MountGuys Blog

January 27, 2012

Mounts for Vertical Vents

Filed under: GPS Mounts and Accessories, Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , , , , , — mountguys @ 4:34 pm

We must get a few questions weekly asking about mounts that will fit on vertical vents.  Most cars have vent slots that go across versus up and down and 99% of all vent mounts are made primarily for horizontal vents.

Finally, a solution is available for vertical vents from a company called Tetrax.  Based in Italy, they have developed a mount that combines a very small vice with a magnetic attachment for your smartphone, GPS or anything that weighs less than 300 grams (10.5 ounces).  For information on these unique magnetic mounts, see our blog post written in late 2011.

So Tetrax has two kinds of mounts.  Some attach to your dash, others attach to the vent.  Since this post is titled “Mounts for Vertical Vents”, we’re going to take a bit more about the vent mounts.  These mounts are attached to your vent using a small vice with rubber grips.  They tighten and loosen using a small dial built into the mount.  Extremely easy to attach and detach.  We have found that the profile is so small that they aren’t even noticed when you remove your device, so we leave ours in the car after we remove our device.  But the neat part is that if you travel, it’s very easy to take with you.  Just don’t leave it in the rental!

The Tetrax XWAY and GEO lines are the vent mounts.  The XWAY is a heavier duty mount and recommended for GPS units and SmartPhones.  The GEO is best for SmartPhones and devices weighing 150 grams (5.25 ounces) or less.  The GEO works great with our iPhone 4 in a Tetrax XCASE.  We offer some picture below.

Tetrax Geo - See the Vice?

Tetrax Geo - See the Vice?

Tetrax XWAY with a TomTom

Tetrax XWAY with a TomTom

Tetrax XWAY

Tetrax XWAY

Tetrax Geo with an iPhone in an XCASE

Tetrax Geo with an iPhone in a case

Tetrax Geo

Tetrax Geo

January 17, 2012

Arkon’s New Camera Mount Line

Filed under: Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , , , , — mountguys @ 6:08 pm

Our friends at Arkon have introduced a new line of camera mounts for almost any location and they are available at a very reasonable price.  There are two keys to making a useful camera mount.  Almost every tripod has a 1/4″ – 20 threaded post that fits that little threaded hole on the bottom of the camera.  It also needs to be constructed to keep steady in a mobile environment.  Arkon has all that figured and has delivered with their new camera line.

The progression of video cameras over the past several years has spawned a need for a variety of mounts.  The Panasonics, Kodaks and Sonys have been replaced by Flip, GoPro and Contour.  Great quality, smaller footprint.  All of these cameras have a 1/4″ – 20 component, in a few cases you may need to buy a mounting cradle, but you will find most models are ready to mount.  Just look for that threaded hole on the bottom.

Arkon CMP227 Camera Handlebar Mount

Arkon CMP227 Camera Handlebar Mount

Arkon CMP220 Gooseneck Camera Mount

Arkon CMP220 Gooseneck Camera Mount

Arkon CMP212 Bean Bag Camera Mount

Arkon CMP212 Bean Bag Camera Mount

Arkon CMP214 Camera Suction Mount

Arkon CMP214 Camera Suction Mount

December 30, 2011

Attaching your iPhone or Tablet to a Tripod or Monopod

Filed under: Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , , , , — mountguys @ 3:37 pm

We have received a few recent requests for attaching an iPad or iPhone to a tripod.  In the case of the iPad user, they wanted to watch movies on their iPad and wished to use their camera tripod as the mounting base.  Clever idea but he had no way of attaching the tablet to the tripod.  In the case of the iPhone customer, she wanted to take better pictures with her iPhone and wanted to attach it to her iPhone.  She was looking to stabilize the resulting image.  This seemed like a pretty idea too.

For those that wish to use an existing tripod or monopod, we present a selection of options.  These mounts all have a common 1/4″ – 20 female base to screw onto your tripod or monopod.  Some have custom cradles.

Apple iPad iPad2 Tripod Attachment

Apple iPad iPad2 Tripod Attachment

RAM-B-348U 1" Ball with Tripod Female Attachment

RAM-B-348U 1" Ball with Tripod Female Attachment

Amazon Kindle Fire with tripod base and custom cradle

Amazon Kindle Fire with tripod base and custom cradle

iPhone ready for tripod mounting

iPhone ready for tripod mounting

December 29, 2011

Mounting Options for the Garmin eTrex 10 20 30 GPS

Filed under: GPS Mounts and Accessories — Tags: , , , , — mountguys @ 2:42 pm

During the second half of 2011, Garmin released a new generation of their 10-year old eTrex GPS line.  Options range form a basic black and white display on the eTrex 10 all the way to a color screen with nice additions like a compass and built-in barometric altimeter with wireless route sharing on the eTrex 30.  These units are very competitively prices and are marketed to hikers, bikers and geocachers for handheld use.  We all know that people will use these for more than simply handheld use, so without further ado, we present some innovative solutions.

