For a lot of people mounting a GPS on a windshield is not legal (CA & MN), or just not desirable which leaves them either sticking an adhesive disk on the dashboard, or investigating the idea of an alternative mount like a friction or vent mount. I got in a friction mount and a vent mount with various connectors recently for a review of how they do on my dash and how they hold up. The company is Arkon, and they make a dizzying array of mount styles with some great capabilities.
Friction Mount
This Arkon Weighted Friction Mount has a flat front that allows you to use your stock suction cup mount from makers like Garmin, TomTom and others that have some pretty small, minimalistic mounts. The mount has plenty of heft and sits firmly on the Dash through a normal week of driving. It's a pretty confidence inspiring mount and while it may not stand up on the NASCAR track pulling a few G's it performed well in my normal driving through traffic, around town and on the highway. Just in case you decide to take the fourth turn at Daytona, you'll keep things steady with the little safety loop on the back of the mount that allows you to put it around the adhesive hook (included) that you can fasten to the dash. Its base is about an inch wide, is pretty unobtrusive, and doesn't scream - "Steal the GPS under the Seat" like a regular adhesive disk might. The Hook is a bummer if you wanted a clean dash. To be clear in my time driving I didn't bother with the hook and the mount didn't move at all, even with a Dash Express suction cupped to it.
I was able to use factory mounts on the friction base as well as Arkon mounts made specifically for TomTom and for Garmin. The factory mounts were a bit slimmer and smaller, while the Arkon adapters had some more length to them and added the ability to adjust to different heights and lengths.
PDA/Phone Mount - I was also supplied with a mount for a PDA/Phone; which comes in customized styles. I had the generic, which fit my iPhone well, and when it comes time to navigate with the iPhone 3G, the Arkon mount should help. The mount has configurable bottom "feet" to hold the bottom of the phone so you can slide them back and forth to get plugs into the bottom of the phone. The sidewalls slide in and out and have a soft rubberized interior to cushion your phone. A quick pinch of the sidewalls keeps the mount snug on the phone, while a touch of a button on the side of the mount allows the sidewalls to pop out and release your phone. Simple and fast.
Vent Clip Garmin Nuvi Vent Clip - The Garmin Nuvi Vent Clip is a very discreet option for mounting a GPS; allowing you to pop the GPS on and off while leaving the mount right there on the vent. Small and almost invisible, hardly any thief would guess that there is a GPS prize associated with your car. After enlisting friends to try the mount, on the four cars I fitted the mount to, we were pretty happy with the performance. The little clips that snap into the louvers and attach to the mount swivel to accept louvers that are either vertical or horizontal. I would recommend using both hands to remove the Nuvi from the mount instead of just indiscriminately ripping the thing off that may just pull a louver with it depending on the shape of your ride. Using both hands, made the removal quick and easy. Reception was not affected and having the unit closer to me made for easy programming. I also tried this out on the vent to the left of the steering wheel which makes for another very desirable mounting option for lefties.
It's unfoutunately illeagal to mount your GPS on the windshield in Minnesota and California, but a lot of people also don't want to have those suction cup rings on the windshield to deal with either. There is always the dash mounting option that solved these problems.
Here are a couple of options:
1. Adhesive disk - these come with almost all GPS units, usually black and can go right on your dash. I saw a driver the other day with one of these mounted vertically on his dash near the center stack that put the GPS well within reach. Wouldn't work in my car, but it looked great in his. The downside may be looks; a lot of folks don't want one of these stuck to the dash no matter what.
2. Garmin Friction Mount - Garmin offers this, and a lot of people are happy with it, judging from the emails I get from readers and the ratings on Amazon.
3. Bracketron NavMat GPS Friction Mount - is another option that allows you to use the mount along with the suction cup mount that came with your GPS. I have also had readers write in about this one too, and from the reviews at Amazon, a lot of people seem to like the mount for a lot of different GPS models.
A lot of GPS readers have written in recommending this particular friction mount for dashboards. It's illegal to mount a GPS to the windshield in California and Minnesota, so if you live there or are traveling there, grab one of these (or use that sticky dash mount disk that will stay on the dash).
Garmin has their own friction mount, with an extension for the Nuvi series. It's worth considering the NavMat friction mount too.
It's made by Bracketron - check out their website for more information.
The TomTom ONE does not come with a carrying case, but don’t let that stop you, there’s one available for you that’s pretty nice. No longer do you need to wrap it in an old T-Shirt, to carry it outside your car.
The case has some strength to it so it will hold up bouncing around a bit, but it is not a hard case, crush-proof thing. It will however keep your TomTom ONE scratch-free when you travel with it. It will fit the TomTom ONE 2nd and 3rd editions.
