Author Topic: DIY Vehicle Mount Kit at Radio Shack  (Read 4003 times)

Anonymous

  • Guest
DIY Vehicle Mount Kit at Radio Shack
« on: March 01, 2004, 03:57:20 am »
Radio Shack is closing out a couple of models of gooseneck cellphone mounts for $10 each.  Possilby because their suction-cup bases scared away customers (it sure gives me the willies to think about an expensive cellphone or PDA being mounted with one).

But...

If you use a nail or screw to tap out the pin holding the suction cup release lever,  you find a hold that you can put about a #10 or so screw through to attach the base firmly.  The previous owner of my truck had attached one of those slide-out mounts for a CB to the roof.  I finally found a use for it:  I screwed the mount to it,  and it holds the Z in a position where it\'s out of the sun,  out of my normal line of sight,  and easy to see when I want to.

To attach the Z to the cellphone holder,  I took the holder apart and removed the \"gripper\" mechanism (which doesn\'t spread quite wide enough to hold the Z.  Dammit),  and tie-wrapped the \"Strongarm\" bracket out of a Case Logic case to it.  I drove around for a while to make sure the idea was going to work,  and it did.  So I\'ll drill a couple of holes and screw the bracket to it.

I don\'t know how the stiffness of the gooseneck compares to the new models,  because I\'m too cheap to spring the $25 RS wants for them.  But it\'s a lot better than the microphone gooseneck RS sells,  which flexes too easily for vehicle use.  I put a 90-degree bend in it to hold the Z vertical with the base mounted parallel to the roof,  and it doesn\'t seem to flex visibly at all.  Even in my \"camper special\" pickup,  which rides like a buckboard if it doesn\'t have a ton or so of load on the bed.

So,  for about $25 ($10 for the mount,  and $15 for the case at places like Fry\'s and Circuit City) and very little work,  you can make a really solid mount that fits the Z very well,  and is probably even solid enough for off-roading.

fwiw:  I dunno whether it was just the particular units I got,  but the model for fliphones (with a clear phone holder) was easier to remove from the gooseneck part for tinkering.  I was afraid I going to break the plastic when I whacked the larger one to disconnect it.  That may be \"better\" or \"worse\",  depending on whether your goal is to have a system that\'s \"extra safe\" or \"easy to mess with\"  ;-)

n8a

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
    • View Profile
    • http://
DIY Vehicle Mount Kit at Radio Shack
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2004, 06:08:22 pm »
I bought the mount shown in the following link (the first picture - \"top seller\"):

http://www.arkon.com/palm2.html

At $30, this is perfect IMO.

This mount
a) requires no mods - works great out of the package and looks fine.  I have it in my Jeep Wrangler, and the bouncing is no prob!
 fits the 5500 perfectly and is adjustable, so it would fit the 5600 and *should* fit the C series in portrait mode
c) is VERY sturdy - It is suctioned to my windshield, and hangs to the left of my steering wheel above my turn signal.  It is sturdy enough that I can use the stylus or press buttons on it without it moving
d) obviously, i don\'t recommend reading articles or browsing the web while driving. I do on occassion, but really shouldn\'t!  I got it for gps, for the record...

I could potentially post a picture of it mounted in my Jeep if anyone\'s interested.  Not sure how many of you would be interested in doing this...?!?

Anonymous

  • Guest
DIY Vehicle Mount Kit at Radio Shack
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2004, 04:45:27 am »
The suction cup thing still gives me the willies,  but the other mounting options they offer do make that a better choice for most folks.  Especially since they\'ve cut their prices:  I think they used to charge even more than the $45 price they now show crossed-out on the webpage.

The one plus for the Radio Shack is that it\'s easy to change the \"mounting plate\" if,  e.g.,  you want to switch between the Z and a GPS or other gadget.

Ran

n8a

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 235
    • View Profile
    • http://
DIY Vehicle Mount Kit at Radio Shack
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2004, 05:16:01 pm »
Yeah, I\'m sure that they both have their pros and cons.  As far as the suction cup, it\'s VERY sturdy.  I was very weary as well, and I had bad experience with it at first as I could not get it to stick.  But, once I rubbed my windshield down with alcohol (included and explained in the instructions), then locked the suction level, that thing was ON!  

You want to reattach the suction periodically - it recommends every week or so I think, but I\'ve had it on for a month and I just give it a strong tug-test to see if it\'s weakening before putting my 5500 in it.  For me, the suction was good b/c I really don\'t want to mod or even sticky anything to my Jeep, but for those that are cool with that, I\'m sure it works well.