cradle healed, nifty dash holder....

[petesl]

For those of you offering suggestions on getting the palm brand cradle to work, it now does! Of the multiple suggestions I tried at onece, I think the one that did the trick was removing the cover and jiggling (the Ique, not myself, although I incidentally jiggled, too).

For fellow non-bean-bag fans (I just don't want that heavy travel kit flying around in a wreck) At Radio Shack this a.m., I found a nice device that functions to hold the Ique: It's a phone holder, though if you trim the foam padding on the arms, it will stretch to accomodate the Ique. $21.99. You can click here: It's AC Vent Wireless Phone Mount, Catalog #: 17-548 (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F008%5F001%5F003%5F003&product%5Fid=17%2D548)

I also am using the palm car charger from Radio Shack. Unlike the phone mount, the car charger is not a radio shack brand. For those willing to wait, it can be found for less than five bucks (plus shippng) at numerous places on the web by searching for the MFR (Micro Innovations) part number: TCC400P

The only functionality lacking in this arrangement is the boosted speaker, which can be added (I don't care about that) by either using a cheap external speaker or a rig to transmit through a tape player (cassette cartridge adapter) or broadcast through car radio over FM. Problem with those two final solutions: you dedicate your car's audio system to Icue, to the exclusion of music.

Here's a picture of the rig in my car: http://www.slover.com/IMG_1974.JPG

You can also see my Gilsson discount antenna on the dash, and my (empty) phone vent holder to the right.

Pete

[petesl]

I should not forget to add, THANKS for the tech support!

[bk007]

Hi Pete,
Thanks for sharing the info.
One question, in order to use the dash holder from Radio Shack, do u have to use the external antenna? or can you still use the flip antenna attached to IQUE??

Thanks~!

Brian

[petesl]

Whether or not you use the external antenna depends on the relative positioning of your air vents, the windshield and the sky. In my car, I get decent reception without the antenna..
But much better and faster fixes with it.

The modified vent holder I am using allows the antenna to be deployed over the back of the holder. (The depth of the device is sufficient to hold the Ique away from the dash, unless your dash slopes up and toward you over the vent, I suppose).

The bean bag setup has the advantage of holding the unit on the dash, with a clear shot through the windshield. But, unless I'm missing something, it also obstructs the view and poses a risk of getting sandbagged in a rear-end or rollover collision.

Cheers,

Pete

[sigpro]

petesl, thanks for sharing the info..very nice. One question, do you think you can add the nav kit to your cradle? I'm also looking for a way to "not" have this on the dash. Sandbag or no Sandbag I can see this easily hitting passangers on the head/face/body in an accident

[petesl]

I have never seen the nav kit up close, but from the pictures it doesn't look like it could be dismantled. Even if so, the car holder I described barely grabs the Ique alone (with modified, trimmed foam). So, I cannot see it being wide enough to hold a charger cradle from the nav kit.

Plus, I wouldn't want to add the weight of the holder, the cradle and the Ique to my vent.

Best,

Pete

[ZiLT]

I just got the Nav Kit, and it can be taking apart.
I am just using the cradle part and attached a 1" ball to the back
to work with the Ram mount arms I use. The cradle part is just plastic and is very lite in weight. The speaker part is connected to the DC plug.

[Last Mrk]

Originally posted by petesl
Even if so, the car holder I described barely grabs the Ique alone (with modified, trimmed foam).

Pete
As you describe it, I wonder how well the iQue will stay in that holder if you are in a crash?

[petesl]

That sounds like a good solution!

[petesl]

I'd rather get hit with an Ique alone than an Ique, a cradle and a bag of beans :)

[Last Mrk]

Originally posted by petesl
I'd rather get hit with an Ique alone than an Ique, a cradle and a bag of beans :)

Can't argue with that. :)

[omnibus]

Originally posted by ZiLT
I just got the Nav Kit, and it can be taking apart.
I am just using the cradle part and attached a 1" ball to the back
to work with the Ram mount arms I use. The cradle part is just plastic and is very lite in weight. The speaker part is connected to the DC plug.

Hi Zilt, Does the RAM ball attached to the diamond shaped plate screw directly to the NAV kit cradle, or did you modify it by drilling holes or some other method? I have a RAM suction cup mount with "emap" cradle.

[sigpro]

Thanks Petesl..defenetely not on the vents, but I was thinking as a mod to place on an arm. ZiLT do you have any pics of your setup? Can you post one if you do.

[4482]

Great information Pete !

Thanks
:D