Customer Reviews

HDCSXL: Extra Large Hard Shell Case For Garmin, TomTom, Mio GPS with 4.3" Screen

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There are two types of GPS carrying cases out there. There are small, light, clip-to-your-belt cases that are good for carrying your unit when you leave the car for a while, and don't want to leave your GPS behind to tempt thieves. But it's also nice to have a safe and sturdy place to store your GPS between trips. This just might work for you.

I use the case to hold my NUVI and a spare power cord. The cigarette lighter adapter on my main cord self-destructed once, and since then I've always carried a spare with me. The main power cord I leave attached to my beanbag-like "Garmin portable friction mount" (a must-have item for NUVIs, much better than a suction cup on your windshield), and just wind it a couple of times around the base. The friction mount, and this case, stack up nicely on a shelf until I need them, and then I have only two things to grab and take with me.

One reviewer mentioned the suction cup mount won't fit inside the case along with the NUVI and power cord. I threw mine away, so I can't say either way. If you are still using the suction cup, and want to stow it with your GPS, this case probably isn't for you. But if you use the friction mount, and want to bring a spare power cord handy, this works great.

Case is hard shell for protection. The photo appears to show what looks like a Garmin Nuvi to me with the adaptor and dash mount tucked neatly in the pocket of the case. Forget it. There is probably enough room for it all, but unless your dash mount folds flat it does not fit as shown. Even removing the GPS clip from the swivel ball mount, you are still left with the rigid ball arm and base that simply does not fit as shown. If you try and use the storage pocket, you simply cannot close the case as the suction base presses on the unit. Can you make it fit? Sure, by sticking the suction base along side the GPS unit itself and not using the pocket as shown and somewhat forcing the case closed. Don't know about other makes, but I do not recommend whatsoever for Garmin Nuvi.

While this is a great protective case and will keep your Nuvi fairly safe, the photo used to promote the item is misleading. I like the unit but I have a Garmin Nuvi 765 and just a s the previous poster wrote the windshield mount will not fit in the case properly. The mount has a rigid ball as part of the mount and that is the piece that will not safely fit in this case. Yes you can force it but that is taking a chance that if you drop the case it will press upon your screen and possibly damage it. Otherwise it's an excellent case and will allow you to store most of the other components you need to take store. The area you see in the photo with the net mesh is where you store the accessory items. Good solid material and well manufactured, strong zipper. I give it 3 stars more if the photo was changed.

Bill

Only case I found that had even this much room. Great protection for GPS. Wish it had room for the dash mount as well so I could keep all the pieces together.

I bought this case for my TomTom 340 XL after much deliberation and reading a lot of reviews. It holds the TomTom perfectly and seems to cradle it protectively in the soft foamy indentations for it. My cord with the traffic unit fits in the mesh pocket inside the case. So both my TomTom and the cord that it needs to use it fit nicely inside this case!

This case was exactly what I was looking for. I have a 4.3" TomTom plus the power cord and traffic antenna. Everything fit nice and snug. The case does come with an insert that is intended to cradle the gps but I had to take it out to fit everything in. The insert would perhaps come in handy if I had a smaller gps unit. Overall I would recommend this product.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 780 (4.3" screen) and it fits fine. The case has plenty of space, though doesn't fit all the cords and accessories (picture may be deceiving; depends on model/size of cords/type of mount). This case will comfortably hold the GPS, USB cable, plus other small accessories. It does not hold the window mount (suction cup) or power adapter (my model) without cramming.

The case is tough, but not a true 'hard shell'. The zipper and stitching are fine. With the removable inner padding/cradle the GPS unit will be thoroughly protected. The inner mesh pocket is good, but not stitched straight across. The shell itself is not padded on the inside.

My main gripe is that there is not a second elastic band to hold the GPS in its side of the case. This means that when you open the case the GPS could fall out. So what I've done is move the inner padding into the mesh pocket and place the GPS unit in there, but now this means the accessories won't be held in place on the other side.

Overall it is still a good product, especially for the low price. Other cases I've seen have only enough space for the GPS unit alone. I wanted some additional space, so this case works for me. There's enough space you could have two units in the one case.

This is a good case for the price. The only thing better would be if it would hold the mount as well as the cords for the Garmin Nuvi.

Have you ever seen a clam shell with a handle? That's probably why this one doesn't have one either. The product is good. It provides great protection to the wide screen Garmin Nuvi 780. Even with leather protection sleeve, it all fits. Like I said, it wasn't meant to be carried around. You can't. It's slippery and it has no handle. Was that an oversight or a design flaw? I'll keep it but it just stays in the car anyway. The Nav goes with us in my wife's purse or my video bag.

There are several reviewers who stated that the window suction cup mount won't fit inside this case with the actual unit. This is incorrect, with a minor change. There is an insert in one half of the case clamshell that is supposed to be form fitting for the GPS unit to fit in. This pops out easily and increases the available space just enough to include the window mount inside the case. It goes like this...

Remove the insert.
Place the GPS in the mesh pocket area.
Place the divider over the GPS to protect it some more.
Place the suction cup with the cup next to the GPS, along the zipper side.
Place the charger on top of all this.
Zip it up, everything fits!

I've included pictures to illustrate this and it works great. Nothing rattles around and the screen stays safe from damage. PERFECT solution in my opinion.