GPS mounts and accessory outlets

[HMALETTER]

The only two things that bug me a little about this car are

1) almost didn't buy it due to the wasteful cassette player ahead of the shifter

2) worst application of accessory outlets I've seen to date.

I truly wish I had bluetooth built in, but oh well.

I have a Tom Tom 720, and was looking for a decent place to locate it. I have the suction cup center windshield now, not a bad location. But to use the accessory outlet, they made no provision (that I can see) for notching a place for the cord to go out of the storage console. Strange design, as is the rear bin, which can't be shut properly when using the outlet either.

I tried to use the front door of the useless cassette player for the suction cup mount, but can't get it to stick there. Outside of using velcro, has anyone come up with a better plan for mounting that doesn't have cords laying every which way up the dash?

[87XJRob]

Pending you don't have buttwarmers, I use the little square where the controls are supposed to go under the gear shift and have my garmin 260W suction mounted there with the cord plugged into a splitter under the arm-rest. I rarely use manual-matic mode, so this place works fine for me. As long as you keep it out of the center where it locks, you can still close the console and keep its sliding functionality. I actually have 3-4 cables hanging out there one audio extension for MP3 player/BB, 1-2 power cords for rzr and BB, and then the garmin cord. When not in use I let them hang on the drivers making sure there is only enough hanging out not to interfere with seat tracks. I have found this location best and easy for driver/passenger to use by simply pivoting on the mount. I have the ball mount pointed mostly towards the drivers side so that the Widescreen doesn't interfere with the cupholders.. I also keep a small handtowel (tan to match the interior) handy to drape over the armrest and center console to hide the GPS to deter anyone from breaking in to steal this when I feel is necessary.

[Kellc1]

Hi - Tomtoms typically come with a plastic stick on disk that is slightly larger than the suction cup. You can stick this anywhere that you want to stuck the suction cup. I stuck mine upside down under dash ledge, to the right of the speedometer. The only thing it interferes with is the clock. The GPS then basically hangs down from the dash overhang. Hope you understand. I really like it there. Then I wrap the coiled power cord once around the shifter, so that the cord lays flat against the dash. Not the best, but does work and everything is out of the way.

KC

[87XJRob]

I had thought about that same area, Kellc1, but really didn't want to use the sticky "permanent disk" as I do at times move this gps to my wife's tahoe if/when we need a bigger vehicle to travel in. The other issue was hiding the cord without "hardwiring" it the way I did the radar detector.
I have also heard of some modifying the sunglass holder in the roof console and using velcro to hold it inplace, but you have the issue of blocking the rearview mirror and extending the power cord(that is if you don't just let it drape).

[Kellc1]

I move mine also, but the sticky disk stays put in the Av, and of course you can't see it because it is up under the ledge. I use the suction cup in my truck (window), and a different (handlebar mount) on my cycle.
KC

[87XJRob]

Ah, ok missed that part. Wished my garmin would have come with one and I might have done the same in that dead area of the dash, but I could probably make one just the same with some ABS and 3m tape; just never thought about it. I am in search of a lower profile mount that retains the ball and socket type that garmin uses minus the 3" of plastic and suction cup(but with a short flange that is attached to the ball). I have found areas in both vehicles where this type of mount with velcro would work nice and then I could move them just the same from vehicle to vehicle.

[JBrown]

Big selection of mounts at Semsons. For your TomTom 720:
http://www.semsons.com/togo5272920m.html

I have tried 3 different mounts for my Garmin 255W:
-- The vent mount is handy and provides a nice location, but not solid enough for my taste
-- The cupholder mount puts it too low in my 05 Ford Escape, but is the best solution I've found for my C6 Corvette
-- Very pleased with the CM012 friction mount in my Escape

They also have a hardwire cable converter for Garmin:
http://www.semsons.com/ganutohaca.html
Maybe they have a hardwire kit for your TomTom.

Cannot comment on mounts for a Toyota (maybe Avalon, maybe Venza) because I don't have one yet. But hope the above helps. BTW, I have ordered online from semsons twice... no issues & quick delivery, and they notify by email when your order ships & provide a tracking number.

[htmldeity]

Originally Posted by Kellc1

...I stuck mine upside down under dash ledge, to the right of the speedometer.

I did the same...although a bit further to the right. Works great...the screen is easier to see as it the GPS has some shade from the sun, it's far less obvious to other drivers/cops/would-be-thieves, and it let's you keep 100% of your windshield viewing area.

[HMALETTER]

Thanks for all the suggestions, some great ones. As I do have the butt warmers, the under ledge solution may be the best one for me. It's easy enough to get another portable mount for another vehicle.