Don’t want to leave “suction cup” rings on your windshield that thieves use as a telltale sign of a GPS inside? Live in Minneapolis or California where you can’t use a windshield mount? Don’t want to use that permanent adhesive disk to mount your GPS to the dash?
The answer might just be the Dashboard Friction GPS Mount for the Garmin Nuvi series and the StreetPilot C530, C550. The mount is a beanbag type mount that uses its weight and slip resistant bottom to keep your GPS firmly mounted where you want it. More and more people I correspond with are buying these as a way to avoid one or more of the problems I highlighted above. Specs - 11 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches ; 1.5 pounds
Biking season is almost here and Garmin has some pretty cool (if you like Garmin) Bike Jerseys up on their site that are available for sale. So, if you have a Garmin strapped to your handlebars, why not wear the jersey too?!?! Three pockets across the back and made of breathable poly.
I am always searching for a good solution for carrying my eTrex Vista C while hiking or Geocaching, and I bought this case recently that is the best I have seen in a long time. The case is made by Foarm, and is designed specifically for the eTrex Cx line, including the Garmin eTrex Venture Cx , Garmin eTrex Legend Cx , Garmin eTrex Vista Cx . The case WILL also fit the now discontinued eTrex “C” series that preceded the “X” designation; the case WILL NOT fit the monochrome eTrex line as those are longer and narrower than the newer Cx line.
After the tidal wave of GPS units hit the US with the CES 2007 show, Garmin announced that a nice little accessory is available to Garmin Forerunner 205 and 305 users. The $25 accessory is a bike mount for the popular Forerunner units that allow you to easily jump on the bike, snap in your forerunner and go.
Not sure if it will be popular in the transition zones of the biggie triathlons, but it just might make the Forerunner a little more versatile for the rest of us.
Delorme has released their new Topo USA 6.0 software with several upgrades that make the new version look pretty good. The software package covers the US with terrain detail on one DVD and allows you to plan trips, print maps and tap into your GPS location capability. It is said that it delivers next generation 3-D, exclusive routing and GPS capabilities, and the most up-to-date detail available in topographic map software.
Segway has announced that buyers of the Segway Human Transporter will receive a free Garmin eTrex Legend or Legend C with the purchase of various models of the Segway HT. The offer is good through January 6, 2006. This is the latest thing to add to your Segway to trick it out; head lights and blinking tail lights are also available.
A lot of readers have been asking about alternative mounts for their new Garmin StreetPilot 2720. For one reason or another the factory mount isn't suitable for their needs. The folks over at eMounts have confirmed that these mounts will fit the 2700 series products. So if you need a windshield mount, a c-clamp bar type mount, a cup holder mount, or a crazy floor mounted bendable stand, you can find them there.
Garmin GTM10 FM Traffic Reciever for StreetPilot 2720 and C340
The Garmin GTM 10 is a small FM-band traffic receiver that connects with your car radio/antenna system to provide real-time Traffic Message Channel (TMC) data to compatible Garmin GPS navigation products which then depict and identify problem areas on their moving-map displays.
GPS Lodge Review: MotionBased Website Helps Analyze GPS Data
MotionBased website service takes data obsession to a whole new level. It's a well thought out service that allows you to upload your GPS track data to their website, and allows you to analyze it in various ways through charting and other graphical methods. The other key aspect of the website is that you can also search through their very large TrailNetwork (>90,000 uploaded routes available to search) and look at prospective routes that you might enjoy. Overall, it the system still has a ways to go as far as features and ability to help you get the best out of the data, but the technology and usefulness is still impressive eye-candy, and fun to use. Best of all, the standard features are free so you can try before you buy (plus membership is around $8 - 12/mo.).
There are a few basic accessories made by Garmin for the eTrex line that can make your life a lot better.
Going Biking? ATVing? - Try the eTrex Handlebar Mount
This is a great way to use your eTrex for biking or off roading with your ATV. The back cover is replaced with a cover that includes an integral clip that clips into the handlebar mount. The kit comes with a handlebar mount that wraps around a typical handlebar, and screws to tighten. The eTrex can then be clipped onto the mount and you are ready to go.
GPS Arkon Friction Mount Review
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Segway has announced that buyers of the Segway Human Transporter will receive a free Garmin eTrex Legend or Legend C with the purchase of various models of the Segway HT. The offer is good through January 6, 2006. This is the latest thing to add to your Segway to trick it out; head lights and blinking tail lights are also available.
A lot of readers have been asking about alternative mounts for their new Garmin StreetPilot 2720. For one reason or another the factory mount isn't suitable for their needs. The folks over at eMounts have confirmed that 
The 
is a small FM-band traffic receiver that connects with your car radio/antenna system to provide real-time 
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