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Old 02-28-2013, 03:19 PM   #1 (permalink)
JohnsZ
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 374
Drives: '09 370Z Tour CY M6
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Default Nav Problem Solved!!!

Recently I posted a Thread about a dilemma I was having trying to decide if I should get a Nav unit installed in my Z. Getting one installed would have cost me around $1000. Members here have said to just get a portable unit like a Garmin but I didn't like that idea because I didn't want one attached to the windshield or one sitting on the dash. Every possible scenerio seemed like a cheap aftermarket attachment............THAT IS UNTIL I FOUND THIS BRACKET on Amazon for a Garmin Nuvi unit!!!

This bracket is really made to clip on a sun visor but the idea came to me that if it fit, it would be perfect over the dash storage box compartment cover. I bought the bracket, it was just under $10, tried it and as luck would have it, it fit perfectly. I just inserted the clip part over and through the hinge crack which is wide enough to fit it and it sits snug against the dash box cover. The best part is that you can still open the compartment cover with the bracket in place.

Once I knew the bracket fit, I bought a Garmin Nuvi 50LM, 5 in display. I did not buy one with Traffic or Bluetooth purposely because I hate the wide power cord that would have to dangle down the dash. In fact, with the smaller power cord, I was able to tuck it behind the lower center console on the passenger side and I plugged the power cord in the power socket under the glove box. Only a small length of the power cord is visible near the cd player/radio but being black, even that is hardly noticeable.

The Garmin sits low so it's not too visible from a few feet away from the car unless you're looking directly through the window. The 5 in is a perfect size and with the ball joint, you can turn the Garmin right towards your line of vision. It vibrates only the slightest (basically unnoticeable unless you're going over a rough stretch of road) nothing more than any other portable GPS unit. It's truly the next best thing to getting one installed in the dash and a heck of a lot cheaper. I was able to get the Garmin from Amazon for less than $100. As I said, it doesn't have Traffic or Bluetoooth (had a Garmin with Trafffic once and I was never crazy about it) and I have Bluetooth already in the car so I didn't need that.

I am soooooooo happy to share this because I know this will help others with the same predicament. This is absolutely the way to go if you don't have an installed nav unit!





ARKON GN111 Garmin Nuvi Auto Sun Visor Mount with 17mm Ball Head

Last edited by JohnsZ; 03-01-2013 at 03:43 PM.
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