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Posted by: Bill Landon on Feb 24, 04 | 4:00 pm

Provided by: FreeTranslation.com


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Seidio Multi-function Powered Mount Bundle for iPAQ

The PDA is a great tool to take along with you when you leave the office, home or class. You can do many things with your PDA from checking your schedule, your email, to just listening to music or playing a game.

What’s wrong with the above statement? Fundamentally nothing, expect when you are going from place to place where do you put your PDA? I toss my iPAQ in the seat next to me when driving but it tends to slide around and on occasion end up under the seat after quick turn or stop.

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Seidio has created a great solution to this with their line of multi-function powered PDA mounting systems. The Seidio kit I am going to look at today is their Multi-Function Powered Mount Bundle for iPAQ. This kit includes the following parts:

1 Powered PDA mount cradle with DC power cord
1 8" Super Strong Suction Windshield Pedestal
1 Slide and Lock Vent Pedestal
1 360 Degree Swivel Adaptor
1 Audio Cable (used to enable the speaker)
1 USB Charging Cable for your PDA model

Here is a detailed description of each part that is including with this kit from the Seidio website:







1) Holder Function
Cradle

The cradle comes with adjustable SIDE GRIP support arms, that securely hold your PDA. It holds the PDA using pressure from the ratcheting foam lined arms. The fit is snug, but the release button easily frees your PDA. The cradle comes with a thin adhesive piece of metal that adheres to the back of your PDA that gives extra magnetic support. The cradle also has two removable pegs at the bottom to further support your PDA.

8" Windshield Suction Pedestal

With eight inches of gooseneck, the pedestal works with most cars. This innovatively designed and engineered windshield pedestal is the best available. The Super Strong Suction cup can easily hold up to 22 lbs from the windshield. When applied correctly, this windshield pedestal can securely hold your PDA and mount solidly and attractively.

This pedestal can be easily attached to the windshield and can be removed from vehicle to vehicle. The cradle can also be easily detached from the pedestal and stored in the glove box or on the car floor when you park. Slide and Lock Vent Pedestal

The mount bundle includes a slide and lock vent pedestal that can be attached to your vehicle’s air conditioning vent without tools. The pedestal comes with two locking clips and one hinged support arm on the back that can angle the unit up. The combination of locking clips and a hinged support arm ensures the pedestal’s firm attachment to the air conditioning vent of your vehicle. The installation is simple and convenient.

This pedestal can be easily attached to the vent and can be removed from vehicle to vehicle. The mount can also be easily detached from the pedestal and stored in the glove box or on the car floor when you park. *May not be compatible with some air vents.

2) Swivel Function

SEIDIO’s exclusive swivel adaptor is compatible with the Slide and Lock Vent and Windshield pedestals. The swivel adaptor is custom designed to offer your PDA side-to-side movement or 360 degree swivel rotation. The swivel adaptor provides the ability to position the PDA at every possible angle for best viewing and GPS reception. For the GPS users, it is especially beneficial because both the driver and the passenger can easily see the maps of the GPS navigation system. It also reduces windshield glare for clear viewing of GPS maps.

3) Charger Function

The cradle is powered by your car's 12 or 24-volt power source, and with the included detached USB charging cable, it will power and charge your PDA. Using the USB charging cable, power is delivered to your PDA either through the DC charging port or PDA serial connector (this depends on your specific device).

By changing the USB charging cable, the mount can charge a different PDA or PDA phone. A USB charging cable for your PDA is included with the kit. Additional replacement USB charging cables can be purchased separately from Seidio.

4) Speaker Function

The speaker function enables users to listen to GPS voice commands, digital books, and MP3 music over the noise of the road through the built in high performance speaker on the rear of the mount. A detachable double-headed stereo cable is included with this kit. One end of this cable plugs into the speaker jack on the cradle and the other end plugs into the PDA's speaker jack. It is a convenient, safe, and smart way to use your PDA while you drive.

5) Hands Free Provision

The cradle, combined with hands free cable, can provide the option of "hands free" capability for your wireless phone. The hands free cable (varies by model and sold separately) has a built-in microphone and call/end button. The cable with an external microphone is also available. The cable connects your wireless phone to the cradle and transmits sound from your phone to the rear speaker on the cradle. Wireless phone holders are also available. To order, visit the Seidio accessories section for available hands free cables and wireless phone holders.

6) Add-on Charging Cables for wireless phone, additional PDA, or other digital device (such as digital cameras)

With this add-on charging cable, you can power and charge your wireless phone, additional PDA, or other digital devices (such as a digital camera) through the DC power jack on the mount. The cable for digital cameras is coming soon.

The add-on charging cables vary by model and are sold separately





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The kit includes several different mounting options. One of the most interesting mounting options is the vent mount. Alas I could never get the vent mount to work right. This is not the fault of Seidio’s engineers however but the non-typical vents in my Mini Cooper. The vent mount system should work fine in most vehicles. Instead I decided to use the 8” window pedestal as my mounting option of choice. At first I didn’t think I would like the look of the window mount but after seeing it there it became less obtrusive looking.

In the past I have used an iRock of transmit my PDA’s audio to the car’s FM stereo. The drawback to that scenario is you can’t listen to your favorite radio station or CD while getting voice directions from your GPS without changing the preset radio station. Seidio thoughtfully added a speaker to the PDA mount. The Seidio speaker quality is decent and the volume level is sufficient for in car use. I wouldn’t want to listen to a whole CD on this speaker but for in-car GPS navigation and phone calls it works like a champ. Now I just mute the car stereo and I can easily take a phone call or get my in-car GPS directions.

The materials used to construct the Seidio mounting system is lightweight and durable however I did manage to crack the gooseneck mount sleeve. It still holds tight and I have placed some glue into the collar just to be safe. Just to be fair I will concede that I was turning the mount in a direction I don’t think it was meant to go. We have seen more rugged mounts in lab before from companies like RevolveDesign that we reviewed last spring , but those rugged mounts come with a high price tag.

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Our kit did not include the hands free phone cable but the concept sounds great. My cell phone microphone is pretty sensitive so it worked just fine in the mount but a remote button to answer the call would be nice.

The only detraction from this kit is that it is a little bulky; however Seidio does have a slimline kit with out the built in speaker. Seidio has set a new bar for price vs. performance on PDA mounting gear. As the competition heats up for better in-car cell phone/PDA mounting solutions it will become increasingly difficult to get a perfect score. That being said I feel safe recommending this unit for the road warrior that doesn’t need a “custom install” look but instead needs function over fashion.


--Bill Landon
Senior Editor

Rating: 3.5 our of 5

Purchase Multi-Function Mount iPAQ19/22

More Products From Seido


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