Rick -- I've been pondering this and can't escape the notion that it's a very appealing idea, this despite my investment in your leather visor covers and the work I put into getting them to fit so well. Although I've used my visor a couple of times for the sun, their main use is to hold the sunscreen in place when I'm parked outside. (The sunscreen really does help with the heat; also, it hides the V1 I have on the dash -- so your V1 holder is something I want as well.)

So please polish this nifty invention up. I don't currently have a Garmin-style GPS, so I'll be able to get whatever winds up fitting. HPH

 

I'm hugely interested in this! I'd line up to buy if a few little things line up for me

1) Canadian maps are a must
2) standard plastic version (I want it to look as stock as possible, and wouldn't really want a carbon fibre version..
3)must be able to return the car to stock (no cutting of stock interior pieces).
4) reasonable cost... unsure of what this would be, but I'll wait and see what you guys come up with.

 

This is a major problem! From what I gathered, the Nuvi was essentially developed as a mobile hand-held device, and can be rigged up to work in a car. With no heater, it means you can't leave your car parked anywhere where it'll get below freezing or the screen will break.

 

I have the 2610 and the V1.

All is good.

 

Ah, this idea is out for me then.

 

The Nuvi has a "TFT" display (whatever that means). Its operational temp is from 0*C to 60*C.

The 2610 uses an LCD display with an operational temp range of -15*C to 70*C.

I doubt the 2610 can be left in the car throughout our winters either. I guess I'm stuck with the windshield mount so I can remove it when not in use or in winter.

 

Rick, would you consider making multiple designs? The nuvi seems cool, but many of us have other nav units and would be very interested in getting this mod. Besides, wouldn't it be more financially sound to base your product on an already well-selling unit like the garmin c330 or tom tom go? Ok, I'll admit, that's just me trying to trick you into making one of these things for the Tom Tom Go because that's what I own But seriously, it might make sense...

 

TFT is a type of LCD screen. The only difference between the screens that allows one to have a lower operating temperature is that one has a heater element in the back -- when the temperature drops below a certain level, the heater kicks in and prevents the screen from freezing and breaking.

I am one of the developers on this: http://www.mentoreng.com/main/product.php?id=6 It is used in taxis, ambulances, shuttle buses, etc. etc. It does GPS and all that jazz, but it has an LCD screen so it also has to have the heater. The heater has all sorts of problems; if it goes too low, it does no good, if the car is parked in the cold for too long it'll eat your battery... It's generally not an issue for us since our customers run transit companies where the cars are moving 20 hours a day, but if you leave ANY vehicle with a GPS system (and thus screen heater) parked in the freezing cold for a week, you may have battery problems.

I'd LOVE to get GPS navi in my next car, but in my current city (Calgary) it's problematic unless you get a turnkey solution like an Alpine/Pioneer sort of device.

All I'm getting at is that if you want any sort of GPS system with an LCD screen, look at the operating temperature rating and take it very seriously. It would be a real shame if you dropped $1000 on a GPS system and the first time it got real cold the screen cracked. It will not be covered by warranty.

 

Gotta say: what I'd really, really like is your Ranger, only without all the fleet software. Instead, I'd put on all my DeLorme mapping software and use it with their GPS receiver. Big (touch) screen, memory, speed -- what more would you need?

I guess I can see that mounting, in an S, would be a challenge, though. But, then, Rick likes challenges. HPH

 

I like the idea for a modular design that would allow the use of different models of GPS (I like the Streetpilot with the XM capabilities). Considering the issues with cold temps and the screen (and possible theft) it would be nice if the GPS was easily removeable also.

Just my .02

Thanks,
Dave