Drive series magnetic mount

 

Idea for this came from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5KIpp_05Q

I recently picked up an arkon magnetic mount - SPHDMAGKIT ($15) https://www.arkon.com/product/SPHDMAGKIT-magnetic-phone-moun....

This is a magnet base with a female socket to mount to any 17mm ball mount. The include several metal plates which are suitable for phone (cases), but not so much for a garmin device.

Found a fender washer about 1 1/4" in diameter in the garage. Giving jb weld a try. Washer glued to the outside of the garmin cradle/mount. I'll probably fill in the ball side as well once the outside dries. If it works, great, if not, im a garmin cradle and a few bucks for jb weld. Pics forthcoming if it works out.

Seriously im surprised garmin hasn't made a proper mag mount for these things.

Not to pop your bubble, but

Not to pop your bubble, but there is no accessible steel in the front seat area of my vehicle. (2020 Cherokee) Theres not much steel in cars today. Composite, fiberglass, and aluminum have take over a lot of surfaces.

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Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267

Suction device just needs a

Suction device just needs a smooth surface to adhere to. The magnet part goes between the garmin and the 17mm ball.

Niteize Steelie Dash Mount Kit Plus

Similar to that I've been using https://www.niteize.com/product/Steelie-Dash-Mount-Kit-Plus.... for a few years and have been pleased.

^^The magnet part is the

^^The magnet part is the part stuck to the phone? How would that work in the case of the garmin? It would stick to the inside where the cradle typically latches into?

My concern with the 61/65 series is it's a pretty big unit. I want something solid. Also important to keep the 17mm ball standard since I use other accessories based on this form factor.

If you're asking about the Steelie...

If you're asking about the Steelie, I used the VHB tape that came with the magnet mount to connect it to the GPS. Elsewhere on the Nitize website there are instructions to remove components taped together. If you want to convert between mounts then the Steelie is likely a poor choice for you.

The Steelie mount also came with some reusable adhesive tape that didn't seem like much of an idea but I never did try it.

This fall I'm planning to put my ham radio control head on my dash beside the GPS. I really like the Nitize stuff, but if you require convertable mounts then I can't recommend it.

I Use

These products from RAM:

https://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-plastic-magnetic-adapter-b...
and
https://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-round-plate-with-1-inch-ba...

I put a piece of steel sheet inside the Otterbox case of my smartphone and use one of the many 1" B ball RAM vehicle mounting options.

The same idea can be used with a GPS but, in my case, all my current units have powered magnetic mounts.

IMO, most Garmin clip type mounts are so easy to use that a magnetic version is just slightly more convenient. Garmin's powered magnetic mounts are the best by far since they also eliminate the need to plug and unplug the power cable.

For base model units, like the Drive series, that lack powered mag mounts, your solution is a good one though.

Magnetic Mount

I think that is a great idea. I use a friction mount and hate it b/c it moves all over and blocks my clock. Would love to be able to set something up like you did.

@bdhsfz6 I actually wouldn't

@bdhsfz6

I actually wouldn't mind such a mount (ram) but there's no metallic surface inside the car for it to grab to.

JB weld has cured well but I think I need a larger fender washer. The one used doesn't quite fit within the 4 magnets. It works, but the grip could be tighter. I'm going to try to find a 2" (rather than 1 1/4) diameter washer and jb weld that to the smaller one. I may still use a small string as a safety tether until satisfied it's not going to go any where over rough roads.

The idea is to make this as portable as the driveluxe series (albeit core issued).

Here's some pics so

adjust display to minimize reflections

I value the ability to slightly move a display like our GPSs to minimize reflection glare. I sometimes use a RamMount windshield suction mount for a ham radio handi-talkie. Since it requires two hands to adjust I don't prefer it for displays.

Same Here

zx1100e1 wrote:

@bdhsfz6

I actually wouldn't mind such a mount (ram) but there's no metallic surface inside the car for it to grab to.

JB weld has cured well but I think I need a larger fender washer. The one used doesn't quite fit within the 4 magnets. It works, but the grip could be tighter. I'm going to try to find a 2" (rather than 1 1/4) diameter washer and jb weld that to the smaller one. I may still use a small string as a safety tether until satisfied it's not going to go any where over rough roads.

The idea is to make this as portable as the driveluxe series (albeit core issued).

My vehicles have no metal dash surface either. I use the magnet to grab the back of my cell phone or GPS. I use a variety of other RAM mounts to attach the magnet rig to the vehicle. Cup holder, suction cup, vent, beanbag, whichever works best for a given situation.

On two of my vehicles, I attached a piece of steel bar to a bolt that holds the seat to the floor. I bent the bar to conform to the floor contour and fit neatly against the dash. I then attached six, one inch RAM "B" balls to the bar for mounting various devices.

The idea is similar to this clamp-on RAM product but much sturdier:
https://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-18-in-flexible-seat-claw-m...

^^Wow.. Can you post some

^^Wow.. Can you post some pics of the actual set up?

My solution

I took a hockey puck, cut in half and shaped the bottom to suit the curvature of my dash (2011 Toyota Highlander). I took the suction mount apart removing the rubber suction part and jimmied the lever. Then glued it to the flat part of my scalloped hockey puck.. and glued the whole thing to my dash where it is visible/handy to me but does not impede my vision. Tucked the cable into the various moldings, terminating in a cigarette lighter plug I wired into my ACC circuit.. tucked under the dash. Works perfectly for me.. and when/if I sell the vehicle it comes with an old but working Nuvi 2597.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UArV2icT-aWZv7khv2ZbRoW1tQK...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GG7XOxmJJbh56cYgTO1dunrpVJC...

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Lives in Edmonton AB A volunteer driver for Drive Happiness.ca and now (since June 20 2021) uses a DS65 to find his clients.

I was able to source a 2"

I was able to source a 2" ferrous fender washer of adequate thickness (~1/16"). This ensures all 4 magnets are in contact. Grip is pretty good.

Here's the final product.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UqNKu9fimwQUmMKR7

Newer pics near the bottom. Some care does have to be applied when attaching the gps to to the magnet holder. Also, quick grab behind to ensure it's relatively centered.

Heading out shortly, so we'll see what how well it holds up on the road. Ideally, it'd be nice to for it to be self centering (maybe make use of the hole in the washer).

^^Links don't work here..

^^Links don't work here.. Just shows a b/w do not enter sign.

That's nuts!Let me guess,

That's nuts! The joys of having lots of interior space. The accord is decent for it's size but no suv/pickup. My previous car - g37 had even less room inside.

Let me guess, there's a rifle rack in the back too?

True

full size vehicles have a definite space advantage. My scheme wouldn't work in a compact.

(lol) No gun rack. Too much of a temptation for a thief. I used to be a hunter years ago but always carried my rifles in a locked case.

Nice

It's really nice hacking! I'm using friction mount though

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Garmin DS55 with Traffic

I suppose it doesn't matter

I suppose it doesn't matter what type of mount is used as the magnet portion has a 17mm socket to accept a 17mm ball from any mount.

Interesting

Interesting setup. Thanks for posting.