If you're considering purchasing the Arkon CM700 Powered GPS Ready Mount, or a similar mount for your PDA inside your car, then you should read this thread and make an informed choice as to your available alternatives.
Until now, I have only seen but one thread concerning this issue, and frankly, I am flabbergasted and appalled by this product I have purchased.
AximSite Member Complaint
I'll be frank: I am NOT a newbie to the computer/gadget market. In fact, I'm end-user and typically purchase more gadgets in 1 year than most people do in their entire lifetime.
I bought a Dell Axim X50v PDA from Dell and decided to get the BT-338 GPS w/ Arkon Windshield mount PDA holder w/ X50v connection. I purchased both the GPS & mount from buygpsnow.com (great company!).
Here are the THREE (yes, three) problems I am experiencing with this unit inside my 1999 Subaru Impreza.
First, the PDA's arms are pitiful at holding my X50v in place. Yes, I retract the arms then squeeze them as hard as I can towards the PDA, but it makes no difference. A medium shake, rattle or turn in my Impreza and the PDA almost falls out.
Second, the windshield suction cup comes off relatively easily. I have wiped my windshield countless times with 75% Isopropyl Alcohol. I also wiggle the windshield mount in place on my window to get the best possible grip. It made no difference whatsoever.
Third, and most dangerous. The round plastic ball, which attaches the PDA carriage unit to the windshield's suction cup arm is unimaginably loose. This isn't even funny. I adjust the GPS to my eye level, but even the SLIGHTEST movement and the PDA faces down. What does this mean? Seeing as how the carriage's arms do not their job, my PDA falls off the unit and onto my stickshift lever.
I was driving in San Francisco today. Relatively cool day, no sun, a little bit of drizzling. In-car temperature a comfortable 15-20*C. The round PDA adjusting mechanism has been acting up all day. I adjust it and it just falls back down. So I constantly adjust it, carefully avoiding any tugging, pulling or harsh movement. Suddently, the windshield's suction cup pops right off, and my PDA easily pops off the arms that were supposed to hold it. This was on 19th Avenue in heavy traffic.
I have no idea how this defectively designed product hit the market, but it nearly caused three car accident. (I caught the PDA, but ignored the windshield mount.
Takes this as a serious warning if you're considering this product. This is in now way a bash towards Arkon. I very, VERY excited when I got this item, but my experiences have turned excitement into utter disgust for this product.
Anyways, I have followed every suggestion imaginable, but to no avail. In my opinion, this product should be taken off the market and scraped given its incredibly dangerous nature.
Any comments or question are appreciated.
Sev