Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case
by Bracketron
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List Price: Our Price: Calculated in a shopping cart Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case
Customer Review: Nice Idea, but Lacking in Execution
Summary: 2 Stars
I travel frequently for work and rent cars 2-3 times a month, usually after a long flight. I initially used one of the Garmin friction mounts which worked very well and was easy to pack and re-assemble; but when I switched GPS brands, this was no longer an option. I could have used one of the other generic friction bases, but they require the use of the native device's mount which are clumsy and aren't easy to pack and set up. When I saw this Bracketron case and mount, I thought it would be the perfect solution. I quickly learned that this wasn't the case.
Pros:
--On a basic level, the mount does what it says. It will hold your GPS, and it prevents dashboard movement as much as could reasonably be expected given the build of the device. It hold steady for basic driving.
--As long as you don't need your power cord, it is very easy to setup.
Cons:
--If you're driving for any length of time, the heat from the GPS starts to melt the adhesive that attaches the velcro strip to the GPS. Once this happens, the GPS falls out of the case, rendering it useless. I was driving from Boston to NYC, and by the time I got to New Haven, the GPS was resting in the seat next to me because I couldn't get it to stay in the case.
--It can be tricky to connect the AC adapter to your GPS device. If your adapter has an L-shaped connector, or has any kind of bulky piece at the end, it can be tricky to connect, and can prevent the velcro pieces from being completely flush together. This again can cause the GPS to pop out of the case while driving.
--This thing is impossible to get through airport security. The first time I tried, with the GPS inside, the case zippered and resting in my carry-on, I thought it was a fluke. I tried going through security with the case open, closed, in my carry-on, in the bin, every possible way, and security flagged it every time for extra inspection. There's something within the bean bag base that doesn't play nicely with TSA Xray machines. For anyone who is a frequent flyer, this is show stopper.
--The sound does get muffled by the case. If you're on the highway and playing music, the GPS can be difficult to hear, especially since most people won't max out the GPS volume because of distortion.
All told, if you're not doing much driving, this device should work just fine for you. But if you're like me, a frequent traveler looking for a means to easily port your GPS from vehicle to vehicle, find another solution.
Customer Review: Decent bag/mount combination solution
Summary: 3 Stars
WARNING: This product asks you to adhere a Velcro patch to the back of your GPS. Doing so may inhibit your ability to easily switch back and forth with a different kind of mount. The Velcro is what holds the GPS inside the Nav-Pack, so it's necessary. I nearly returned the kit immediately when I discovered this; instead, I was able fashion an acceptable solution by reworking an old bracket for a different, unused mount I already had and applying the Velcro to this. This allows me to use the Bracketron Nav-Pack while still able to convert back to the TomTom flexible goose-neck suction-cup windshield mount. This solution may not be feasible for most other people.
Some reviewers complain that the Nav-Pack slides off the dash. I think it is likely a function of the dash slope & dash materials. My car has a textured dash that actually slopes downhill to the windshield. I have so far not had a problem using the Nav-Pack either at the far side up against the driver's side windshield pillar, or in the center of the dash with nothing else around it.
The Nav-Pack is a bit bulky and the real downside is that it adds further visual interference around the GPS, about 1/2 inch on each side, plus the vertical rise from the dash. At the center of the dash I found this unpleasant, but it was acceptable when all the way to the driver-side pillar.
For the around-town, in-your-own-car person this product is of debatable use, but for a traveler who flies in and rents a car elsewhere frequently, it's a good combination package.
Customer Review: Great for those who drive for a living
Summary: 5 Stars
I love it! I'm a driver for MV Transportation and we drive for Access Services, transporting disabled people across Los Angeles, California.
At a moment's notice. I may have to pull my Garmin Nuvi along with my stuff to set up in another van. I've left behind the suction cup three times, and the typical bean bag/friction mounts are too bulky for what I need.
Everything zips up and tucks away quickly. I keep the cord tucked into the little velcro pocket.
As we transport the disabled, our driving has to be very careful, with no heavy acceleration or stopping (or else we trip the safety camera). I haven't had any problems with the carrying case moving. I jam everything in the left corner of the dash, it doesn't move unless I want it to move.
The only problem I've had is glare. With a suction cup, I can adjust the screen away from glare. The case is a little trickier in daylight hours. However, I find if I move the case around a little bit, it's not much of a problem, and of course, not a problem at night. The case sometimes can even block glare, depending on the angle.
An additional advantage is obscurity. When pulling into a seedy fast food parking lot, I simply flip the case down, covering the screen in the shadow. Unless someone is looking really hard, they can't spot my GPS for a smash and grab. If I'm really paranoid, I can just pull the whole thing and stash it in the back.
This case has been worth every penny.
Customer Review: So far the only GPS mount that I haven't had problems with
Summary: 5 Stars
I've gone through four different GPS mounts now with the problem always being that the suction cup will fall off and the GPS will crash down to the floor while I'm driving. It was for this reason that I bought this product, since it doesn't have any suction cups involved, and so far I haven't had any trouble with it. The velcro holds the GPS in place just fine so that it doesn't fall down or wobble around. The speaker is in the back of the GPS which is pressed up against the velcro and the mount but it's not stifled and still is clearly audible.
I read reviews on here saying that there have been problems with it sliding off the dash; I'm not sure if this would have happened with me or not but just to make sure I bought a $2.00 "sticky pad" beforehand that you put on your dashboard and anything you put on the pad won't move from it...I put the GPS mount on there and it works like a charm.
The only con I can think of with this is that it's a bit hard to get the GPS charger plugged in to the bottom of the GPS without some difficulty and making it a bit of a tight squeeze. It's still doable though.
Lastly, I'm very glad I checked Amazon before buying this at a local store. The store (a chain department store) was selling it for $45.00 and thankfully I was able to get it from here instead for only $23. Highly recommended!
Customer Review: I love this dash mount for my GPS!
Summary: 5 Stars
I would totally recommend this to anyone who wants a dash mount that is not attached to anything. It sits nicely on my dash and doesn't move an inch. I have been known to take a turn to fast or start and stop to quickly, according to my husband. But this dash mount does not move even with my driving. I had to slam on my brakes on the interstate to avoid a vehicle that had come to a complete stop without warning and this dash mount only moved down to the windshield. This was an extreme circumstance and I would have thought it would have slammed the glass but it didn't..no damage done. Some of the other reviews have stated that they did not like the fact that you have to attach velcroe to the back of your GPS, but what I did was place my unit in my window mount and then place the velcroe in the areas around where the window mount is placed..so that way I can if I want also use the window mount. But for me that window mount will most likely never be used..I love this dash mount and I am so glad that I bought it..its great to take with me when I leave the vehicle. I don't have to leave it in the heat or the cold or risk having it stolen while left unattended. I don't want it in my purse so I carry a small tote to place it in when I leave the vehicle. I really recommend this dash mount to anyone!