Mounting a Garmin 7408 on a Pedestal Guard

[Loopy]

Thoughts?

The guard has two metal brackets, you can unscrew the knobs on either end of the GPS enough to get it to sort of fit in there but not tigheten them.

Don't feel like spending $400+ for a plastic box (Navpod).

It seems like there should be some sort of plastic appendages for sale that you could screw in to either side with the knobs...and then snap those appendages into the pedestal guard but can't seem to find such a product.

 

[knuterikt]

It’s probably possible to get something made, a picture would help.

 

[skipmac]

What about something like this? Mounted my Garmin 740 like this and very happy with it.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/plotter_mount_edson

 

[ex-Gladys]

Take a look at the Scanstrut Rokk mounts, they sell adaptor plates which fit the bracket that comes with the plotter, and are available in deck or rail mount. They are highly adjustable...

No connection just a happy customer

 

[Tomaret]

That’s exactly what I have for my Garmin 720 - I remove the chartplotter from the bracket when I leave the boat but it takes less than 30 seconds to refit.

 

[skipmac]

View attachment 68901

That’s exactly what I have for my Garmin 720 - I remove the chartplotter from the bracket when I leave the boat but it takes less than 30 seconds to refit.

I seriously considered mounting my plotter on top the pedestal guard like this for several reasons.

- Most visible location and closer to your line of sight.
- our of the way of the binnacle, farther from the compass (the Garmin 740 has a magnetic closure on the SD card door) and clear of the engine controls
- Could use the existing guard. My installation required buying a taller guard to make room for the plotter and still be able to see the compass, clear the controls, etc.

After a lot of thought I rejected this location and wend for the mount in my photo. the reason was the potential vulnerability of the higher location.

- Over the years I have had lines and sheets occasionally catch on the binnacle. If that happened the line would surely hang solidly on the plotter with probably drastic results.

- Anyone crossing the cockpit if they lose balance by reflex they will reach for the closest support to keep them from falling. With the plotter the highest point it might be the grab point or just what someone bumped into when he/she tripped.

 

[Tomaret]

Skipmac,

I don’t doubt that yours is the more elegant, but I suspect more expensive solution. I would have to raise the head of my three legged binnacle to accommodate a platform above the instrument pods and I needed a bolt on solution for a delivery trip three days after buying the boat. I have to say I haven’t yet experienced the problems you mention, but I can see that they could be an issue.

Mark

 

[skipmac]

Skipmac,

I don’t doubt that yours is the more elegant, but I suspect more expensive solution. I would have to raise the head of my three legged binnacle to accommodate a platform above the instrument pods and I needed a bolt on solution for a delivery trip three days after buying the boat. I have to say I haven’t yet experienced the problems you mention, but I can see that they could be an issue.

Mark

I saw the third leg on the binnacle but didn't look very close. I thought it was just some kind of bracket or adapter that just extended just far enough to mount the GPS. Have to say this is the first time I've heard of a three legged binnacle guard. I like it. The extra strength can't hurt. More than a few times I have have fallen against or grabbed the guard with a lot of force and wonder what kind of strain or torque that puts on the two legs mounted on the cockpit floor.

For me the whole mod including a taller guard (found new on fleaBay), platform, SS bits was about $225. I would speculate a new, taller three legged guard by itself would be well over that.

So if a funny wave ever makes the boat lurch and tosses you against the guard think fast. Is it better to grab the GPS and break it or fall and break me? With the NHS it might be cheaper to break you but less desirable in other ways. :encouragement:

By the way, not sure if my solution is more elegant but it does reduce the odds of me breaking something expensive as I stumble about the boat.

 

[Tomaret]

Three “legs” is a misnomer - the third “arm” doesn’t go all the way down to the deck, but does complicate making changes, given where I’d need the extra height to accommodate and protect the chartplotter.