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Pear Head Past MnGCA President

Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 5600 Location: north of Duluth
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject: Garmin 76 mount |
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Now I'm in the market for a auto mount for my 76. In the past I've been able to wedge my GPS units between the dash and the windshield and they've stayed put. I can't do that in one vehicle with the 76, so it tends to go flying during bumpy roads, quick turns, etc.
I'm aware of the state laws regarding suction cups. That said, I'm willing to consider anything.
I've heard lots about the bean-bag mounts, but this seems like a fairly expensive way to go as it means you still need to buy the actual mount as well. The total cost ends up being around $60 at first glance.
How heavy is the bean bag mount? Does anyone ever have problems with it falling over or moving around?
I'm most interested in having the GPS in the same location that I've had it in for years - on the dash.
Other suggestions for mounts? _________________ Hmm... |
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merkman Past MnGCA Board
Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Posts: 2032
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Velcro is cheep |
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Pear Head Past MnGCA President

Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 5600 Location: north of Duluth
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| merkman wrote: |
| Velcro is cheep |
Yes, but the only way to keep it upright would be to put velcro on the windshield. I'd like to avoid that I guess. _________________ Hmm... |
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Grey Wolf and Wild Rice Geocacher

Joined: 31 May 2005
Posts: 343 Location: White Bear Township
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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You can get one of those removable suction cup notepad things for less than $5. I got mine at Staples, but not available online, and purchase an extra beltclip. Remove the notepad and clip assembly from the notepad. Mount a Garmin beltclip ($5?) to the plastic with screws or epoxy. Adjustable to most angles.
Got this idea from an engineer friend of mine in Florida.
Sure, it's not legal on MN, but look at all the GPS navigational units mounted on suction cups and the big Blue hang tags on the rear view mirrors that are supposed to be removed when vehicle is being operated out there. |
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drat19 Geocacher
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 377 Location: Biloxi, MS
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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I own the Garmin bean bag mount, and have for years. It's perfect for your 76 (which is also what I own). It's worth the money. You can carry it from car to car, and it stays in place in perfect viewing/handling position.
Yes, you'll need the beanbag part and also the 76-specific mount.
Contact tvnav.com or gpscity.com (I've bought and have been happy with both of them) and they'll spec out exactly what you need. |
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MNMizzou Geocacher

Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 641 Location: Maple Grove, MN
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:45 am Post subject: |
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| I would say if it is just one car be a rebel and get a suction cup mount, even if a cop pulls you over and tries to add that on I'm guessing you could plead ignorance and the "everyone else has one I had no idea route" If you are moving between cars you can't beat the beanbag. I have one for my 60cx that I move between my personal car, my car for work and rental cars when we are on the road. I like it for that flexibility and the fact that it is small enough that I can pull my 60 out of it, keep it with me and stash the bean bag and cord in the center console and there is no evidence of any electronic gizmos in the car. The base itself has great grip, even with an angled dash it sticks in place pretty much 100% of the time. |
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Marsha and Silent Bob Past MnGCA President
Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 6261
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| MNMizzou wrote: |
| I would say if it is just one car be a rebel and get a suction cup mount, even if a cop pulls you over and tries to add that on I'm guessing you could plead ignorance and the "everyone else has one I had no idea route" |
Unfortunately that doesn't work. Now, the cop might not even know of the ridiculous and obscure regulation but that's a different thing all together. _________________ Sad state of affairs. |
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Pear Head Past MnGCA President

Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 5600 Location: north of Duluth
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:52 am Post subject: |
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| Marsha and Silent Bob wrote: |
| MNMizzou wrote: |
| I would say if it is just one car be a rebel and get a suction cup mount, even if a cop pulls you over and tries to add that on I'm guessing you could plead ignorance and the "everyone else has one I had no idea route" |
Unfortunately that doesn't work. Now, the cop might not even know of the ridiculous and obscure regulation but that's a different thing all together. |
It's not an issue for me as I'm already not in compliance (not considering a GPS mount). _________________ Hmm... |
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merkman Past MnGCA Board
Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Posts: 2032
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minnesotabrad Past MnGCA President

Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 1260 Location: Brooklyn Center MN
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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Come on merkman, you know as well as I do that a Garmin's antenna is not strong enough to pull in a signal that far away from a window.  |
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fireman121 Geocacher

Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 549 Location: Coon Rapids/ Pillager MN
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Try looking at RAM mounts. _________________ Remember One does not need the MNGCA to geocache, but the MNGCA does need members to survive. |
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Pear Head Past MnGCA President

Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 5600 Location: north of Duluth
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| fireman121 wrote: |
| Try looking at RAM mounts. |
I like RAM mounts a lot although they are usually on the pricey side. _________________ Hmm... |
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Arcticabn Past MnGCA Board

Joined: 30 Nov 2003
Posts: 1846 Location: Lakeville, MN
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| minnesotabrad wrote: |
Come on merkman, you know as well as I do that a Garmin's antenna is not strong enough to pull in a signal that far away from a window.  |
Absolutely, positively WRONG. My 76Cx pulls in 10 sat while in my basement. Anywhere in the care it pulls all of the sats. The new SRIF III is a significant improvement over the older antenna.
You can also get a patch antenna that you can plug into the GPSr. _________________ Airborne All the Way! |
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pfalstad Geocacher

Joined: 02 Feb 2006
Posts: 967 Location: Edina
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Arcticabn wrote: |
| Absolutely, positively WRONG. My 76Cx pulls in 10 sat while in my basement. Anywhere in the care it pulls all of the sats. The new SRIF III is a significant improvement over the older antenna. |
I'll say. The x series (like my 60csx) has far better reception than the older x-less models. |
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MNMizzou Geocacher

Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 641 Location: Maple Grove, MN
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:27 am Post subject: |
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| I'd second that... I've had my 60cx inside my center console and it doesn't miss a beat (as seen by the non-stop trail for those who are curious how I'd know without being able to look at it) |
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