GPS Shader Hood from Parts on Hand

Living in LA, there's nothing I like better than cruising around the city with the top down. Unfortunately, the open roof doesn't provide shade for my Trip Computer/GPS, so I took some spare materials and a little time and knocked out a lightweight inexpensive shade to solve my problem.

I'm afraid I thought of doing this as an Instructable after-the-fact, but figured it'd be a nice simple one to get my feet wet.

Parts:
1 Standard DVD Case, black
3 in Velcro (black or color to match your GPS
1 ft Black Fabric Tape (Optional)

Tools:
Metal or other sturdy ruler (to measure and to crease)
Scissors
X-acto knife
Sharpies (of a color to be seen against the DVD case)
Nail/Emery board/Sandpaper (Optional - if you want to smooth out the edges)
File folder and pencil (Optional - only if you want to make a test pattern beforehand)

Time:
Approximately :30 minutes, 1 Hr if you're a perfectionist.

Step 1: Designing the hood

I managed to do this without creating a pattern, but you might want to if you're worried about wasting plastic.

Remove and discard the clear plastic sleeve (and the paper insert if it is still in the sleeve.) I'm condensing all of my DVDs to slimline packaging, so I have a bajillion old-style boxes I haven't recycled yet.

Cut and remove the disc-holder panel, and "spine" piece, leaving only the front panel.

Using scissors (or X-acto knife) CAREFULLY cut inside the case and remove the "lip" from around the edge of the front panel, leaving a nice tidy sheet of plastic with two holes where the "booklet" spring clips were located.

Comments

[eligah76]

Nice build..simple, but effective..

[s3cur17y]

I like the idea, I have a ton of empty dvd cases laying around. But what I find more interesting is the Mods you have done to the car. I would personally like to see a little more of them and some up close shots. And the R2D2 on the back of the other car is awesome!

[arphoto]

I'll second this one.

[zazenergy]

oh awesome! great job on your first instructable! do you find that this obscures your vision at all (or hits your head while you are driving?)

[obishawn]

Thanks! It's largely out of the way, and isn't any more intrusive into the cabin than the top bar of the windshield is.

This is also just as functional with the GPS mounted closer to the dash, where most people put theirs. I have mine in an odd place because of the "Star Wars" context of the car. But the shade is created relative to ythe unit, so works anywhere your preferred mounting spot is.