Satnav in middle of windscreen - what's that about?

[Colin_b]

Being a tight git, I refused to pay for comand in my SLK, and make do with a tomtom satnav/mp3 player/camera spotter/handsfree.

A bit of fettling mounted it sensibly, moveably and avoids the tell-tale sticky marks on the windscreen...

 

[timskemp]

Portable sat nav is often better than built in at routing and traffic, mine's by the A pillar, I keep intending to get a brodit for the A pillar (I have brodit mounts for the phones in both cars).

Garmin units remember the night brightness setting, minimum is about right!

 

[219]

I have the TomTom and Navigon apps on my iPhone , which is mounted in a cradle down to the left of the radio .

I normally ignore screen and just listen to voice directions , only glancing down if need be .

On the Navigator 5 app I had in my Treo 650 , I had it set to mute screen above 50 mph - must check if the iPhone app can do this ( I know I can't add voices to iPhone TomTom as I could on Treo ) .

 

[BTB 500]

In the Vito the TomTom is not in line of sight of the road when at the bottom of the windscreen. I have night mode (which is automatic) set to minimum brightness ... 5% I think. Plus a low contrast blue colour scheme.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Agree that having the Nav system in the centre of the screen or just under the rear view mirror is stupid. What would happen in the event of a major impact, I'm sure the nav system would pick up a fair amount of meomnetum!

What I don't get is why some people with factory nav systems use TomTom - can't they figure out how to use the car system?

Seen this myself on:

BMW 3 Series
Bentley GT
Range Rover

All of these vehicles had factory nav!

 

[BTB 500]

What I don't get is why some people with factory nav systems use TomTom - can't they figure out how to use the car system?

More likely the TomTom has better functionality (full postcode entry, speed cameras, etc.).

 

[A-AvantGarde]

More likely the TomTom has better functionality (full postcode entry, speed cameras, etc.).

Good point, but it still looks odd in my opinion.

I will often use the nav on longer journeys even when I know where I am going as I like to keep an eye on the ETA.

 

[JumboBeef]

I see these every day on my way to and from work in the rush hour. I really find it hard to believe that people either don't know where they're going, or that they've gone to the trouble of switching it on, programming it and sticking it to the screen for the same old drive.

I use my TomTom on almost every drive I do, because it is also my bluetooth handsfree kit for my phone.

 

[st4]

Best place for sat nav is low down on the right by the A piller. This way it doesnt obscure anything.

I used to have it attached like that but with airbags behind the A post not so sure so went for central position on screen

however air bag in A post

So went for central screen for both road angel and garmin, no visibilty obcscured.

 

[Mr E]

however air bag in A post

Are you sure?

AFAIK the curtain airbag runs along above the doors...

 

[Ade B]

Is it put in the middle due to short people not being able to reach it anywhere else due to the rake of some windscreens?


Ade

 

[BTB 500]

Is it put in the middle due to short people not being able to reach it anywhere else due to the rake of some windscreens?

Possibly, although I mostly see this phenomenon on small hatchbacks! But it can be an issue with bigger vehicles and budget satnavs. My TomTom came with a wireless (radio) remote which I need for the Vito, I think they do a Bluetooth one now.

 

[st4]

Are you sure?

AFAIK the curtain airbag runs along above the doors...

aye, there is an airbag in the A piller too

 

[crankiejohn]

i have been told by sombody who does recovrey work for the police,the satnav should not be in the wiper sweep.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

That requirement is from an APFM standard AES 5 methinks....

 

[flango]

Safest place is in the centre of the screen as low down and as close to the dash as possible. I use a bean bag mount that sits on the centre of the dash to save the windscreen marks.

On a separate note the EU is looking at banning anything stuck to the windscreen but its unlikely to fly as its receiving strong opposition. Even the ban in California has now been overturned and residents can use windshield mounts again but there are regulations.

Arnie says haste la vista to ban on windscreen mounts