07 240da, Garmin 545s Install

[Jim240]

I had thought that a Garmin 5XX series would have been a natural install on the late model 240da but I've yet to find any images of it. So, Jim (from BOE) gave me a great price on a 545s earlier this year and here's what it looks like in the dash. It's a pretty simple install... the internal antenna works pretty well too. I used the Garmin bracket and didn't even cut the screws... at this position the upper, port side mounting screw is at it's stock length and the wing nut just barely touched the inner wall when threaded on (it's an acute angle so the deeper you go, the more room you loose).

And yeah, that's an Icom 304 below it that I put in too. It works fine with the Garmin for position out, but it doesn't do position in to the Garmin, get a 422 for that.

 

[RiverRat]

Very nice looking install!!! Wish I had enough room to flush mount my 430...

 

[Nehalennia]

That looks great Jim.
I wish I had that real estate on my dash.
Nice!

 

[chuck1]

Good looking install.:thumbsup:

 

[Kurt]

Looks great, I plan to do the same thing with a Garmin 430 in the same boat. Did you use the flush mount kit that you can purchase or is this a personalized fabrication?

 

[Jim240]

Yes, I used the Garmin flush mount kit, bought it from Jim at BOE. Mine had a nice stick on template for cutting the hole. You can see the flush mount kit as the black piece of rubber. The kit is basically that oversized gasket, a plastic frame for clicking the unit in and a pair of aluminum C-brackets that hold the plastic frame in.

The main reason I posted was to give people an idea of how it looks... I also had some wonder as to how far to port I could before something would hit the inside of the side wall. I like the unit... just wish it had a bigger screen.

Thanks all!

 

[First Born]

Yes, I used the Garmin flush mount kit, bought it from Jim at BOE.

Nice Install :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Bottom Line]

Looks good :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[tphinney]

Super clean install; Jim.

Nice job!

 

[Gunn]

Really nice layout. What was in the spot before you installed the Garmin? Nothing? Seems odd to have that much space from the factory not filled with something. Yours looks like a factory install.

 

[Jim240]

Both spaces where the gps and the VHF are located are empty when delivered from the factory. Searay has options for both a gps and a VHF and they're located where mine are... just different units. To date, I've yet to see a factory install out here...