GPS: Overhead / Rear-View Mirror Installation Mod w/ lots of pics!!

[LandCruiserSteve]

Tubig previously said:

How exactly do you wire the power cable for the GPS? Instead of plugging it in to the Cig Lighter.

I installed a secondary auxillary cig lighter receptacle at the top of the left plastic kick panel (below/behind the dash) and wired that into "switched" fuse terminal via an Add-A-Circuit.

Not only does this end up being the perfect length for the power cable itself, but it also exposes the speaker to the passenger compartment for listening to directions.

I'll post up some pics of that set-up tomorrow.

[LandCruiserSteve]

thubub previously said:

Steve, great fix, forgive my ignorance, is the 276c a current Garmin model, and if not what has it morphed into?

Yep, the 276C is still a current model.

Amazon.com: Garmin GPSMap 276C GPS Navigator and Chartplotter: Sports & Outdoors

However, some upgraded (more expensive) versions have since been added, such as the 376C and the 498. The upgraded units come pre-loaded with various mapping software (which also can be added to the 276) and a weather channel reception capability.

[Tony5150RN]

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

Yep, the 276C is still a current model.

Amazon.com: Garmin GPSMap 276C GPS Navigator and Chartplotter: Sports & Outdoors

However, some upgraded (more expensive) versions have since been added, such as the 376C and the 498. The upgraded units come pre-loaded with various mapping software (which also can be added to the 276) and a weather channel reception capability.

The catch with the weather channel reception and weather maps is that you have to suscribe to XM Satellite service. Being a Sirius guy, this made the models with more bells and whistles unattractive.

[LandCruiserSteve]

Tony5150RN previously said:

The catch with the weather channel reception and weather maps is that you have to suscribe to XM Satellite service. Being a Sirius guy, this made the models with more bells and whistles unattractive.

That's exactly why I went with the 276C. I figured that a good amount of money spent on a straight-forward navigational device (rather than a combination weather radio / Bluetooth / iTune player / coffee maker / baby bottle warmer), the more likely I would end up with a dedicated unit that performs its primary function the best.

[FJ-Ollie]

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

That's exactly why I went with the 276C. I figured that a good amount of money spent on a straight-forward navigational device (rather than a combination weather radio / Bluetooth / iTune player / coffee maker / baby bottle warmer), the more likely I would end up with a dedicated unit that performs its primary function the best.

Overland Journal did a review of 6 different GPSs.
(1) Bushnell ONX 200CR
(2) DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20
(3) Garmin GPSMap 276C
(4) Lowrance GlobalMap 540C
(5) Lorance iFINDER Expedition C
(6) Magellan Crossover GPS North America 2500T

Taken from the review:
"...the Garmin 276C finished as my top choice of the group..."

The only downsides mentioned were that only Garmin proprietary maps can be usd in it. The Lowrance 540C came in a close second but didn't quite make it because it was too bulky and Lowrance has no Auto-routing software for its units.

[LandCruiserSteve]

Tubig previously said:

How exactly do you wire the power cable for the GPS? Instead of plugging it in to the Cig Lighter.

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

I installed a secondary auxillary cig lighter receptacle at the top of the left plastic kick panel (below/behind the dash) and wired that into "switched" fuse terminal via an Add-A-Circuit.

Not only does this end up being the perfect length for the power cable itself, but it also exposes the speaker to the passenger compartment for listening to directions.

I'll post up some pics of that set-up tomorrow.

Here's the Garmin Speaker/Power cable and a pic of its installation right behind and at the top of the driver's side kick panel.





I drilled two holes in the kick panel for feeding a pair of cable ties through to secure the 12V cigarette lighter receptacle to the back side of it.

Even at "5" or "6" (out of 10) on the volume level from the 276C, the speaker's volume nicely fills the passenger compartment with clear sound.

[FJ-Ollie]

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

Here's the Garmin Speaker/Power cable and a pic of its installation right behind and at the top of the driver's side kick panel.





I drilled two holes in the kick panel for feeding a pair of cable ties through to secure the 12V cigarette lighter receptacle to the back side of it.

Even at "5" or "6" (out of 10) on the volume level from the 276C, the speaker's volume nicely fills the passenger compartment with clear sound.

It's amazing how loud these things are. I actually stuck mine in my center console under my fused switch panel. People always ask me where the hell the voice is coming from.

[LandCruiserSteve]

FJ-Ollie previously said:

It's amazing how loud these things are. I actually stuck mine in my center console under my fused switch panel. People always ask me where the hell the voice is coming from.

No kiddin', Ollie. That little thing puts out some hefty sound!!

[p3pete]

Thanks for the great write up! Successfully hard-wired my Garmin NUVI using this thread. Wasn't able to use the same location for the head unit so I put it just to the left of the rear view mirror and ran the power like you did.
Cheers,
Pete

[LandCruiserSteve]

p3pete previously said:

Thanks for the great write up! Successfully hard-wired my Garmin NUVI using this thread. Wasn't able to use the same location for the head unit so I put it just to the left of the rear view mirror and ran the power like you did.

Great!! Post up some pics of your installation when you get a chance.