I am thinking to install a portable GPS.
I know that the GPS adopts the car adapter system.
My question is, does anyone have tried installing it while hiding the cable so it won't be visible.

 

there are many ways to do that... depends on where you install it. i'm sure you can find someplace to hide the wires. i just bought a bluetooth gps module for my dell axim pda to mount in my car.. i was going to buy a standalone unit, but i figure that since i already have the pda that i have never used for anything besides writing stupid notes that serve absolutely no purpose.. and it was only like 50 bucks. but if i were to mount a standalone unit, i'd prob sit it behind the steering wheel, or use a windshield mount on the left side of the steering wheel....and run the power cord down to the fuse box by the door.

 

I have a garmin c330 hardwired on the left side of the steering wheel against the windshield. It is easy to hard wire, either have the store you bought it from do it for $50, or do it yourself.. ground one.. and tap the other into a power line that starts with the car. You cant see any wire other than the half an inch where it attaches to the unit. I would highly recommend putting it on the left side of the steering wheel.. it hides it well but also allows you to see it clearly

 

Before you mount anything to the windshield, check with your state's vehicle code. For instance, CA vehicle code says that it is illegal to mount any device directly to the windshield, as it will obstruct your vision... according to the lawmakers. It's even illegal in CA to mount it in the bottom left corner of the windshield, out of your line of sight. I found this out while I was working as a salesperson at an electronics store that sells portable GPS's. From what I've been told, dash-mount is OK in CA, but windshield-mount is not. Your state's vehicle laws may be different.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Bummer, I live in California so the law you just said also applies to me.
I have seen couple of people mounting it on the windshield though, so I didn't know it was illegal.
Thanks for all the informations but I think I might just mount it underneath the middle AC so I need to get a smaller GPS in order for it to fit.
Has anyone mounted it there before?

 

It is illegal to have anything in front of the driver in CA... I have had a Magellan for the past two and a half years, I stick it to the windshield every time I use it, I have never had a cop give me **** about it... I have it, I love it, It is sitting in the back seat of my Audi right now (with a jacket over it of course)...

You can mount it anywhere you want, just make sure the antenna gets a clear view of the sky so it can hit some satellites...

SMo'

 

I was thinking to permanently mount it somewhere but on second thought, I wouldn't want it to be stolen. LOL.

 

Both Garmin and Magellan sell GPS's that have a hookup for an external antenna. They also sell antenna extension kits. What you can do, is buy a GPS with the external antenna hookup, stick the GPS somewhere below the windshield (below dash?), and mount the external receiver to your front/rear window. Here's a link to what I'm talking about:

http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp...0%2D10702%2D00

It is important for the antenna to get a good signal from the outside. There are 24 satellites orbiting around the earth, and the GPS needs at least 4 signals to get an accurate measurement of where you are in the world (3 to triangulate, 1 for elevation). If you're looking to buy a GPS, find one with the interface that you like, and make sure it has the hookup for an external antenna. Personally, I like the Magellan interface... a bit easier to use than Garmin. Same interface that's used in the Hertz Neverlost system.

Driving to/from work, I've seen quite a few people driving with the GPS mounted on the windshield. I'm surprised that more CHP aren't issuing tickets for this. A friend of mine is a CHP officer, and I asked him about the law, and he said he has more important stuff to worry about than looking for drivers with a GPS or other device mounted on the windshield. That's not to say there's not other cops out there who will write you a ticket for this.

 

Thanks for the great info.
Yeah, I don't think I want to take the chance of that ticket.

 

Take the "chance" they wont ticket you for trying to find where your going...

SMo'