Over the years, Arkon has produced some of the best device mounts I’ve ever had the pleasure to use, review and own.  They have always had mounting solutions available for GPS and PDA units, Smartphones, Satellite Radios and Portable Audio devices.  When the iPhone 3G was released in July of 2008, they got hard to work and pulled together mounting solutions for these devices as well.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to receive mounts for the iPhone 3G and Touch 2G. Let’s take a quick look and see how they did…

iPhone Frction Dash Mount (Model IPM112)
Use of a device mount on your windshield is illegal in some states.  However, the use of a suction cup mounting system is still a good idea, and is, in my opinion, an effective way to secure a device in a moving vehicle.  In order to insure that the mounting system can still be used, but used off the windshield, Arkon has come up with a universal friction base that will hold the suction cup, windshield mount, but will prevent, or at least greatly reduce the possibility that the mount will move.

The base has a foam rubber coating on it designed to prevent it from sliding when you turn. Its wide enough and heavy enough to either prevent or deter it from sliding around your dash while the vehicle is moving.

The Deluxe Weighted Dash Mount in my CRV (with my 2G iPod Touch)

Centered between the two air vents on my CRV’s dash, this is a nice addition to the mounting systems in my car.  However, while the 2G iPod Touch fits and is secure, its not 100% secured and moves a bit. The Touch and the iPhone 3G are a bit different in size, and while the Touch fits, its not 100%.  In all fairness to Arkon, the mounting system isn’t truly marketed at the 2G iPod Touch.  I just knew it would fit; and it does; but the actual device holder is just a skoshe too big (but again, it does fit…).

The base is wide, heavy, and doesn’t really obstruct your view of the road.

The suction cup base is held very securely to the Friction Dash Mount.  Its not coming off.

The base attached to the safety hook, mounted via 3M tape on my dash.

I like that Arkon came up with, and included a backup safety system, just in case you had to swerve or take an extra sharp turn.  The safety hook comes with an alcohol wipe and 3M adhesive tape, providing an extra measure of security, should the mounting system suddenly decide that “gravity works” and doesn’t resist as much friction as you decide to apply to it.

Arkon also sent me the iPhone Sun Visor Mount (Model IPM111) and the iPhone Air Vent Mount (Model IPM129-ST).  These have the same device holder as the Friction Dash mount, but have different methods of securing the device in the vehicle.  The Sun Visor mount is nice, but without a way to power the device, while its in the holder (running a power cord to the device while in the Sun Visor mount isn’t very practical…) I don’t see this as a viable mounting system for me.

I’m not crazy about air mounted vents as they block the flow of my air conditioner.  However, it does give you the opportunity to cool the device…for what ever that’s worth.

Price: The iPhone Friction Dash Mount (Model IPM112) is $29.95, the iPhone Sun Visor Mount (Model IPM111) is $19.95, and the iPhone Air Vent Mount (Model IPM129-ST) is $19.95.

What I liked: The Friction Dash Mount gives you options for device placement, safety (in the safety hook) and allows you to get close enough to your cigarette lighter to power the device. The price is also very reasonable.

What Needs Improvement: I’m not crazy about 3M tape on my dash as it doesn’t always remove itself as well as it goes on, but in relation to the safety hook, it was worth it.

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