New regulations and laws are in the midst of being past all over the world to reduce the amount of distraction that hand held devices have on a driver.

GPS devices are considered hand held devices and you could be targeted for a ticket if you do not have a proper GPS mount for your car.

Here are some options available for you to safely and legally use your GPS while driving along with things you must do to comply with the law.

Things to Consider

Be Sure The Mount Fits Your Model

There are many different brands of GPS, the most popular being – Garmin, Tomtom, Magellan, Mio and Lowrance.
All brands come with their own adapter mount with either a suction base or lock base that attached to your windshield or dashboard. If you choose a mount or holder below that isn’t suction based you’ll need to make sure the attachments are compatible with the fitting on the back of your GPS.

Positioning Your Mount

In California, New Jersey and Minnesota it is illegal to have a mount attached to your windshield. New legislation was recently passed in California to allow for windshield mounts only if they are at the far bottom left of the windshield or the bottom right on the passenger side. With any mount you do not want to have it in a place that creates a blind spot or obstructs your view of the road.

GPS Mounts and Holders

Suction Mount

Every GPS should come with its own suction mount that can attach to the windshield of the top of your dashboard. The problem with these suction mounts is that it leaves a “footprint” or “ring” when removed that can be pretty hard to get out. This is caused by the rubber heating and leaving a residue on the windshield.

Another disadvantage of this method is that you’ll have to remove your unit GPS manually from the bracket which can be a pain if there isn’t a quick release button. Also having a gps mount in view in your car tells thieves that you may have a GPS located somewhere in the car that they may attempt to steal.

Recommended Mounts

Friction Mount

A friction mount is a weighted pad filled with sand that rests on your dashboard and has a 3-4 inch diameter circle located in the center where you can attach the suction mount that came with your GPS unit. The advantages of this mount is that it is very easy to move from car to car, indoors or hide under the seat.

The mount seems like it would  fall over from a sudden stop or fast acceleration but that does not happen with high quality ones such as these GPS Friction Dashboard Mounts at Amazon, read the reviews there for proof.

Air Vent Mount

If for some reason you do not want a friction mount I’d suggest going with the Arkon Sm329-Sbh Universal Removable Air Vent Mount. It attaches via two prongs that clip onto horizontal or vertical vents usually located above your radio display.

The clips are attached to a GPS holder that comes with adjustable arms that grasp onto a GPS (very universal with other devices as well).

By ensuring that a GPS mount is securely mounted in your vehcile you will not only avoid a potential traffic ticket but you will improve your attention to the road and possibly save your life or someone elses.

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