Customer Reviews

Garmin Auto Navigation Kit

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Auto Navigation Kit is a must-have accessory to be able to use the iQue while driving. The mount is extremely flexible for orienting the unit for best viewing. I have used it on three different dashboards without any problems. The non-slip base keeps its grip even in hard maneuvers. The speaker that is built into the power cord is clear and it can be turned up to a high volume to overcome road noise. I made a sunscreen hood to reduce the glare on the iQue screen using matte black cardboard and Velcro. I would consider this a must-have accessory too.

Once you start using the Auto Navigation Kit for the
iQue 3600 you might wonder why Garmin left it out of
the iQue 3600 package. Its what makes the iQue 3600
usable as a vehicle GPS unit.

I have used it both in light-to-medium offroading,
and in a car with a sloping and smooth dash. In either
case the bean bag mount gripped the dash securely and
stayed put despite my apprehensions that it would come
off during unfavorable road conditions.

The unit includes a speaker and a volume control
and allows you to hear turn-by-turn directions in
an amplified voice. Note however that if you really
turn up the volume, it causes significant distortion.
The base that connects to the iQue 3600 can be
rotated to face any direction, and also comes off
if you want to use the connector w/o the bean bag
mount.

I purchased the navigation kit but found that when driving a bit sporty, the kit does not stay on the dashboard at all, landed on the floor each time. Eventually placed it on the center console but that is not the right spot to look at the iQue 3600.
Bought the windshield suction cup and found that that works 100 times better than this navigation kit.
Unless, you have a flat dash board and do the 0-60 mph in about a minute or more, don't buy this kit but go for the suction cup.

If you bought an iQue 3600, you need to buy the Auto Navigation Kit. First of all, it acts as a charging cradle in the car, so you don't have to worry about battery life while driving. Secondly, it has an amplified speaker which will let you hear the spoken turn directions even over your stereo. You may not like the "bean-bag" mount that it uses, but it's currently the best option available, unless Garmin makes a similar mount designed to clip to a vent or somewhere else more permanent. On a final note, I've never seen the bean-bag slip, no matter how fast I've driven.

This gadget is sort of a four-lobed bean-bag with a sticky, rubbery material on the bottom. It doesn't move much on the dashboard, but I wonder if it should even be there.

The instructions are pretty emphatic that you shouldn't put the device in your line-of-sight and it shouldn't rest on an airbag. That would banish it from my Ford Focus and limits it's place in my Honda Odyssey. I'd have preferred something that stuck to the windshield with suction cups, like a radar detector.

The device and the mounting base the iQue 3600 sits in are bulky. I've used mine on business trips and it takes up more space in my carry-on than I think it should.

The mounting bracket that holds the PDA has a couple of screws that allow you to adjust the bracket so you can turn the screen towards you and place it at a convenient angle. I lost one of the screws in a rental car and can't get help from Garmin to replace it. If you buy one of these, watch out for the pieces.

The navigation capabilities of the iQue 3600 are fantastic. One really must have this Auto Navigation Kit in order to take full advantage of the unit.

"Friction Mount" in this case means that the unit is attached to a bean-bag base with high-friction rubber underneath so it doesn't slide around your dashboard.

Aside from a major collision, it will stay where you put it. Only problem is viewing the screen up on top of the dash. Too much glare, except at night. Am thinking of an external antenna, but that's another 60 to 90 bucks. Otherwise, wonderful.

The friction mount makes it easy to use my IQue in the car. It keeps the screen in easy view, and the speaker on the plug makes it easy to hear the turn by turn directions. I am very glad I invested in the auto navigation kit.

It does work best on a flat dash board. The dash in our suburban slopes away toward the windshield, so you have to turn the GPS sideways to keep the antenna from hitting the windshield. My sedan has a flatter dash and it works perfectly.

You will be able to locate the unit pretty much any place on the dash where you can stand a coke can.

You might get the impression from reading the other reviews here that this device never loses its grip even under off-roard conditions. Sorry to say but this isn't true. At least on my sloping dash, I have had to place it on top of one of those "sticky pads" to get it to stay in place at all. And it still isn't really that secure. As others have said here, it would be hard to live without now. The unit is very flexible in positioning the iQue for best visibility, and the charging cable/speaker is great, though a bit bulky around the power plug. Still, until something better comes along this is probably your best choice.

I've had my ique 3600 for over 2 years now and have only used this auto mount. This is a simple product and it works, but due to poor manufacturing I have 2 now, I replaced my original a few months ago. If you don't take it out of your vehicle often it will extend the life of this product. I switch between the company vehicle and my own, this is what is making my auto mount break over time. I took apart my old one and i saw that the wires became off where they were soldered which resulted in no power getting to the unit. My second unit still works to keep my ique working in the car, it just has no sound since the wiring for the speaker has a short in it somewhere. radioshack is selling these on clearance but low in stock.