I have just been through a process of elimination to try and find the perfect in car sat nav option for me and eventually I found that the truth is that you can look for ages. But in the end you have to make a compromise between what is available and what you want. Because there are so many options and opinions out there. Most of them contradictory!
I am in the UK so what I chose may not be the best for you but I chose the following and maybe it will help some one else make their choice:
Case for the Ax - Proporta Magnesium Alloy $40 US from www.proporta.com
Slimline hard case which, as I am fairly clumsy gives me a nice warm feeling of security when out and about. Nice fit with flip front main access and cut outs to allow access to all the main knobs, buttons and switches.
Sat Nav- TomTom 5.2 on an SD card in a package with a TomTom bluetooth reciever. Not the cheapest option but I have a small car and did not want loads of extra wires with a wired reciever. 150 UK pounds. Bought brand new through ebay from a powerseller which saved me 70 pounds.
In car mount - Brodit Pro Clip. This is a 2 piece mounting kit which fixes to your dashboard with no unsightly holes. It is also so easy to fit, using a simple little tool supplied it takes seconds to install.
The best tip I got was to go for the adjustable padded Ipod mount instead of the specific X51v mount. This allows you to put our Ax in the mount without having to take it out of the case. BIG PLUS! :approve:
If you choose this mount, be aware and shop around. An internet search should bring up several suppliers. USA Pro Clip are the best advertised but also one of the most expensive.
Charging: This is where the compromise comes in for me. After I recieved it I found out that the Tom Tom bluetooth device only has an in car charger in the box. So how do you charge the Axim, which when switched on with bluetooth is pretty thirsty and the Tom Tom at the same time on long journeys. I have tried a 'Y' splitter charger, no good as there is not enough juice to charge the Ax when it is switched on. Eventually I have plumped for just using the TomTom charger and using the Dell adapter to switch the power cable between the Ax and the Sat nav reciever.
Not ideal but having said that I am fairly positive that the sat nav reciever should run for quite a few hours without a charge so maybe I'm just being fussy.
There were many other options I could have gone for.
I discounted the windscreen mounts as the low angle of the windscreen on my car is so low that it would have made the whole thing block my view of the road. Also I did not like the fact that they advertise your PDA ownership to passing criminals much more so than the pro clip which is small and inobtrusive.
The speaker in the Axim is easily loud enough in a normal car without having to go for a powered mount, unless you want to listen to music or films through it. Then you may want to go for a powered mount.
Anyway I have waffled on long enough. Hope some of this helps. Be cool.
Hi All
The Brodit Mount I chose was a Passive Holder with tilt and swivel, padded and adjustable for the iPode 1st Generation. Part Number 848636
Ideal as it fits the Axim without removing the case and should there ever be a need to change my Ax there I probably won't have to change mount.
The Pro clip element I chose is car specific. When you go on to the brodit website there is a very comprehensive list of cars. Choose by manufacturer, then model. You then usually get a choice of position. I chose the right hand vent clip as this best suited my car and my driving position.
OK, if this has worked then you should be seeing some shots of the Brodit Pro Clip and Mount.
As you can see it is designed to fit in to the gaps in the dash board panel without any damage. I can confirm that it took about 1 minute to fit and I am no DIY genius. Very simple and clear instructions come with it.
You can also see from the photos how I use the Ax with the case still on. The flip up from just rests on the dash. In the background you can see the TomTom reciever.
OK, if this has worked then you should be seeing some shots of the Brodit Pro Clip and Mount.
As you can see it is designed to fit in to the gaps in the dash board panel without any damage. I can confirm that it took about 1 minute to fit and I am no DIY genius. Very simple and clear instructions come with it.
You can also see from the photos how I use the Ax with the case still on. The flip up from just rests on the dash. In the background you can see the TomTom reciever.
Hey! You've got my car :) (Actually, you have the model up from mine...drat!)
Really pleased to see I can attach something to my dash without damaging it and without totally blocking the air vent! Thanks! Do you still get air flow to your face from that vent?
Hey! You've got my car :) (Actually, you have the model up from mine...drat!)
Really pleased to see I can attach something to my dash without damaging it and without totally blocking the air vent! Thanks! Do you still get air flow to your face from that vent?
Hi
Glad you found it useful. :approve:
Yes you still get air from the vent but I tend to turn it off.
Not sure how the Ax would take beng heated up or blasted by aircon.
OK, if this has worked then you should be seeing some shots of the Brodit Pro Clip and Mount.
As you can see it is designed to fit in to the gaps in the dash board panel without any damage. I can confirm that it took about 1 minute to fit and I am no DIY genius. Very simple and clear instructions come with it.
You can also see from the photos how I use the Ax with the case still on. The flip up from just rests on the dash. In the background you can see the TomTom reciever.
Really nice post and pictures. I've been looking into GPS with my x51v. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I will take them into consideration. Have a great day!
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My experience choosing in car mount and sat nav
I have tried a 'Y' splitter charger, no good as there is not enough juice to charge the Ax when it is switched on. Eventually I have plumped for just using the TomTom charger and using the Dell adapter to switch the power cable between the Ax and the Sat nav reciever. 
Be cool.
