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!


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...-L._AA160_.jpg


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

pics?

I'm not sure how nav would cost $1000, but congrats on the 5 dollar bracket.

I'll take some and post them this weekend.

I have an aftermarket unit but I am curious how this setup looks.

In for pics.

Factory Nissan Nav unit installed at a dealership.

Wait til you see my pics this weekend! :tup:

The clip looks like a great find. My only worry would be how it would affect the finish on the cubby lid over time.
Is it a one-piece unit or could it be adapted for other GPSs, iPad, &c?

I was actually thinking of that this morning. I can't imagine it would leave that much of a mark and I doubt it would be permanent. It's not that tight. I also think that the cushioned lid would rebound.

It's actually 2 pieces...the U clip and the swivel ball. Not sure if it could be adapted for other devices but I suppose as long as the other bracket that attaches to the GPS unit itself can fit the ball, I don't see why not. Amazon states that it fits Garmin's Nuvi and Streetpilot GPS. It doesn't state whether it's compatible with anything else. Check Amazon out! The ball is 17Mm Swivel Ball Socket that you would need to keep in mind if trying another device bracket. I suppose that something can be rigged up with another device without the ball and just the clip but that's for more of an engineering mind than mine!

Sold! I have been looking for this. Thanks!

Reps to you for sharing John! I want the LM50 and this makes the decision easy.

You're very welcome! I love the LM50! The 5in screen is just right and this bracket find makes it a no brainer. It actually looks like this Garmin and bracket were made just for the Z. :tup:

:tup:

I did a Q&D search for "ARKON GN111" and found out that there is a "dual-T" thingamajig that holds the mounting adapter on. Easily changed and they offer the same clip with different mounts. Gets mostly good reviews (most of the complaints seemed to be about sun visors, not the product).

Rather wide price range: $6-25.

Thanks for sharing. I plan on putting a small "tablet" (something small with a touchscreen for OBD/CAN monitoring/logging) in that spot and this clip looks like a better option than removing the cubby door. Please keep us updated about any wear and tear on the cubby door that you may encounter.

Got mine for $9.95 on Amazon. Exactly...no need to remove the cover lid and the lid still opens up with the bracket in place. Even if it does leave a little indentation mark when removed, it's still a fair trade off to be able to have a GPS in the car that almost looks like it was made for the Z.

But here's a question for you tech guys....is it okay to keep it plugged into the socket for long periods of time without the car running? Is it draining the battery? Right now I unplug it at night but leave it in during the day while I am at work.

The socket is not powered when the car is off.

My guess is you can get some sticky-backed felt strips or rubber bumpers (at a Michaels or Hobby Lobby) and put them on the back of the clip where it touches the cubby lid. This should reduce or eliminate the effect of the hard plastic clip rubbing or pressing on the softer cubby lid.

Looking forward to some pics. Seems like an ideal solution.

Sounds like a pretty good guess to me. Thanks.

Here are some photos I took. The photo with the dashed yellow line shows where the clip fits behind the lid. With the lid open, simply fit the clip over the top of the lid at the hinge and close the lid. The other photo whith the straight yellow line shows where the power cord is tucked behind or under the console.

Who quoted you on 1k for an oem nav, I thought they were way more for some reason?

Bracket definitely looks slick, but exposed wires drive me nuts!

Thanks....I kind of thought so. After going through the dreaded experience of not having the car start due to the steering lock failure nightmare (fixed now), I'm a little paranoid about not having the car start because of a dead battery.
:tiphat:

I didn't get an exact quote other than a Nissan guy telling me it would be at least $1K. Either way, this is the next best thing IMHO. I know, I hate wires hanging too but it's really minimal. The power cord could be tidied up a bit more near the socket which I plan to do.

Doubt it's 1k

There is much more to it than the screen, there is that antenna on the roof and you need a whole center console etc and a bunch if other parts I bet

Kewl. Should be easy to get power into the cubby w/o all the wires hanging.

Thanks!

Yeah, it's more like 5k+ LOOOOOL :roflpuke2:

Damn, that looks pretty legit!

True, pretty legit for the cost, you could definitely find a way to wire into the cubby but depends how much you want to so in terms of drilling holes etc. definitely and awesome fix for the price!

Yikes.....I'm worried about the bracket leaving an indentation in the lid. There's no way I'm making any holes with a drill or using any other kind of electric tool in my Z for that matter unless it's a vacuum. :shakes head: Any cheap fix/solution is going to have some draw back and a few inches of wire hanging is a small sacrifice.

How is this working out, JohnsZ? Any unexpected issues, problems, indentations/abrasions, etc?

Hi....I'm still loving it. I use it every day. It's almost like it came with the car and I'm someone who hates adding aftermarket junk in my car. But to be honest, I have not removed the bracket to see if it leaves an indentation. I'm sure over time it probably will. But that's fine with me because I don't ever intend on removing it. And when I sell it, I figure I've done the next person to own it a favor with this idea. :tup:

Worst case scenario if it leave an indent is hit someone like courtesyparts.com up for a replacement lid. They can't be that expensive.

:iagree: Was thinking the same thing!

I believe this is the lid cluster if you find a dent.
LID-CLUSTER - 370Z (Z34) 2009+ :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

Yikes, a little more pricey than I figured but ebay could be a good source and with more people turning VDC off in the rain, the local junkyard might source one as well.

Thanks JohnsZ! I just got mine tonight!

I'm glad I stumbled across this post just before ordering a Ram mirror mount - saved me about $40 and the placement of the gps unit is perfect!

I placed a thin microfiber cloth - used to clean eyeglasses with - over the cubby door to prevent marring and indentation of the leather.

Just ordered mine from NewEgg. $16, no shipping. I bought a Garmin nuvi 50LM the other day and this sounds like it will be perfect. Thanks for the tip.

Great...I think you'll be very satisfied with this solution...the next best thing to a factory installed nav IMHO! I'm still using mine every day. It's also amazing how secure it is with that bracket. I've never had to adjust it yet! Good luck with it and thanks for the "Thanks"! :tup:

No problem! I think that it is the perfect solution to a factory installed or even after market installed Nav unit. It's definately cheaper for sure!
:tiphat:

No Imprints!
 

I wanted to give you guys an update on the Nav bracket because many had asked if the bracket left an imprint in the storage box lid. I've had mine in since February and today I removed it because I decided that I would use my GPS only when needed. I was afraid that leaving it attached all the time would be too much of a temptation for an easy smash and grab. Anyway, I can say that after removing the bracket, it left absolutley no imprints, marks etc on the lid and I had it in for about 4 months.