Arkon DM320

dlweston · 11-04-05, 08:44 PM

Has anybody tried out the new Arkon DM320 (http://www.arkon.com/aximmount.php)?

How is the quality of the mount and the audio?

Has anybody tried it with the CA261 Battery for Powered Docking Mount?

I sales a request for information about the CA261. I asked if it would charge the X50v while away from the vehicle. They replied that they thought it would. Can anybody confirm that is does or does not charge the X50v battery when using it with the CA261?

Thank in advance for any answers!

0gopogo · 11-06-05, 09:56 PM

Bump.

This mount looks interesting. How does this mount compare with Seidio's G2500? Is a cable connection with the headphone output required for the audio?

JakeRich · 11-06-05, 10:55 PM

I have one and am working on a review of it. It does require a cable from the earphone socket of the X50 to the mount. It is similar to the Seidio in that it has a fitting for the socket on the bottom of the X50. The speaker is good, although it did take some experimentation to get the levels set right for max volume without distortion. I didn't have the battery for it so I can't speak to that but based on the battery specs I'd be surprised if it could fully charge the Axim X50 series if the batteries are depleted, but it probably can extend the useful timee of the batteries for a while. The suction cup/gooseneck assembly is solid, with some nice features (easy to adjust viewing angle, big suction cup). I've had the unit for a while and have no problem with the jaws loosening or not holding properly, so I think they ahve solved that problem they had on earlier mounts, but I haven't opened it yet to see how it is made.

0gopogo · 11-07-05, 09:03 PM

Jake, thanks for the preview. I am looking forward to reading your review when it is ready.

melster · 11-07-05, 11:52 PM

http://www.buygpsnow.com/item.aspx?itemid=456

That's my review of this unit.

11-25-05, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by JakeRich

I have one and am working on a review of it.

Jake-

Any ETA on your review? Thanks.

rough-cut · 11-25-05, 08:31 PM

I use DM320 in my car. Works relatively well. Big suction cup holds really well. We had the temperature drop to low 20's in NY during thanksgiving, the suction still held, no problems. Goose neck is 8 inches long. Long enough for most applications. I considered getting the optional 14 inch neck, but discovered it was unnecessary in my car (rx300). It's nice to have a docking type mount, so you don't have to fiddle with the cables, although if you want to use a build-in speaker, you have to use external cable and plug it into headphones outlet on the axim. The speaker is loud, sometimes too loud. I think the DM320 is using some sort of full duplex technology for it's speaker/microphone connection (oops, forgot to mention, the unit comes with a build in microphone, and an outlet for it, so you can - I guess - connect it to your phone??). I don't know if it's just difficult to set the volume on the axim vs volume on the DM320, or is it the fault of my unit, or the duplex tech, but my unit seems to be 'eating' every other word during my gps routing information. It's difficult to understand directions when you hear: 'right ... two hu... eet". I played with the volume settings, but did not discover the magic combination yet. Otherwise, it's a great unit, two rubber mounts hold axim very securly. Unit allows for horizontal or vertical orientation without removing saction cup, just loosen the connection to the mount, rotate it and tighten screw - it takes 3 seconds. DM320 seems well designed and well put together. I do not have the optional battery, so I can not comment. Just my 2 cents.

PaulSM · 11-25-05, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by rough-cut

I don't know if it's just difficult to set the volume on the axim vs volume on the DM320, or is it the fault of my unit, or the duplex tech, but my unit seems to be 'eating' every other word during my gps routing information. It's difficult to understand directions when you hear: 'right ... two hu... eet". I played with the volume settings, but did not discover the magic combination yet.

You're not alone.
The audio amp of the DM320 is so crappy

. Don't even think feeding audio stream through it.

JakeRich · 11-26-05, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by xdalaw

Jake-

Any ETA on your review? Thanks.

I'll have it finished this weekend, then will send to Chris for posting. Sorry for the delay in getting it done, life has interfered with my fun stuff...

s4iscool · 11-26-05, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by PaulSM

You're not alone.
The audio amp of the DM320 is so crappy

. Don't even think feeding audio stream through it.

That makes 3 of us on this forum alone that experiences crappy voice through the unit. It does poorly with the voice instructions, almost to the point that its useless. I hope there is a fix in the works ??? Otherwise the unit is nicely designed, but if it doesnt work as well as it looks, Id rather have a flawless ugly unit

11-26-05, 07:02 PM

How bad is the sound? You mentioned crappy? I only have the Seidio G2500 and the sound coming thru its built-in speaker is clear and loud enough for me. I don't need Blaupunkt speaker quality to tell me to turn left/right.

Is sound from DM320 really that bad?

s4iscool · 11-26-05, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by lawman

How bad is the sound? You mentioned crappy? I only have the Seidio G2500 and the sound coming thru its built-in speaker is clear and loud enough for me. I don't need Blaupunkt speaker quality to tell me to turn left/right.

Is sound from DM320 really that bad?

Its bad enough that it stutters through the first part of the voice instructions...so if its "Drive 9.6 miles..." itll say something like "ve 9.....6...miles..." weird. At first I thought it was a Mobil5 problem, but its the hardware. The original Arkon was fine in the sound dept, but as you know, it had other quality gripping issues.

11-26-05, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by JakeRich

I'll have it finished this weekend, then will send to Chris for posting. Sorry for the delay in getting it done, life has interfered with my fun stuff...

Thanks for the update. I certainly understand how life can get so pesky around the holidays. :)

PaulSM · 11-27-05, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by lawman

How bad is the sound? You mentioned crappy? I only have the Seidio G2500 and the sound coming thru its built-in speaker is clear and loud enough for me. I don't need Blaupunkt speaker quality to tell me to turn left/right.

Is sound from DM320 really that bad?

It sounds like a cell phone with weak signal, you hear some words and you lose some words.

Once the 90-day warranty expires, I’ll open it up and play with its amp circuit. If no success, I can always run to Radioshack and pick up an LM386 to build my own audio amp. :headscrat

jing0124 · 11-27-05, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by lawman

How bad is the sound? You mentioned crappy? I only have the Seidio G2500 and the sound coming thru its built-in speaker is clear and loud enough for me. I don't need Blaupunkt speaker quality to tell me to turn left/right.

Is sound from DM320 really that bad?

Has anyone tried new Seidio G4500 and G4850 ?

G4500 is a new version of G2500, but I really like the ideal of G4850. It is an integrated GPS unit (like HP6515). It has SiRFIII GPS chip in it. That is a cool design.

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.as...S&Category=751