  Of course, on the water, you can get by fine with just waypoints and my Dad says he still uses it today  :)

[Mozman68]

Just bought a holder for my Blackberry from these guys.  

http://www.proclipusa.com

Haven't received it yet, but the boys over at the BlackBerry forums swear by them.  Various mounts for almost all vehicles.  They have Garmin mounts, but didn't see anything for eTrex.  Will post pictures once mine is installed.

[Jeffy]

Well, I started ripping the dash apart.  I went a little overboard and started taking more and more of it apart.  I think I've found the screws I'll be using.  Probably use the two middle left and maybe one more.  Not sure if it will be the upper one or the screw for the speedometer on the other side.

Also looks like, I could mount it to the passenger side with three screws.  The bracket would have to be a mirror image of the other side though.

Took apart my switch panel while I was at it.  I need to rebuild that whole bracket they're on.  I need to fit a few more switches there too.

Oh in the process, I seem to have grounded out my alarm.  :?

Oh and there's the new GPS.