BeanBag for a TomTom 730. Sounds wise but which one?

TangoCharlie

I have ordered a new car, a Mini Clubman. I don't want to give thieves any reason to break in so I though a simple bean bag dashboard thing would be a good idea for my 730 to sit on.

Can anyone recommend a decent one please? Obviously i don't want one that suctions on and it has to be relatively easy to remove from site.

Many thanks.

MrT · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:57 am Post subject:

I bought the Arkon version from blueunplugged, there used to be a discount code on this forum.

Many brands I have seen are from the same manufacturer but you probably need to get one with the suction mount included that mounts the x30 onto the bean bag as the original TT mount does not always give sufficient clearance below, especially when using the USB power lead. Try and position the original mount where you want the device on the dash and see if you have clearance, if it overhangs the front of the dash you may be OK, but if it is on a horizontal surface like mine you will need the mount part. It costs a lot more to buy them separately than together.
_________________
Drivelux

TangoCharlie · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:16 am Post subject:

GerryC · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:55 am Post subject:

On of the bean bag is a plate that's just bigger than the suction cups that many major brands use.

The idea is that you can use the original holder that would attach to the windscreen but attach to this plate instead.
_________________
Gerry
TomTom730T
Cameralert for Android
Brodit ProClip mount

TangoCharlie · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:41 am Post subject:

thanks.

Does this one look any good? looks pretty sturdy to me...
http://www.buybits.com/product/sku_5399.aspx

Tc
_________________
"Keep it Simple, Stupid"

MrT · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

The buybits plastic mounting arm is the same as the Arkon but I do not like the shape of the bean bag as much as the Arkon. The Arkon thick part is in the shape similar to a large "U" with a flat at the front whilst the buybits is a square shape with no flat at the front.

The TT Bean Bag mount is the same shape as the Arkon and the picture of it on the TT site is much better at showing its shape. The TT version does not come with the mounting arm and costs a lot more.
_________________
Drivelux

Calomax · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject:

I have the one from blueunplugged without the suction mount
http://www.blueunplugged.com/p.aspx?p=135647 at £9.95. The original 720 mount is fine on it. Just came back from a holiday having done nearly 1600 miles and it stayed in place the whole time.
_________________
TT Go Essential

TangoCharlie · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

Thanx. Is the 720 very different to my 730?
_________________
"Keep it Simple, Stupid"

rfp2001 · Lifetime Member Joined: Mar 28, 2006 Posts: 134

720 & 730 series are same dimensions so both/either will fit the base unit. Simply use your suction arm on unit.

MrT · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:30 am Post subject:

The original base mount supplied with the Go x30 in a vertical position will not actually mount on a flat horizontal surface as the arm on it is too short. To mount on a flat horizontal surface either the Go must overhang the front edge or be tilted back to an angle. You then have to allow room for the USB plug to fit in the base.

See the picture below showing the clearance issue (red arrow) and also the taller Arkon mount which gives sufficient clearance for the x30.

_________________
Drivelux

Calomax · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:38 am Post subject:

Apologies then, the 730 mount is obviously different from the 720 because mine fits on the Arkon weighted mount with just sufficient clearance for the power plug.
_________________
TT Go Essential

MrT · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:02 am Post subject:

Likewise the x40 range standard mount is fine, I don't know if TT moved the position of the mount up the back on the x30 or if they made shorter arms on the later mounts. I would have thought many people would have wanted to use the mount on a horizontal surface such as a disk or bean bag.
_________________
Drivelux

Brickie64 · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

It's a shame that someone can't come up with a bean bag type mount for the TT units that don't rely on suction. The Garmin mount seems a lot more reliable. I've had a few suction problems with my Arkon mount but it's probably a small scratch on the mount plate where the sucker attatches or the flexible plastic on the suction mount stem stretching. It's a real pain when the unit drops off the dash when driving !!

Gav
_________________
"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible"

Garmin Nuvi 3598 + GO 720 (+USA Map Card) + NavFree for iPhone in case all else fails ;-)

Andy_P · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:58 pm Post subject:

mikealder · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:02 am Post subject:

The EasyPort Mount for the x20/ x30 units does have sufficient clearance for the power cable on both units, as I recall the power cable for the x30 is slightly different to the ones supplied with the x20, the newer cable having the outlet pointing to the back of the device rather than the side - Mike

	PocketGPS
	Web