If you like the idea of mounting your Garmin Nuvi on the dashboard, rather than using the supplied windscreen mount, then take a look at the Garmin friction mount.
The windscreen suction cup supplied with the Nuvi range is one of the best out there, but not everyone likes sticking their sat nav to the windscreen.
The suction cup can lose some of its sticking power after a while with the risk of it detaching from the windscreen whilst driving. The last thing you want is a sat nav falling off the windscreen and breaking!
People are concerned about security too. A windscreen mount can leave a tell tale ring on your windscreen alerting potential thieves that a sat nav may be hidden in your vehicle.
In addition, local traffic laws in some countries dictate that a windscreen mount is not allowed.
Garmin do supply a dashboard disc mount with all Nuvi systems (see image below), but it is a semi-permanent solution that sticks to the dashboard using adhesive. If you want to remove this disc later then you will have difficulty.
This is where the friction mount comes in useful.
The friction mount is essentially a bean bag design with an arm and ball socket on top, onto which you snap on your Nuvi cradle. The arm can be rotated and once it is in the desired position the arm can be locked into place.
The underside of the mount uses a friction design to hold it firmly in position.
At the end of your journey you simply lift the friction mount off your dashboard. There is no adhesive involved and no marks are left on your dashboard when the mount is removed.
The friction mount is bigger than it looks, measuring 20cm x 17cm and weighing 594g (1 lb 5oz), so make sure you have room on your dashboard before considering buying one. The mount will work well on both flat and curved dashboards.
I tested the friction mount on two trips totalling over 100 miles and it worked perfectly. It did not move at all.
The friction mount is a great solution that works really well. If you’re looking for a dashboard mount for your Nuvi then look no further. I am very happy with my purchase.
Buy the Garmin Friction Mount from Amazon.
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Cloudstrife // Jun 23, 2008 at 7:43 am
hhmmnn, everything looks good but i have the same concern with security issue.
2 Dean // Jun 23, 2008 at 9:47 am
I guess if you leave the friction mount on your dashboard when you park then someone might think you have a sat nav hidden in your vehicle.
The safest thing to do is put the friction mount in the boot when you park.
The great thing about the friction mount is that it doesn’t leave any marks on the dashboard. This is unlike some windscreen suction cups which can leave a ring mark on the windscreen.
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