Tell me, where do you guys and gals stick/place your portable GPS in a VE, taking into consideration not obstructing airbags, air vents and dash displays. I was sticking the GPS on the windscreen to the right of the steering wheel and then I read in a newspaper of a driver that was injured when on impact the airbag inflated lauching the GPS like a misile into the drivers face. Anybody installed a portable GPS semi permanently in a VE?
I have my Navman suction capped to the front window above the centre dash speaker. I took the speaker grille off and fed some wire through and pulled the cable down through the centre console down to the power socket in the centre bin. I removed the cap where the light is on upmarket models and fed it through into the centre compartment. It is usually permanently stuck in the centre of my front window just above the centre speaker. Doesn't obstruct the view and is easy to read and access. Might post up some pics later.
as above, center above speaker facing slightly to the right, although i do not recommend driving with it on at night as it projects a reflection above the unit which ends up distracting you. I don't ahve any modifications to anything though, if i need it to charge i just connect the charger to it, no matter if it hangs, once charged just take it out again.
I have my NavMan suction cupped to the bottom right hand corner of the front window and angled back so it is easily seen. Most of it is against the window pillar so it doesn't interfere with vision as much as it did when I put it in the centre and you don't get reflection problems either. Tried it in the centre of the window but hated it. Its tucked into the corner as low as it can be so just about touching the dash, a bit fiddly getting the suction cup on the first time as there is not a lot of finger space but worth the effort. To charge I just slide it off the holder, run the charger cable under the steering column (via a small stick on cable hook) and up the side by the right hand air vent, connect and slide it back onto the holder. If you don't have a front cigaret lighter fitting you may need to get a short extension from any electronics store to run back to the one in the centre compartment between the seats.
That's where I had my GPS until I heard that it may impede deployment of the pillar airbag. I am looking for a semi permanent position below windscreen level because my latest GPS has "live traffic reports" so I like to have it switched on all the time.
remember that having on the window can be classed as an obstruction of vision, friend had his in the center of his vz and hwp picked on it and gave him a warning.
I agree with boneart. That is where I have placed mine since I installed the front and back cigarette lighters. Before that, i also had it placed bottom centre of the windscreen. I find that it is much more functional there than further away above the centre of the dash. In my case, I have the unit permanently connected to power so that it remains charged and the traffic advisory system is always functional. I leave the mount just nipped up so that the unit can be moved easily. If the side airbag went off, I believe that it would just push the unit around and back out of the way without breaking the suction. Of course the curtain airbag and the main airbag in the steering wheel would not impact on the unit.
I bought a mounting bracket off ebay which clips onto the aircon vent. So no more suction marks, and less chance of some crook smashing a window to try and grab it. touch wood
Yeah, I have seen those brackets but always thought that they must block the airflow from the vent(s). What's your experience?
mounting GPS I bought an aircon vent bracket from dick smith for $23. I have had it on for 6 months but I can't see much difference in the air con. I like there better than on the windscreen.
Yeah i agree you dont notice much of a difference with the aircon, cause air is still flowing out. Picked up mine for about $2 off ebay with 5 delivery if i can remeber, and that was for the tomtom
One of the best places is suction cap to the LCD screen (where fitted) but you have to be careful not to push too hard (for obvious reasons). However, my experience shows that it loses the suction after a few standard road bumps etc. Bit of a bugger.
