Just got this in the mail from Amazon at under $300 (with $30 off). I had planned to put it on the window but was looking for a more stealthy location. The provided suction cup sticks like glue to the plastic as long as a flat area is used. The screen is also easier to read at this location since there is a cover plus dark backdrop. However, it is a little further from your driving line of site and will cover up a few warning lights. Never mind my pics, it is possible to see the temp gauge, but the power wire will just begin to cover the 2nd speedo digit. If you're over 99 mph, you'll have to do without the '1' California drivers should also like this since they cannot legally put a GPS on the windshield.

Speaking of power wire, it easily reaches the outlet, but I will eventually install an accessory outlet somewhere under the dash. The plug includes a conversion to 5V (3W for reference), so a little more difficult to hardwire. The GPS automatically powers on and off with the car - nice. Two replaceable AA batteries are optional and supposedly last up to 6 hours. I noticed when using half-dead batteries, the screen brightness and voice commands were lower. The screen also goes into night mode automatically at dusk. The highest volume level (5) is very loud and I assume the gauge pod amplifies and directs it, just as I planned It can even be heard with the top down but maybe not with an aftermarket radio cranked. There are obviously arrows are written instructions on the screen to help.

While sitting in the car, the roller wheel (similar to side wheel of many cell phones) is simple to use, but I can't recommend reaching through the steering wheel while driving on city streets. This GPS is lacking many of the super advanced features, but it has everything you need to get from point A to B, plus 6 million POI (restaurants, gas, theaters, etc. with phone numbers). The standard 128MB microSD card fit Texas plus 5 surrounding states. Next year a 2GB card will be released and fit all US plus Canada if you need that. Swapping states in and out is really easy if you want to save $$.

The only online reviews I have found at time of purchase were amazon and cnet. Sorry for the so-so camera..

 

OMG I could so mold that into you A pillar!! and it would look so cool! Nice unit BTW!

 

DO IT.

 

I would take DK1999 up on that....it kind of obstructs the tach a bit now, as well as the temp gauge and the warning lights on this side of the cluster. It would look much better molded....much cleaner.

John

 

how well does it hold up on bumps and corners, does it move up or down, side to side at all ?

 

It doesn't vibrate and hasn't fallen off on bumpy roads or 110/75 degree temperature changes. This thing is slick, believe me. Yes you are missing the low region of tach, but who drives down there? I can see my temp gauge now after adjusting the GPS to the right a bit.

The top of the screen can sometimes have small writing if the next road has a long name, so the closer the GPS is to your eyes, the better. I could see installing it in the top left window corner as well as the bottom left. Bottom center would be too far to reach, even in our car. The screen can't be seen well off-center, like from passenger seat. For reference, it also works with polarized sunglasses.

It pops straight onto the mounting ball and is removed simply by (yaw) rotating completely left or right.

 

I have been looking at the same gps unit... was also thinking about getting it molded into the A pillar, Looks like I'm not the only evil genius

 

how would you mold this into the A pillar? You would need somebody to do a custom fabrication job on it, right?

pictures would be nice.

 

DK,

How much would a job like that cost?

 

I would say $150-200. I would need to see the part but that's a pretty good off the cuff estimate.