Hot Sun

GPS devices were engineered (up to a point) for the hot environment like the inside of a car in summer. The unit should be just fine.

About the only concern regarding heat would be for the built-in battery & long-term heat exposure which can potentially damage it. Batteries do not like heat so leaving the unit in the car under the summer sun for long periods of time will not be good for the battery and it's performance.

This is easily remedied by removing it from the dash and taking it inside with you or putting it in a cooler place in the car such as the trunk or a cubbyhole out of the direct sun.

Thanks for the info. It seems like they would make them a much lighter color. Most GPS units are a very dark blue or black which turns the light energy into heat.

Lighter colors are available and vary between models. This may make for less heat absorption but they also tend to reflect off the inside of the windshield.

The Nuvi I own here in Alabama has been in steady use for over two years. It is mounted on the windshield just above the dash and is exposed to the direct sun. On one occasion while traveling, the screen began to darken but the summer heat was rather oppressive at the time. Otherwise, I have not had any problems. When I leave my vehicle, the GPS is always removed from the windsheild location and is placed out-of-site down low somewhere, or it is taken with me. This not only protects the GPS from the elements, but it make one's vehicle less tempting for theft.

On the top part of the GPS, if you can manage to put a white label (the ones you use for filing) this will reflect the sun off the GPS. It will help from keeping the top part of the GPS from boiling.

Hi, everyone,

The only problem I have with excessive heat is the suction mount being forced off the windshield due to expansion. I now use a Ty-Rap to loosely hold the GPS mount to the rear view mirror. Now if the GPS mount comes off, it doesn't fall and bounce off the dashboard.

Miki

Someone might find my article

LOWRANCE? NO! GARMIN OF ARABIA
--- Sun Shielding Your Nüvi

of interest in this matter. It has pictures.

GARMIN NUVI TRICKS, TIPS, WORK AROUNDS ETC.

http://bit.ly/garmin_gps_tricks

The article is on page 8.

GARY HAYMAN

For the last couple of years I have used a vent mount for my Nuvi. It keeps your unit lower down in the car and out of the direct sunlight, you get far less glare from reflected light and the added benefit of being in the cool air blowing from the vent itself. Take a look here.
www.mountguys.com