Gary Garland, Esq.
03-12-2003, 05:00 PM
These Swiss-Army do all mounts are excellent for the features they have and the value they offer. They share more features than differences, and informing you is what this review is all about.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-mountswithmetal.jpg" /> <br /><br /><!><br /><i>These mounts will power your lil" buddy and augment its sound/music/voice capabilities. Add the hands free cell phone kit (forthcoming) and charger, and you turn your vehicle into the Macgyver Mobile - and that's a good thing! :)</i><br /><br /><span><b>Silver or grey, have it your way</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-topview.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: Top of the units, showing speaker jack</i> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-tails.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: Bottom of the units, showing power LED, hands free and charger "usb" jacks. Also note Arkon's longer arms - Seidio's Deluxe version should have same arm length.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-kissing.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3: Left view. Notice the extra 5 volt charging jack for your cell phone, etc. - also this image shows the longer arms on the Arkon unit.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-rightside.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 4: Right view. Notice the arm release button, and the Arkon voltage selection switch expected to be discontinued.</i><br /><br />The Seidio mount was reviewed in silver and is available in dark grey, presumably the same color as the Arkon mount. Both mounts are made of a lightweight plastic material, and hold your prized PDA using pressure from the ratcheting foam lined arms. The fit can be quite snug, and the release button easily frees your little buddy. Both mounts also come with a small thin adhesive backed piece of metal that simply adheres to the back of your PDA and you have a stronger magnetic attraction than most couples on Blind Date. Both mounts have two pegs at the bottom to hold your device. Supposedly at my suggestion (back patting here) both company’s mounts are being modified to have additional peg holes for additional customization to your needs. (I had mentioned this after trying to fit the CoPilot sleeve with the mount).<br /><br />These mounts are powered - they plug into your car’s 12 volt power source, and with the included USB to your PDA cable, they will power your little buddy. They also hook up to your PDA’s speaker jack, outputting sound/music/GPS commands through the rear speakers. It doesn’t sound quite like a Bose system, however, the amount of depth the speaker can produce is amazing. With my car and iPAQ at full volume, Elmo’s World was actually a bit louder than tolerable with a little distortion, and far more bass than through the iPAQ’s Liliputian speaker. I had to lower the volume when using a GPS system as the verbal commands made me jump at every corner - these things are loud! (Fun Fact: Even with the jack in the headphone slot, some beeps still came from the iPAQ’s built in speaker, while music, voices, etc. came from the mount’s speaker).<br /><br />Both units also have a provision for hands-free speaker phone operation. Details are a bit sketchy right now and I think work is still being done in this realm - suffice it to say that right now, the option is in the works. The gist seems to be there will be a USB type of connection with a microphone going to your phone or smartphone and the output will come from of the rear speaker. Both units will also power an additional five volt device out of the top left side. Prices for the speaker phone option are expected to be generally in the $14.95 - $19.95 range.<br /><br />The photos have shown you how much alike these mounts are - now it’s time to talk about the differences.<br /><br /><span><b>What's the difference?</b></span><br />I received the Seidio mount first, and wondered about the plastic “coverups”. These areas became evident when I found a couple of extra features on the Arkon mount, most notably the voltage selection switch and the USB GPS adapter. (Both of the extra Arkon features are expected to be discontinued). Arkon is also changing the design a bit - at present, their speaker jack is wired into the unit, versus Seidio’s being a detachable double headed stereo plug. While there can be benefits to having a wired jack (one less plug to lose), there are also cons. For example, the iPAQ 54XX series has the speaker jack on the bottom, and this also allows some extra flexibility. Arkon has just received, and is now stocking/selling, the removable jack version. Make sure you specify a preference in case you want a fixed jack version while they still have some in stock.<br /><br />Both mounts are manufactured in the same plant in China. PLEASE NOTE: Both Arkon and Seidio have made it clear to me that this is the only product in their catalogs produced at the same plant - these are different companies with different innovative products for the PDA market. End of schpiel.<br /><br /><span><b>You scratch my back...</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-backside.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Back of units, showing speaker, mounting rails, and release button</i> <br /><br /><br />Peering through the slits in the back which hold the mount, I was able to see a few surface mount components on each mount, and the resister/capacitor numbers on each circuit board were identical, telling this rocket scientist both boards are the same.<br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-backresisters.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 6: Closeup of back showing rails, peering into slit</i> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-backresister2.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 7: Some serious photo editing of Figure 6 - overexposure reveals upside down C26, R37, & C9.