Motorcycle ATV Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Motorcycle ATV Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Garmin eTrex Marine Mount

Garmin eTrex Marine Mount

Suction Cup Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Suction Cup Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Kayak Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Kayak Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Handlebar Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

Handlebar Mount for Garmin eTrex 10 20 30

November 23, 2011

Making your Garmin Montana GPS Mobile

Filed under: GPS Mounts and Accessories — Tags: , , — mountguys @ 5:47 pm

Garmin recently released their long awaited refresh to their handheld GPS line.  The Garmin Montana offers three different models and is a truly diverse line.  Depending upon model, the functionality ranges from using it to find a geocache all the way to use on the water or in your car.  New models introduce a 5 megapixel camera, customizable homepage and a waterproof casing.  Add in old time favorites like an electronic compass, ability to create waypoints, and satellite imagery and you will see that Garmin has introduced a major overhaul that might prove worthy of parting with some of your hard earned money.

Once you get the GPS, you might wish to truly make it portable with mounts, cabling and cases.  We’re here for you!

Garmin Montana Marine Mount

Garmin Montana Marine Mount

Garmin Montana Dash Mount

Garmin Montana Dash Mount

Garmin Car Charger for the Montana

Garmin Car Charger for the Montana

Garmin Carry Case for the Montana

Garmin Carry Case for the Montana

Handlebar Mount for Garmin Montana

Handlebar Mount for Garmin Montana

 

November 20, 2011

RAM’s New X-Grip Universal Cradle Line

Filed under: Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , , , , , — mountguys @ 2:09 pm

RAM is known for manufacturing some of the most innovative mounts.  They recently announced a series of universal cradles called X-Grip.  After playing with these for a bit, we see why they are so excited about these.  Most universal cradles are spring loaded and open / close with a button on the side.  The cradles have supports at the side and bottom.  Works for most devices, but sometimes blocks ports.

The X-Grip is different.  The cradles deploy a 4-leg design that will grasp your device at the sides quite firmly.  In fact, it is firm enough so that you do not need lower supports.  This permits free access to power and buttons at the top and bottom of your device.

Currently, the X-Grip supports smartphones up to a maximum width of 3.25″ and that is wide enough for just about all phones with or without a case or skin.  In December, a larger version of the X-Grip will be available for 7″ tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Blackberry Playbook.

The X-Grip cradles come in two flavors, with or without a RAM 1″ ball attached.  Use the RAM-HOL-UN7U for attaching to RAM’s Snap-Link mounting line.  Use the RAM-HOL-UN7BU for attaching to any of the RAM-B 1″ ball mounts such as the RAM-B-149Z-QU1U.

The X-Grip is also available as part of a complete mounting solution and we’ll add a few pictures below to depict that.

RAM-HOL-UN7BU for RAM's Standard 1" Ball Mounts

RAM-HOL-UN7BU for RAM's Standard 1" Ball Mounts

RAM-HOL-UN7U for Snap Link Mounts

RAM-HOL-UN7U for Snap Link Mounts

X-Grip Marine Mount

X-Grip Marine Mount

RAM Microphone Stand Mount with X-Grip

RAM Microphone Stand Mount with X-Grip

RAM Handlebar Mount with X-Grip Cradle

RAM Handlebar Mount with X-Grip Cradle

RAM Snap Link X-Grip Dash Mount

RAM Snap Link X-Grip Dash Mount

 

 

November 12, 2011

Tetrax Mounts: A Little Magnet Goes a Long Way

Filed under: GPS Mounts and Accessories, Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , , , , , , , , — mountguys @ 1:14 am

Tetrax introduces a new concept in car mounts.  Pairing strong small magnets with corresponding adhesive chips, these mounts provide a strong grasp of your device and the magnets are completely shielded by the metal chips.  We were impressed with the holding capability of the XWAY mount as it held our TomTom XXL in place with no problem.  The mounting kits include the mount and adhesive chip for the back of your device.  We like the simple approach to attaching the device then removing it.  Much less effort than practically anything else on the market.  Manufactured in Italy, these are nice quality mounts.

