GPS location in dash
 

Would this be a user friendly location for a 7" GPS/Chartplotter like a Garmin 740s?

[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psd5cb603f.jpg[/IMG]

I've got mine (Garmin 546s) right in front of me, I think that's the best place for it, but I'm boating down here where I have to check it all the time, that wouldn't work for me, good luck with it

If it was my boat I would reconfigure the 12 small gauges and put it in the center of that plate right where it says "34" you have ton of unused real estate there, you could probably fit a 12" screen there.

It depends how far away from you that actual location is. If it's within arms reach relatively easy, it should be fine. If not, it will be cumbersome to use by yourself, especially at speed in rough water.

But the nice thing about it not being directly in front of you, is it will be accessible for a passenger to help navigate if need be also.

It depends on who is driving the GPS. If you are the only one who knows how to use the GPS, the closer the better. That could work. Maybe try mounting it temporarily with this:

3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener TB3560 250/250 Clear, 1 in x 10 ft (Pack of 1): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

... and see how it works for a weekend. That 3M Dual Lock is VERY, VERY strong stuff.

Build a new panel and put it in the center with your small analogs around it.

It would need to be angled. I don't know how well you could see it so flat, in the sun.

I redid this dash and angled the 5208 for the owner

What about something like this?

[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5aa63c59.jpg[/IMG]

That's the ticket there. Vertical and accessible.

I like that better except I would center the GPS on the dash panel and put a tach on either side so it looks symmetrical. Then move the speedo down to the center of the lower panel. You really don't need it up there because you can program the GPS to display speed overplayed on whatever screen you are using.

Oh, and before you commit to that location pull the back side off the panel and make sure there's enough room on the INSIDE of that location to facilitate mounting there. I was going to do the same thing but my fairing was built pretty heavy and did not leave enough open space behind to do it.

Actually you could just get rid of the speedo altogether, you don't really need it with the GPS. Personally I would keep the tachs side by side, but put the GPS on the left hand side of the panel, tachs on the right. That way it is still accessible to you, but a passenger also has easier access to it.

It's all about the angle. When ZP fabricated this one for me , it put the screen at the correct viewing angle for easy viewing and it's also very easy to see in sunlight.

Is it common to ditch the speedo these days when you have a built in GPS?

Yes, no need for the speedo . The screen needs to be straight in front of you. If your looking at it on an angle you won't be able to read it in the sun at all.

That looks good. We have a 740 and really like it. If you mount if vertical you will be able to see it better in bright conditions. We have no problems with that on ours. Plus if you mount it there it is not a big eye shift (position or focus) from looking at where you are going.

Dan

[ATTACH=CONFIG]501493[/ATTACH]

I sat in the boat today and laid it out several different ways until I felt I had what was best. Having it on the left side allows me to use my left hand to make changes on the GPS and be able to keep my right hand on the throttles and not have to worry about pulling the lanyard out and killing the boat. I'm still intrigued with mounting it in the fairing to the left of the original panel. I can easily reach both locations (in the panel and to the left of the panel). Gotta make up my mind quick. My unit will be here tomorrow. I'll probably set it in both locations and see what I think. Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys, I appreciate it.

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...pse14ac6af.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psbd04b588.jpg

Final product.

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...psa68b3e2d.jpg

Looks slick Bill!

Nice job Bill. Have you been out much yet?

Not yet Jason. Maybe today if the weather holds. How about you?