[L0stS0ul]

So I was getting really tired of putting my GPS device up on the window because it's so far away. I noticed that I don't use the little cubby to the left of the steering wheel so I thought I'd try and make my own GPS mount that fits in there. I own a Navigon 2100 and the mount can be taken apart so I was able to reuse everything but the suction base. I made the mount out of 1mm thick balsa wood. I measured it so it would fit perfectly but of course I couldn't follow my own directions and I made it backwards lol. It still works though. It would have fit flush had I not screwed up.

Right now it's still just the bare wood but I plan on covering it. Once covered it won't move around at all. I've got 3 very heavy weights inside the box to keep it from tipping over. So far working really really well.

 

[JOEY G-xB]

very crafty of you! i likes it! + karma!

 

[Shancopp]

that is a great idea!!!

 

[TartanJack]

Looks good!
Nice craftsmanship and good functional (visibility) location.
REALLY good job!


Only factor that "pops" into my mind . . .
It is directly in front of the a/c-heat vent, so it gets a direct blast of cold air in summer and heat in winter. Some electronics don't like getting cold or hot while working (may not be an issue with that device). So, I'd be careful with that location. Also, it blocks air blowing directly on me, which is important to me as I drive.
Idea: make a version that offsets it more in front of the driver.

Oh, and I use that pocket for sunglasses storage and/or cellphone (when driving-> as I am wearing the glasses).

 

[L0stS0ul]

Yeah it does block that ac vent but that's not been a big issue for me. I still have the one in the middle and I generally use a mix of floor and vent. I just close that one off. I also don't keep the GPS in the car at all times. I tend to only put it in the car when I don't know the area I'm going to or I'm going on long trips. I do plan to build another one since I still have the plans. I think I'll make it a bit wider next time. I'm not using the whole thing as well so there is still room for my cell phone

It wasn't that hard to make. I think it took me about an hour including taking the measurements and actually cutting the balsa.

 

[RicanSmileyBox]

10 points great idea

 

[eviljack]

Thats pretty freakin cool.

 

[wangster]

Does that navi require any wires or is it totally wireless (as long as the battery is charged I guess)?
I want to get a GPS unit but I want something that is totally portable.
Maybe use it all day, then charge it at night... something like that.
I haven't done my research for units like that yet but I thought I'd ask.

 

[L0stS0ul]

Most of these portable GPS Units are completely wireless for their basic features. Other than a charge cable some have a cable for traffic updates. As far as charging goes I've had a few different portable gps units and most have about a 2-3 hour usage period before they need to be charged. This navigon lasts just under 3 hours before I have to charge it. Where I have it I can wrap the wire around and you can hardly see it when it's plugged in.

The navigon is an ok GPS. The only wire it has is the charge cable. I got it because it's customizable and you can get 3 years of map updates for $60 and lifetime traffic service for $70. I'm a programmer so I wanted a GPS that was hackable and the navigon has that ability. The only real complaint I have about it is sometimes I get some strange routes. All GPS units do that but this one a bit more than the others. The best ones are the Garmin Nuvi's and they are on sale right now. They tend to have the best routing engine and best map data. About middle of the road are the tom tom's. Their map data is not as good as the garmins but they have created tools to try and make that better. They allow users to share map changes. Thier routing is pretty good but because the map data is iffy they sometimes don't route well.

Hope that helps

 

[salb80]

Looking sweet!!! Thats a good place to put the unit

 

[jrl91789]

Great job! i own a garmin street pilot, I just put it in that same hole & listen to directions... :lol:

 

[TunerChick]

Great job! i own a garmin street pilot, I just put it in that same hole & listen to directions... :lol:

Haha! That's what I used to do too! What a pain in the ***!


Looks good Lost!

 

[gr8scape]

I did mine a little different. I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit over that little tray on the left side of the dash. I drilled a hole in it so I could route the cable so I don't have to worry about the battery going dead. Drilled a hole in the compartment for the cable and hooked it up. Painted it black from the bottom and adhered it with 3M tape to the dash. The suction cup holds the GPS just fine. Here are a couple photos.

 

[boblamb58]

Wow, two very good ideas!
gr8espce.. where is the other end of your power/charger cable?

I would hope that you(both, and anyone else for that matter) dont leave your GPS unit there (or at least cover it well) when you get out of the car..
If you care to look in the police blotter of your local paper, you will likely see at least one theft of a GPS unit from someone's vehicle.

 

[Geezer]

Did you just pop out the tray with a blade inserted under the edge?

 

[gr8scape]

I tried to pop it out every which way and it didn't budge. That's why the hole I drilled for the cable is in that upper corner as I had no idea what was under the tray but could feel that corner from the inside when I removed the Instrument Cluster Panel.

 

[Vanimal]

Very nice, both of you guys! And I just keep my sun glasses there

Good job!

 

[Capt Richard]

I have a different twist on your idea. I have a tom tom 730 with the slightly larger than average screen. I found a special order bracket to mount it directly on the dash behind the steering wheel. The location is where you would normally find the spedo in most cars so it looks right to me. I also like that since its mounted low you dont have the easy to see and easy to steal problem. I have layed a paper on the dash to cover it for more security. The cord drops in the crack over the steering wheel and to make it simple I put an extra lighter socket under the dash to get rid of the cords. I can unplug it and use the other bracket if i want to use it in another car. I later added the dash mat, carpet, and it was easy to cut a hole to stick the bracket thru and to me it looks great. The other bonus is that I still have a pocket for some small items.

 

[L0stS0ul]

Wow I had almost forgot about this thread. Yes I take my GPS out of the car when I leave it. After my first GPS died because it baked in the sun I learned you can't leave them in the car. Way to hot. Plus of course there is the whole stealing of GPS thing going on these days.

I did coat the GPS mount with this spray on plastic. Worked really well. Still using it

So many options with this car. Glad to hear others are being creative as well