Garmin (or other GPS) in cubby?

Vaughanabe13

I'm looking to get a new GPS, probably a Garmin because I like the interface. Ideally I would like to use the Garmin inside the cubby hole, so that I can just close the cubby when I leave the car, rather than hassling with taking off the windshield mount. I have 3 main questions about this setup.

1. Will the 4.3" and/or 5" widescreen GPS units fit in the cubby?

2. Is there any way to mount the GPS inside the cubby so that A) The cubby door will close and B) the GPS won't go flying during spirited driving?

3. Will the GPS reception take a hit if it's inside the cubby during operation? It won't have a clear (or even partial) view of the sky from there.

I'd like to hopefully answer some of these questions before I buy a GPS. Thanks!

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

tjlazer

You can do a search as others have asked/done what you are asking.

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2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

Vaughanabe13

I've already searched. The search feature on this site is garbage. Even a general search for "garmin" only turns up like 5-some results. Searching for "cubby GPS" just turns up a ton of posts about people wanting to modify the cubby or put a screen of some sort in the cubby. It's not what I'm asking. Also, thanks for wasting both of our time by posting "use the search feature" when you could have typed a sentence answering my question(s). Sorry if I sound rude, it's just frustrating.

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

kenchan

try nuvi

370zFORme!!

I dont think Tj was trying to waste your time. He prob assumed you hadn't used the search feature (like most people) and just created a thread without taking any time to do research. You obviously didn't do your research as within 5 sec of typing "gps unit 370Z cubby" into google, I came up with multiple links to many helpful resources. In my experience, you can always try google as an alternative means of investigation if the search feature on here does you wrong. Thats how I found this site, google.

Heres two of them:

Stick mp3 player to base cubby shell?.

LCD above head unit?



So sorry if I sound rude .Hope that helps.

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87' Honda Civic Hatchback: Kaput @ 288,000 miles, 90' Toyota Celica: Kaput @ 175,000 miles, 93' Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4: Kaput @ 138,000 miles, 06' Scion Tc: Traded in @ 64,000 miles, 10' Nissan 370z: Traded in @ 25,000 miles, 12' Subaru Impreza Sti: Current.

CraigP

I use a Nuvi 1450 in just this manner and it works great. I have it just kinda wedged in there.

eastwest2300

Thats what I have.. (the 1450)

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Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

tjlazer

Thanks. Yes the search function on forum sites is usually garbage.

Please use Google and you will always get good results. Should of stated that in my post... But I didn't think I needed to state that in 2011.

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2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

Vaughanabe13

Thanks! Any problems with GPS signal or is it the same? I didn't know if there was some kind shielding around the cubby that would cause problems.

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

Jjaden

Hey do either of you guys have pics of what it looks like?

I'd also like toget a solid nav system installed in my cubby...

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eastwest2300

I just have my unit mounted on the window, I havent thought of anything crazy to mount in the cubby hole.

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Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

CraigP

No problem with the signal at all. It works just fine in there.

Vaughanabe13

Well I bought a Garmin 2555LMT, which has a 5" screen. It does fit in the cubby, but not entirely perfectly. The power cord has a right-angle USB plug that angles down, so when I stick it in the cubby the power cord gets in the way, somewhat. But I can still wedge it in there so it doesn't move while I'm driving. It fits tight. GPS reception appears to be good, although I can't get any traffic signal at all. The traffic receiver (FM antenna) is built into the power cord, which I am currently running out the front of the cubby, down along the parking brake and then into the arm box with the DC power jack. No matter where I put the cable though, I can't get any traffic reception when the garmin is in the cubby. It does have a small jack for an antenna extension so I already ordered the antenna accessory from Garmin, which I will mount on the dash somewhere. Overall I'm pretty happy with this setup, although I may wish to drill a hole and bury the cable behind the cubby in the future.

If anyone is interested I can snap a pic later and upload it.

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

eastwest2300

Please post up some pics, I'd like to check it out.

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Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

CraigP

My "Ghetto Mount" Garmin. I had it wedged in there with the clip, but found that it tended to bend the plastic cubby making it difficult to open. I took the clip off the GPS and it sits further back in the cubby but works fine. Now if I could just get power to it so there's no cable showing... I have it plugged in to the port on the driver's side with a Belden USB converter and a mini USB cable.



I have thought about finding a small bean bag, attaching a piece of velcro to it and the back of the Garmin in order to give it a bit more weight, though so far I haven't had any issues with it falling out of there. It's just a bit unstable when punching buttons on it.

Hope it helps!