My Magellan GPS finally died (what a piece of **** Magellan's are!!!). So I'm planning on buying a Magellan Nuvi 360. I've already tested it out and it works perfectly with my cell phone. So I get the really good navigation that doesn't have a system crash when going around rotaries, and I get a handsfree bluetooth system for my phone, like my old TL had. Plus, my iPod adapter came with a standard AUX input in addition to the dock connector, which will plug right into the Nav and i can get my calls and my directions over the car's radio, which is all very sweet!

---- So anyway, to the point of this thread ----

I'm going to try and mount the nav in my ashtray. I bought an ashtray off some guy on this site, so I can keep my mint one for when my lease is up. So with this used one, I'm going to try and mount it in a way that will still let me flip it closed, so there is no eye candy for nosey people (my ipod also lives in the center console, so no one knows i have that in there either). So I'm going to have to do lots of careful cutting, which I'm looking forward to. I suspect I'll have to get one of the external antennas and mount that somewhere where it will get a better signal, but that shouldn't be so hard. The biggest question I have at this point is, are there any easy, custom ways to mount a Garmin GPS? Some sort of custom mount that i can manipulate and cut, drill, rivet so it's exactly how I want it?

Also, of course, has anyone ever done anything like this before?

 

Magellan's are pieces of ***** so why buy another? Makes no sense. My dad just bought a sweet tomtom with bluetooth, mp3, etc. very sweet.

 

I'm not buying another Magellan, I'm buying a Garmin. I hear TomToms are nice, but they don't use NavTech like everyone else including googlemaps, so their directions aren't as accurate. Oh I see in the first line I wrote Magellan Nuvi where I meant Garmin Nuvi. My bizzo

 

Oh, okay, I was confused. I bought my dad a Magellan previously and it crapped out after a year. What a waste of money. Good choice on Garmin, I have a portable hand held that I have had for like 5 years and it still works like a charm for hiking.

 

i was thinking about purchasing the Nuvi as well...except i want to mount it where my sunglass holder is. as for mounting it...i can't help you there. i'm a hands on type of guy.

 

Probably not what you're looking for, but ... I found this to more versatile than having the GPS mounted permanently in the dash somewhere. I've got a nuvi 660 that's mounted on the dash using a Ram mount and the Garmin suction mount. This setup makes it portable, so I can use the GPS in my other car or take it with me on business trips. I normally operate it on batteries, but I routed the cigarette lighter adapter behind the dash and hardwired it to the cigarette lighter harness, so I can use that when the battery runs low. I can also use the Ram mount for my camera.
Kind of spoils the clean look of the dash, though, but it works for me. Looks like a VERY large button, but at least the mounting surface is piano black.

 

I really don't need portability. I'd love a 660 but it makes no sense for me to spend that much, so i'm just getting the 360. But I don't think I'd like the map up there, all in plain sight etc.

 

It's only in plain sight when I use it --- I take it down and stuff everything in the glove box or take it with me when I park the car, takes less than a minute. Unfortunately, the Ram mount is still in sight.

 

I have the Nuvi 370... i just keep it in the glovebox and when i need it get it out and use the window mount or just toss it in the passenger seat (when desperately needed)... I looked at doing an ashtray mount but i don't believe there is enough room.