Member - Wim (Bris) replied:

Bazza.
I have an E-map mounted on my dash (using garmin mounting bracket) with velcro (spelling??). gps has not been a problem over many K's of dirt.

RegardsIs it tinea or has it just been too long since the last trip?

Alex_W replied:

Bazza,

I am using a RAM-Mount (www.ram-mount.com) low down on the pillar in the GU. I drilled holes in the facia (groan) but figured it would be easier to get a new facia than a new dash from Mr Nissan if needs be...

The guys from GPS Oz (www.gpsoz.com.au) tell me that they can now get adhesive pads for the RAM-mounts which would have been better.

I've also put the power and data (I use Oziexplorer and on a laptop) on a 4-pin socket just below the RAM-mount along with a re-radiating GPS antenna.

When I was first experimenting with a borrowed GPS I first mounted it right in the middle of the dash on a rather discrete little stick-on mount from Garmin. It was okay but there was no way of getting the power/data cable to it that wasn't untidy and it was also a bit hard to operate whilst driving.

Mounting on the pillar means that I can operate the GPS without taking my hands off the wheel and I can read the idy-bidy little screen without any dramas. Most importantly, it doesn't obscure my view out the front of the wagon.

Check out the forum for posts about sticking things on your windscreen. Makes the boys in blue a bit excited apparently...

The Banjo replied:

I use a ram mount too .... excellent.... got a GPS holder from the Lowrance distributor.... ram mount is screwed to a self made bracket that slots into a hole in the right side of the dash - hole is actually a recess for packet of smokes or similar....my bracket has a covered flange that fits neatly into the recess and then jammed in with tightly packed foam plastic packing. Works well - no holes anywhere. My Lowrance works well on dash in flat country - level 9 signal all the time - in hilly terrain, a re-radiating antenna would be needed to reduce dropouts. I need red sand under me.

Troopie replied:

Heya
I have a Magellan cradle mounted on the dash. Like others - I simply used the velcro that comes in the strips with a sticky back.

My only trick is to suggest cleaning the area you intend to stick it down to with turps (or something similar). The reason is the dash is often oily and dusty - I found the turps really cleaned and dryed the surface. Mine is mounted in a Troopy though - so plenty of flat dash space...

On reflection I spose you chould check the chemical used to clean the surface wont damage the dash. I've now done this to two vehicles and had no trouble or permanent marks....

Cheers

Wayne (NSW) replied:

Bazza,

On the "A" pillar in the cruiser I did have a grab handle. The handle was replaced with a home made bracket, bolted to the captive nuts in the pillar. This holds the mobile phone cradle and the Garmin 128 GPS. Both are close , easy to read and use. When I sell, the grab handle goes back. Any portable unit like my phone should be taken out of sight when you are not in the vehicle.

Wayne

Always Out'N About

ceredig replied:

No Bazza, put it on the dash, central in the windscreen .
I used an $8 mobile phone mount.
(Make sure that the screen points directly towards you.)

Richard replied:

Just installed a Navman sleeve on my Ipaq and loaded OziExplorer. Configuration works a treat and the suction cap on the winscreen is brilliant.

Lynn2 replied:

Check out www.gpsoz.com.au for ram mounting brackets. They also have a windscreen mounted assembly which is apparently rock-solid!

Gazza replied:

Bazza,

I use a PCMCIA GPS Module in my laptop running OziExplorer, the only bit to be mounted is the external antenna which I mounted on the top of the snorkel.

For $360 I have the GPS, extenal antenna and the laptop provides the power and data interface, TOO EASY, no cables or mounts required. Only issue is that I do run a 240v inverter to power the laptop.

Drawback is that I don't have a handheld GPS for use outside the car but I never walk more than 5Km from the car so why do I need a handheld??

Gazza