Any in-car navigators out there?

L

Lee Yang

New member
I have a T5, bluetooth GPS, and mapping software. The biggest thing I am missing is a mounting set up for my car. Ideally, I would like a vent clip type mount, but am willing to look at windshield mounts as well.

What does everyone elses use in this type of setup? I'm looking for options...

Also, on a side note My GPS is a Garmin eTrex Venture, and one of my two vehicles has metal in the windshield. Any one have recommendations on how to get a signal without having to cut a hole in my roof?

Thanks.
 
I used ProclipUSA stuff nearly exclusively for mounting. It's a bit more expensive but very secure if you get the custom stuff. You might also try some RAM mounts, or check out Seidio Online for combi kits.

If your BT signal is strong you might try mounting it in the rear window instead of the windshield. I've got a suction cup mount that I'd part with that might do the trick but truthfully, you'll need to get the unit on the roof for the very best reception but then you'd probably lose the signal via the wireless.

I'd recommend a wired antenna that should you can get from glisson and it comes in 16 foot lenghts. I have my Garmin 2720 mounted on my dash and the antenna is mounted in the rear window because of the same issues you described. The 16 foot lenght allows me to run it through the dash over to the A Pillar and down to the runners and then up at the C pillar - you can't see the cable except where it comes out of the dash.

One reason why I don't use BT for antenna even when I had other devices before the T5 - you can't dial a BT phone and be navigating at the same time - it just won't hand off properly. Hope some of this helps.
 
Thanks Moose Man. I have looked at the ProClip stuff, but am trying to avoid something that requires extensive modification to the car. I have been looking closely at the Seidio and Arkon mounting setups, as they come powered and have aplified speakers built in, so I don't have to sacrifice radio reception for navigation. I will have to browse the Ram mounts.

I am thinking about trying the GPS in the rear window area. Most of the time I try to have one of the kids hold it so they can update me on what the "sattelite status" is. They think it's great to be a participant.

As for the external antenna, the eTrex doesn't have an external connecter, so I would have to get a re-radiating antenna, which means more wires, unless I can get a wireless one, which I have seen for about $65.

As for the BT conflict, I'm too cheap to get a phone that has BT, so that's not been a problem for me to look at yet.

Thanks again Moose. I guess that makes a couple of cold ones I owe you now.... Gonna have to invest in a shipping company.
 
Of the 3 cars that I've used the ProClip stuff in - I've never had to drill or modify the car in anyway to get the PC stuff to mount. They shy away from that stuff in favor of simplicity.

Arkon - had one of their units with power and volume they are sweet as well as the Seidio's (never had one but seen mostly good reviews).

I thought that the reradiant antennas - didn't need wires but then I'm no expert when it comes to those. Good luck.
 
re-radiators come in a couple of flavors. Since they are normally an amplified antenna, they need a power supply. I have found one that uses a battery pack instead of a 12v power supply. Otherwise they all need a connection to power. Maybe I missed something on the proclip site, I thought all of their stuff was hard mount. Thanks again.
 
Follow the link I provided and then pull your make, model, and year and then they should show you an option to see the mounting instructions towards the bottom of the page, (if memory serves) and those instructions are application specific.

My Pontiac everything was simply a snap into place against the Radio mount. The last Impala, similar clipped against the dash and the vent. The new impala I just got, wedge between the bottom of the dash and the upper portion so it's a snap as well. No drilling.

Thanks for the info on the reradiant's.
 
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