1. DoctorNeutron's Avatar
    Slide 1
    Doc Neutron's installation of ARKON SM588 in his 1998 ML-320 (211Kmiles)
    prior to mounting of PB. The two pairs of mounting brackets are just far
    enough apart to permit screen shots by pressing both up and down volume
    buttons at the same time or also not cause a power off. PB is easily set into
    the lower pair of brackets and then one gently forces the two pairs of spring-
    loaded brackets apart to accommodate the PB very nicely. Wider mounting
    brackets would be desirable for the PB � they would permit easier use of the
    volume and mute keys along the top of the PB.

    Not tested yet: insertion of USB, power, HDMI cables from below and their
    use under road conditions.

    Slide 2
    The mounting barrel is both firm and yet adjustable. Must clear the steering
    Wheel and the shifter. Note the very old style Mickey-Mouse cassette and wire
    that is plugged into the PB's head phones output. Sound from my stock 14 year
    old Bose system is awesome. Huge open space below radio and above AC
    controls is another opportunity for mounting, but�

    Slide 3
    Detail of lower mounting bracket. Seat mounting bolt is nearly horizontal.
    Note the two mounting screws of the bracket to the barrel are not in their
    Standard shipped positions, but slanted - all holes shown/used are factory.
    This floor mounting is the main key to the Arkon's operational success -bumps
    and rough road do not affect the PB - it remained steady and readable
    throughout my drive testing because it is basically mounted to the floor.

    Slide 4
    Doc Neutron's PB mounted, with head phone out plugged in to cassette on
    a wire. At the barrel length of 12-13 inches, some finesse is needed to
    adjust to view and avoid the steering wheel and shifter. But, once a position
    is chosen, the PB remains fixed in position. (I would have thought a lot
    of vibration and wobble would occur - it does not!) Be careful not to stress
    the mounting bolts while doing these adjustments. Low mounting: Doc�s
    windows are maximally smoked out and PB is really hard to see. Don�t
    mind leaving my baby for brief periods of time !

    Slide 5
    Taken with my Torch 9850 while moving. Note that BT between it and my
    PB is enabled. Mode is Showcase (needed for MapApp and Compass Pro).
    Beethoven is playing and served to qualitatively monitor distortion � none
    was noted over the thirty mile trip. Compass readings stayed up with
    my regular compass and Google Maps remained locked in with my local
    knowledge. In other tests, I also had Qfolio running with a realtime chart
    along with these other apps.

    Slide 6
    Another quick camera shot - a typical winding lake road. I hate the BLUE
    GPS location marker, especially around lakes. What were they thinking ?

    Slide 7
    Compass Pro, Google Maps via MapApp, Qfolio and Beethoven all good.
    Here a screen shot was taken while in motion.

    Slide 8
    Oh yeah, here is my Torch 9850 in the Arkon mount, again using the cassette
    and wire. Nice !


    Conclusions: Arkon mounting solid, easy to view. This is due both to
    The Arkon mounting gear and the size and weight of the PB. Duh, QNX is a true
    Realtime OS, as qualitatively monitored listening to music and watching the other
    apps.

    Garmin and Verizon and RIM need to quit squabbling and give us turn x turn
    Garmin. You cannot tell me that between the three of you, a throw-down,
    skunk works set of Garmin software for the QNX system is not available.
    Mainly the squabbling is over money.

    Doc Neutron
    jplo2113, Cracklen and 13echo4 like this.
    03-23-12 09:36 PM
  2. FF22's Avatar
    Very interesting. So who is Doc Neutron and why are you photographing his setup?
    03-23-12 11:44 PM
  3. Cracklen's Avatar
    Doc';

    Arkon could mount on passenger side and twist over slightly ? 'Mirror image' install !?

    "I hate the BLUE GPS location marker, especially around lakes. What were they thinking ? "
    Not cartographers, just software developers ! Another telltale of not using proper 'proofers', is when a publisher okays saaay major hwys to be blue (duuuuh ya just made a river of a roadway) for those collection of area maps found in 'yellowpages' telephone directories !


    Thanks for taking time to post pics and explanation !

    nite,
    retired land survey/mapping technologist ! ~
    Last edited by Cracklen; 03-24-12 at 12:00 AM.
    ambarmetta likes this.
    03-23-12 11:52 PM
  4. 13echo4's Avatar
    Ive been pondering how to put a mount in my F250. This has my cogs turning.
    03-24-12 12:37 AM
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