mounting the Garmin

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbaram @ May 18 2007, 05:05 AM) [snapback]444731[/snapback]</div>

It comes with a window mount. You can purchase a dash mount if you want. You can find it cheaper on the internet, unless you want it right away. You will not get lost. It is ready to go right out of the box.

I have a Nuvi 660 and am very well pleased with it. I needed a bigger screen than the 350.

 

I have the 350 and let me tell you: it's waaaayy better than the Toyota built-in nav system. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have bought the nav system.

 

I installed my Nuvi 660 using the windshield mount, placing it at the base of the windshield all the way over to the left. I hate wires so I ran the cable from the 12V plug by the passenger's foot well behind all of the dash trim over to the driver's side, then up the door jamb to the dash by gently pulling back the weather stripping to let the wire in. The only problem with this method is that the mount interferes with my sun shade, so I only stick it to the windshield when I need it. I might notch the sun shade so that I can leave the mount up.

I got my Garmin as a gift and only after having one do I realize how useful they are! I usually set it to calculate by "shortest distance" which has provided some really great back-road routes that are far more relaxing than getting on the highway with everybody else. I save a bunch of gas that way, too.

 

One or two small holes in the vent panels are another way to go, if
you want a really firm mount not subject to suction-cup sag or
sliding around like the beanbags.
.
Aftermarket is definitely the way to go, although the amount of
detail map data you can carry around may be more limited.
.
_H*

 

I have both the Nuvi 660 (use in the Odyssey) and the nav in my 07 Prius. While I have not had a chance to fully utilize/learn the nav in the Prius, I do find that the voice command is well worth it, not to mention the larger screen.

That said, we do love our Nuvi! I think you will be very happy with yours.

We mounted it using a dash mount in the minivan and it works great and keeps it in easy reach. The mount came with the Nuvi.

 

I have mine mounted with the permanent plate mounted just to the left of the screen over the vent on the silver portion of the dash. If you don't mind the 2 inch black mounting plate, this is an extremely good place to mount it. The windshield is to far back for mounting. This spot is very close visually and aurally and does not block your visability out the windshield in any way. By the way, I love the Nuvi 350.

 

I like to mount mine at the top of the winshield, just to the left of the Rear View Mirror.

 

At least 2 states, Calif. being 1, prohibit mounting anything on the windshield.

 

I have the Garmin 350 and use this:

Garmin Portable Friction Mount for Nuvi and StreetPilot C Series (010-10908-00). It's $38 at Amazon with free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Portable-Fric...3354&sr=8-1

This unit makes it easy to transport between two cars. It's also *very* secure on the dash. Nothing else is required with this unit as it works with your Nuvi as it came.

 

Barbara, once the unit is charged it will run on its own for quite a long time.

 

Look for posts with pictures from garbageman about how he mounted the 350. I like his about the best of what I've seen.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom 6850 @ May 19 2007, 08:41 AM) [snapback]445668[/snapback]</div>

Yes, I know. I forgot to check to see if the original poster was from CA or the other state, but lukily, they are from New Jersey, which is not the other state. I think it was Michigan, Minnisota or some M state, but just guessing.

For California, I would mount it to the left end of the rear view mirror that is in turn, mounted on the winshield.

In actual use, I think it is less distracting to glance up toward the rear view mirror than it is to glance all the way down to the dash somewhere.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbaram @ May 23 2007, 08:01 PM) [snapback]448692[/snapback]</div>

The disk is to mount the Garmin on any surface not flat and smooth enough for the suction cup (i.e. not glass) If you don't mind putting double stick tape or glue on your dash, you just glue the plastic disk down and the suction cup is supposed to stick. I never used it, but I do know that the suction cup will not stick directly on most dashes, even if they are flat. Too much texture.