===================================
Let's get more info to better understand your issues.
Originally Posted by STi Sev
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.
buyGPSnow.com Response: Did the arms relaxe themselves over time? The locking arms are lock in position by GEAR machanism and the gear may has been damaged due to applying too much pressure when closing it.
Originally Posted by STi Sev
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.
buyGPSnow.com Response: DO NOT use Alcohol stuff to clean the rubber. This is highly NOT recommended as the chemical will most likely HARDEN the suction cup. Hence, the custion cup may not be effective anymore!
Originally Posted by STi Sev
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.
buyGPSnow.com Response: You may have to tighten a screw in the ball join in every 2 to 3 months interval. Did you try to locate the screw and tighten it?
__________________
Best Regards,
Sales Team at buyGPSnow.com
Yeah must be a bad unit. Have you contacted the folks at buygpsnow.com ? I have found them to be very reasonable about these things. Obviously you don't want a replacement but maybe credit, upgrade could be arranged. If I were the manufacturer I would want the unit back to for quality control. If the tension screw does not work this is a major safety/pda damage issue.
I haven't contacted them yet.
Quote:
buyGPSnow.com Response: Did the arms relaxe themselves over time? The locking arms are lock in position by GEAR machanism and the gear may has been damaged due to applying too much pressure when closing it.
The arm's gear mechanisms are fine. The arms do not retract. The PDA just slips out. The design itself is flawed, imo. It doesn't really hold my PDA all that well.
Quote:
buyGPSnow.com Response: DO NOT use Alcohol stuff to clean the rubber. This is highly NOT recommended as the chemical will most likely HARDEN the suction cup. Hence, the custion cup may not be effective anymore!
I used ISO-p-alcohol to clean the WINDOW, *NOT* the rubber. I thoroughly dried the glass to ensure it wouldn't come in contact with the rubber.
Quote:
buyGPSnow.com Response: You may have to tighten a screw in the ball join in every 2 to 3 months interval. Did you try to locate the screw and tighten it?
This is my fourth time using the device. It hasn't been more than 1 month since I bought it.
I haven't located the screw, but I will try soon. Stand by.
The screw is a phips head and mentioned on the big sheet with instruction on how to put everything together. I had tough time finding it so thought I'd help. Slide off the power cradle part with the speaker. Here comes the tricky part. You are left with the pole with the ball thingy and a square mounty thing attached to it. If you look closely at the square thing there are four slots in it. There are teeth in there that lock it in place. Figure out the only way it will move and slide it off. Now the ball is exposed and you can tighten the screw to tighten the tilt rotate function. Sorry very tired did not want to get so technical
I've owned this mount for a couple of months now and haven't had any issue like the original poster. The suction cup grips fine on my Suburban's windshield. The ball seems solid and holds the PDA in the position I set it, although I also rest the gooseneck on the dash to help stabilize it and finally, the gripps clamp the unit in place pretty firmly in my opinion. I don't think I'd like to go through a roll-over accident with it but for most normal type driving I think its perfectly adequate. I'd definitely discuss it with buyGPSnow.com. Even though you think you dried your winshield after cleaning, it could still be outgassing alcohol which over an exposure time could begin to attack the suction cup. Good luck and let us know what happens.
i have: gomadic, arkon, and seidio. i use the seidio more often simply because i like the "drop in", rather that than side grips. i keep the arkon in my wife's car.
having said that, i agree with srf506 and calgarycowboy. i have no problems with my arkon (except that the usb power connector could be tighter). i admit that the foam is not shaped ideally for the x50v, but if you squeeze it tight enough, it will hold. as for the suction cup, it is the same as used by seidio (same brand/markings; but with a different connector). in fact, i prefer the lever tightener vs the wheel on the gomadic. and yes, even if the unit is new, sounds like you shave to tighten the ball screw. that is what keeps the mount from moving up and down losely.
also try cleaning the suction cup with water, drying, and seeing if it will stick on another glass surface.
either that, or you do have a really defective mount, and if after trying the above, seek a return.
Did you buy from us? If yes, please write us your order number via PM to discuss about warranty replacement in the windshield pedestal or proper usage guidance.
No, I got it from Softpocket in Toronto.
Usage Tip for greater performance: 1) We encourage users to give some "moisture" to the plastic suction cup prior to depressing the windshield pedestal lock.
2) Also, if possible, try to hold and push it against the windshield and slid the suction cup up and down slightly on the windshield to get a good fit prior to depressing the windshield pedestal lock.
Most users including us are able to get a windshield mount stick on for months without it falling down to the floor. Hope this helps.
Tried all the usual stuff, still falls arfter one hour or less. I got a CM47 vent mount from softpocket, free from arkon, to try. Does this mount fit to the back of the CM720? I can't see how as the CM720 has four slots and the CM47 has one male clip.
actually arkon does sell an adater to use the universal powered mount with the vent mount. i have it (because i also have the "free" vent mount that typically ships with gps units), and had to call arkon to find out if it would also work with the cm720. i don't remember the part number though.
bobby,
I'm assuming you're talking about the Seidio G2500s. I just checked that out and I tend to prefer that "drop in" method as well. However, the $79.95 price tag is OUTRAGEOUS for such a simple device!
yes, i have the g2500, and yes,it is expensive (-: but, it is nice. that's why the gomadic and arkons are so attractive, being universal fit.
the gomadic is the best deal though, price wise. the only thing is that they don't offer a speaker in the mount, it is just powered. and like their pda to cell phone cables, there is a lifetime free cable change policy. i find that the gomadic mount actually fits my x50v better than the arkon. the other thing is that the gomadic does not have a separate bluetooth charging port/cable. although my globalsat 338 has a long battery life, i like the option of the charging it at the same time.
do check out the gomadic.com and return the arkon if it is defective.
I believe all of the problems have been remedied/worked around.
The first problem was partially solved when problem #3 was fixed (thanks cowboy for the tips)
The second problem is still under review, but wiping the sponge/wiping the window/working it in slowly and leaning it against my dashboard, it's (so far) stable.
I bought a Haicom mount from buyGPSnow.com. At first I loved it. It stuck to the windshield, the sound was loud enough (but not adjustable) and it held my X30 securely. But after a month or so, it began to malfunction and fall apart. I tried to live with it but eventually it lost all power to the mount. From comments that I've read, I think that there just aren't any well made, effective mounts. buyGPSnow offered a small break on a replacement. After reading this thread I don't have a clue which one to get.
-cadjak
Please email your order number and if this mount is used without any abuse, and us within 3 months from the date of purchase, we will replace everything that is broken.
Please email us at sales @ buyGPSnow . com (no spaces) to discuss.
Originally Posted by cadjak
I bought a Haicom mount from buyGPSnow.com. At first I loved it. It stuck to the windshield, the sound was loud enough (but not adjustable) and it held my X30 securely. But after a month or so, it began to malfunction and fall apart. I tried to live with it but eventually it lost all power to the mount. From comments that I've read, I think that there just aren't any well made, effective mounts. buyGPSnow offered a small break on a replacement. After reading this thread I don't have a clue which one to get.
-cadjak
__________________
Best Regards,
Sales Team at buyGPSnow.com
Follow Us
RSS Feed
Follow on Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
