Topic: After market GPS systems

[DockMan]

Forgive me if this is a repost but, I use these clips to mount for portable navigation and/or mobile phone. The quality and custom fit for each vehicle is great.

http://www.proclipusa.com/choosecountry/choosecountry.aspx

Dollarrama has a holder that fits some phones and I pods  for  a dollar 

As with everything you get what you pay for. I have used some "generic" device holders before (cause I'm cheap) but learned the hard way that they don't function very well in application. The ProClips are brutally expensive, however if you want a clip that performs like you need it (as a road warrior) then they are the way to go. Everybody has there own cost vs. value triggers the function of proclips eclipses the value of the generic holder. IMO.

BTW, we have a dollarama in our sleepy little town, however I went to a huge one in Sarnia recently and it was almost like an epiphany for a cheap SOB like myself. I was amazed at the product selection that they have and the cost....I will very seriously shop there before many other places now for disposable or wear items anyway. Maybe Geely should have Dollarama be their dealer network to start out with!!!

[airbalancer]

Forgive me if this is a repost but, I use these clips to mount for portable navigation and/or mobile phone. The quality and custom fit for each vehicle is great.

http://www.proclipusa.com/choosecountry/choosecountry.aspx

Dollarrama has a holder that fits some phones and I pods  for  a dollar 

As with everything you get what you pay for. I have used some "generic" device holders before (cause I'm cheap) but learned the hard way that they don't function very well in application. The ProClips are brutally expensive, however if you want a clip that performs like you need it (as a road warrior) then they are the way to go. Everybody has there own cost vs. value triggers the function of proclips eclipses the value of the generic holder. IMO.

BTW, we have a dollarama in our sleepy little town, however I went to a huge one in Sarnia recently and it was almost like an epiphany for a cheap SOB like myself. I was amazed at the product selection that they have and the cost....I will very seriously shop there before many other places now for disposable or wear items anyway. Maybe Geely should have Dollarama be their dealer network to start out with!!!

With little kids you buy a lot crap there to make them happy

[UmroAyyar]

Forgive me if this is a repost but, I use these clips to mount for portable navigation and/or mobile phone. The quality and custom fit for each vehicle is great.

http://www.proclipusa.com/choosecountry/choosecountry.aspx

Dollarrama has a holder that fits some phones and I pods  for  a dollar 

As with everything you get what you pay for. I have used some "generic" device holders before (cause I'm cheap) but learned the hard way that they don't function very well in application. The ProClips are brutally expensive, however if you want a clip that performs like you need it (as a road warrior) then they are the way to go. Everybody has there own cost vs. value triggers the function of proclips eclipses the value of the generic holder. IMO.

BTW, we have a dollarama in our sleepy little town, however I went to a huge one in Sarnia recently and it was almost like an epiphany for a cheap SOB like myself. I was amazed at the product selection that they have and the cost....I will very seriously shop there before many other places now for disposable or wear items anyway. Maybe Geely should have Dollarama be their dealer network to start out with!!!

With little kids you buy a lot crap there to make them happy

Helium filled balloons cost $1 compared to $5 at Loblaws. 

[RunsinLight]

A question about these GPS navigation systems.

Do they normally have some sort of antenna (similar to a satellite radio) that you would normally stick on the outside of your car?  If so, has anyone tried sticking them to the baby seat connectors in the back window of their car? Had any results?

[tpl]

A question about these GPS navigation systems.

Do they normally have some sort of antenna (similar to a satellite radio) that you would normally stick on the outside of your car?  If so, has anyone tried sticking them to the baby seat connectors in the back window of their car? Had any results?

the garmin units have an antenna built in and therefore have to be close to a window but they also have a socket for an external antenna

[airbalancer]

A question about these GPS navigation systems.

Do they normally have some sort of antenna (similar to a satellite radio) that you would normally stick on the outside of your car?  If so, has anyone tried sticking them to the baby seat connectors in the back window of their car? Had any results?

I have no antenna on the Nuvi 250. only the power cord
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10087524&catid=23496&logon=&langid=EN
works great so far

[mmret]

A question about these GPS navigation systems.

Do they normally have some sort of antenna (similar to a satellite radio) that you would normally stick on the outside of your car?  If so, has anyone tried sticking them to the baby seat connectors in the back window of their car? Had any results?

I think it varies, some units have a tiny little pop out thingy (still compact, no wires, just a little "arm" on the unit itself). Mine is integrated but I believe it has an external antenna port...never had any problems without it though.

I just shoved it on the windshield with the suction cup mount, the back end of the unit is still under glass. Sometimes it takes a minute or so to sync with the satellites, but thats normally only when I turn the GPS on while still indoors, or something.

Just be wary if you have a metallic tint on the front windscreen, might mess things up.

[CSH]

I borrowed a GPS Unit from a friend on a trip to Kingston. Overall it was a Good Experience. It was nuvi 250. All the directions it gave were 100% accurate. It also helped me locate the nearest Tim Hortons from the Hotel we were in.

