Ive got a Garmin 1490 and will shortly be getting a new VRS. It looks like the VRS has a storage compartment on top of the dash (true? I havent been able to find a decent image).

If so would I would like to attempt to rig up something where the nav "appears" when I open the lid. Could someone give me an idea of how large the opening is?

Has anyone else done something similar with portable nav units?

Ive got a Garmin 1490 and will shortly be getting a new VRS. It looks like the VRS has a storage compartment on top of the dash (true? I havent been able to find a decent image).

If so would I would like to attempt to rig up something where the nav "appears" when I open the lid. Could someone give me an idea of how large the opening is?

Has anyone else done something similar with portable nav units?

yes, it does have a storage compartment, but it's not very deep..looking at the specs of the garmin, don't think it would fit

yes, it does have a storage compartment, but it's not very deep..looking at the specs of the garmin, don't think it would fit

Thanks. Its one of the largest ones out there. Might have to look at a small tomtom or similar when the car arrives.

my tomtom fits in there, but i've not worked out a way of fixing it yet (only had the car since weds) but i expect i'll be able to rig something up with sticky pads or velcro. issue may be the power lead - it attaches at the bottom so with this attached it may not fit as well. ideally i'd like to semi-permanently fit it in there, with the wire hidden.

does anyone know if you can configure a tom tom so that it switches on and off with the ignition? that would be the ideal scenario - velcro so i can whip it out if i'm leaving the car somewhere dodgy, but otherwise just have it there coming on or off with the ignition, like a factory nav system.

my tomtom fits in there, but i've not worked out a way of fixing it yet (only had the car since weds) but i expect i'll be able to rig something up with sticky pads or velcro. issue may be the power lead - it attaches at the bottom so with this attached it may not fit as well. ideally i'd like to semi-permanently fit it in there, with the wire hidden.

does anyone know if you can configure a tom tom so that it switches on and off with the ignition? that would be the ideal scenario - velcro so i can whip it out if i'm leaving the car somewhere dodgy, but otherwise just have it there coming on or off with the ignition, like a factory nav system.

I dont have one but I think there are apps that give you more options like turning on with ignition.

Theres a list on this site http://home.comcast.net/~spheasant1/3rd_party.html

I'm the same as you. Taking it in and out of the car is a pain.

I used to have a 1 Series BMW and you can buy a replacement for the storage compartment that lets you mount a nav unit and run the power cables up the back of the radio.

This is somethign I've been thinking about so I can mount my iPhone.

Is it possible to remove the storage compartments tray, retrofit a mount by bolting/screwing in place and re-routing a MDI cable (if installed) to enable charging/docking from this position

Try the Brodit clips from http:www.mountonus.com - excellent - thoug I used my 'right centre vent' clip on the left vent as it gave me the full right vent still. Fitted easily and I also bought the pass through with the cable run into the radio opening (radio out) and wired to it for power. Sat nav mounted and charges on the clip. Great!

Edited 24 February, 201016 yr by fireftrm