Garmin Dash Disk

 

OK...first post...here goes.

Got my nuvi 660 for father's day. Way cool. Found a good spot for it on the dash of my Tacoma. Not worried about sticking something to the dash, so, here goes. Looks nice. Easy reach access.

Parked my truck at work yesterday. Took the nuvi inside to show off. Came out at the end of the day, and found the suction cup arm on the floor! The dash disk had peeled away from the adhesive. The suction cup was still firmly attached to the disk, though!!!

I thought the adhesive was supposed to be tougher than that.

I changed the orientation of the arm so that it's more "up" than "out". Also routed the cable around the back of the base instead of hanging down.

Anyone else have trouble with the "permanent" adhesive not living up to its name?

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Skip nuvi 660

Dashboard adhesives

Hi there! I think your best bet at this point would be to get a replacement disk. I personally prefer fixed-mount brackets (usually available custom fitted for your vehicle), but if you must go with the adhesive solution, your success depends entirely in the preparation. I recommend first thoroughly cleaning the contact area, first using warm water and mild soap, to eliminate any previous glue, plastic conditioners, grease, oil, dirt, etc. Rinse all the soap and then rub with isopropyl alcohol and a piece of lint-free cloth. Peel the protective backing paper and apply the disk, using firm pressure, for at least 30 seconds, being careful not to twist or skid. After that, let it set for at least 24 hours, without mounting the arm, so that the adhesive can cure properly and form the strongest possible bond with the dashboard material. During this time, avoid leaving the vehicle on very hot/cold/humid conditions as much as possible. I can't emphasize enough the cleaning step! There are many chemicals in a car, no matter how clean, and there are all kinds of substances being brought on board with normal use. These contaminants are what cause the hazy film on the inside of the windows. Just my 2c smile

I agree 99%

Krieger wrote:

These contaminants are what cause the hazy film on the inside of the windows. Just my 2c smile

with your answer about cleaning. The majority of the haze on your windshield is not caused by contaminants, however. It's the outgassing of the "un-cooked" polymers in the plastic dash. The loss of these polymers is what causes the plastic to get brittle and crack.

The same thing happened to me (my bad for not cleaning well enough), but I've seen a new double-sided tape from 3M (anything from 3M is good) that may work in its place. I'll see if I can locate it and report back.
bfk

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Adhesive to Disk...Not Adhesive to Dash

I understand what you're saying, but it's not the adhesive-to-dash bond that failed. it's the adhesive to disk that has gone bad. The suction cup arm pulls the disk off of the dash and leaves the adhesive ring behind. I could almost understand if the bond between the adhesive and the dash had failed - blame it on bad preparation. But what failed is the bond betweent he adhesive ring and the disk that attaches to the suction cup - the parts that were put together at the factory.

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Skip nuvi 660

Adhesive to Disk

That's interesting. I can only speculate as to why this happened, but I doubt you would be at fault, so... I'd claim as warranty. In the meantime, you could try to re-adhere the disk, as suggested by bfk.

Contaminants

bfk wrote:
Krieger wrote:

These contaminants are what cause the hazy film on the inside of the windows. Just my 2c smile

The majority of the haze on your windshield is not caused by contaminants, however. It's the outgassing of the "un-cooked" polymers in the plastic dash. The loss of these polymers is what causes the plastic to get brittle and crack.

Absolutely! This is the main source, I just wanted to point out other factors that can affect the bond. I've seen the film get accentuated by cigarette smoke, Armorall-type vinyl protectors, even foldable sun-shades!
Thanks!

Wow!

band_photog wrote:

But what failed is the bond betweent he adhesive ring and the disk that attaches to the suction cup - the parts that were put together at the factory.

I'd say Garmin owes you a new disk (use it on another vehicle... I'm working on finding a replacement for the OEM adhesive... Please bear with me).

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Try a different clip

I had the problem putting my 680 on the window. Most of the time it stays. Look into a different clip. Check out www.proclipusa.com - I like having it in a different place than the window. If you leave the clip on the window, I feel it invites someone to break into your vehicle looking for the GPS.

