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It seems like there are basically 2 different mounting positions for a Lowrance unit, or in a custom center console. I'm considering mounting mine on the dash, but relocating the fire extinguisher is certainly possible... I did a search but didn't come up with much. After about 10 min of digging through build profiles I threw in the towel. For the sake of a clean look I'm leaning towards relocating the extinguisher. Anyone have pics of it mounted on the dash, or of where you mounted yours?

5-8" it makes sense to mount on the dash or in a custom console..

10"(baller GPS) it only makes sense to mount it lower to the floor or a custom console.

Where will you mount your antennae?

D1cker1 wrote:Where will you mount your antennae?

Antenna is internal on the HDS models, so no plans to mount one unless I run into lots of lost signal problems. I haven't heard of alot of problems with that, so hopefully I won't need it.

I'd say mount on the floor, or get an expedition center console Michael. The expo center console is perfect for the 8". Take a look at my thread, I have a few pics up.

The 8" and 10" GPS are actually in the same size housing, just one has a bigger screen (Andy and I have compared them. ). Only one I would mount on the dash is a 5".

Fire extinguisher by the seat, GPS in its place for now. And then start searching for the center console.

I'd say higher up mounting for a 5" for sure. Anything above that is questionable. Maybe 7" go console and 8" or above is fine on the floor (or closer if you want).
Tony had his 8" on the floor and it was easy to read from the seat still. I made brackets to put Andy's i the same spot. This one is a 10" though.
A center console does get the thing a bit closer to you, so those are nice too, but a bit more work depending on what you do.

Or.... you can always use the handy dandy "co-pilot lap mount" as well. I brought my 8" along for the Baja run a couple years ago when I rode with Matt & he didn't have a GPS. Just have the co-pilot bring their own GPS and you'll save some cash. I've got a cigarette lighter power cord deal I made for mine that made it quick & easy to use in any rig.

Watching Matt pass me with Steve staring at his crotch made me laugh until i cried..

yup - everybody thought I was just scared and praying. Little did you know it was more like:
"3 up sweeping left in 100"

No pictures but mine is mounted above where the rear view mirror is. Great visability but pushing buttons on anything but smooth road or standing still is out of the question. When playing with different features my arms get real heavy too.

I'll try and snap a picture at lunch today.

My dash pad is toast so plans are to build a fiberglass "housing" to put it where the radio is and move the radio and stereo to another location (maybe right next to it). My truck is more utility oriented so this may not work for everyone. I need some sort of lap timers up there too so we can track our guys.

Expedition Center Console:








5" vs. 8"


8"

Well I have tried 3 positions
Best is top of the dash on top of the radio
The custom console looks great and I could not reach the thing with out unbuckling or wearing very loose belts
The other drawback is bad reflections - bad enough to cause me to go to the top of the dash.
On top you can use the tilt feature for the stock mount to eliminate reflections.
Pull the radio and add a doubler of 3/8" plywood or 1/4" Al.
On the top add a shim to compensate for the depression in the dash
Do not be tempted to cantilever the thing toward the driver.
You loose the stiffness of the doubler and shim and the thing will shake a lot.

The 3rd position I tried was in front below the radio with ash dray delete. Same issue as the console. NG.
I reserve that place for gauges and switches and it will get a redo with proper gauges and eliminate the temporary cheepe ones.
PaulW

Little smaller than what your running but heres mine

Thanks for the ideas guys. Any advice on wiring? Seems like installation directions advise say to wire to battery. I was thinking to wire to ignition. How have you guys done it?

Mine is wired through the fusebox on the drivers side, I have it wired to hot, so I can always run it, whether the ignition is on or off.

tcm glx wrote:Mine is wired through the fusebox on the drivers side, I have it wired to hot, so I can always run it, whether the ignition is on or off.

x2

I went one step further and added a switch so I can kill all power to it since some say the antenna stays powered and can kill your battery if left sitting a long time.

X3 marine fuse block under the hood for after market goodies

I mounted HDS-8 on top of dash on both 89 bronco and 95 F350. I sit high enough that they do not obstruct my view.

I saw a raptor today with a really nice dash mounting bracket. It brought the unit a little further out than the lowrance bracket. I never ran a big screen unit like some of you, I had mine mounted on the dash, I like having it in my line of sight.

Here it is

Let's try again...