</i> <br /><br />I didn’t want to open these puppies up - I can only imagine the springs and ratchets inside flying all over my table and poking me in the eye - no thank you. Looking at the back, you can see the rails which hold the mount. - Both companies have the dashboard adhesive plate, and both companies are coming out with/or now have windshield suction cup mounts. <br /><br />Continuing to look at the back, you will notice there is a small button at the bottom to help release that slot. I would have preferred something which is more of a quick release to allow easier removal of the whole assembly from my dash/windshield (to store on the car floor when I park), but I guess that will have to go on my wish list.<br /><br />I thought the Titanium Silver from Seidio would be an unusual and attractive change from a typical dark/black mount, and potentially heat reflecting. I wonder how the mount will react to the summer’s heat locked in a car. Arkon gives you a 90 day warranty but they stand behind their products; Seidio says, like all their products, this has a 1 year warranty.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-arkonebcase.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 8: Lazy? Leave that PDA where it belongs - in its case (not recommended)</i><br /><br /><span><b>Windshield or dash?</b></span><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-adhesivemount.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 9: Seidio with dashboard adhesive mount</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-adhesivecloseup.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 10: Closeup of mount - hard to see the ratchets for both axis</i><br /> <br />The Seidio mount came with a ratcheting adhesive plate which will stick on your dash. It has 3M adhesive, and I’ll wager once you clean the area and stick it, the next owner of your car will be thanking you for the mount. The plate will bend a bit to conform to your dash, and also has a hole if you’re going to screw it into place. The Arkon literature shows a similar pad.<br /><br />Seidio has mentioned they are coming out with a proprietary windshield adapter for the mount - details are a tad sketchy, but the gist is it will have a two inch suction cup and a 14 inch gooseneck with an articulating head (so you don't have to bend the gooseneck), and there will also be a vent option. All accessories may be sold together, or different mounting options may be available separately in case you have two cars - more details should be known mid-March. A tad more exciting, the Arkon windshield mount is a big deal - proprietary design and engineering, and super strong. Purportedly, the buzz is this is one of the best windshield mounts ever made, and the standard others mounts will be judged by - tall words indeed! Arkon is exceptionally proud of their new windshield adapter and it is available for sale separately even if you bought a Seidio unit. I just got my hands on one of these patent pending adapters, and it says, "MEGA SUPER SUCTION CUP." So far, it is! I like it. The eight inch gooseneck will hold your mount solidly and attractively. Let's hope Seidio's is as good.<br /><br />Also, Arkon has a proprietary adapter for the T-mobile phone for use with the mount.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/garyg-march3-seidioupsidedown.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 11: Grip of steel - either mount can hold an iPAQ upside down!</i><br /><br /><span><b>Hands free</b></span><br />Per Seidio, the hands free kit will be priced between $14.95 and $19.95 depending upon phone model and holder. It will also include a USB type cable with a microphone which goes to your phone, and a cell phone holder. I imagine the Arkon hands free kit would be similar.<br /><br /><span><b>Aren't you Mr. GPS?</b></span><br />In my dreams, although I am presently in the middle of a GPS series. Anyway, these mounts would be GREAT with NON-SERIAL GPS RECEIVERS. What do I mean? Well, if you use a serial GPS receiver on an iPAQ 38/39/54XX, you lose the benefit of the power cord on the mount. You could, of course, power the mount from a 12 volt source (possibly a dual lighter plug adapter) and then use the amplified speaker with your PDA, but at that point you might be better off with a non-powered mount. Note, on the iPAQ 36/37XX and PDAs not powered through their serial ports, you would likely get full functionality from the mount, although the pegs could get in the way of the charger cord.<br /><br />Either of these mounts would be great for someone looking for a secure way to mount their beloved PDA in their vehicle, provide power for the PDA, and (if desired) improve and increase the sound output - whether for GPS, playing MP3s, or using the forthcoming hands free capabilities.<br /><br /><span><b>Gotchas</b></span><li>I think both mounts feel a bit “lightweight,” however it passed both company’s testing <br /><li>I’ve never been a fan of adhesive mounts, no matter how good, so I’d give the nod towards the windshield mount<br /><li>The Arkon mounts have a higher MSRP, though dealer pricing should be competitive with Seidio<br /><li>The Akron mounts have a 90 day warranty (though Arkon’s reputation implies the warranty will be informally honored beyond 90 days)<br /><li>No quick-release of either mount from the windshield or dashboard adapter<span><b>Where to buy</b></span><li>The Arkon Powered Multimedia Mount is available through dealers at potentially discounted prices, or directly at <a href="http://www.arkon.com/pdapower.html">Arkon's Web site</a> with either dash or windshield mount priced at $69.95 for virtually any PDA!<br /><li>Now through March 31, 2003 Arkon is offering their mount for a wallet pleasing $47.95 - use discount code "PPC THOUGHTS" in "special instructions"<br /><li>The proprietary Arkon windshield mount alone is labeled CM52, for $19.95 <a href="http://www.arkon.com/pedestals.html">CM52 Windshield mount</a><br /><li>The Seidio Multi-Function Charger Mount Kit is available from <a href="http://www.seidioonline.com/store/dynamicIndex.asp">Seidio's online store</a> for $49.95 or for $54.95 for the deluxe with the longer arms. I am not sure of windshield mount pricing.<br /><li>Until March 31, 2003 Seidio is offering Thoughts readers a 5% discount on the mount, or on purchases exceeding $50 before shipping - use code PPTRAM3.<span><b>Conclusion</b></span><br />These mounts will hold your device well, and greatly enhance its mobile use.