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Larry - Nuvi 680, Nuvi 1690, Nuvi 2797LMT

New Disks on Their Way

Just got off the phone w/ Garmin. They're sending replacement disks...free. They also tried to sell me the beanbag mount. Anyone with experience with this item?

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Skip nuvi 660

Bean bag mount

Put "bean bag" without the quotes in the search box up at the top of the page, and you'll see there's loads of experience 'round here with 'em. I think they're a hit with those that have 'em. smile

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Bean Bag...

band_photog wrote:

Just got off the phone w/ Garmin. They're sending replacement disks...free. They also tried to sell me the beanbag mount. Anyone with experience with this item?

The bean bag mount is great! I love it. It sits on the dash. Besides, In California, it's illegal to mount anything on the windshield. So for me, the bean bag mount is the way to go. I got mine from eBay for $30 + shipping.

In any case, here's a link if you are interested. http://tinyurl.com/yq938r

Bean bag

The local Best Buy had the bean bag mount for the nuvi for $39.99. The best part, they had three open packages, ranging in price from $24.99 to $29.99. I got it for $26.50 including taxes. Threw the disc in garbage.

Bean Bag vs. Dash vs. Suction Mount

I have an Audi A3, B5 Passat and a Honda Pilot.
All three with very different dash materials and distances to the windshield.
The bean bag works the best in the Honda Pilot. The dash is slightly rounded, convex and relatively smooth. Using the dash disk resulted in the edges of the disk kind of sticking up above the dash surface allowing the mount to rock side to side (but not from front to rear). Windshield mount was just to far away.
Windshield mount was acceptable in the Passat and allowed the C530 or Nuvi 660 to rest on the dash in addition to the windshield mount without it being a big stretch.
In the A3 though things got tricky.
Windshield is just to far away.
The dash is shaped similar to a TT where you have two round vents in the center of the dash.
The rigid plate in the beanbag mount would not conform enough to allow ideal location above and between the vents.
Tried using the dash mount but since it only allows articulation at the ball socket on the back of the unit the unit sat up into my field of vision.
Ultimately I used the adhesive disk with the windshield/suction mount and used the pivot point at the base to allow the GPS units to be supported by both the arm/mount and the two rounded vent bumps in the dash.
I don't think there is any one "correct" mount. It will depend on your vehicle, the materials and your reach.
I did NOT use the "permanent adhesive" on the dash disk. Garmin said that I should consider it truly "permanent" and would result in damage to the dash materials if it were removed. I heard this to mean messy and difficult but do-able. Since in my vehicles I am using the mounts not so much for support (I am having the units contact the dash, but rather stability, I have been successfully using 3M double sided foam tape without incident. Your mileage may vary.

Garmin's "Permanent" Glue

After the disk peeled away from the glue ring, I figured that I might as well try to get the glue ring off of the dash. Armed with a small bottle of Goo-Gone, I started by peeling up the ring. To my surprise, it gave up quite easily. The ring broke a couple of times, but left no residue behind on my '96 Tacoma's dash. Of course the dash material in other vehicles might "like" the glue more (or less).

I think I'm going to find a bean-bag mount locally and see how that works. For now, though, I'm using the windshield, as I almost NEVER travel to California or Minnesota. If I do, I'll worry about it (or perhaps forget about it, much like I'm doing now) then.

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Skip nuvi 660

bean bag mount

We have been using the bean bag mount for about 6 months and found it much easier than the winshield mount. No more dirty ring or falling off the windshield. Highly recommend it.

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etrex vista, Nuvi 350, Nuvi 650, Nuvi 750(3)

replacement tape

Here's what I found out about double sided tape: 3M VHB multi-purpose acrylic Foam tape, type 4941 works well with mulitple substrates including vinyl in situations where the plasticizers outgas (the scummy stuff on your windshield). I would imagine a good hardware store will have this on hand, or can order it. I'd suggest using a thicker tape (.062" thick) than a thinner one as the additional thickness will help both sides of the tape adhere to the mating parts.

