Binding: Electronics Brand: Magellan EAN: 0763357108897 Feature: Sturdy dashboard mount for holding Magellan RoadMate GPS navigators Label: Magellan Manufacturer: Magellan Model: 702178 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Magellan Studio: Magellan
Features
Sturdy dashboard mount for holding Magellan RoadMate GPS navigators Pivoting head lets user adjust GPS screen angle for easy viewing Heavily weighted base and slip-free feet provide secure grip Transfers easily between vehicles; requires no drilling, adhesives, or mounting hardware Designed exclusively for RoadMate--doesn't work with other GPS systems
Magellan is the consumer brand of Thales Navigation, one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of positioning, navigation, and guidance equipment. Magellan was the brand that introduced the first consumer handheld GPS solution in 1989, and it has maintained its place as a leading global GPS brand for consumers.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Perfect Comment: This was exactly what we were looking for. It wasn't designed exactly for the product we had but it was easily altered to work with it without any compromise for functionality. Customer Rating: Summary: Magellan RoadMate 300 Owners Take Note Comment: Magellan sells this product as an accessory. From Magellan's site and product description: "Convenient, adjustable mount holds your Magellan RoadMate 300, 500 or 700 series stable and steady."
I live in California, and any type of suction windshield mounts are illegal in the state, so I purchased this dash mount to use with my Magellan RoadMate 300. I find the mount to be very sturdy and stable. Below is the specific issue I have with this product, though.
In the assembly instructions, it mentions attaching the product to the cradle of your GPS unit. The Magellan RoadMate 300 does not come with a cradle. Apparently, the cradles are made for the 500 and 700 series. In effect, the RoadMate 300 must be directly screwed into the swivel ball attachment on the dashboard mount. I was disappointed that Magellan did not mention this fact in either the dash mount's marketing product information or in the dash mount's assemble instructions. I called Magellan tech support to confirm my findings, and they were confirmed. I also confirmed that there is no cradle available for the Magellan RoadMate 300.
So, to use this dash mount, I must screw my unit directly to the mount's swivel attachment. In order to remove the unit from the mount, I need to completely loosen the swivel ball's adjustment knob. Furthermore, since the unit now is attached to the swivel ball attachment, it no longer snuggly fits into my Magellam Roadmate pouch. To use the pouch now, I have to either unscrew (4 screws) the unit from the swivel ball attachment or cut a slip into the pouch to accommodate the size of the swivel ball attachment. Of course, if you never have the need to remove your unit from the dash mount, then this will not be an issue for you. In the area I live, visible GPS units have been stolen from parked vehicles, so I always like to remove my unit from site ans store it in my console when I am not using it (i.e., when my car is parked).
So, if I had a cradle (500, 700 series), I'd give this dash mount a 5-star rating. But, since it does not allow seamless dismounting for the Magellan RoadMate 300, I give it only a 2-star rating...if you own the Magellan RoadMate 300 and are thinking about buying this dash mount, I say, "Buyer Beware." Customer Rating: Summary: Works Great Comment: This is a much better alternative to the suction cup mount that came with my GPS. Just place it on your dash and it stays in place perfectly. Customer Rating: Summary: Very impressed Comment: I bought this system for 2 reasons. I wanted to use it between 2 cars and I did not trust the suction cup to hold over time. So far I am VERY happy with its performance. It is very easy to move the legs so they conform to 2 very different dash boards. I do not see any reason why it will loose its ability to hold on the dash over time. I very highly recommend this! Customer Rating: Summary: Great mount! - Used with Roadmate 760/Subaru Forester Comment: I'm 100% satisified with the performance of this dash mount with my Magellan Roadmate 760, installed in a Subaru Forester. It was easy to attach to my GPS (even though I'm all thumbs), and it doesn't slip around on the dashboard at all. It holds the GPS nice and steady, and the viewing angle is super-easy to adjust. The windshield mount that came with the GPS was wiggly, unstable, unreliable, and eventually nonfunctional. In cold weather, it wouldn't keep its suction on the windshield unless I reinforced it with ever-more layers of clear packing tape. Eventually the little locking mechanism broke and there was no suction at all. It really annoyed me to have bought an expensive techno-gadget and have to "mount" it with an unsightly and unreliable wad of tape! I wish I had bought this dash mount right away, instead of struggling with the dinky windshield mount for over a year.
