Alternative GPS Mounts for Your Car

Alternative GPS Mounts for Your Car

Your windshield is not always the best place to mount a portable GPS. These GPS mounts can place your GPS on a vent, in a cup holder or on a dash.

f you've ever wished for a better way to mount your in-car portable GPS, consider mounts that can be placed in a cup holder, on a dash or in a vent. Nobody makes more alternative mounts for GPS devices than Arkon Resources.

Most of these mounts can be ordered with adapters for popular car GPS brands, including Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan. Check the specs on compatibility and adapters, and make sure you have the right adapter before you order.

Macally Adjustable Car/Truck Mount With Extra Long Neck

 

What We Like

• Firm clamps and "feet" hold cases securely.
• Single-button release is handy for quick phone removal.
• Mount fits snuggly even in shallow cup holders.

What We Don't Like

• Over-tightening the mount in the cup holder strips the base.
• Even with the extra-long neck, this design requires the driver to take eyes off the road.
• Mount looks bulky installed in the car.

If you want to get your GPS down and out of the windshield line of sight, consider a cup holder mount. This mount features an extra long neck to give you a safe viewing angle. It has a plastic base that fits into a cup holder, and the base is expanded by twisting to secure the mount firmly in place. The base can be made as small as 2.7 inches or expanded to 3.7 inches, a range that fits most cup holders. The mount can fit devices from 1.7 to 4.1 inches in width, making it one of the most versatile on the market.

Arkon Air Vent GPS Mount

 Amazon

What We Like

• Situates the phone off the windshield but still at a visible height.
• Free replacement for broken clips or other broken parts under lifetime warranty.
• One-button phone cradle release.

What We Don't Like

• No slots in the back plate to release heat.
• Empty mount rattles when the car is underway.
• Vent flaps must be horizontal.

The Arkon removable air vent pedestal is a favorite way to get a GPS off the windshield. This mount places your GPS in a prime location for visibility and within easy reach of the touchscreen. The removable vent clips are widely adjustable, as is the base support of the unit, so it's adaptable to a wide range of vent types and sizes. Some models have swiveling bases that let you change the orientation of the GPS, too.

Arkon Weighted Dash GPS Mount

 Amazon

What We Like

• This mount is great for users with heavy-duty cases like Otterbox.
• Base remains in place on the dash – no slip and slide even on bumpy roads.
• Adhesive hook is included for security on slanted dashes.

What We Don't Like

• Base doesn't sit securely on curved or steeply slanted dashes.
• The suction of the mount to the base is unreliable in sudden braking situations.

If you want to keep your GPS above the dash but don't like the standard suction cup windshield mounts, consider a weighted dash mount. It's a good alternative in states that restrict the use of standard windshield suction cup mounts, and this one is also compatible with cell phones and MP3 players.

Arkin Steel Gooseneck GPS Mount

 Amazon

What We Like

• Supports many Nuvi GPS units.
• Comes with ball mount.
• Includes multiple mounting plates to work in most vehicles.
• Good for large 7 to 8 inch GPS units.

What We Don't Like

• The hardware and ball mount aren't as heavy duty as the gooseneck.

If you're really serious about alternative GPS mounts, consider the flexible steel gooseneck mount. This unit comes with adapters that affix it to a front passenger seat belt, and a plate that can be custom-mounted with a set of three screws anywhere you can find a place to safely and securely drill. You choose which way you want to mount it. Securing it to the front left passenger seat bolt puts the GPS at your fingertips above the center console.

The gooseneck is 15 inches long from floor to mount, and it can be bent and flexed to your preferred position. It holds its position very firmly once it's adjusted. You can also order the gooseneck mount with a windshield suction cup base.

Arkin TomTom EasyPort GPS Windshield/Dash Mount

 Amazon

What We Like

• Windshield suction performs well in hot climates.
• Optional adhesive dash mount.
• For use with large TomTom models.

What We Don't Like

• Only works with TomTom models with the round/spherical back.
• Vibrates with some models while car is in motion.

Arkon's TomTom EasyPort mount can take your XL or ONE model TomTom off the windshield and onto a friction dashboard mount. It also works with a removable air vent mount, a cup holder mount or a lighter socket mount.

Arkon Powered Lighter Socket GPS Mount

 Amazon

What We Like

• Works with Garmin GPS devices with a 17mm ball mount base.
• Stays steady even over bumpy roads with all but the largest devices.

What We Don't Like

• Wobbles a bit with larger Garmin units.
• Power cord is not long enough.
• Placement of lighter/accessory outlet is critical.

We'll wrap up this alternative mount roundup with a unit that can fits into your car's power port. This is an adequate option if you have a power port in the right spot. Not all cars have a good location for it, and it's a bit wobbly due to the limitations of the press-fit into the power port. This mount includes a secondary power port attached by wire that lets you keep the functionality of the power port when the mount is in place.

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