GPS wiring ideas in 2006 RAV4?

[PghRAV4]

Greetings!

Brand new to this wonderful forum... thought I'd ask for ideas from any of you RAV4 gurus out there...

I bought a Garmin i5 GPS (very small, suction cup mountable) for my new 2006 RAV4 (V6 Limited). I'm wondering if there's a way to tap into an available fusebox power spot location to tap the power for it - i.e., rather than use the "cigarette lighter" method (or AA-batteries).

If so, is it smart to cannibalize my DC cigarette lighter power plug to connect it, or is there another better way? I'd like it to power on/off with the RAV4 power on/off (that is, not to stay on when the car is off - to avoid running down the RAV4 battery, however slightly that might be.)

Any knowledgeable (and safe!) ideas would be much appreciated!

[chaslau]

I have a Garmin C340 on my Ltd.

The cigar liter jack does power off when you turn off the ignition. For some reason it is a very tight fit and the jack/ plug does not come off easily.

[rjhoffmann]

Where did you put the Garmin GPS -- I would like to get one -- when money is available -- but I would like to see where it fits. I was thinking of mounting it right in front of the driver. Would it fit there?

[chaslau]

You can get the Garmin units almost anywhere, most big box electronic stores will carry them, as well as amazon.com

I bought mine at amazon.

It mounts easily on the windshield right under the rear view mirror with a very strong suction cup arrangement. The power cord plugs into the mount and on the SP340 it is removable (on the SP330 it is attached and you have to take the whole mount off). The unit have its own internal battery but will power off when the ignition key is off. (unless you let it run on batteries). The GPS unit clips to the mount and removable with a quick release.

There is also a dash mounting plate provided. I am not sure if you can put it on top of the odd shaped instrument pod of the Rav 4 forward of the driver; but placing it on top of the air vents/ radio would be too far to reach. The under the mirror position works well and does not block the view significantly. (not legal in CA) The rear view mirror also shields it from direct sunlight glare on bright days. Unfortunately for the Rav, there is a patch of dot pattern paint on the glass directly forward of the RV mirror preventing you from mounting the GPS higher.

By the way, the GPS unit is very easy to use right out of the box and I have not bothered to download anything from their WEB site yet. I used to have GPS units connected to Laptops and PDA's but they do not have the 3D mapping and voice prompts. These Garmins access the satellites really fast, even sometimes in Car Park structures and thru tunnels; amazing.

It did go blank and erractic a few times driving on backroads in the mountains; but I think there is a Topo Map package that you can buy. The preloaded street maps are terrific for most towns and cities.