Question about Arkon Powered PDA Mount

deftech · 07-02-03, 03:14 PM

Alright guys,

I just ordered an Arkon CM525 PDA Mount for my car, as I plan to soon get a GPS setup. All of the wiring in the harness that leads to my stereo system have recently begun to short out each other....so no stereo for me anymore. My Jeep is too old (and I'm a poor college student) to worry about getting the wiring replaced....so bye bye XM-Radio, CD changer, and Radio.

Anyhow, I was wondering how the quality of the speaker is on the Arkon Mount? I know it isn't going to be anything great, but is it at least good enough to listen to music? I'm a quality-nut when it comes to audio/video, so I know it will be nowhere near my standards.....but I'll just have to let my standards sit aside until I can afford a new car. But seriously, anybody that has this think that I'll possibly be able to listen to music through it? If not, I'll just set it aside until I get my GPS setup. Thanks for the help.

deftech · 07-03-03, 09:02 AM

Bah....stupid holiday is making it take until next Monday to get here....even with 2 day shipping. Guess I'll have to be in the quiet the whole ride home. :D

Still though, anyone have an opinion?

Mike C · 07-03-03, 08:59 PM

I have an Arkon amplified mount, and it's main claim to fame is that you can hear it. The sound is like ... imagine the quarter-inch speaker of the Axim blown up to 1 inch.
There's not a lot you can say about it, except that it's better than nothing.

wildcat · 07-03-03, 09:02 PM

Hey mike LTNS been a while since ive seen ya around here. I have the mount and like mike says its no HIFI system but you can hear things clearly

Scylla · 07-05-03, 04:46 PM

I just got my iTek GPS receiver and took it out for a test drive - awesome! using it with Mapopolis w/voice directions. Everything went flawlessly, except the voice sounds pretty bad. I'd used my Axim to play a couple of MP3s and realized that you need headphones - the tiny Axim speaker isn't loud nor clear enough for music. But I hadn't even thought about the GPS voice.

I got the Arkon A/C mount (not powered) free with the receiver, but can't use it because it blocks the gear shift (column-mounted) on one side, and the turn signal/WW/etc. on the other. Other vents are too far away for me to see.

So....since I'm going to have to get another mount, I might as well look for something with a halfway decent speaker. Sounds like the CM525 isn't great, but is it reasonably usable? Can the volume be increased beyond the range of the Axim speaker? My Axim volume is ALWAYS on maximum - is that how all Axims are or do I have a dud speaker?

Has anyone found another alternative for the GPS voice volume/clarity? (BTW, I'm using Mapopolis Navigator and others have said that the voice is fine).

Thanks,

Jim

wildcat · 07-05-03, 04:58 PM

the axims in general the speakers arnt the best. THe power mount makes it loud enough to hear but if your an audiophile this isnt for you. But for a voice talking it does the job well

Scylla · 07-05-03, 06:00 PM

Thanks, Scott.

One more thing: The iTrek is a mouse-type GPS receiver and connects to the Axim via the serial sync port. The Arkon powered mount looks like it also wants to connect to the Axim via the serial port. Can the powered mount be used with a mouse GPS?

Thanks,

Jim

deftech · 07-07-03, 04:17 PM

Alright...UPS guy just delivered the Arkon mount a bit ago. Went to my Jeep to test it out....just played a couple of MP3s on it to see what it sounded like for music. I know I'm never going to get the sound that I want on my music to come out of this tiny little speaker....but as mentioned before, my wiring is shot.....so I have no choice w/out spending tons of money to get my Jeep rewired. Anyhow, playing around with the EQ in withMP3 got it sounding pretty good.....well actually, lets just say good enough for riding on the interstate in my Jeep. :p

Definately sounds 100x better than the Axim speaker. I know I could get some portable speakers to stick somewhere, but that'd look pretty tacky in my Jeep. Also, I'll soon have a GPS running, so wanted the Arkon anyhow.

Overall, I think I'm going to like it a lot. Seems to be very sturdy....great quality. Gets my vote for a good mount.