Powering Garmin Nuvi 2495 from Car USB port?

Polybear · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 30, 2005 Posts: 27

Hi all,
I have a new car that has a very convenient USB port on the dash. Can I power and use my Garmin from this port in any sensible way? At the moment the Sat Nav goes into Data Transfer Mode when I try this (presumably because the USB is 5v and not 12v?) and I can't get the sat nav to go into navigation mode. I've seen a trick on youtube which involves unplugging and replugging the usb cable, but this isn't the way i wish to go because sooner or later one of the usb connectors is liable to give up the ghost due to repeated unplugging etc.

Any ideas please?
Thanks
Brian

sussamb · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 2:56 pm Post subject:

Voltage has nothing to do with it, both your USB lead and the Garmin lead that plugs into your power socket provide 5v to your nuvi. Provided you're not expecting traffic on your nuvi then you can use the USB lead but you need a lead that is designated as a power only lead and not a data lead, as the latter will switch your nuvi to PC mode as you've discovered.
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Polybear · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 30, 2005 Posts: 27

Many thanks - would something like this be suitable:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262670695438?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

- though I'd prefer a right-angle mini usb connector on a short usb cable if I can find one.

Many thanks
Brian

sussamb · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:05 pm Post subject:

Sorry no idea. It says it's a power cable but who knows for sure how it's been wired. At that price though you could just try ... or ensure you can return it if necessary.
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M8TJT · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:13 pm Post subject:

If your 2495 is the LMT version, the traffic will almost certainly NOT work as sussamb implied above. They have done something 'special' with the power lead to enable the traffic as well as the lead being the aerial for traffic reception and any old power cable just will not do it. Believe me, I've tried.

Kremmen · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 4:25 pm Post subject:

Me too, got the scars.

Trying to power into navigation mode from a USB is very hit and miss.

Why are you trying to omit the normal power socket ?
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Polybear · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 30, 2005 Posts: 27

Thanks for the replies. I realise I'll lose traffic (on a longer run I'd revert to the standard cable). The usb idea will create a much neater installation that will be completely hidden from view simply by closing a sliding door on the dash. The 12v socket is down by the handbrake, meaning a trailing lead having to be fitted and removed every time, otherwise I risk some scrote thieving the sat nav (and doing a lot of damage in the process).

Plan 2 will be to fit a mini 12v socket close to the sat nav location, and using the correct Garmin lead in order to drop to 5v.

Many thanks
Brian

Kremmen · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 7:11 pm Post subject:

That's what I've done.

I wired in a female power socket behind the dash and I can then use the original cable.
My installation only shows about 4" of cable from the base of the A pillar to the unit.

My second ploy is a Garmin dashboard mount that has a quick release mechanism that a microfibre can be dumped on top of and completely hides the mount.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-010-10747-02-Dashboard-Mount/dp/B000F7689A

Once you press the mount release button and remove the bit with the ball (Nuvi still attached) all that is left behind, under the microfibre, is the thin bit with Garmin printed on it so is easily concealed, quickly.
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

b33jay · Lifetime Member Joined: Apr 05, 2012 Posts: 255

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