If you decide to use the beanbag instead, please let us know how it works out.

bfk

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Another tape product

Loctite® Power Grab® on a Roll is an ultra strong, double-sided adhesive tape for fast & easy indoor and outdoor applications. The adhesive is waterproof, resistant to UV light, aging and plasticizers. It withstands temperature fluctuations from -40ºF to 248ºF (-40ºC to 120ºC), and is suitable for use in areas with extreme temperature or humidity.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Salesman Keith

kch50428 wrote:

Loctite® Power Grab® on a Roll is an ultra strong, double-sided adhesive tape for fast & easy indoor and outdoor applications. The adhesive is waterproof, resistant to UV light, aging and plasticizers. It withstands temperature fluctuations from -40ºF to 248ºF (-40ºC to 120ºC), and is suitable for use in areas with extreme temperature or humidity.

You didn't state that this was from their web-site so we'll have to assume your a salesman for Loctite!! smile

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******************Garmin Nüvi 1300T****************Member 6523*******************

Just a user

The stuff works.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

which disk?

band_photog wrote:

OK...first post...here goes.

Got my nuvi 660 for father's day. Way cool. Found a good spot for it on the dash of my Tacoma. Not worried about sticking something to the dash, so, here goes. Looks nice. Easy reach access.

Parked my truck at work yesterday. Took the nuvi inside to show off. Came out at the end of the day, and found the suction cup arm on the floor! The dash disk had peeled away from the adhesive. The suction cup was still firmly attached to the disk, though!!!

I thought the adhesive was supposed to be tougher than that.

I changed the orientation of the arm so that it's more "up" than "out". Also routed the cable around the back of the base instead of hanging down.

Anyone else have trouble with the "permanent" adhesive not living up to its name?

Packaged with my c550 I had a "permanant" disk and a "Temporary" disk....which they no longer offer either under accessories.

I haven't had any problem with the "permanant" disk. But then again, it hasn't gotten too hot here in TX yet.

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........Garmin StreetPilot c550 / Nüvi 765...........

been bag mount

band_photog wrote:

Just got off the phone w/ Garmin. They're sending replacement disks...free. They also tried to sell me the beanbag mount. Anyone with experience with this item?

After learning that CA doesn't allow suction mount, I've purchased a bean bag mount from Garmin. Basically, on the surface that contact w/ the dash, it's made of soft slightly-sticky plastic for increase friction. The bag is also filled w/ some weight (maybe bean). The combination of weight and increase friction seem to work well for my gps.

On a side note, when I used to use the suction mount to my windshield, the suction cup came off the windshield once in a while. Fortunately, my gps was not destroyed in the process. And yes, I did clean both the windshield, suction cup, plus moisted the cup a bit before applying.

Bean Bag

I didn't like the bean bag when used with the older and heavier model Garmin Streetpilot 2610 GPS. Sometimes, depending on the severity of the curve in the road, I would have to reach forward to hold in the beanbag in place so that it would not slip off the dashboard. With the Nuvi, however, I don't think there will be the same issue, even if my truck has a dashboard that is not as deep and the windshield slants at a greater angle. Also, I'm not crazy about adhering something to the dashboard permanently, especially if done incorrectly or the position not to my liking.

Dash disk question...

Would it be possible to drill a very small hole through the disk and affix it to the dash with a small screw??

Will the screw / hole cause the mount to loose suction on the disk?

Any thoughts?

TIA... Glenn

Bean Bag Mount

I have a 2730 AND a 7500.

I use the Beanbag for both untis and love it.

It has never moved around on me and you can keep it mounted to the GPS all the time. Just pick up the entire unit and put it away.

This also keeps the thieves from seeing a mount on your dashboard, therefore keeping the temptation down for them to break into your car.

If you have an extremely slippery dash, try buying some of that non-slip rubber liner stuff they sometimes use as a kitchen cabinet liner. It is generally sold in rolls and in varying widths.

