GPS Car Mounts
What are the Alternatives?

GPS car mounts are normally the suction cup devices you stick on the windshield. However, if you travel through many different areas, you might find that these types of mounts aren't always the best. Some municipalities banned the obstruction of the driver's vision by any device. Even if you can see clearly, it might not be correct "in the eyes of the law."

The second most common place to mount the GPS is on the dashboard of the car. Many of the GPS car mounts offer a black disk you stick to your dash that allows your suction cup to stick. However, these also are permanent, or at least leave damage when you remove them. Therefore, they may not be a viable alternative for those leasing or trading in vehicles every few years.

What other options are there?

There are a host of creative mounts that fit everywhere from the cup holder to the vent in the dash.

You don't attach these permanently to the car so they won't leave a mess when you remove them. While all of these types of mounts have benefits and negatives, they are useless if your GPS system doesn't receive the satellite signal. Make sure it has access to the skies when you mount it.

You might consider a Garmin dashboard mount as your choice for mounting. They offer several GPS car mounts besides the one that comes with the GPS system.

One particularly popular style is the four-legged weighted (beanbag) friction mount. This GPS car mount is heavy enough you don't have the GPS system flying even when you're not driving like a "grandma." Yet you can easily remove it from the window to store out of sight to reduce the potential of theft.

If you're traveling in an area with visibility restrictions, you can move it to any other spot in your car to keep you ticket-free.

The cup holder mount may be your ideal solution. However, you must make sure that the cup holder location allows you to view the GPS clearly and lets it receive the signal. Some cars, such as the Honda Accord can't use the cup holder mount. My Buick doesn't even have cup holders in the front.

If you run out of options, there are always air vent GPS mounts. In most cases, you can easily see these removable air vent GPS car mounts. They are normally close enough you can use the touch screen if necessary. These are removable and adapt to many different sizes and types of car vents.

A more permanent solution is a gooseneck mount made of flexible steel. You attach it to the front passenger seat bolt. Because it's flexible, you select the position you want it and it holds that shape. This allows you to choose the ideal position for your GPS unit. It also comes with a windshield suction base, if you prefer to mount it that way.

One ingenious alternative is the powered lighter socket GPS mount. They plug into your car's lighter and power port. Of course, if the opening is not in the right location, this option is useless. One big plus is the secondary power port that lets you use the lighter outlet as a power source for a phone or other device.

With all the options available, you're sure to find one of the GPS car mounts that fit your needs. You're no longer stuck with a suction cup that sometimes melts into the windshield or leaves a permanent gummy circle on your dash.

You don't have to leave telltale signs to potential thieves that there is valuable equipment in the car. You'll find ample options for GPS mounting available with one just perfect for your needs.