General Satnav mounting

[impromptuandy]

I've got a Tomtom Go satnav (not the blue&me one) and I find that due to the shape of the windscreen/ width of the dash I can't reach the screen very easily. It's not a major problem - but makes changing routes or using the Bluetooth hands free a bit fiddly.

I was wondering if anyone had used a brodit proclip or an adhesive disk kit or similar. I saw this on the tomtom website (on a 500 dash no less!) http://http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/accessories/mounts-holders-docks/adhesive-dashboard-mount-kit/

As I live in London I need something quite discreet - we had our old car broken into twice outside the house...


Thanks

 

[Heidi]

I use the mat and put it sideways on dash by driver window. Works a treat

 

[grimwau]

I use a vent clip holder for my TomTom 730T. Puts the unit directly to hand and doesn't impair the view through the screen.

 

[306maxi]

I've got a Tomtom Go satnav (not the blue&me one) and I find that due to the shape of the windscreen/ width of the dash I can't reach the screen very easily. It's not a major problem - but makes changing routes or using the Bluetooth hands free a bit fiddly.

I was wondering if anyone had used a brodit proclip or an adhesive disk kit or similar. I saw this on the tomtom website (on a 500 dash no less!) http://http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/accessories/mounts-holders-docks/adhesive-dashboard-mount-kit/

As I live in London I need something quite discreet - we had our old car broken into twice outside the house...


Thanks

Do you have the dash port? If so you may just be able to get away with buying the mount for the sat nav

 

[TrevC]

I use a dashmat in mine, just to the left of the steering wheel. When I leave the car, I just shove it under the seat out of sight.

 

[impromptuandy]

Do you have the dash port? If so you may just be able to get away with buying the mount for the sat nav

No - I didn't know this option existed!

Where do you get a Dashmat?

 

[loveshandbags]

No - I didn't know this option existed!

Where do you get a Dashmat?

You wouldn't have the 68R option port that Maxi referred in your Pop model since you don't have B&Me.

The Brodit ProClip mentioned before is probably the best positioned one...
http://www.dsldevelopments.com/brodit/GPS%20Holder.asp

Another option aside from the Dashmat is to use a Magnet. One sticks on the back of the Sat Nav and the other on the metal part of the dashboard.

I used this on an iphone with a clear plastic case and it worked well although it was a little low. But it was close 'on hand' if you needed to invoke voice control or you were stopped at the lights. It is very discreet and you would not have to remove the Dash mat or the Brodit ProClip which could indicate there's a Sat Nav in the car.

This is the supplier of the Magnet (Click here)
On ebay...
Type S PH03152 Magnetic Phone Holder - Silver: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

And you'll notice the TypeS magnet stuck to the dashboard between the Hazard and the Fog light pushbuttons...

 

[306maxi]

I don't quite see the problem with attaching it to the windscreen. I had a Tom Tom Classic which I borrowed from work and it was just fine?

 

[RobinPJ]

I don't quite see the problem with attaching it to the windscreen. I had a Tom Tom Classic which I borrowed from work and it was just fine?

The ring mark left by the suction cup on the screen is a sign to thieves that there may be a sat nav in the glove box (not that non-US 500's have glove boxes of course).

 

[306maxi]

wipe the mark off?

 

[sharpyboy]

I have the tomtom adhesive disk fitted on my dash and it works very well putting the tomtom within easy reach in normal driving. I bought it on the internet and it comes in a pack of two.

 

[eco sTAr]

I use a TomTom mat too.
It works fine and means that the satnav is easy to reach. It sticks very securely and the TomTom suction mount fits securely to the mat as well. Recommended.

 

[TrevC]

I got my dashmat from Halfords. It's like a large heavy soft doughnut, with the hole in the middle covered by a smooth disk of plastic that the Satnav mount sticks to. It has a high friction bottom, and doesn't slide around on the dashtop. I'm not saying they are the most elegant solution, but you can hide any satnav evidence in about 5 seconds. I can also use it in either of the family cars.

 

[ukmike2010]

I have the Brodit clip which fits to the A pillar. Rock solid mounting which carries the wiring so no leads lying around and it is a tidy installation that doesn't encroach on your view through the windscreen. Just plug in the Tom Tom and drive. Highly recommended.

I bought mine from DSL Developments - mail order was pretty quick I seem to remember.

 

[loveshandbags]

I have the Brodit clip which fits to the A pillar. Rock solid mounting which carries the wiring so no leads lying around and it is a tidy installation that doesn't encroach on your view through the windscreen. Just plug in the Tom Tom and drive. Highly recommended.

I bought mine from DSL Developments - mail order was pretty quick I seem to remember.

I would be interested to see a picture of this setup.
How are the wires routed from there - do they go under a mat or around the dashboard ?

 

[ukmike2010]

I will grab a picture when its daylight again. I have routed the wiring by tucking it around the dash, under the rubber door seal then secured by cable ties under the steering column following other cable runs. I could have spliced into the cigar lighter/power socket but instead just left the plug in place. It finally emerges from the console in the drivers footwell, in line with the socket.

Not a brilliant image but this is from the DSL Developments site

http://www.dsldevelopments.com/SiteGFX/Brodit_Images/604125-4.jpg

For those not familiar with the Brodit system, you buy a bracket specific to the car and then you buy the appropriate connector for your sat nav/mobile. The power adapter comes in several flavours (and prices) depending on whether you need power or external aerial connections. Maybe not the cheapest system but I have never seen anything that compares for solidity and convenience

 

[eco sTAr]

I like the Brodit kit, but it's expensive and I've ended up not using the phone holder as it doesn't allow for a case on your phone - unless you have an iPhone, that is.
I asked them whether they intended producing a more flexible system that meant I could use a case such as an OtterBox, or even a silicone skin, but they just said "No". At £30-£60 every time you change your phone it's just too expensive for me.

However, I heartily recommend their car mounts. Still expensive for a bit of plastic, but they fit really well on the three cars I've used them on. Once fitted you can then use another make of phone holder, if you want.