"The Clip" vent mount doesn't work with the nav kit.

[deputydog95]

unless i'm looking at this all wrong, it won't work with the nav kit. The clip part on the vent seems to be okay. The clip works by having a slot on the vent part and you attach a small plastic button to whatever your trying to mount. The button slides into the slot on the vent part. I unscrewed the bean bag from the nav kit. turns out that was not necessary as you can just remove the top adjusting screw and it will release the cradle from the bean bag. i attached the plastic button to the back of the cradle, as high as i could get it on the cradle. however, after looking at it, i knew there was a problem. the cradle only covers the bottom 3rd of the ique, leaving 2/3rds sticking out of the top. this makes the unit top heavy. when you slide the cradle with the ique into the vent part, the weight of the ique and cradle makes it turn upside down. i hope i am making sense here. if anyone has any ideas on how to make this work, feel free.

you can see it at www.theclip.com

[douchida]

Hi,

I found a way to use the auto mount cradle with the TheClip vent mount. It works quite well for me. I took some pictures and realized I couldn't simply attach an image to the post. I'd appreciate it if someone could recommend a place to post the images.

Meanwhile, here's a text description for what I did. I used a couple different types of self-adhesive rubber feet on the back of the cradle. One rubber foot was placed above the plastic button and was tall enough to fit in the vent mount's slot to prevent the cradle from rotating. The other rubber foot was under the plastic button and was used to contact the rubber strip on the bottom of the vent mount to increase bottom spacing and keep the top rubber foot in the slot. The bottom rubber foot also helped keep the play between the vent mount and cradle to a minimum. I did have to play around with the location of the plastic button and the rubber feet. I did find that it was important for the plastic button to touch the bottom of the vent mount's slot and not support the cradle from the cylindrical portion of cradle because it started to pry the plastic button away from the cradle.

I know it is difficult to visualize what I described. Please ask questions and I'll post the images as soon as I can.

Regards,

Dean

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by douchida
Hi,

I found a way to use the auto mount cradle with the TheClip vent mount. It works quite well for me. I took some pictures and realized I couldn't simply attach an image to the post. I'd appreciate it if someone could recommend a place to post the images.

Dean

Dean, you can attach a file - it has to be smaller than 102,400bytes. Look just below options and above the "Rate this Thread" option and then pick the file from Browse from your PC - should be in format noted below the Browse button.

[douchida]

Thanks Moose Man for the tip.

Here's my pictures of iQue mounting

I was a little off on my text description. The bottom rubber foot did not contact the rubber strip on the vent mount. It contacted the bottom of the vent mount.

Regards,

Dean

[rkevwill]

Here, try this with the clip mount.

Take the flat face of the clip mount, and attach this garmin base to the flat face with the included permanent adhesive.
garmin base mount (http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10199%2D02)

Then, your cradle/base should slip in there as the lord (and garmin) intended:)

I have not received my bases yet, but I have 3 coming for 3 different types of installations. When I get them done, I will post pics of all. Personally, I fell these are the best mounts for the Ique, and certainly are the simplest depending on your own cars specs.

For my cars, we are going this way:
Expediition, Permanent base mount, out of the way of stuff we use like radios and cup holders. My old 84 BMW 325e, permanent Garmin disk mount. Leave it there and slide that sucker in when needed. 1977 MB 450sl, Vent mount, which is the best out of the way place. (interestingly here, the dash and window are too close together to use the beanbag!) Porsche 2001 Cabriolet, havent decided yet frankly. Either use the bean bag, or the clip mount, Or, I might make another lexan bracket that would be similar to the boxter poster on here earlier. No matter, Ill post pics when I put them on.

[deputydog95]

it has given another good idea. instead of using a foot on the top and bottom, why not just have two feet...one on either side of the vent clip. that would also keep it from turning provided they were installed close enough to the vent clip that it is slightly touching when installed, if that makes sense. kind of like steering stem locks on a motorcycle if you're familiar.

where did you get those feet? is that a home depot thing? any idea on where you can get those adhesive disks in case i need to move these around a bit?

RKE, I like you idea too. my dash is kind of curvy and far away to mount it up there though. the vent would be the ideal location.

[douchida]

Hi,

Having the two rubber feet on each side of the vent mount would work, but there would be some play on the top and bottom. Also, I liked the way the cradle's bottom rubber foot catches on the vent mount's rubber strip to keep the cradle on the vent mount. The cradle can still be removed easily by lifting the bottom of the cradle away from the vent mount.

