I just got a Garmin i3 GPS, but apparently it is illegal to windshield mount in California. It comes with a dashboard sticky mount but i heard that it is permanent and may damage the dashboard.
-Any ideas how to mount it safely?
-What is a good way to run a wire (cigarette lighter in center console) to driver side dash where im thinking of mounting it?

 

huh ? do u happen to have the vehical code ? thats a first.

ive had no problems with my tomtom one

 

California Vehicle Code Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71)

I was thinking of placing the windshield suction mount where the light is right next to the sunroof controls. Do you think this will be a problem since that area heats up a bit when the light is on? It seems to stick there; but running the wire is still a problem.

 

.... just put it on the window.

read California Vehicle Code Section 26708(b) carefully and affix accordingly...

who told you it was illegal anyway..?

 

i didnt know it was illegal i see a lot of people with those
is it really illegal??

California VC
26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.

(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.

(3) This subdivision applies to a person driving a motor vehicle with the driver's clear vision through the windshield, or side or rear windows, obstructed by snow or ice.

 

California Vehicle Code Section 26708(b)

This section does not apply to any of the following:

.........

 

The Garmin website states:

NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA: State law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota from using suction mounts on their windshields while operating motor vehicles. Other Garmin dashboard or friction mounting options should be used. Garmin does not take any responsibility for any fines, penalties, or damages that may be incurred as a result of disregarding this notice. (See California Vehicle Code Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71)


Aside from this, do you think it will work placing the suction cup on the light near the sunroof controls, without damaging it from the heat in that area?

 

^^ oh...... damn.. geez...

putting it where you want to there... um.. not gonna work very well....

no.. bad idea. and it'll look bad too... and i'd figure it'd be even a worse spot than to just mount it on the windshield..

besides... depends on the cop.... he probably won't really care...

 

ive known people get hassled when they have things dangling from their rear view mirror but for a cop to remember this vc would be your bad day. i have mine mounted right next to the pillar.

im assuming this is what you got ?

 

I wouldn't worry about it... I see lots off people with windshield mounts and I've never heard of anyone getting pulled over for it. This vc even applies to any types of decals that people put on their windshields. Even if you were pulled over and a cop sees it, I'm sure the worst they would do is tell you to take it down.

 

I think it's weird you californians put up with all of that BS. Just get some pitchforks.

 

i think not having hurricanes, floods, snow=rust makes it up living in california

 

I've got an i5 and it sits in the cup holder nicely.

 

I'd take blizzards and tornados any day, than have the ground start shaking under my feet

 

The difference is that we don't know when the ground is gonna start shaking. It may happen today, it may not happen for another 30 freakin' years. And when it does shake, it's usually too small to notice unless your sitting absolutely still.

You, on the otherhand, get hit by tornados and blizzards EVERY YEAR for months at a time.

Forget that nonsense! I'll put up with a little shaking!

 

For those of you who do this or might know? Is the signal still strong if not placed on the windshield, but instead placed in the cup holder or the space below the climate control? And in general, on portable GPS devices, do they need a DIRECT view to the sky?

 

I'm surprised you guys never knew about that law before, its illegal in NY to have Dice in the mirror or anything for that matter hanging from the mirror. One time i was in my friends car and we got pulled over for "Driver with an obstructed eyeline." The flatfoot proceeds to then take out a pair of scissors,thats right he had scissors in his cruiser, and cut the string of the dice that were hanging from the mirror.

LAME!

 

They used to have them, until the passed another law banning pitchforks.

Because, obviously, if you have a pitchfork, you are a murderer. Such is logic in the legislature of California.

California, no doubt about it...

(i'm kidding btw, but not really!)

 

Getting back to your question... I spliced thru the cig lighter... it's really easy... Buy a cig lighter extension cord, then splice it into the cig lighter. Then connect the i3 from behind.
Btw, I had mine dash mounted for half a year, and on a hotttttttt day, you can easily peel it off the dash with NO damage. Enjoy! Let me know if you want pics of my setup.
Note: Please disconnect your battery before attempting to touch live wires!

 

I have had an i3 for about a year now, and I have been impressed with how great it works, and the small screen is big enough to see clearly, but most of the time I just listen for the voice..I use mine mostly for vacation, and I have driven all over California with it stuck to the windsheild or various rental cars, right below the mirror...Never had a problem..

It would be cool to get the remote antenna, then you could have it in the cupholder, or even in the space below the radio...They are only like $30 too..