I have bought it in my local dollar store, or Big lots. It also comes in many different colors to match your dash color. If you can't find it in a store like that, try a local boating supply store.

Just cut out a small piece of it and place it under the bean-bag mount and it really holds it in place.

Check out ebay for those bean-bag mounts. I've seen them for less than retail for sure. But be sure it's compatable with your unit.

Tim

Garmin dash disk

I'm so glad I found this board!

I just got the Garmin nuvi650 for Christmas and went to put the disk on my dashboard, as per the law in CA, and it didn't even stick! I had cleaned the surface and prepped it like one should. I then checked the adhesive and it wasn't even sticky, so needless to say it sounds like I got a faulty one.

I'm going to call Garmin and let them know

Dash Disk

I have mine on for about 6 months and never a problem with it. I have a C530 and stays put no matter what kind of road I'm on.

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Nuvi 50LM Nuvi 2555LM

Adhesive

I use the disk as well however I don't have any problems with it. But if I will ever have a problem I will use some of the good 3M double sided tape, from the local home center, and if the disk is unusable than a piece of lexan might be in the works with the good double sided tape.

You might want to let Garmin know about the problem, however the disks are more than likely from China or Mexico and the double sided tape us the elcheepo premium grade.

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Garmin nuvi 2455LMT (wife uses nuvi 255w) (sold C330)

Dash Mount

On my older cars, 98 Oldsmobile Cutlass and 2004 Chevy Classic, I use the dash mounts and after a while I also had the disk come off but the adhesive ring stayed on the dash. My fix was to rip the rubber off the mount and superglue the mount to the disk. I don't worry about thieves too much as I take the GPS with me whenever I get out of the car.

On my newer car like my 2007 Civic, I got a proclipusa mount and love it.

Still not sure if the dash disk can be removed without damaging the dash yet since I haven't tried to remove it yet.

I want to try one of the vent mounts on amazon but am worried my vents are too big or flimsy. The proclipusa mounts are pricey so they weren't worth it to me to get one for an older vehicle.

Company Car

scottp1981 wrote:

On my older cars, 98 Oldsmobile Cutlass and 2004 Chevy Classic, I use the dash mounts and after a while I also had the disk come off but the adhesive ring stayed on the dash. My fix was to rip the rubber off the mount and superglue the mount to the disk. I don't worry about thieves too much as I take the GPS with me whenever I get out of the car.

On my newer car like my 2007 Civic, I got a proclipusa mount and love it.

Still not sure if the dash disk can be removed without damaging the dash yet since I haven't tried to remove it yet.

I want to try one of the vent mounts on amazon but am worried my vents are too big or flimsy. The proclipusa mounts are pricey so they weren't worth it to me to get one for an older vehicle.

I hope its not to hard to remove the disk from the top of the dash. I mounted my disk in the company car. I guess I'll find out in about 11-12 months when the new car shows up.

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Harley BOOM GTS, Zumo 665, (2) Nuvi 765Ts, 1450LMT, 1350LM & others | 2019 Harley Ultra Limited Shrine - Peace Officer Dark Blue

.

A hair dryer on hot helps to lift all of it.

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nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK

others have had success

bear007 wrote:

I hope its not to hard to remove the disk from the top of the dash. I mounted my disk in the company car. I guess I'll find out in about 11-12 months when the new car shows up.

using fishing line and sawing the disk off the dash. As Juggernaught also suggests, a hair dryer or other heat source can help loosen the adhesive.

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Illiterate? Write for free help.

.

Box Car wrote:

As Juggernaught also suggests...

There are no zeros in my nick... wink

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nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK

well,

Juggernaut wrote:
Box Car wrote:

As Juggernaught also suggests...

There are no zeros in my nick... wink

would you prefer I refer to you as Juggs?

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Illiterate? Write for free help.

.

Juggernaut is just fine... wink

However, if I was Raquel Welsh, that would be appropo... heh!

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nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK