Anyone having problem with suction cup mount/disc?

With the heat I too was having problems with the suction cup. I have been using the Garmin Bean bag and it seems to work great. Plus it is easy to just drop the entire set up onto the floor and out of sight.

I have had trouble removing the mount after I left it on for two to three days. If it will not stay on, use a drop or two of water on the cup, it should retain its suction if it has not been scratched.

Hi theTraveler,

The heat is definitely a major factor...

IMHO you have two choices that are much better than either the permanent disc or the suction cup mount, considering the heat factor in AZ. Also, the last thing you want is your GPSr falling off whatever mount you do use.

Both of these choices don't require the use of a suction cup "or" adhesive and your GPSr won't fall off their mounts like the permanent disc and the suction cup are prone to do.

Choice #1
I just bought a Car Vent mount from mountguys.com for my Nuvi 670
(check out this thread: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/5522)

Choice #2 The bean bag mount.

Just my 2¢

Regards,

Tailspin

Nuvi 670

Yeah, but not sure if there's enough space at where I want. I have a 2006 Civic with the dual-tiered dash. I like where I have it now as I don't have to take my eyes off the road.

Thanks, that was the first thing I did. Guess it's not meant to be used in the Southwest. I may just have to glue the damn thing onto the disc and really make it permanent.

Hey tailspin,
Thanks. Saw your post in the other thread. Have you noticed any significant blockage of airflow for the vent you mounted the Nuvi? I've put a vent-mount for my wife's bluetooth headset in her car. What I noticed was although the headset/holster/charger was pretty small, it blocked the airflow quite a bit.

mine fell off too after 3 weeks. i ended up spending $4 on a roll of heavy duty double sided tape. as the tape is a rectable shape while disc is circular, it looks ugly on my car. i should contact them for replacement.

Hi theTraveler,

I have the vent mount on the right half of the center vent assembly, so the airflow coming out of the left side of that center vent assembly...increases. It's kind of like the "venturi effect". In your case, it would also keep your GPSr cool, expecially in AZ.

Regards,

Tailspin

--
The graduate with a Science degree asks, "Why does it work?"
The graduate with an Engineering degree asks, "How does it work?"
The graduate with an Accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?"
The graduate with a Marketing degree asks, "How many sucker's can I sell this to?"
The graduate with a Liberal Arts degree asks, "You want fries with that?"

Never had any problem with my Garmin mount. Works perfectly.

However, my Sirius receiver fell off the windshield today. Had the car closed up, so I can't complain. I finally order window weather guards so I will soon be able to leave the windows cracked a bit.

I wish this post was here before I bought a 2nd windshield mount for my wife's car. I searched for a while for alternative mounts but didn't find any I liked. But I haven't had an issue with either mount yet but it has been a mild summer in Texas for heat (not rain). I would have tried one of their mounts, like the vent mount or the seat bolt mount. Anyone using the seat bolt mount? I wonder if it shakes a lot.

Napertivo

Nuvi 650

ive believe the only way to go is with a beanbag mount. ive found both hot and cold effect the cups or glue mounts

Yup, called their tech support and after looking up my registration, they UPS'd the dashboard disk (2-pack). Their support has made me a lifetime Garmin buyer.

I don't think you have to worry with extreme heat-related issue in Virginia. Down here, you can literally cook an egg on your hood.

I'm actually trying to decide if I should go with the airvent or the mount myself. What I like about the seat bolt is that I can wire-tie the power cable along the gooseneck for cleaner look.

I have never used one of these but they are a custom solution specific to Auto make and model + GPS make and model. Looks like they're around $60. You must buy both pieces.

http://www.proclipusa.com/home/home.aspx

Thanks, someone else also mentioned this site several weeks ago. Although I have no issue paying $30 for the vehicle mount as it's customized for my car and is very clean looking (and very close to where I currently put my suction mount), I'm definitely not willing to pay another $30 for the device mount which is nothing more than a small plate with a ball end...and no cradle! For $30, they should also include the cradle. Then I'm willing to spend $60 for it. (fyi, MountGuys actually sells genuine Garmin cradle for $20). And for $60 solution, it still doesn't address the cable issue. Nope, this is not for me, but thanks for the pointer.

I'm really leaning toward the floor mount right now.

I too had problems with the suction cup mount and nuvi 660 falling off the windshield while I was driving along. I finally solved that problem by moistening the circumfrence of the suction mount disk with saliva every time before I mount it to the windshield (I remove the mount every time I arrive at my destination). It may not be as sanitary as some other methods (chap stick around the circumfrence of the disk didn't work at all because it completely dried out and then fell off) but it seems to work. Hasn't fallen off using this method.

I have been having the exact same problem. I think I will be trying the drop or two of water on the cup also. Has any one tried Velcro. Before I bought my Garmin I was using my Verizon cell phone w/the VZ Navigator and used the Velcro to mount a cell phone holder. Worked flawlessly.

I use Windex and clean the glass real clean, then put a small amount of water on cup before installing. I think the inside glass gets a film on it, thus causing the problem

You have to clean the area really well, Then use water on the suction cup. It will never come off that way.
Cleaning the windshield is the important part.

Well, I used the suction cup since I got my nuvi in April and never had any problems with it. It stuck well, never fell off, and came off easily when I wanted it to.

Due to theft concerns, I removed it from my windshield, cleaned the circle from the glass and stuck the disk to my center console to keep the nuvi out of view. I cleaned the area with alcohol before sticking the disk, and it still fell off after only a day or two.

I will give Garmin credit because I called tech support, and they are sending me two new disks. Garmin tech support is top notch. I just wish they had more techs so we aren't kept on hold so long.

My suction cup falls off every couple 3 weeks. The heat and humidity do not play well with the suction cup. When I contacted Garmin they sent me an "updated" suction cup...to no evail (thanks though). After calling about the "updated suction they sent me a bean bag. Great example of Garmin going the extra mile.

Can anyone comment as to whether to cost of subscription for the traffic information is worth it?

Went to Ace Hardware - purchased a 3" abs drain cover (like for in the lawn or a floor) that stands about 2" tall. Put the disk on the top of the drain cover, then add the nuvi suction mount. Works great in a cupholder, and elevates the unit for visibility ... and it is easily removed and/or hidden.

can u post a picture/link of ur setup and its exact name? I search 'abs drain cover' and didn't see aything.

They have a cup holder mount on the market. It looks like it might work. The angle looks good. I guess it depends on where your cup holders are situated.

omnitek

I have this problem in the DC area with my 660 and the problem is the same with the original and a replacement holder. A little saliva on the suction cup has proven helpful.

I created my own cup holder mount by placing an empty glass candle in the cupholder upside down. The windshield mount sticks to the bottom of the candle very nicely. A glass tumbler or "old fashioned" glass should work as well.

I originally had the same problems...also when I removed the suction cup it left a bit of rubber residue. I had become quite worried about suction integrity as I kept removing and reapplying my window mount, so I purchased a second one for my other vehicle.

I have found that the area needs to be quite clean before applying the suction cup and then NEVER taking it off!

When it's clean I have had no problem with it falling off.

Garmin had a problem with the rubber compound with the earlier mounts; and they replace the mount FREE if you contact them and yours fits into this group. They replaced mine and no problems since.

RT

I had exactly the same problem. I think it's due to too much heat on the dash board. I figured out uaing the 3M Double side adhesive , and from then on it stayed where it should be and never had my GPS falling of again.

I was having good luck just not putting it on with the windshield hot and cleaning both the mount and wind shield. But not it won't stay on no matter what. There appears to be a plastic coating that has separated from the cup now.

My suction cup kept falling off last winter from the cold windshield, so it's not just heat.

I've placed an empty jar in a cupholder and attached the suction mount on the lid. It's worked great.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/4324

Hope this helps...

which brand jar that looks nice?

I have used ProClip products to mount a Sirius radio. While they are not inexpensive, they do work well.

The suction cup mounts ship with a thin clear plastic membrane over the actual suction cup to protect it during shipment (either form the supplier to Garmin and/or Garmin to us). This membrance must be removed before use or it will not hold at all.

For those cups that leave a little residue on the windshield, Garmin will ship out a replacement suction cup for free if you experience problems. They shipped mine and I had it within a week. Garmin was very responsive and accomodating. Thanks Garmin!!

Although the bean bag takes up more real estate on the dash, it's been owkring fine for me. I had the exact same issues...but in Oregon, where it doesn't get that warm. I also got replacement discs from Garmin, but the replacements were no better than the original.