The rubber feet I used were ones I already had. You can get them from most home improvement stores or department stores.

Regards,

Dean

[OWG]

when you slide the cradle with the ique into the vent part, the weight of the ique and cradle makes it turn upside down

maybe Garmin can add a "true up" to the "North up" and "track up". That way when it spins, the screen will turn to correct it....


LOL, sorry, couldn't help myself, but I DID wait until it looked like you had a solution first...

[deputydog95]

when someone would take that shot :) well done!

[deputydog95]

think you're idea will work. there is not enough real estate on the base of the vent mount to to attach any sort adhesive disk. The center channel for the plastic button takes up too much room.

[rkevwill]

well, if the adhesive does not work (its VERY strong adhesive) then adhesive and screws will. We'll see soon, mine should be here today or tomorrow.

[deputydog95]

how it works out. i'd love to see you have some sucess with it. so far it's a no go for me. let me know.

[drenner99]

I am not using a NAV kit, but...

I picked up a Belkin 3-in-one vent clip at Walmart for 5 bucks. This includes the "button" adhesive device as above, but also includes an oval shaped magnet (about 1/16-inch thick). The magnet attaches via peel and stick adhesive. In my case, I mounted the magnet directly to the back of my iQue, kinda in between the "garmin" and "patents pending" printed area. The belkin clip has a similarly shaped oval receptacle that the magnet fits into, so it holds the unit securely (with Radio Shack palm compatable car charger and external antenna attached).

Because the magnet fits into a recess in the Belkin mount, it solves the "rotating" issue as well. This setup has not caused any problems for me operationally, and the iQue still works fine in the charging cradle despite the attachment of the magnet.

I would think that if you have the NAV kit, this clip setup may also work by attaching the magnet to the back of the kits mounting bracket.

Dennis

[LuvMyIQUE]

Here's the way I have mine set up with the "Travel Vent Mount" I bought from The Clip (http://www.theclip.com/mall/mounts.asp) on my 03 Accord. I attached the adhesive button as low as possible on the garmin bracket. This way it doesn't get too bottom heavy and exert too much pressure on the adhesive, but still has a nice balancing point (bottom still heavier than the top) where it's not going to spin around upside down. Having the Travel Vent Mount also allows me to switch from one car to another extremely fast (one push and it's off). I didn't take any measures on making it non-swivel, but so far it's not something I'm concerned about.

[deputydog95]

nice work. i see what you did. pretty slick. good thinking. anyone know where you can get more of 3m discs?

[rkevwill]

Very slick, with minimal work. Neat!

I received my extra Garmin bases today, and my Garmin External antenna, but have yet to receive the clip. Since I will be away for the weekend, More than likely I will not receive it till I am back. I did mount the Garmin base to our Expedition Dash, and it seems to be right where I want it. We will be trying it on our trip this weekend. When I do the various mounts, I will post some pics.

One aside comment here:

WOW, I am amazed at how much faster satellites are aquired via the external antenna!!!!

[Hammonddave]

I recieved the auto kit yesterday and am deciding how to mount it to the clip. After reading everyone's comments I am leaning towards placing the button at the bottom so the IQUE is low on the console. Any comments?

[rkevwill]

Only comment I have is, I would sure try to have the maximum adhesive possible. I have not received my clip yet, and will be looking carefully at it when I receive it (maybe today?) Interestingly, when I looked at the picture of the clip that was posted, with the button down low, I noticed that its possible I ordered a different clip! The clip I ordered seemed to have a larger surface area. We will see shortly.

My original idea is/was to use the permanent adhesive patch to attach it to the face of the clip, bypassing the button. But if the clip face is too small or not flat........well, that may not be possible. I'll update asap. The button does indeed add a bit more flexibility, and would allow the clip to be used for other things if wanted.

[varsen]

Here's how I used the vent clip in my Porsche Boxster:

I'm sure this has been covered by others but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I bought the clip from theclip.com and the Garmin Auto Kit. You may notice that unlike most I have it mounted to the left side of the car. The reason is that I couldn't get the vent clip into the somewhat cylindrical shaped vents in the middle ((i.e. the middle louevres of the vent stick out further and the clip wouldn't clip into place) but the side vents worked perfectly for them. I thought I'd hate it but now I like it. It helps that I'm left handed but I like how it is out of the way of the central panels of my car. You can also notice my Gilsson 9ft cable coiled and hidden under the sloped opening on the dash of the Boxster. Those who own one will know what I mean.

