Garmin Street Pilot III

[NormanB]

Hi

I believe there are a number of forum members who are using the Garmin Street Pilot III (Brian, fuzzer, me and ???).

I have a few (well a lot actually) questions for the more experienced users.

1. What mounting system (Steady Kinky) have you used in your car (s)?

2. Have you used the garmin 'locking mount' (as supplied) with the sticky pads - are they any good?

3. How have you sorted the power supply in your car (s)?

4. If you have powered directly, where did you 'tap in'?

5. If you have powered directly, how have you handled the speaker aspect?

6. Have you sorted out mains power for it in the home? (This things eats batteries faster than my kids empty the biscuit barrel!).

I have been using the beanbag mount while I figure out something neater and do not really want to continue using the accessory socket lead with the huge speaker - looks a bit messy.

The beanbag mount has actually been quite stable in the Merc but is pretty well useless in the Yaris (SWMBO's car) because of the severe dash curvature, lack of suitable space (airbags! instrument cluster etc)

I have seen this on ebay which I am thinking of getting for the Yaris (unless you have better suggestions) .

Grateful for any advice/suggestions.

NormanB

 

[Brian WH]

In answer to your questions Norman.

1 & 2. I use the Garmin Sticky mount, I started with the temp pad until I got used to where I wanted it, now I have fixed it using the permanent sticky pad. The temp one comes off easy, and would be worth buying more temp ones incase you dont want the permanent fix. (See Pics in the Gallery)

3. I still use the cable link to the cigarette lighter socket. I do not want to leave the Garmin on the Dashboard permanently, just the mount.

6. I use rechargeable batteries which last a lot longer if you only use them for Indoor use to set up the system etc. When in the car I use the plug in as above. Try these for batteries 2300 mAh are more than sufficient. Batteries

 

[Ian B Walker]

Having had Brians Garmin demonstrated to me at the last GTG I am in the market for one. The accuracy of said item has to be seen to be believed. Gives clear verbal instructions, shows adjoining street names, shows house numbers Is easy on the eyes and all in all value for money (IMHO). I would recommend one for those of us who cannot fit Command easily and I believe Costco have them on offer.

 

[guydewdney]

perm stick mount, lead is long enough to go to the rear ashtray fag socket, so small wire is trailing through the seat / console box gap.

the windscreen thingy looks a good option though.

dont use it at home - my home doesnt move much

run tesco re-chargeables.

 

[fuzzer]

i use the beanbag mount and the Lead with the speaker in the rear Cig lighter socket. Suits us.

Perm mounts don't really suit us because of the amount amount of times the unit goes into diferent cars and the freqnency we change cars etc. so never really looked into it.

Windscreen mount if duff. ive bought one. im saving you £16.

i also use an external aerial when using the unit as it means you get a better lock in the towns and woody areas where we spend most of the time with the unit and where you basically need to be bang on with the location when you need to keep ducking up and down streets.

Unit with the external aerial worked a treat in New york

ITs a great unit ... enjoy it ...

 

[mapleleaf]

Does the Streetpilot have maps for any other parts of USA ? Florida for instance?

 

[NormanB]

Windscreen mount if duff. ive bought one. im saving you £16.

Unit with the external aerial worked a treat in New york

It is a great unit ... enjoy it ...

Yes it is a great unit - I am like a kid with a new toy. :bannana:

Thank you for saving me the £16 - must admit I thought the surface area of the mount looked iffy small.

Is that external external or those sort of mouse like extensions?

So thats 4 of us then so far (Brian,fuzzer,guy, me and ..... IanW when he takes the plunge!).

NormanB

 

[fuzzer]

Does the Streetpilot have maps for any other parts of USA ? Florida for instance?

It does indeed.

It covers europe and the continental US and also South africa ( said with the accent) and also AUS i think too.

But , maps are expencive. you buy the map CD and then you have to unlock regions on the maps.

Ive got the whole unlock for europe and the continental US and canada.

The maps only work in the unit you buy them for

 

[Brian WH]

By the way if you do decide to hard wire it you can get a seperate speaker that plugs in the back.

 

[mapleleaf]

It does indeed.


The maps only work in the unit you buy them for

Do you mean the specific unit ie matched by serial number or soemething or the Model of Steet Pilot

 

[Brian WH]

Do you mean the specific unit ie matched by serial number or soemething or the Model of Steet Pilot

When you register the Maps you have to quote the number of the Garmin. Then it is not transferrable.

 

[NormanB]

By the way if you do decide to hard wire it you can get a seperate speaker that plugs in the back.

Brian

I followed up your tip but not having any luck finding on web.
Any clues?

Regards
NormanB

 

[Ian B Walker]

So thats 4 of us then so far (Brian,fuzzer,guy, me and ..... IanW when he takes the plunge!).
NormanB

Mine will have to be purchased in July, Daughter gets married at the end of May so funds are going to be on the tight side

 

[Brian WH]

Brian

I followed up your tip but not having any luck finding on web.
Any clues?

Regards
NormanB

For a motorbike you could try these people.

Headsets

It could even be used in a car, as could any other speaker with the right connections.

Or try these people for all accesories.

Garmin Parts

 

[NormanB]

For a motorbike you could try these people.

Headsets

It could even be used in a car, as could any other speaker with the right connections.

Or try these people for all accesories.

Garmin Parts

Brian
Thanks for that.
NormanB