$1 vent mount - for GPS navigation

jahko · 05-20-05, 08:45 AM

I just thought I'd share a great find.

I had been shopping for a mount for my X50v for sometime now. I remembered that I got a cell phone holder a few xmas's ago as a stocking stuffer.

I tried my Ax in it and it fits perfect! With some dremeling at the base of the mount, I'm sure it can be made to accomodate the travel connector.

For the Canuks, you can find this cell phone holder at Dollarama. It clips perfectly into the vents in my VW.

I'll post a pic when I've finalized the rework...

ironhelix · 05-20-05, 09:01 AM

sweet deal

i'd buy that for a dollard

lol

yeah man lets see the pics...

jahko · 05-20-05, 01:11 PM

I finished the mod to the mount in faster time than it took to take the picutres - lol. Used a cone shaped burr tool on a drill to make the access for the connector. Final pic also shows my fiscally challenged car adapter. This is the car adapter for the BT-338 GPS that fits into the Dell connector quite nicely, has the correct polarity and voltage to accomodate the X50v....

As I mentioned, in Canada you can purchase this mount at Dollarama stores for $1CDN + tx = $1.15 CDN or about $0.80US

jahko · 05-20-05, 01:13 PM

pictures continued....

notsure · 05-20-05, 01:17 PM

This is great, thanks for the pics.

How secure do you think it is? Is it difficult to get the viewing angle right?

I'm gonna order the proclips solution but may splurge and buy this in the meantime.

Thanks.

jahko · 05-20-05, 03:25 PM

For me the view angle is perfect. If you notice in the pics, the holder can accomodate something thicker than the X50v, this allows about a 3-5 degree incline. This is how I machined the plastic bottom, to accomodate the incline.

In the holder, the Axim is quite secure - its a snug fit. The holder has a foam lining that helps to firm things up.

Just goes to show what the other real mounts are worth. If you can buy this thing for $1, the cost to make other mounts might be say 5-10$ - the rest is markup.

I looked at Dollarma today and they still sell this mount - might pickup another one for a spare....

wolfRX · 05-20-05, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the sharing! Could u be more specific though? What cell phone holder model is it excatly? If you don't know/remember that - what cell phone did you buy the holder for? TIA

jahko · 05-20-05, 06:09 PM

Its a general purpose Cell stand that you can buy at a store in Canada called Dollarama. Dollarama is chain of stores that sell everything for $1 + tax.

Next time I'm there, I'll snap a quick pic with my phone and post it.

Its exactly the same as this:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...775676105&rd=1

wolfRX · 05-20-05, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by jahko

Next time I'm there, I'll snap a quick pic with my phone and post it.

I think it wouldn't be necessary to have all these troubles - ppl got the idea, I guess. Thanks again, really appreciated.

lvgdgts · 05-20-05, 08:15 PM

Very well done. You did a great job at finding a solid-looking holder at an amazing price. Your mods look very well done. How did you get the angle of the drill just right?

jahko · 05-21-05, 07:10 AM

I slid the Ax in place with the connector attached, marked the base. The angle was more of a guess, used a small straightedge to mark the angle on the plastic. If messed up - only $1 to try again....

smurfgun · 06-24-05, 08:07 PM

That's cheap! And does its job!

Anybody know of a dollar store in Vancouver that might carry it?

Thanks,

gq_fuzion · 06-24-05, 08:25 PM

hmmm... think i gotta visit a dollarama now... pick up 2 of these... one for phone, other for pda

06-26-05, 01:07 PM

ditto.. Gotta go check this out.

GQ_fuzion. if u find ou, can you post back at which location in Toronto?
& I'll do the same.

again thx to the Original poster..! great find..!

tallredwookie · 06-26-05, 05:16 PM

Nice work....have to do some dremeling myself.