1) I unscrewed the base from the Auto Kit and attached the circular button via the 3M adhesive circle to the bottom of the base.

2) Now the base slides into the slot built into the vent clip via the circular button that we attached. Unfortunately as the original poster stated, it rotates around too easily. Like another earlier poster, I added some adhesive rubber type squares in strategic locations: 1 added below the circular button to help with grip. Another one added near the top between the slot opening to actually block it from turning. And a third near the bottom to block it from turning as well.

3) Then I inserted the cradle into the Garmin Base as it was designed and locked it into place. If I want to remove the cradle I can still remove it using the release button at the top of the Garmin Base.

4) Lastly, I put the Ique in and plug in my Gilsson antenna and and the cigarette lighter adapter/speaker and I'm good to go.

Here's some pics:


:)

[rkevwill]

Not sure if anyone else has told you this, but hiding that antenna under the cowling is going to reduce its effectiveness quite a bit. Personally, I would suggest using the suction cup mount (if you received one with that antenna) and sticking it up by your security led in the middle of the dash. Either that, or put a dot of velcro up there and mount it on that. (that is where porsche mounts their satellite antennas) I have both an xm antenna and a garmin antenna up there, and the wires tuck nicely under the plastic right next to the window, and around the edges to the left of the vents, and then under the dash. Mine is a 2001 911 cab, but I believe our dashes are quite similar.

[varsen]

The antenna is actually not hidden under the cowling..just the wires..the antenna sits in the middle of the dash and held into place with a non slip mat. The rest of the cable goes under the cowling and hidden from view. I'm still waiting for the little suction cup mounts to be available on the gilsson site. It says its backordered till the 10th of this month

[rkevwill]

Oops, sorry for the misunderstanding. Just looked at the pics and read it wrong I guess.

[Hammonddave]

I have a BMW 328 which has a severly slopped dash with a low windshield, making the nav kit pretty much unusable with the beanbag. I went ahead and removed the beanbag, installed the travel kit onto the vent clip as described above (with the button on the bottom of the base) and it works GREAT! It may swing a little bit on sharp turns, but it does not spin around.

[rkevwill]

one advantage of having an OLD 325e,, flat dash top <g>

Actually, I just used a garmin universal base on the old BMW, and attached it with the adhesive. That car is so old, I know I never will be selling it, besides, the adhesive DOES come off if you are careful and use 3m adhesive cleaner. (I hear alcohol works too)

Its nice and secure, and I mounted it so I have the option of having it high, with the base touching the top of the dash, or mounting it low, and swinging it over the edge, and it rests on the vents in the center. Nice to have it at pretty much eye level too. 90% of the time of course, I won't have it mounted. I'm not so old yet I need it to get back and forth to work.

And as a plus, it doesn't seem that I need the external antenna on that car. Gets a 3d signal just fine.

[Tummy]

I noticed that they sell the clip products at Best Buy. I bought a travel clip which attaches to the vent with a single aligator clip. Works well since I get a different rental car every week.

[GPSgeek]

Originally posted by varsen
The antenna is actually not hidden under the cowling..just the wires..the antenna sits in the middle of the dash and held into place with a non slip mat. The rest of the cable goes under the cowling and hidden from view. I'm still waiting for the little suction cup mounts to be available on the gilsson site. It says its backordered till the 10th of this month

FYI, our shipment of antenna suction cup mounts are now in stock. We also received another batch of Gilsson $20 antennas with black or white radomes.

Please email us at sales@gilsson.com if we can be of service. Thanks !

Kindest regards,
Ming Ho
GPSgeek / Gilsson Technologies
http://store.yahoo.com/gilsson
www.gpsgeek.com

[varsen]

Ming, good to hear they're in stock..I ordered mine yesterday but not from the store.yahoo.com/gillsson site but the www.gilsson.com site. Is there any difference? I haven't received a shipping confirmation yet so just wondering if it will take a few more days.

[GPSgeek]

No, no difference. Your order was shipped out yesterday.

Please email us if we can be of service. Thanks !

Ming