Arkon’s new Powered Multimedia PDA Mounts

Darren

Quote: Originally posted by robpow on 17 April 2003This looks like a pretty sleek solution. However, is there a mount that I could just drop the iPaq into without having to manually attach any cables? Something that looked and worked more like the ActiveSync cradle with no visible wiring? I'm keen not to clutter the dash with suction cups, vent clips or wires trailing down the footwell.

Rob, you are describing a Brodit mount! They can be bought with built-in power and you just drop the PPC into the cradle, no wires to connect and the cradle can be hard wired into your vehicles power supply. See our Broditreview.
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Darren Griffin

Parky

I'm a bit confused on the cables issue using these Arkon mounts. At the moment I have a Y cable that I plug into me lighter point, this them allows me to connect my GPS receiver in one cable, and the other cable into my 5450. If using the Arkon mount, would I still use this cable, but plug the cable into the arkon mount, and then from there by ther USB cable to my 5450.

Regards Alan

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Mio P550 Mio 3 TTN 6 2GB SD Card, Ipaq 5450: Integral 1Gb SD card, TTN 6, POICapture, PPC 2003

longwori

You would continue to use your Y cable and not take advantage of the power supply offered by the Arkon mount. If you used the power supply from the Arkon mount you would lose the use of the sync port on the 5450 as the Arkon method of charging is a small USB lead from the mount to the sync port of your 5450. This is not a problem if you have a bluetooth GPS or a NAVMAN jacket as the sync port is free (I believe but I do not have a NAVMAN jacket).

Ian.
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TomTom Go 520, HTC Wildfire with CoPilot Live Premium UK & CoPilot Live Standard USA

DSCC

Seidio (www.seidio.com) offers the same mount in about $ 20.00 less the one from Akron. The suction cup windshield is identical. The vent clip mounting from Seidio comes with locking mechanism that holds well.

FishSlice

So now I have received it all, first impressions.

Don't use the above mount with the Navman sleeve, its simply not strong enough in terms of weight or security, one good bump and the whole lot with come out of the mount. The problem is the location of the ariel and the non flat rear of the sleeve.

Without the sleeve, its very very snug, secure and nice, tho the arm version isn't that stiff and hence does bounce around a little (tho its in a 4x4 and the soft suspension won't help).

However, without the navman sleeve, you then have to consider using a gps receiver which plugs into the activesync port, this has issues. The mount also provides power to the PDA via teh activesync port, so you have a problem. The mount requires power for the speaker to work, but you'll also need power to the ipaq/gps unit. There are two USB outs from the mount, 1 for power to the PDA and the other is labeled "HandsFree" and is designed for use to connect to phones as a handsfree device.

To conclude:

Its not ideal for GPS applications due to :

1) not fitting snug and secure with the NavMan sleeve (other sleeves with flat backs should be fine).

and,

2) If you use a different GPS (mouse style) unit, then you can't use the power from the activesync port from the mount, as thats where the gps will plugin. The mouse style GPS may well also charge the PDA as well, but that leeves you needing to find a power source for the speaker in the mount, which is the whole point of this unit.

Cheers

Si
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Cheers 
Si

Mark Bennett

I too was thinking of getting one of these.

They have a speaker that is intended to amplify the output of the PDA speaker. As I use an IPaq with the Navman GPS - in an open top car - an increase in the volume of the spoken directions would be most useful.

I have seen a review on a Dutch website, but as I don't speak Dutch (only double-Dutch

) and Babelfish does not translate Dutch to English, it is dfficult to tell how good it is!

Any input welcome...

Mark

Michael

Just found this comprehensive review on pocketpcpassion.

Arkon Powered MulitMedia PDA Mount Review

Michael

macima

Is there a way of mounting this on a vent. I don't like the suction idea(506)and I don't fancy sticking (505) the mount to my dash using a 3M sticky pad. Additionally, has anyone heard how loud it it is? I was put off from getting the IPAQ 5450 - but if the speaker on this mount is good then I might well get one.

Mark Mac

FishSlice

I have a 5450 on order and plan on getting this mount, so I'll let you know what its like when I can get the two together.

Si
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Cheers 
Si

macima

Si, that would be great. Where have you ordered the Arkon mount from? Are you getting the sticky or suction version?

Cheers

Mark Mac

FishSlice

I ordered it from the US Website itself.

I ordered the suction mount, and hope to get the cup holder pedestal addition when it becomes available.

The way its going with UK stocks of the 5450 I'll probably get the mount 1st :-)

Si
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Cheers 
Si

FishSlice

update: I have received the mount and its very impressively built. The suction mount is very very impressive ( I was able to pull our fridge across the floor with it.)

GPS sleeve arriving tomorrow, but still no bloody iPaq.

It should arrive on monday :-)

Si...

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Cheers 
Si

Neil F

Hi

I have ordered one of the mounts for my 3970. I'm now thinking of getting a gps package for in the car. I notice that the tomtom setup uses the activesync port on the IPAQ, as does this mount. But i notice the mount has a USB socket on it marked GPS.

My question is, does anyone know if there is a converter cable for the GPS reciever in the tomtom kit to plug into this usb connector on the mount? Or is the only choice using a navman sleeve with this set up?

Many thanks for any help

Neil

Michael

Has anybody had a chance to take a look at the new Arkon Powered Multimedia PDA Mounts ? If so whats your thoughtd, opinions ?

http://www.arkon.com/pdapower.html

thanks,

Michael

Neil F

Hi Si

Thanks for the info. You say that there are 2 USB ports on the mount. Thats the handsfree and PDA connections. In the review on the dutch site there is a connector labelled GPS, does your not have this on? is it the CM505 if not?

Some sites mention getting a USB to serial lead with it, did you get that? what is it meant for?

If the mount has a connection to the serial port on the ipaq, you should be able use a normal serial/USB GPS mouse maybe?

Is there any info supplied with the mount as to whether the USB ports are powered?

thanks..sorry for all the questions Smile

Neil

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