Well, I finally broke down and bought a handheld GPS unit. I decided on getting the Garmin eTrex Vista. The picture below is of it mounted on the dash of my truck.

I purchased the Garmin vehicle mount and used some 3M double sided tape. I mainly got this for hiking, but since it also allows downloads of detailed city maps and comes with a basic road atlas (not to mention various locating goodies), I decided to place it in my truck as well.

So far it seems to be holding up well on the dash, but I am a little curious as to whether or not the 3M tape will discolor my dash if I were ever to remove this. I intend to permanately mount the DC adapter behind the dash in a manner similar to how I installed my XM radio but I will wait to see how this mount holds up to the abuse first.

Those of you that have an eTrex, where do you typically mount these at? I have seen the R.A.M. mount in Cabelas and it looks to be a more permanent mount, just more stable than mine.

 

I just got the same unit but I got the Vista C. I used that same mount but I mounted it just to the left of rear view mirror it is a great place. I will try and get a picture.

I don't have the unit or half of the mount in this picture but you can see where I put it.

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nice ...

 

I have a Garmin Legend. I usually put it in the pull out cup holder under the A/C controls. Not quite a slick mod, but it works well. I can see it, and it stays put. I do have a mount for it on the four wheeler, which is why I bought it.

 

I have an etrex legend. I rarely use it in my truck; when I do, it just gets flopped up into the tray ontop of the dash.

I do have a ram mount for it on my boat. Great mount, but don't know how it would work out on a truck. You'd either have a 3m tape version, or a screw/throughbolt version. I can't see the tape version holding too long, with the weight of the unit and the weight of the mount, I'd think a good solid bump would rip it right off.

 

I used double side foam core tape on the round Ram base on the dash of my previous toy truck (Ranger - now I have a F150 F4X real truck) It was just as a temporary try-out of the location for an Etrex Vista - It held so well I left it for 2 years. No screw holes and it peeled off with no residue or cleanup needed. The 3M is probably much better tape and might come off hard? Try removing it once before it gets to sun-baked on there? How do auto body guys get body mouldings off - heat gun, solvent? Looks like you have the Garmin mount which is flimsy but sits nice and low on the dash. Ram mounts are sturdy but the long stem is akward for a dash mount so I dont use it in my new real truck, just lay it in the tray. I use Ram mounts on everything else, boat, bike, ATV, lawnmower, lawn chair, beer can etc. One truism with a GPS - you can be lost but still know exactly where you are or you can know where you are and still be lost. That's the beer can effect.

 

I have a windshield mount for my eTrex...