Seidio G4500S Vs. Arkon DM320???

aximfanatic · 01-16-06, 02:23 PM

Hi Folks,
I have finally decided to get a powered mount and so far I have read about the Seidio G4500S and the Arkon DM320 to work with my X50v. However, I cannot decide which one to buy, they both look good and have good reviews, does anyone which is better in terms of sound and durability?

Thanks alot...

LRRP · 06-29-06, 09:42 AM

DON'T BUY the DM320. I am on my 3rd RMA unit and I will not allow them to give me a 4th. I am requesting they refund my money. The ratchet style side clamps will not hold to the test and they will eventually stop working and the Elmer’s glued in front module will come unglued and all is lost after that. Of all 3 units the same things happened. I am a business travel and this unit cannot withstand the simple un-mounting and mounting tasks that should be a standard field test for their products. I never leave my AXIM in the unit if I am not in the car and the simple task of releasing the sides by depressing the button and then lifting the AXIM off the plug eventually results in disaster. I had to use tie wraps on one trip just to get by and just this week I had to use my Velcro strips to hold it in place. Until they change this holder style and go with a clip in model, I would shop elsewhere.

JakeRich · 06-29-06, 10:10 AM

LRRP may be an unusual case. I've used both and both worked well for me. There were some issues with the arms on early models and on some other Arkon units, but in 6 months of use my DM320 has performed well.

DM320 review is here.

Structurally, the 4500 is similar to the 4850, but without the GPS. Here is a review of the 4850.

06-29-06, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by JakeRich

LRRP may be an unusual case. I've used both and both worked well for me. There were some issues with the arms on early models and on some other Arkon units, but in 6 months of use my DM320 has performed well.

I would like to believe that it's an unusual case, but my experience with the ratchet mechanism on the CM700 series has been the same. I had one that lasted for almost two years and then it died. Arkon replaced it for me for free several months ago with the newer "improved" version, and it failed two weeks ago. I took both of them apart to inspect the failure and I have to say I don't see how any engineer ever expected this design to hold up to every day use (even on the newer redesigned version).

I used the replacement mount VERY gently and never clamped the jaws down with more than the lightest of force, but it failed in the exact same fashion. Now, I don't know if the mechanism used in the DM320 is the same, but based on my experience I just ordered a Seidio G4500S. I called Mark @ Arkon over two weeks ago and never heard anything back, so I'm done with the ratcheting jaws. Right now I have rubber bands holding the jaws shut on the Arkon until the new mount shows up.

Regards,

Gary

jackb_guppy · 06-30-06, 05:15 AM

Other than what has been said.

SEIDIO is designed to fit a nake AXIM.
The other with ratching sides can handle AXIM that are nake, silconed and other casings.

I went with SEIDIO w/ built in GPS. Only negtive is Mapopolis's small buttons and WM5 UI is hard to use in the mount. When you pull it work in your hand, it complains the lost of GPS, and may want to reset the machine to get it back.