California law regarding suction cup for gps??

05-30-06, 07:09 PM

Can somebody please clarify this info: according to buygpsnow.com that it is legal...but I read here that it is illegal.

http://www.buygpsnow.com/forum/defau...?g=posts&t=629

Thanks in advance.

jackb_guppy · 05-30-06, 07:55 PM

The question is blocking the view.

Remember those "Baby on board" signs. Those all illegal in CA (and most states) because they block the view of the driver.

I use my suction cup on the passener side of the vehicle, to prevent any part of my view from being blocked, like the rear view mirror does because I am tall.

I would suggest if you have a question, got the near CHP office and ask them directly to understand the conflict between these two laws.

05-30-06, 08:07 PM

I didn't dig through the links, but I do not see any conflict between the two citations. 26708 says you can't stick anything to the windows (which is somewhat crazy.... vans, for example are built with and without side windows - so why can't you cover them?) while 27602 talks about video displays visible to the driver. Together, I read them as saying you can have a navigation screen visible to the driver, but it can't block the windshield or windows.

05-30-06, 08:08 PM

Many states say anything higher than the windshield wipers is illigal.My gps is mounted on the dash and never had any problems in Texas.

dlweston · 05-30-06, 08:36 PM

Just got to http://www.proclipusa.com/vehiclemou...clemounts.aspx and check out their vehicle mounts. I bought the one for my 2003 Ford E-150 (full size van). My Seidio G2500 screwed right on to it and put it in a perfect place and does not block my view. If they make one for your vehicle, they just snap in place.

solara · 05-30-06, 10:21 PM

I drive with a suction mount on the left lower corner of my front windshield. It definitely does not block my view of the road, which is really the intent of the law.

One of my friends has a suction GPS mounted (Garmin) in the lower, middle of his car. A cop was stopped next to him at a stoplight, and commented on how small the GPS was. Either the cop was not really aware of such a law, or forgot about it, or didn't care (more likely). Unless the mount is obviously obstructing your view of the road, I don't think most cops would care.

Edit: Reading the 27602 Vehicle Code, it's obvious that a GPS is legal to use, BUT it makes no mention of whether the GPS can be windshield mounted. Reading the intent of the law, I'd say it mainly applies to the dash-mounted GPS systems. 27602 is meant to prevent drivers from operating/viewing distracting equipment while driving (TV, etc.). 27602 deals with visual equipment mounted forward of the driver's seat. 26708a deals specifically with ANTYHING affixed to the windwhshield.

So if a cop were to pull you over and was having a bad day, I'd say they could cite you and it'd be hard to contest if you go by the letter of the law. Though a judge could overlook such a citation if they take into account the spirit of the law (obstruction of view).

05-31-06, 12:54 PM

Thank you guys for your opinion, I think I will have to check with CHP on this to be sure.

MAXimX50v · 06-02-06, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by newbie101

Thank you guys for your opinion, I think I will have to check with CHP on this to be sure.

Hmm. The X50v running TT is stuck on the windshield, and the radar detector is up there too. Then there is the EZPass RFID box velcro'd to the glass. I'm thinking about getting a Sirius satellite radio receiver, and that would go up there too on it's own suction cup. Wow, I hope each one doesn't get it's own ticket if I ever get cited while driving through some state with revenue-hungry cops! Or maybe I just need a vehicle with a bigger windshield...

06-02-06, 07:43 PM

Now that's some bling bling on your windshield. just be careful. good luck.

jevans64 · 06-03-06, 02:00 AM

I used my suction-mounted Axim w/ TT5 while visiting relatives in CA. The police had several opportunities to cite me but they didn't. My unit was mounted using the Arkon powered mount on the left side. The suction cup was right next to the windshield frame and the Axim was positioned to where it was in front of the frame and level with the top of the steering wheel. It didn't obstruct my view.

I understood 27602a and the exclusions to mean factory-installed GPS systems and not user-installed; however, I believe this is mainly intended to discourage the use of televisions, etc and to keep them from being mounted under the rearview mirror.