so i did my searching, and i really didnt find anything on this

what im thinking about doing is going out and buying a small 3.5 inch screen gps, whatever one i like the best at the store tomtom, garmin. But i hate mounting things in the windshield, hell i dont even have my car inspected cause i hate the sticker

i was thinking about mounting the gps unit over the front cup holder in the center console. this way its out of the way for track days, no ones gonna see it and break in, and i dont need wires all over the place. slide it open for use, slide it closed when i dont need it

gonna need to use fiberglass to make a piece that fits over the cup holder to make everything look nice.

my questions is has anyone else done something like this or mounted a GPS in a different location in the cabin thats not on the dash/windsheild? pics and information is what im looking for, also trying to hardwire the unit into the car, i saw a thread on that but anymore infor is always welcome, thanks guys

 

I just got a GPS as well BUT I don't think that the safest place to put it is near the cupholder...seems very dangerous.

 

I've got a Garmin with Bluetooth that just uses a suction cup to stick to the windshield. This is win. Safest place, why are you against it?

 

I'm wondering the same question as the OP. I would do the Metra kit, but it seems as if it's to much work and can have problems. I'm wanting to buy the AVIC-F500BT but make it flush with my interior.. Any suggestions??

 

I have the corksport dash kit with an avic HU with BT/ gps/ Ipod and it's great

 

idk for some reason i just hate having my windsheild cluttered and im looking for more of a permenant mount

i figure that since i dont use a GPS all that often, having it in the center console would provide the reference that i need when i need it, plus the voice commands would keep my eyes on the road. i pretty much know where im going 90 percent of the time but i figure that just to reference some other places, its can be help ful

im also not sure if i want to replace the entire dash with a HU/Navi

 

I've got the same problem. I had the idea of placing it in the sun glasses compartment, but this would need alittle bit of work plus, it gets in the way of the rear view mirror. I'm leaning towards buying one of those retractable navigational trays from japanparts.com, seems like a neat and tidy solution to me.

Oh, and l can recommend the TomTom 730, l just bought one. Plays music through the radio via the built in FM tunner. It also is a handsfree bluetooth device. I'm quite impressed.

 

If you put the GPS in the center console, would it not have a problem to acquire the satellite signal?

 

i just bought the tomtom ONE

as for the signal, i have a sunroof so it sits right under that clear sight of the sky

right now im working on a fiberglass mold, its drying as we speak, coming out OK

shall i keep everyone updated?

 

RE JDM Retractable Tray:





iNav iGuidance (just upgraded to 2009)

 

yeah i saw that one its nice, damn resin takes so long to dry

 

i'm confused.. you want to mount it in the cup holders? isn't that a bit (and by a bit, i mean wayyyy) too far and out of sight for it to be even useful? maybe an update to your fabrication will help picture it..

 

map-glovebox.... problem solved... or you just do what i do.... wonder around till you find your intended destination

 

for some it might be less useful, but for me i hate the voice and the turn by turn directions, all im looking for is the general way to get somewhere

so while standing ill look at the route, now i know how to get there, slide the cupholder cover closed and im on my way, its not that bad to look at need be mid trip

its more of a back up device then primary use u know?

pics once this damn resin dries! so i can sand and what not

 

soooooo the fiberglass failed miserabley because the mold i made wasnt scaled down enough to compensate for the layers of fiber glass and long story short it didnt fit

but good thing i had a plan B, not as sexy but clean looking

i know its not in the safeest spot but im using the gps just to get the general idea of where i need to go, while im stopped, and the voice alerts are awsome so u dont even have to look.

let me know what u think







wiring is under the mount, usb isnt pluged in in the pictures, it goes under the center consoling using the OEM cig light plug which is then hardwire

comments

 

wow, terrible idea. it seems ultra-unsafe. please take it out for your sake!

 

+ 1. I believe a custom mount is a nice piece but it takes away all convenience associated with owning a Gps. How on earth are you going to follow its directions when you can hardly even see the thing without looking straight down.

 

guys your not reading my posts

i mounted it there because i dont use a GPS often and want it out of the way, the reason why i do want one is for a "just in case" senerio

i dont like following gps intructions to begin with i think its distracting even on my TL in dash, i just want to use it so i can familarize myself with the route before i start driving, then close the cover and go

looking at the list of directions and then driving yourself is much easier since i can count hundreds of times the "next right" got me lost and if i just looked at the street name before i would have been ok

EDIT: i pretty much want a mini google maps in my car

 

^well in that case, it seems fine. I still think it is pointless there though. as long as you like it and dont injure anyone with it...

 

yeah i think its fine in that regard. plus you have the chick talking to you usually, so its all good.

 

yeah the reason why i dont like navis usually is because i really like to just focus on driving, dont worry im not the idiot that tries to change his pants, talk on the phone and read the newspaper type of driver

i actually downloaded this new hot english chick, its awsome! UK accents FTW

 

haha thats sick. i wish they had like other cool voices. like jeremy clarkson or something. i think i'd like to receive directions from joe peschi hahaha. yes i would want my GPS to sound like joe peschi.

 

As far as "hard wiring" it, my simple solution to keep it removable was to use an add-a-fuse kit in the fuse panel and solder a second cigarette lighter to it, ziptie the lighter up under the dash and plug the tomtom into that.

I'll have to do a DIY at some point.

I chose to mount my GPS in the lower lefthand corner of my windscreen, the power cable exits the bottom and goes straight down along the curve of the gauge pod, then down the steering column to the accessory outlet I added.

 

Surprisingly my Garmin 550c gets excellent reception even inside the center console (atop the cup holder). With the volume turned up no problem hearing the turn-by-turn directions, and also my Bluetooth linked cell phone. It also easily plugs into the aux power port inside the console. Obviously the graphic presentation is blocked unless I slide the elbow rest cover back. On a trip I use the windshield suction cup, mounted low on the driver's side corner (battery powered).

edit: I missed learycd's photo's - that's exactly where my GPS spends most of its time. I don't have the nice cutout for it..... but now of course it's a must have! Don't forget you can eaily route the power/traffic RF line to the aux port in the aft console. There's already a nice pass-thu detent for the cord.

 

Or you do what I did. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/new-pod-replace-ashtray-161158/