mounting garmin 50LM

Vent mounts for the 2 units here. Would never go back to a window mount. I don't like the looks of the bean bag sitting on the dash. Vent mount keeps unit out of window.

I never trusted mounting the gps to the windshield as it falls off. So when it falls off I have to juggle it as I drive. I am not keen on the adhesive disc sticking on the dash so I found that the bean bag mount works best for me. I can move it around from center of dash to far corner of on driver side or directly in front of steering wheel next to windshield.

I hate anything that blocks my vision in any way, so I use a vent mount. I originally had an Arkon vent mount, but it would occasionally fall off if I brushed the unit with my hand. I added some gorilla glue to the arms, and it holds well.

When the Garmin vent mount came out, I picked up one of those and like it even more. It is much easier to tighten down and easier to move from car to car.

I use a friction (similiar to bean bag) mount with attached center post. Easier to move between vehicles and fits nicely in center storage compartment to put away.

With the windsheild mount, you need to be careful what states you are driving through and some states don't allow it. Check this FAQ: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34521

I have a lighter adapter arm that plugs directly in my 12 volt (cig. lighter) outlet. It is fully adjustable and also has a short wip that will plug into the GPS for power. It is made by Arkon. Works well, depending on where your outlet is located in your vehicle.

Love the bean bag, simple and easy!!

Got a link?

I never used the windshield mount, couldn't trust it and if left on becomes a magnet for thieves looking to steal GPS's.

The bean bag mount os easily moved to a different position, especially usefull if the lighting washes out the GPS display. Stores easily out of sight.

Prices for the mount constantly changing, you can get one at Amazon right now for 16.94.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Portable-Friction-Mount-Frustra...

do you have. This can have a big influence on mounting.

My last car was a KIA Rondo, which is not sold in the US, but it had a recessed clock, just below the top of the dash. There was a lip just ahead of the clock that was deep enough and flat enough that the suction cup worked perfectly. There was absolutely no obscuring of the view, through the windshield.

I have a GM Orlando (also not sold in the US), with the MyLink Radio. The radio is higher but has a surface on the top that is smooth and flat enough for the suction cup. I have an old Garmin suction mount, that can be raised and lowered and if I mount it right, it also does not block the view.

do you have. This can have a big influence on mounting.

My last car was a KIA Rondo, which is not sold in the US, but it had a recessed clock, just below the top of the dash. There was a lip just ahead of the clock that was deep enough and flat enough that the suction cup worked perfectly. There was absolutely no obscuring of the view, through the windshield.

I have a GM Orlando (also not sold in the US), with the MyLink Radio. The radio is higher but has a surface on the top that is smooth and flat enough for the suction cup. I have an old Garmin suction mount, that can be raised and lowered and if I mount it right, it also does not block the view.

I totally agree. Although I've never liked the suction cup default mount, I've seen instances where a vent mount, bean bag mount (or Garmin's newer friction mount) is the way to go. I will say that I've tried the "sticky adhesive" permanent/removable genuine Garmin mount and it fails miserably during hot sunny summers and leaves a terrible gummy residue on the dashboard. Avoid it at all costs!

In addition to vehicle make/model/year, there are the personal preference factors like any blockage of view, etc. and finally, the type of road travelled.

I've liked and used a vent mount (there are several vent mounts available as well which may or may not work with specific vehicles) but I find that these mounts are highly dependent on vehicle make/model/year—and even on the best, there's the worry of snapping a vent vane. I lost interest in my genuine Garmin vent mount when it broke and had to be replaced. A review of user comments for the Garmin vent mount on Amazon show that my broken "finger" is not unusual!* In my Subaru Forester, there's a very nice flat black data display cubby hole and for this vehicle the newer Garmin friction mount sits perfectly there and doesn't shift position even on bad bumpy forest roads.

All in all, when asking this question, let folks know if you plan to travel rough roads, your preference for GPS location, and as GPSgeek states, your vehicle(s) make/mode/year if you want the best advice, and listen most closely to folks driving the same vehicle as yours.

Happy hunting.

* More on the Garmin vent mount from Amazon reviewers:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-11952-00-Air-Vent-Mount/pro...

Before panicking, note that Amazon reviewers give the vent mount a respectable 3.8 out of 5 stars. But the above link to 1-star reviews shows a pretty substantial failure rate. And if you look at the 2-star reviews added to the 1-star reviews, about 23% of the Amazon reviewers for the vent mount had their unit fail. At least I didn't see any reports of vehicle vent vanes being destroyed by the vent mount

I have tried many different mounts over the years, but have always come back to the bean bag in the far left drivers side corner of the dash. It works for me and I have finally stopped trying out different mounts.

I had first used the Bean Bag exactly as you did, on my Orlando. Unfortunately, my wife could not enter data. I talk her through the steps to enter data, to avoid Distracted Driving Charges.

The suction mount that came with my NUVI2555LMT stood up too high if I put it on the top of the radio, but that was the only smooth location.

I rediscovered my old suction mount from my NUVI350, that was adjustable up and down. The up/down swivel had broken, but I was able to repair it well enough with some stainless steel wire so that it held together. Now I have it mounted, above the radio and dropped to it's lowest point. I get no obstruction and my wife can get access to make any data input.

I have used the bean bag mounts for several years on three different Garmin's in two vehicles. Very happy with them.

Pure and simple.

I agree, best mount I have found for my 3790 and prefer it to the Garmin friction pad mount.

The Garmin vent mount is very easy to install and remove and is rock solid and less obvious than any other mounting option.

Photos of Garmin vent mount mounted in my car:

http://home.comcast.net/~rjrsw2012/pwpimages/Gatrmin%20Mount...

On top of the dash with the black disk for my 2002 Z3 BMW Roadster. This way it does not in any way obscure any of the windshield - important since that would be a ticketable offense in MD.

Fred

http://www.arkon.com/GPS%20Mounts/gps-car-mounts.html?tab=1#...

Can also be purchased through some of the large retail stores websites

I'm on my 3rd Bean Bag. The first was stolen, the second I had to glue a thin rubber mouse pad to the bottom because the original bottom wore out (and I gave that one to my daughter while attached to my 885T) and am now on the third with my 3597. Been using them sine 2006 when the suction cup on my original Nuvi 200 wouldn't stay attached to anything.

My wife and I are both happy beanbag users. Hers in a Prius and mine in an Audi A4. We even tote one of them in our carry-on so we can set up in rental cars quickly on trips. Some of our recent rentals had a covered stowage with accessory outlet in the center console, which made it really easy to stow the GPS and mount out of sight in moments.

I like the disc on the dashboard. It puts the gps closer so I can touch it while I drive.

I like the bean bag but wish it didn't place the GPS up as high as it does. Thought about devising a way to lower it but would hate to wreck the curved holder.

I just set the unit in the empy area in front of the cup holders in the empty center console in both Civic and Fit. With the power adapter and the standard suction-cup mount (without being stuck to anything), it fits great. No need to mount anything and it's very easy to move to the covered console, under the arm rest when parked.

My brother’s 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe has a storage compartment with a hinged lid in the top center of the dash. We removed the rubber mat on the floor of the compartment and screwed a Garmin G ball mount to the compartment floor. His Nuvi 3597 attaches to the mount in perfect viewing position with no windshield obstruction.

When not in use, the 3597 is removed from its magnetic base and the compartment lid closed leaving no clue a GPS is in the vehicle.

Vehicle modification is minimal since the screw holes are covered by the rubber mat after the mount is removed.