The bean bag has been working great for me all summer long. It doesn't slip around, and the nuvi stays firmly in place.

B_P

I have been using the Garmin suction cup and disk for a few weeks on a cross-county trip. I have had a few rare problems during the hot hours of the day, otherwise it works great in the morning and evening.

Well, the rubber piece seems to be no longer good.
It fell off twice in an hour today and slightly scratched the screen. My friend, who has a business building exhibit cases for museums gave me a silicon gel that he uses to keep the rubber suctions on his glass holders in working condition, but said my rubber component seemed beyond conditioning.

So I called Garmin support today and asked if I can replace the rubber part of my mount and Cindy (the support person) said she'll send the replacement mount even before I got to finish my question! You won't find this level of customer service anywhere.

They truly have a world-class support group.

Once I get the replacement mount, I'm going to start using the silicon gel to keep it conditioned.

It's not clear to me how the unit attaches itself to the Navmat....or does it? I talked to a Best Buy salesdrone who said you used the suction cup and disc but that seems to be kind of defeating the purpose....

A wet paper towel fixes suction cup problems. Temperature changes and humidity changes make the suction cup lose its ability to work. Mine fails in the summer sun and the winter frost. Periodically remove the mount from the window and moisten suction surface with a damp paper towel.

I broke down and got one of the NavMat holders for my trip last week and it worked a charm; didn't budge an inch and kept Emily (my c340) easily readable all the time without being stuck to the windshield. Had to do a couple fast stops too and never a problem. A very useful accoutrement, and easily stowable in hiding when you're parked.

Here is what I have found to work VERY WELL.

Windex your windshield
Windex your suction cup
Put a VERY THIN layer of vasaline on the cup

It won't come off!

when it is very hot outside. I can't say about cold weather, as I didn't have mine last winter.

I live in the Dallas area and had the exact same issues you did. I tried everything including a glue so strong it's illegal in California. Nothing worked. In fact, my Garmin went flying off the windshield on more than one occasion while driving.

I have an Infiniti G35 which has a flip-up compartment in the center of the dash where a factory GPS would go. My local Best Buy fabricated a housing out of ABS plastic to fit the compartment and mounted the suction mount inside the housing and drilled it in. They mounted the control panel for my radar detector on the other side to balance the look (I have a Nuvi 360). Now it looks almost factory, the flip-top to the compartment acts as a sun-shield and partially blocks outsiders from seeing my GPS, and my windshields not blocked. I have to use an external antenna as the flip-top blocks the signal to the Garmin, but taking out the price of the antenna and the wiring kit for my radar detector, they only charged me $100. (Car Toys wanted $1000).

When I leave the vehicle, I throw a small towel over the flip-top to block the view of the Nuvi but allowing potential thieves to see I only have a factory radio.

If I ever want to remove the whole assembly, in about 5 minutes I can pop the whole thing out. The Nuvi itself just snaps out as usual plus unplugging the external antenna.

Forget the suction cup, velcro, or any kind of glue if you live in a really hot area.

Yes, the heat damages the suction mount. I purchased the Vent Mount from ebay $20.00. Works well. Don't use the suction mount anymore..

That is cool the way that you put the 360 in the factory place for the GPSr.

I have been using the windshield suction cup that came with my nuvi 200 and have never had a problem with it coming off when I don't want it to or sticking when I want to move it to my other vehicle. I have now moved it to a more inconspicuous place than the windshield. I've had more problem with the dashboard disk not sticking than the suction cup.

I have a garmin nuvi 250 and my suction cup has fallen off i suspect from the heat of summer.

Have had all the same problems. Bought the bean bag. I have an older garmin mount that uses velcro for dash attachment and is much more robust AND works with my Nuvi 680 for spare car. BUT still no soultion to wanting to mount to window w suction cup suystem. Garmin needs to address this. Gee, my 680 cost like, what was it? nearly 900.00?

I'm in high performace materials business, yes, I can custom make carbon fiber parts for your hopped up car, BUT all we need is a little spray teflon like you get to moisture proof boots. You can buy of brand cheaper. it's called polytetraflorethylene and is the same or better. get it, spray some on and it's going to seal the polymener for up to 550 degrees F. should do the trick!

thanks to this thread I have now learned to keep a small bottle of water in the car (my wife doesn't really go for the saliva idea). its working great so far.