Garmin Portable Friction Mount
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $17.69 You Save: $22.30 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Portable Friction Mount
Customer Review: Thwarts thieves!
Summary: 5 Stars
Did you know that even if you remove your Garmin AND the windshield mount thieves may still break into your vehicle looking for your portable GPS? Do you know why?
That convenient little windshield mount leaves a telltale suction cup mark on the windshield and the crooks know what to look for. They figure there is a good chance you hid that GPS in the vehicle and in a matter of seconds it is theirs, after all there's only a few places to hide something in there.
Not only are you out that expensive little GPS but the thief now has your address and maybe the addresses of your friends and family. Like to add your own personal pictures to that GPS? Now he knows what your kids look like. And he also knows the chances are excellent you also own many other expensive electronic gadgets, all just waiting for him to pick up.
Even if you password protect that GPS so a thief can't access it do you really want to go through the hassle and expense of filing an insurance claim, buying a new GPS and programing it?
This dashboard mount is the simple and inexpensive solution. Stash it under the seat before you get out of the vehicle and take your Garmin with you, just in case 'cause you never know who's watching.
And one more suggestion...as you arrive at your destination drop this thing onto the seat beside you so the "glow" of it isn't visible to all around you. And keep your doors locked.
You can call me paranoid but safe... :)
Customer Review: Quality and Utility
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my second Garmin beanbag mount--one for me and a recently purchased one for my son. This product is the epitome of quality and utility. Although I initially used the suction mount that I received with my Garmin GPS--which was also a quality mount--the adhesive on the disk that I stuck to the dash for the suction mount didn't hold up to the Arizona sun, and after awhile, the disk peeled away from the dash. I therefore purchased this beanbag mount, and I am very glad that I did because, in and out of the car, it is more convenient to use than the suction mount was. I have had mine for several years, and it is apparent that this mount will outlive me and my GPS.
P.S. Regarding the adhesive disk for the suction mount, when the adhesive eventually failed on mine, to my great relief, the adhesive came off with the disk and left no adhesive or mark on my vinyl dash. I had been a little concerned when I attached the adhesive disk that it would mar the dash, but since it was small and not unsightly, I figured that it wouldn't bother me or a subsequent owner if it was left permanently stuck to my black dash. However, the adhesive was apparently designed to maintain its flexibility to prevent a permanent bond, and therefore prevent destructive removal. I suspect that with a cooler-than-desert climate--and/or a closer-to-horizontal dash surface than I used in my application--the adhesive disk and suction mount combo would provide many years of good service.
Customer Review: When the suction mount fails, this is the best alternative
Summary: 5 Stars
Like so many other who have written reviews for this product, the suction mount that came with the Nuvi failed miserably leaving black goo all over my windshield and never sticking properly again. Realizing that it was a widespread problem, I looked for other mounting methods and found this one.
I am pleased with the effectiveness of this product. The friction between the mount and the dashboard holds quite well in standard driving -- turns don't seem to make it shift at all. I did notice that going over potholes and train tracks, that the mount does shift a little, but I found it easy to slide it back into place. I find that I like the flexibility of positioning this mount. With the windshield mount, the unit was always at a specified distance from me, but with this moveable mount I found that I could position the Nuvi closer to me to make it easier to see and easier to use. (An unexpected bonus) I also like that I can move it so that it isn't obvious to thieves that I have a GPS unit in the car.
The only thing that I was a little disappointed with was the physical size of the mount. It is about 8 inches by 6 inches and takes up a large section of my small dashboard. Also its size makes storing it in the car difficult as it doesn't fit in the glove box.
The positives definitely outweigh the negatives, but I still wish that Garmin didn't have problems with the suction cups that made buying this a necessity.
Customer Review: Works Great
Summary: 5 Stars
Besides it staying put on my dash, one of the first things I noticed was its ultra low profile. Naturally some people like to sit lower than others while they drive. This is not a problem if you are one of those people! With the mount either in the middle of the dash, or tucked in the drivers side corner, it does not block my view and is very easy to quickly glance down at without completely removing your eyes from the road. As others have said, if your GPS came with the window mount, you do not need any other accessories other than this item. The cradle of your window mount will pop off and connect to the friction mount.
This is great for theft protection as well. While you should always take your GPS with you when you leave the car, you can also easily toss this is your center console (fits fine in a 97 Accord) along with your GPS so you leave absolutely no trace of you having a GPS.
If you are a stickler for looks, its probably not the most appealing item to have sitting on your dashboard, but IMO neither is a suctioncup on your windshield. The wires from the car charger are easily tucked into the glove box as well to minimize the visual impact if you so please.
As a final point, if you plan on using this between multiple cars, it is very useful. Whenever you want to take a different car, you can just grab this from your car's dash, simply toss it on the dashboard of the other car and drive away!
Customer Review: Shopping for dashmount for Garmin Nuvi vs. iPhone
Summary: 5 Stars
We own a Garmin Nuvi 660 and bought it at Costco when GPS were not as reasonably priced as they are now... I love the 660. It's got a nice screen and it's the most user friendly. The problem was the suction cup kept falling off everywhere, even after I superglued the mount on my dashboard. Then the clip on the suction cup broke. Many months went by before I was sick and tired and looked for a replacement that worked. That's when I considered just using my iPhone as a GPS but the technology is not quite there yet.
The iPhone is fine if you have a passenger who reads the directions to you or if you study them ahead of time. If you want to drive safely, nothing beats the comfort of a GPS. I looked into a dash mount at the AT&T store and it was about $50. It looks just like the one the Nuvi came with, except your iPhone is much ligther, so it won't fall off easily. But you really have to squint to see, it doesn't update your location fast enough, you can't tell it to avoid a specific route if you hit a lot of traffic, and it won't recalculate if you miss a turn--not safe! (You're better off printing directions from MapQuest/GoogleMaps before you hit the road.)
So if you have a GPS get this dashboard mount. THIS IS IT!! Get it, you won't regret it. It won't fall off unless you tilt the car at a 45 degree angle, in which case, you have bigger problems than the GPS falling off your dash...
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