GPS Unit Safety?

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bearwithmoi

New member

• Dec 27, 2007

• #1

I'm you don't think I'm going overboard with this question, but do you think about the safety of the actual GPS unit? Is there a best way to mount it?

Here's what I've been wondering. If suction cup mirrors and sunshades can become a projectile in the event of an accident, I imagine the same is true for a GPS, especially because it is heavier. Is there a safer way to mount them? Looking for a new or used car, I don't want to limit myself with only in-dash GPS (they are expensive and not that common), but at the same time I don't want to use something aimed at my head or between the seats to the backseat. I know car rental companies have them mounted from the floor and I imagine that this is for safety reasons.

Does this concern border on ridiculous?

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Dec 27, 2007

• #2

It's not a silly concern - the units can be very heavy and I'm not familiar with how they are mounted.

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Dec 27, 2007

• #3

I have a little cargo area behind the gear shift in my car in which I have mounted my GPS.

While the unit could still become a projectile, it would have to go around the gear shift and a lip area. I think it is safer where it is than it would be on the windshield, but it is still not 100% safe.

I only ever look down at the GPS when I am at a stoplight. Since it talks to me, "In 500 feet, turn right on Maple Street," I don't need to look at it that often.

 

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southpawboston

New member

• Dec 27, 2007

• #4

yeah, i've been wondering about the safety of aftermarket GPS units. they're fairly large and they're usually mounted on the windshield with suction cups. same with aftermarket satellite radio units. some companies sell brackets custom made for your car which screw in to your dash in place of your ashtray, and then the GPS unit or satellite unit mounts to that.

i have a fast-lane transponder (the thing that lets you go through toll booths without stopping, and bills your credit card automatically) mounted with velcro to my windshield next to the rearview mirror . i have no other choice, it has to be there or it won't work. it's smaller than a GPS display but still wonder about it.

 

MomToEliEm

Moderator

• Dec 27, 2007

• #5

In a couple states (I think California is one of them), it is illegal to use the suction cup on the windshield for GPS and other devices (except for fast-pass type devices). Unless there is a permanent mount in the car, it really isn't safe no matter how you secure it (bean bag, suction cup, sticky tape, etc.).

We have a GPS unit and I know it probably isn't too safe as it could be a projectile. I still take the risk as that thing is great. It allows me to drive without worrying about looking at a map or reading street signs.

 

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bearwithmoi

New member

• Dec 27, 2007

• #6

Thanks for the tips of legal issues. Turns out suction cup mounts are illegal in California and Minnesota. Any tips on what people in these states do?

 

Niea

New member

• Dec 28, 2007

• #7

bearwithmoi said:

Thanks for the tips of legal issues. Turns out suction cup mounts are illegal in California and Minnesota. Any tips on what people in these states do?

Click to expand...

I never really looked into it because I don't live in one of those states, but my Garmin unit says to call them if you do and they will supply you with an approved mount. I just don't know what that means.

Personally, I only use my unit when I don't know where I'm going. For 99% of my driving, I know exactly where I'm going. For the remaining drives, I usually have the passenger hold the unit for me or I wedge it into a cup holder and just listen carefully.

I do have a suction mount on my dash, but it's not very good so I don't use it. Nevermind coming loose in a collision -- it sometimes falls off just driving around or while parked! :thumbsdown:

I'm in search for a better solution myself.

 

beeman

Active member

• Dec 28, 2007

• #8

We've got the sticky sided velcro on the dash in the work van, and IMO, there is no way it is going to be coming off. Just my :twocents: . It's a lot better than the suction cups.

 

Niea

New member

• Dec 28, 2007

• #9

Just to be clear, it's not the suction part the falls off on my mount, it's the sticky stuff that the round disk has to attach to my dash. Maybe it's my dash that's the problem (it is a bit textured) or the climate (NM gets pretty hot in the summer and the adhesive tends to melt), but I don't think the velcro stuff would work any better for me.

 

skipspin

New member

• Dec 29, 2007

• #10

I wonder if the cord was secured to something if that would help in a crash? (Hmmm, wrapped 10xs around the handle on the dash?) We use ours in three different vehicles, but only on vacation or when we don't know where we are going, so we can't really permanently mount it. The suction cup does work really well in our vehicles. In the Jeeps we can put it anywhere and it works since they are soft tops, but in DH's truck it has to be in or near the windshield.

 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin

Staff member

• Dec 29, 2007

• #11

The dash mount disc for my Garmin fit neatly into one of the cupholders in the folding console of my minivan. I suction the mounting arm there. It could still fly off in a crash, but at least it's much lower and not in front of anyone's head. Mine is normally in the glove box or at home, I only use it when I'm going somewhere new or on a trip.

 

J

jen_nah

CPST Instructor

• Dec 29, 2007

• #12

southpawboston said:

yeah, i've been wondering about the safety of aftermarket GPS units. they're fairly large and they're usually mounted on the windshield with suction cups. same with aftermarket satellite radio units. some companies sell brackets custom made for your car which screw in to your dash in place of your ashtray, and then the GPS unit or satellite unit mounts to that.

i have a fast-lane transponder (the thing that lets you go through toll booths without stopping, and bills your credit card automatically) mounted with velcro to my windshield next to the rearview mirror . i have no other choice, it has to be there or it won't work. it's smaller than a GPS display but still wonder about it.

Click to expand...

We have the same thing but our's our called toll tags. Mine is mounted in the same place as yours for the same reason. In dh truck he was able to get is down in the bottom left hand corner of his windshied.

Dh has an iPod mount in his truck. I too wonder about it. There is a bracket that is actually attached to the dash under the dash face plate. But, The iPod just sits in it snugly so it could still be a projectile. He is now wanted a GPS unit but I have addressed my concerns on how to safely mount it.