Developing a Better Mount for the ScanGauge III

Why we moved away from the suction cup and started again

Anyone who has owned a ScanGauge III will know it’s an incredibly useful piece of equipment. It provides real-time vehicle data, fault monitoring, and trip information that many factory dashboards simply don’t offer. For touring vehicles, work utes, and anyone interested in understanding how their vehicle is performing, it’s a fantastic tool.

However, after using the ScanGauge for some time, one issue became impossible to ignore: the standard suction cup mount.

While the device itself works brilliantly, the mounting system can become frustrating in real-world conditions. Like many drivers, I initially mounted the unit on the windscreen using the supplied suction cup. It seemed like the obvious choice at first. The location was convenient, the installation was simple, and it required no modifications to the vehicle.

But over time, several problems became apparent...

The Problems with the Factory Suction Mount

The first issue was long-term stability.

Even when installed correctly, the suction cup mount tends to loosen over time. Heat plays a major role here, particularly in Australian conditions where interior temperatures can easily exceed 40°C on hot days. Under these conditions, the suction cup can slowly lose its grip and eventually detach. OR Through repeated vibrations - the hinges / ball-joints comes loose over time.

The second problem is movement while driving.

Because the suction mount is effectively hanging from the windscreen, the ScanGauge can bounce around when driving on uneven roads or corrugations. Over time this becomes distracting, and it also reduces the readability of the screen while the vehicle is moving.

The third issue is something that often goes unnoticed until you start paying attention: driver visibility.

Mounting the ScanGauge on the windscreen places it close to the driver-side A-pillar, which is already a naturally obstructed area of the windscreen. Adding another object in that space can further reduce visibility in that zone.

Individually these issues might seem minor, but together they create a mounting solution that never quite feels ideal.

The Idea: Remove the Variables

Instead of trying to improve the suction cup mount, the approach taken during development was to remove the problem entirely.

The key design principles became:

• No suction cups

• No drilling or permanent vehicle modifications

• No adhesive mounts

• Minimal vibration while driving - eiliminate all points of customisation/rotation

• Maintain full visibility around the A-pillar

• Keep the ScanGauge within comfortable reach

• Aim screen to Right Hand Side Shoulder to reduce Screen Glare 
  
  

This meant the mount needed to be rigidly attached to something already present in the vehicle.

That naturally led to the A-pillar grab handle.

Using the A-Pillar Grab Handle

The grab handle is a strong and fixed mounting point located on the driver-side A-pillar. It’s already designed to support significant load and is positioned in a location that does not interfere with driver controls or visibility.

By designing a mount that integrates around this existing handle, the ScanGauge could be positioned:

• High up and to the right of the driver

• Away from the windscreen

• Securely attached without modification to the vehicle

This approach also meant installation could remain completely reversible.

No screws.
No drilling.
No cutting interior trim.

The mount simply slots into position using the existing grab handle geometry using a precision 3D scanner.

GridShift Prides itself on 'perfectly' fitting parts, and we always 3D scan the encompassing area before desiging a new part. Why? - Why not! Gridshift also understands that not all parts from the manufacturer are exactly 100% the same, so we always include a level of tolerance in our parts to ensure you'll always have the best fit.

Eliminating Adjustability for Stability

One of the design decisions that made the biggest difference was removing adjustability entirely.

Most accessory mounts rely on adjustable joints or ball mounts. While these allow flexibility in positioning, they also introduce movement, particularly when driving on rough roads.

Instead, the ScanGauge mount was designed with a fixed geometry. This allowed the viewing angle to be precisely defined while dramatically reducing vibration.

The screen is not pointed directly at the driver’s eyes. Instead, it is angled toward the driver’s right shoulder.

This subtle change accomplishes two important things:

1. It reduces potential sun glare reflecting directly into the driver’s eyes

2. It maintains excellent readability from the driver’s seating position

Ergonomic Testing

To make sure the mounting position worked across different drivers, the design was tested with people ranging from approximately 5’5” to 6’5” in height.

Each driver used their normal seating position, rather than adjusting their seat to suit the mount.

The goal was to ensure that:

• The screen remained clearly visible

• The driver could reach the unit easily

• The driver did not need to lean forward or lift their back from the seat

Across all drivers tested, the ScanGauge remained within comfortable finger reach while maintaining good visibility.

Maintaining Device Functionality

Another important consideration during development was ensuring that the mount did not interfere with the ScanGauge itself.

The design retains:

• Original ventilation around the ScanGauge housing

• Easy access to the RJ cable connection

• Simple removal of the device when needed

This means installation and removal of the ScanGauge remains straightforward.

Real-World Testing

Before finalising the design, the mount was subjected to extensive real-world testing.

This included:

• Over 100 intentional knock tests

  • Lateral knocks

  • Vertical knocks

  • Direct contact with the screen

• Over 200 km of corrugated road driving

The goal was to simulate real touring conditions where vibration and movement are most noticeable.

Compared to the factory suction mount, the fixed mount showed significantly improved stability and readability while driving.

Real-world testing paired with the ergonomic testing process saw 5 differing revisions and upgrades before our final passed all tests. GridShift takes pride in the level of quality we output, all parts will undergo planned testing - trying to accomodate for all worst case variables.

The Result

The final design positions the ScanGauge:

• Securely mounted

• Within easy reach

• Clear of the windscreen

• Away from the driver’s direct line of sight

Most importantly, it removes the frustration that often comes with suction mounts while maintaining a clean, integrated appearance inside the cabin.

Final Thoughts

The ScanGauge III is a fantastic tool for monitoring your vehicle, but the way it’s mounted can dramatically affect how usable it is day-to-day.

By moving away from suction cups and focusing on a rigid, non-intrusive mounting solution, it was possible to create a setup that improves stability, readability, and visibility without modifying the vehicle.

For anyone who relies on their ScanGauge while touring or working with their vehicle, having a mount that simply stays where it’s meant to be makes a surprising difference.

Sometimes the simplest solution is simply removing the parts that cause the problem in the first place.