Stick mp3 player to base cubby shell?

mjch3n

that's pretty nice charlie. i've got a base model and i'd really like satnav (the gps on my sidekick 3g doesn't cut it), so looks like i'll be on the hunt for a garmin unit soon. the whole stealth factor of having the nav in the cubby pretty much sells me on it. even though the visibility isnt as good as say on the windshield, i think it'll be liveable. thanks for the idea!

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USNA94

I think the visability from the cubby vice the winshield is better. There is less glare and background light. I mounted mine in the cubby and works great. I bought the Garmin Nuvi 780 from Amazon last fall and love it. It's a discontinued model so the price has been slashed. List price is $699 but it's only $169. Awesome unit and using a SD memory card I stored about 60 music cd's on it that I play through my stereo via the accessory jack.

CharlieFoxtro

USNA94;

How did you mount yours?

And you're right. Mounting in the cubby does make for less glare. I switch the GPS to my VW Golf. I can't come up with a better idea on that car than an Arkon vent mount and there is almost always glare across the GPS unit's screen.

USNA94

Charlie, here is the link to where I described how I mounted mine. Bit simpler than yours but think yours looks nicer. I need to make that frame like you have. Also, I didn't run my cables through the dash but out the front corner.
Overall, it's proven to be very stable and has never fallen out or moved around on me yet takes about 5 seconds to remove.

Fabric in the center compartment

mjch3n

Didn't think about that. sounds good! I think i'm going to pick up a basic Garmin (255w perhaps, or something along those lines) with the text-to-speech (which i find necessary) and hardwire it somehow. I thought about going double-din Kenwood but honestly i don't really need the fuss of having a screen out for others to see when i am parked (thats why i like the cubbyhole). Too many worries already driving a Z, don't need another one =)

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USNA94

The Garmin 780 has text to speach. Also has the FM receiver to get weather, traffic, and gas prices. Works with my phone's bluetooth for hands free. Can't beat the discount price on Amazon either.
If you are going to use it to play music from the SD card through the accessories jack, recommend you buy the Belkin filtered cable to avoid RF squeal.

mjch3n

The 780 looks like a pretty good deal. How is the bluetooth hands free call quality with the GPS in the cubbyhole?

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USNA94

I have never had any complaints from those i'm speaking with but I do feel like I have to speak up a bit but maybe thats just me. From my end, listening to others speak it works great because long as I have the stereo source switched to "AUX" the call comes in through the stereo speakers and I can adjust the volume. It also sync'd with my Palm Pre's contact list with no issues.