Sat navs

I have read the various threads on satnavs here and elsewhere.  If I buy a satnav it will be my first ever for car or van!  I have looked at various opinions on mounting one and prefer not to use a windscreen sucker but the dash, as we know, slopes down towards the windscreen. Has anyone secured their satnav using the reading board which has the wide hinged clip?
Also (a naive question from a newcomer on satnavs) someone told me that because the Irish Republic don't have post codes, the Tom Tom is not very effective there?

hi,
it is easier to use a postcode but the Irish ones will be different and probably not compatible. You can just enter the address as normal which works normally. Garmin supply a plastic disc which sticks to the dash and the sucker mount sticks to this, there are alternative mountings available. I made a mount which was alongside the radio and worked well despite being low down. If you buy one always check which way it takes you against a map, setting it for large vehicle can take you a long way round. They do take getting used to but are a very useful bit of kit, I use mine every day. Make sure you buy a good make, garmin or tom tom,
chris

You can buy a "weighted" TomTom mat that the sat nav attaches to. Not a perfect solution but works ok.

Thank you both-- Irish question answered!..
On the  weighted mat for the Tom tom..is that the mat with a raised 'beany bag' type surround?

chrisvesey wrote:hi, Garmin supply a plastic disc which sticks to the dash and the sucker mount sticks to this

That's how I have mine mounted.


Although it's an Ebay one rather than genuine Garmin.
The satnav is a Garmin Nuvi 2595 LMT which has a 5" (diagonal) screen and came with lifetime map upgrades and traffic information (via a radio thingy in the supply cable). It also has voice control and pairs with your phone to use as a 'hands free'.

HTH

Frank

We use the weighted 'bean baggy thinghy' placed in the centre of the dash board, and find it excellent...Had ours for several years and have noticed that the newer ones are not round, but have the possibility to use a bigger sat nav, though ours fits fine, despite having a large screen.  HOWEVER, we always use an up to date atlas in conjunction with the sat nav, and are not afraid to over-ride him if we think we know better... He soon re-programmes himself!

For mounting take a look at this type. I've got one for my phone but they also suit sat navs.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CD-SLOT-MOUNT-genuine-British-Sat-Nav-or-Phone-in-car-holder-original-universal-/271473046751?pt=UK_CE_GPS_Accessories_Software_ET&hash=item3f350df4df

I  had a tom tom and with our 2004 boxer I just put the "sucker mount" under the map clip (a bit of a squeeze) but it worked perfectly,nice and solid mounting.We now have a 2012 boxer with a snooper sat nav with a different type of fixing which I have screwed to the now fixed flat map holder the snooper just slides on and off quite easily but again gives a solid mount .I might just add I never leave home without my "navigators Britain"!!

Made a box for mine & stuck it on the dash.

You beat me to it Paul. Looked at the CD slot mounts at Malvern and thought a good idea however they won't fit the Snooper.
Regarding sat navs in the ROI have never had problems with either Garmin or Snooper sat navs. 
I have a reasonable knowledge of the Irish road network and both brands took me the route I expected, would have no reason to doubt TomTom would do the same.

Roli
You can get the CD mounts with various holders instead of the sticky pad. I've actually got this one..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-In-Car-Mobile-Phone-GPS-Sat-Nav-MP3-IPod-CD-Slot-Dash-Mount-Holder-/161386864089?pt=UK_Holders_Mounts&hash=item2593681dd9

but if you search Ebay for 'CD slot phone holder' you will see many different 'jaws' to hold various sized units.

Was shown one like that along with other options.  The only combo of theirs and the existing Snooper mounts that would work is out of the question as it would protrude into the cab area by around 8/9 inches at a point it would get damaged the first time one of us moved from the cab to the living area
Its out of the way where it is its just I would like some of the ledge space where it is. Will show you next time I see you.

I have the beanbag one like a doughnut, but open at the front, have had it for years and find it excellent,  cannot stand the windscreen sticker ones , they fall off, mine sits happily on the dash in what ever position I put it in and never moves.  

I mounted my Garmin sat nav on the clip board ( the new ones don't move but still have the spring clip) on mine using a sticky mount just in front of the clip.
Works fine for me
Allan

Allan.. that was the kind of thing I was thinking about-- Was it possible to use the clip to secure the bottom plate of the sat nav?

Thank you all for your info. and advice.
 Have now bought a tomtom on offer  (not the van option...will check routes against map) and the small 'beany bag' holder that works well in both van and car. In the van, I have clipped the rear under the message board clip.