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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044   
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Not really electronic but seemed the best place to post.
I've been holding off buying a mount for a tablet as I was contemplating buying a smaller tablet for walking, so wanted something that would fit that (samsung tab 2-7") in an Otterbox, as well as possibly fitting an ipad without having to take it out of its case - so the requirement was a universal holder which would do both and could be mounted on a bendy arm (also I wanted to have my cake and eat it) Having perused the Ram catalogue it didn't look there was a holder that would do both and didn't really want to have to swap over holders, buy two or take whichever tablet was being used out of the protection of an Otterbox Defender. But somehow cam across this item from Arkon 
http://www.gearzap.com/arkon-tab-fsm-unive...mount.html which looked like it would fit the bill. I must admit I was a bit dubious as it was only £25.94 delivered which is a lot less than the prestige Ram system. However having unpacked and assembled it looks pretty tough. There are two mount systems included, one for the seat runner bolt and one which can be physically bolted in somewhere, both in nice thick steel. There is a universal sprung holder with two different sets of legs so it does actually take both an ipad (in case) and a 7" tablet (in case) and anything in between. Also included is an additional mounting plate (with bolts) which could be attached directly to the back of a hard case (which I'm considering), so all in all a comprehensive package which appears to be truly universal. The bit in between is an aluminium stem sheathed in bendy plastic, its about 18" long which seems to put it at just the right height. Obviously I haven't tested it on the corrugations of South Africa (not that I'm planning to go there) but its impossible to get the holder to relinquish grip on either tablet when shaking it vigourously by the end of the flex stalk (done carefully over the sofa just in case!) So I think its unlikely to loose grip in any off road situation I'm likely to find myself in. There is the option of a couple of straps around the tablet of course. I'll be fitting that at the weekend , so I can see routes on a tablet which is a bit clearer. Pics to follow of that. The Samsung tab is also ideal for Memory Map, nice and clear, also does turn by turn road navigation along with all the other tablet things (a bit too small for realistic internet use to be honest) A good alternative to a standard sat nav and way cheaper (now down from £299 at launch to £139 in several stores) than the Memory Map offerings. A good size for walking, battery lasts all day (with wifi and bluetooth off) GPS aquires and tracks accurately, same as the ipad but a handier size and again way cheaper (you need to get the 3g ipad to have gps in it and that's pricey) . I may put up a separate review of that when I get 5 mins. So a good purchase, came next day from Gearzap.com (same price from Mobilefun / same company I believe) Ebay sellers are charging up to £39.99 for it) Spare parts seem to be available in this country as well as USA so happy with that. Not knocking the highly thought of Ram system in any way as I know they are popular and good kit, but a universal holder didn't seem to be available from them (plus this is a lot less money) I haven't compared the two and time will tell whether this actually goes the distance but first impressions are good. DJ Fixed the link now as it didn't work correctly! 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html Last edited by d j hutton on 21st Aug 2013 12:49pm. Edited 2 times in total |
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21st Aug 2013 12:16pm |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6610  
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Yep, it is the right place
 1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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21st Aug 2013 12:17pm |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
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Makes a change
DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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21st Aug 2013 12:26pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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That looks useful, DJ. Be interested to know how you get on with it. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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21st Aug 2013 12:44pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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Good find DJ - thanks for sharing
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22nd Aug 2013 5:32am |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
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All fitted in nicely, simply unscrew the seat rail mounting bolt and slip in the mount, tighten and adjust.
Click image to enlarge Makes a handy coffee table with the lid on the otterbox
Click image to enlarge Shown here with ipad fitted. Click image to enlarge So is it any good? Well not having tried the mount of choice (ram) its hard to compare, but its stable - a bit of vibration on rough tracks, but no surprise there really. A short bungee brace sorts that out though. Neither the ipad or the samsung tab fell out (or looked like they were going to) , it could easily be adjusted and really what else is it supposed to do? Used it on a couple of byways in the New Forest (didn't know there were any!) and the viewing position is fine. All in all a good buy and Mrs H thinks its a good idea, which is unusual  I think I'll get another for the 90.
DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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27th Aug 2013 9:24pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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DJ - good write up. I see you have a switch blank on your dash, would it be possible to make up a bracket that fits into the switch blank and could steady the unit? .. Just a thought
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28th Aug 2013 5:28am |
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| william8 Member Since: 03 Apr 2013 Location: Motherwell Posts: 259  
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By coincedence i bought this mount on Monday from ebay £30.
I plan to run dash command for extra dials etc and then a mapping app for off roading. What app do you use D J Hutton? I think its map trail i have just now. But have looked at the official OS app and MM app and cant decide which one to buy 
Ill post up my pictures when i get a chance and the mount. Also ordered a retractable usb cable and a case for the ipad so i can charge it and also play my music through the system. All in all i bought the ipad on gumtree on monday night for £115 and for around £200 i have a fully navigation and music system William |
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28th Aug 2013 1:22pm |
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| borderterrier Member Since: 09 Dec 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 1677 
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I want to mount my iPad mini so it's just above the radio and not filling the windscreen. I was thinking of using a ram ball mount fitted to the flat surface just above the radio and just under the centre vents to mount a ball then use a short arm to connect the iPad to it. My theory being the shorter the solution the less vibration. Question is, will the plastic on the dash have enough rigidity to support the outfit?
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30th Aug 2013 7:09am |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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for a Mini Just about
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30th Aug 2013 7:39am |
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| RichardBattersby Member Since: 07 Aug 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 57 
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Where did you get this from? I can't seem to find it on the net but looks really good. Defender 90 HT Corris Grey Puma 2.2TDCi |
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30th Aug 2013 7:45am |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
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I'm using memory map on mine, mainly as it will run on everything I have (plus I bought the uk maps for a song as part of an upgrade). I think some of the other program's out there have more features but won't use the newer mm maps so no great experience of those. MM is a bit let down by its poor online instructions, but there is a decent user knowledge base which helps (once you get past the "how do I get the maps onto my device" type threads. Works for me and as there are a lot of people using it, it's easy to exchange mm routes. Dj 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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30th Aug 2013 7:45am |
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| Kitoper Member Since: 07 Dec 2012 Location: Geneva Posts: 204 
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Steve, I am thinking along the same lines. I have seen that the SVX has a mount for a Garmin GPS which should reassure for the surface strength. I am wondering if that Garmin mount cannot be modified to support an IPAD mini. The Garmin installation on an SVX. Click image to enlarge The mount http://www.brit-car.co.uk/product.php?xProd=160693 |
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30th Aug 2013 8:10am |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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How nice an installation that is, LR did really a good job with those SVX Garmins
You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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30th Aug 2013 9:27am |
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