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Attention all aftermarket GPS users!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by politemusic, Jun 15, 2007.

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  1. politemusic

    politemusic New Member

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    Very nice!!

    Thanks - great tip. I'll pop by Costco and try one out. I like the way it sits. Then when you're parked somewhere relatively safe and/or short term, just pop it into the cubby and close the door.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LYLUVLY @ Jun 24 2007, 09:29 PM) [snapback]467482[/snapback]</div>
     
    #21 politemusic, Jun 25, 2007
  2. rayvann

    rayvann New Member

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    I just "installed" my Garmin Nuvi and I bet your TomTom can be installed the same way.

    Step 1 - Drop steering column.
    Step 2 - Wedge suction cup part of holder between column and dash.
    Step 3 - Gentle raise column and lock it in place when fit is tight.
    Step 4 - Push excess wire in slot behid steering column.
    Step 5 - Use velcro to run wire to outlet.

    This really works well for me. I'll try to post some photos.
     

    Attached Files:

    #22 rayvann, Jun 28, 2007
  3. politemusic

    politemusic New Member

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    What a genius way to install this! Do you have a hard time typing on the screen, or do you just take the unit off the mount when you need to do that? Also, I like my steering wheel at the height it's at...does this make it a lot lower?

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jun 28 2007, 08:39 AM) [snapback]469412[/snapback]</div>
     
    #23 politemusic, Jun 28, 2007
  4. rayvann

    rayvann New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(politemusic @ Jun 28 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]469431[/snapback]</div>
    Typing "thru" the steering wheel is no problem, but would be difficult and unsafe while driving. I tend to use a pen (closed of course) for typing anyway. It does lower your steering wheel, but not all the way down. It is still up a bit.

    Ray
     
    #24 rayvann, Jun 28, 2007
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jun 28 2007, 08:39 AM) [snapback]469412[/snapback]</div>
    That's a brilliant idea! I don't know if it'll work with my TomTom ONE since the mount isn't quite flat (it's a windshield mount).
     
    #25 Tideland Prius, Jun 28, 2007
  6. rayvann

    rayvann New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 28 2007, 08:47 PM) [snapback]469779[/snapback]</div>
    This is also a wishsheild mount. Hope it works for you.
     
    #26 rayvann, Jun 29, 2007
  7. iioeo

    iioeo New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jun 28 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]469412[/snapback]</div>
    your idea has made me want to get my own and install it just like yours, genius and so streamlined!
    can someone help me feel better about making a $400 plunge though...
     
    #27 iioeo, Jun 29, 2007
  8. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(politemusic @ Jun 15 2007, 11:55 AM) [snapback]462474[/snapback]</div>
    This is picture of our Magellan C2200T gps unit. It fits EXACTLTY on the swing down door
    to the CD-Rom storage compartment.
    [attachmentid=9333]
     

    Attached Files:

    #28 LYLUVLY, Jul 1, 2007
  9. Jeannie

    Jeannie Proud Prius Granny

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LYLUVLY @ Jul 1 2007, 01:08 AM) [snapback]470895[/snapback]</div>
    Based on the info in this thread, I decided to investigate the Magellan C2200T. CD-Net's review said it was better than the TomTom One, so that sounded good.

    I'm not a Costco member, but I thought the $249.99 price might make it worth getting the membership. When I went to Costco.com, I found the price was down to $219.99! Then, in my daily browsing of Techbargains.com, I found this deal for a Costco membership (good through 7/31/2007) where you get a $10 Costco card instantly if you get the membership at one of their warehouses.
    http://www.costco.com/Images/Content/misc/pdf/06C0409_UW.pdf

    So I went to the Costco near me, got my membership and the GPS. I took the C2200T out of the box in the parking lot, plugged in the power, turned it on, and entered my home address in the address book, and let it guide me home.

    YES! it DOES sit nicely on the CD-rom storage compartment door, so I didn't need to futz around with mounting. The voice prompts were great, so I rarely even glanced at the screen. I'll probably look into trying the trick of putting the windshield mount into the steering wheel, tho, for times I might want to have the screen right in front of me (example: when trying to drive through a small town where I don't know the streets).

    One other thing - it DOES come with an a/c adapter in addition to the car d/c adapter. Something I read somewhere on the web had a user review that said it didn't.

    So, on the basis of my 6 mile test drive, I'd say I'm pleased. (extra-pleased, since the picture on the box and on the stick-on that covers the screen, the view showed Yawkey Way just outside Fenway Park!).
     
    #29 Jeannie, Jul 1, 2007
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jun 29 2007, 07:04 AM) [snapback]469992[/snapback]</div>
    bummer. I tried it but the design of the windshield mount doesn't let me securely "lock" it into place. Even with the steering wheel up and locked, there's some wiggle room.


    Hmm.. I guess I'll have to start look at a vent mount (another reason is that a windshield mount interferes with the Heatshield, depending on which part of the windshield I mount the TomTom)
     
    #30 Tideland Prius, Jul 2, 2007
  11. politemusic

    politemusic New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jun 28 2007, 08:39 AM) [snapback]469412[/snapback]</div>

    I just ordered my Nuvi 360 and can't wait to try this install. Can you tell me how exactly you use the velcro to run the wire to the outlet? I'm curious how you get it to adhere to the the underside of the center of the dashboard.

    Thanks,
    Justin
     
    #31 politemusic, Jul 6, 2007
  12. rayvann

    rayvann New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 2 2007, 02:30 PM) [snapback]471678[/snapback]</div>
    Sure, I used the adhesive type, but I must tell you that if you are in a hot climate right now like me, I'm having problems keeping it sticking.
     
    #32 rayvann, Jul 7, 2007
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jul 7 2007, 08:20 AM) [snapback]474626[/snapback]</div>
    Canada? lol.
     
    #33 Tideland Prius, Jul 7, 2007
  14. Inches

    Inches Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rayvann @ Jun 28 2007, 08:39 AM) [snapback]469412[/snapback]</div>
    BRILLIANT!!!
     
    #34 Inches, Jul 8, 2007
  15. politemusic

    politemusic New Member

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    I just got my Nuvi 360 and did exactly as Rayvann prescribed.

    Works SO well!

    I have yet to secure the wire underneath the dash with velcro, but functionally this is a great way to go. I have to say that it lets you keep your eyes on the road in a good way, because you just divert your eyes downward to have a look at the Nuvi, then look right back up to the road. It may be ultimately better having it higher up and more near the MFD, but I like having it directly below my normal line of sight.

    Be careful if you try this however; there is a sweet spot for installing this thing so that the back of the steering wheel "chassis" doesn't scrape the bottom of the frame of the Nuvi.

    I also have to say that the Nuvi pairs and works perfectly as a Bluetooth speakerphone for my Blackberry 8700, and also automatically imported my over 1,000 contacts. Cool!

    Best,
    Justin
     
    #35 politemusic, Jul 11, 2007
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