I just came back from my first trip in the 350Z using the Garmin nüvi GPS. I upgraded from a Garmin Streetpilot, which was too big and bulky. All I can say is WOW.



The angle of the picture doesnt show it, but the screen does not block the view of the road - I can actually see a part of the wiper above the screen when I am driving, so the entire screen is below the road view.

It is stuck on a black pad that came with it that sticks with 3M double sided tape. The pad is black, so it doesnt stick out like a sore thumb when the GPS is not mounted. The pad is also very smooth (like glass) so the mount suction cup can stick to it. I tried putting it on the windshield, but it would obstruct the view a lot no matter where I put it.

It runs on batteries, and also has a 12v adapter for power. The antenna is integrated into the device itself, and best of all you can take it with you on other vehicles. The thing also plays MP3s, is a language translator, measurements and currency converter, calculator, ebook reader and more. Check out the Garmin product page for more info.

 

Nice, How much was the unit?

 

I've seen them as low as $750 in eBay. I got a good deal through a pre-order. Most internet shops have it for $899 shipped next day air.

 

Sweet set-up. I have been doing some research on portable navi's and I have one question. Will this unit accept voice commands from you?

 

Can you install it in the cubby hole? That would be awesome if you could

 

Nope. It is not THAT sophisticated.

 

Yes, it could be done, but I already have a sat radio receiver in there. If I didn't, I would have installed it there. The nuvi is much smaller than the Garming StreetPilot, so it would fit in the cubby, and for $30 you can purchase an external antenna.

If you wanted to do a really cool install, you would need to purchase a $40 12v adapter (it has a proprietary connector), cut off the cigarette lighter end, and hardwire it to the car's 12v system. You can also use the mount (the arm of the mount comes off very easily) and attach it somehow in the cubby so you can insert the nuvi into it. The 12v connector hooks into the mount. The only problem would be you would have to manually connect the antenna to the nuvi every time you insert it, but that is minor.

 

woudl u rather have this or the pioneer av-1 which have nav and dvd capabilities for about 1100 on ebay?

 

by the way did you repaint your console/dash black?
it looks different

urs is much nicer

 

Hehe, its a silicon spray I bought from a detailer guy. Really makes it looks nice. I only use it when I am showing the car, but it stays on for quite a while. It works wonders on the door panels too. I'll post the name when I find the can.

 

i gotta get it!!
its so pimp

 

Check out the new Garmin 2730. Gps..XM Radio and MP3 player!! It's 5.6 in x 3.2 X 2.0. It should fit in the cubby.

Z

 

I looked at Garmin 2730 and Magellan 760 navi units, but after checking out Garmin Nuvi 350 (Nuvi 360 is also out now, it adds Bluetooth functionality) I decided to get that unit for my Z Roadster. It is the highest rated portable navi system by Consumer Reports. Although it has the same functionality as Garmin 2730 unit, the additional functions (mp3, international travel capabilities, etc.), smaller size, light weight, and portability of Nuvi 350 is what makes it much more attractive.

I plan on getting the Nuvi 350 soon, and was thinking about installing it in the cubby where the original navigation system is installed on navi-equipped Zs. Has anyone installed this unit in the 350Z cubby without external antenna (and if so, do you still get a decent signal), or is the external antenna absolutely required for this type of installation?

Thanks.

 

The factory navigation system mounts it's antenna under the plastic near the center of the dash - this leads me to belive that it can't be that bad. Where an external antenna helps is when you're right on the edge of getting enough signal or not. When I lived up in Washington between the darn trees and rain clouds I found it took forever to get a fix. Down here in sunny tree-less SoCal I'm locked before I back out of the driveway.

 

I have a Garmin C550 and am thinking of getting a Z. Do you think it will fit in the cubby? How about the unit itself, without the munt? Its the exactly the same size as you C330.

 

i bought the garmin nuvi 350 today at best buy for 699$ there was a 100 dollar price drop i believe due to nuvi 360 comeing out with blue tooth(something i dont want).

It fits in the cubby with plenty of room to spare, the signal strenght was all bars maxed out with normal attena.

What am trying to figure out now is what material should i use to make my own ghetto mounting system for the 05 cubby, so far im thinking cardboard or wood, black paint and some velcro.

 

I put a Lowrance Iway 350c in the cubby and it friction fits perfectly. It also has a built in MP3 player that reads off of SD cards. I put a repeater antenna in there so it locks on to sat faster. The main antenna is in the navi antenna stock location.