There are a few different lines from Tetrax:

  • XWAY – for heavier items such as GPS devices up 300 grams (10.5 ounces).  This would include most units that have a 3.5, 4.3 and 5 inch screen size.  These also make excellent smartphone mounts.  This fits on your car air vent
  • FIXWAY – also for heavier devices up to 300 grams.  These use 3M adhesive disks for your car dash.
  • FIX – a lighter weight version for devices up to 150 grams (5.25 ounces).  These are for smartphones, iPhones, iPod, Nano, etc.  This is the dash version.
  • EGO – also for lighter devices.  This is the vent version of the FIX.
  • XCASE – a nice idea.  Incorporates the metal chip into a custom case.  These are available for the iPhone only.
Tetrax FIX Dash Mount

Tetrax FIX Dash Mount

Tetrax XWAY Dash Mount

Tetrax XWAY Dash Mount

Tetrax Fixway Dash Mount

Tetrax Fixway Dash Mount

October 10, 2011

Using a Tablet Computer on a Microphone Stand

Filed under: Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , — mountguys @ 6:46 pm

This has become a popular question lately.  Lots of music apps and the ability to crisply display lyrics or music have created a new opportunity for using your tablet PC.  The issue is that you might look a little strange holding the tablet in your hand while singing into a microphone.  The ability to hold your tablet securely while attaching to a microphone stand sounds like a good idea.

Off to the MountGuys lab we go.  Fortunately there are some nifty solutions available.  The key is to keep it steady so that you can interface with the tablet without it (or the microphone) falling over.  We have found that the mounts used for connecting to aircraft yokes and motorcycles work very well for this purpose.  Go figure….

Cell phone cradle attached to a clamp mount is ideal for microphone stands

Cell phone cradle attached to a clamp mount is ideal for microphone stands

Also used for motorcycles, these mounts will attach to anything round that is 1.25" diameter or less.

Also used for motorcycles, these mounts will attach to anything round that is 1.25" diameter or less.

iPad on a microphone stand.

iPad on a microphone stand.

 

ATV Mounts

Filed under: GPS Mounts and Accessories — Tags: , , , — mountguys @ 6:26 pm

A lot of people mistakenly think any motorcycle mount can be applied to an ATV or UTV.  Typically an ATV is ridden off-road and requires a rugged mount that includes a cradle to grip and hold your device securely.  Most ATVs do not have standard handlebars (if any).  The mounts are often wrapping around thicker diameter roll bars.  Some are attached to a fork stem or brake reservoir.

The better mounts are going to take some effort (and tools) to attach securely.  The ideal mount provides a means to remove your device easily.  We highly recommend avoiding suction and sticky mounts on ATVs and UTVs.  Bolts good, sticky bad.  A GPS comes in mighty handy when riding out in the dessert, but using the suction mount that came in the box might not be the best idea.

Note the use of a custom cradle on this ATV GPS mount

Note the use of a custom cradle on this ATV GPS mount

Weatherproof Case with a metal ATV Mount to protect your GPS from the elements

Weatherproof Case with a metal ATV Mount to protect your GPS from the elements

Camera Mount that also fits diameters to 3.15"

Camera Mount that also fits diameters to 3.15"

iPhone 4 / 4S on an ATV mount that fits up to 3.15"

iPhone 4 / 4S on an ATV mount that fits up to 3.15"

 

 

Amazon Kindle Fire Holder and Mount Options

Filed under: Other Mounts & Accessories — Tags: , — mountguys @ 6:00 pm

Some suggest the Amazon Kindle Fire is the first real threat to the Apple Ipad.  It sure is cheap at $199 with a dual core processor and a bunch of bundled software.  As we all know, Amazon has a lot of money and can make some investments that could very well give the Fire some features not found in the iPad.  We’ll see.

Some quick specs:

Display:  7″ multi-touch, 1024×600 resolution

Size:  7.5″ x 4.7″ x .45″ (that’s 190mm x 120mm x 114mm for our non US and UK readers)

Weight:  14.6 ounces (413 grams)

That’s amazingly similar to the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which in our opinion, was a worthy challenge to the iPad, but at a price that was double that of the Kindle Fire.

OK, mounting options.  Good size, nice display makes this an enjoyable device to watch movies and play some games (but not while driving!).  We present some nice options for your consideration.

Major Suction Action for the Amazon Kindle Fire

Major Suction Action for the Amazon Kindle Fire

Handlebar Rail Mount for Amazon Kindle Galaxy Tab

Handlebar Rail Mount for Amazon Kindle Galaxy Tab

Desktop Stand for Amazon Kindle Fire

Desktop Stand for Amazon Kindle Fire

Car Headrest Mount for Amazon Kindle Fire

Car Headrest Mount for Amazon Kindle Fire

Seat Bolt Floor Mount for Amazon Kindle Fire

Seat Bolt Floor Mount for Amazon Kindle Fire

Suction Mount for Amazon Kindle Fire

Suction Mount for Amazon Kindle Fire

 

 

 

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