I had some issues though:
1) We were looking for a hotel to stay in for the night and we asked the GPS to show all the Hotels in the area, well it missed out a pretty big hotel which we ended up staying in
2) Voice guidance can sometimes get annoying, the lady kept asking me to go the leftmost lane, and i was in no mood to drive at 140kmph but she insisted. So i turned off the GPS. Good thing is that it resumed the directions when we turned it on when we had almost reached Kingston

Do i have a GPS: No
Do i want to buy a GPS: Definately, but its not that high on my priority list right now

PS: i am still trying to figure out if a satellite dish would work if i install it in my condo (in the solarium)

[airbalancer]

I borrowed a GPS Unit from a friend on a trip to Kingston. Overall it was a Good Experience. It was nuvi 250. All the directions it gave were 100% accurate. It also helped me locate the nearest Tim Hortons from the Hotel we were in.

I had some issues though:
1) We were looking for a hotel to stay in for the night and we asked the GPS to show all the Hotels in the area, well it missed out a pretty big hotel which we ended up staying in
2) Voice guidance can sometimes get annoying, the lady kept asking me to go the leftmost lane, and i was in no mood to drive at 140kmph but she insisted. So i turned off the GPS. Good thing is that it resumed the directions when we turned it on when we had almost reached Kingston

Do i have a GPS: No
Do i want to buy a GPS: Definately, but its not that high on my priority list right now

PS: i am still trying to figure out if a satellite dish would work if i install it in my condo (in the solarium)

you mute the sound
Also I would not except all the landmarks to be in the nav, there are street that have been built is the last 3 years that are not shown also

[safristi]

3 YEARS OUTTA DATE!!!!!.....can i sell U guys My last weeks Papers   ONLY $299 and i have a sweet voice................

[DockMan]

Nuvi 350 on sale @ TD for $399.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1784291&sku=G145-0048

[tpl]

A refurb unit of the 350 bought from GPS central in AB is still cheaper

[Benhaze]

Well I finally made up my mind and bought a GPS unit: the new Nuvi 680 model.

I love it. I had the opportunity to play with it during a +2000 Km trip and was amazed by it.

[Julie]

Well I finally made up my mind and bought a GPS unit: the new Nuvi 680 model.

I love it. I had the opportunity to play with it during a +2000 Km trip and was amazed by it.

Congratulations Benhaze!!! 

You're going to love it. Took a peak at the 680 - looks nice!

I've placed mine on my dash now, looks much better.

[99 Silver]

Well I finally made up my mind and bought a GPS unit: the new Nuvi 680 model.

I love it. I had the opportunity to play with it during a +2000 Km trip and was amazed by it.

Congratulations Benhaze!!! 

You're going to love it. Took a peak at the 680 - looks nice!

I've placed mine on my dash now, looks much better.

How did you place it on the dash Julie?

[Benhaze]

Thanks Julie! Your postings about your own experience with the 660 were so helpful!!!  You were always willing to share and answer our questions. You are in my books.

I'm also going to look into mounting it on the dash. I got used to the windshield mounting very quickly. There are so many cool features! I think it's one of these that become a must have after the first time you own one.

[airbalancer]

Well I finally made up my mind and bought a GPS unit: the new Nuvi 680 model.

I love it. I had the opportunity to play with it during a +2000 Km trip and was amazed by it.

Congratulations Benhaze!!! 

You're going to love it. Took a peak at the 680 - looks nice!

I've placed mine on my dash now, looks much better.

How did you place it on the dash Julie?

There should be a black disk with tape on it, clean a spot on dash, then stick it on
work for the truck, did not stick  on the BMW dash, GPS is on the window

[safristi]

Congrats Ben Haze....can ya find yer way outta a paper bag NOW!!!

[Julie]

Here's a pic:

http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=garminondashrw2.jpg

If it's too dark, I'll try and take it again tomorrow. EDIT: I'll take some pics tomorrow in the sunlight, it'll be easier to see. I'll show the steps.

Like Airbalancer said, there is a round black disk that comes in the package.
(1) stick that on the dash where you want the GPS to be.
(2) suction mount the GPS "holder" to this disk (rather than to the windshield)

Let me know if you'd like some pics showing each step. I had no idea how to do this either until my husband fiddled around with it, and discovered how.

I place it in the small crevice where the clock is. This way, the GPS doesn't stick out too high on the dash. (I put it to the side a bit so it doesn't block the clock either.) Less blockage of windshield visibility compared to windshield mount.

Hubby bought a round sticky thing for the Camry dash and put it in the same place, and it works fine there too. I guess it might not work in some cars if there is no suitable crevice of some sort....

p.s. You can buy extra replacement disks and "holders" for the Garmin nuvis if needed.

[99 Silver]

Thanks Julie.

I am interested in seeing a brighter photo if you have one.

I am thinking of possibly using a bracket from these people:

http://www.proclipusa.com/choosecountry/choosecountry.aspx