Below are photos of my custom install of the PED3-Auto Mount from ThoughtOut.biz in my 2007 Nissan Versa.
After searching around for quite some time, I decide to go with the PED3 mount for a few reasons - high quality build (mostly metal), multiple mounting options, and the flexible arm. Upon receipt, I was very satisfied with the product.
As I noted, there are several options for installation – screws, suction cups, and adhesive. After considering several positions and exploring the options in my car, I decided not to use the mounting plate and instead installed the flexible arm directly into my dash.
After careful measurements, I found that the threaded shaft of the bolt at the end of the flexible arm was long enough to extend through the plastic dash plate and still receive a nut on the back-side. A carefully drilled a hole through the faceplate using the correct bit would also allow the threads to dig into the hard plastic of the faceplate. Moreover, as positioned, a slightly modified 1/4 bolt on the rear side of the radio faceplate falls precisely between two ridges that hold the bolt in place without allowing it to turn. This seemed like a very strong mounting and looked a lot cleaner than any other option.
Before I went ahead the downsides I considered were: 1) I would be permanently altering the radio face plate, 2) as mounted it would slightly impair my view of the radio and access to the radio controls, 3) future phones may not fit this mount.
Issue #1 was resolved. Prior to drilling the dash, I was able to get a "like new" replacement faceplate from a junked car for future use. So this became a non-issue. After some careful consideration I felt that issue #2 wasn't a real problem and that despite a disrupted sight line I could still use the radio easily. Issue #3 was a significant consideration but the PED3 mount is flexible and very accommodating (it can even hold a iPhone with some cases) so I hope it will receive future phones (i.e. the iPhone 4). Additionally, the actual phone mount is not permanently attached to the flexible arm so it is very possible that an new phone mount can be easily attached to the arm.
It's been a while (6 months+) since I did this but I thought it was still worth posting the results of my efforts. Unfortunately, I did not take photos during the install so I don’t have any shots of the rear of the panel with the bolt positioned.
So, without further ado here are the photos. I'm very happy with the outcome – a very solid but easily adjustable mount. It positions my iPhone for easy access for use in navigation, hands free Bluetooth telephone communication, and as an audio source.
After searching around for quite some time, I decide to go with the PED3 mount for a few reasons - high quality build (mostly metal), multiple mounting options, and the flexible arm. Upon receipt, I was very satisfied with the product.
As I noted, there are several options for installation – screws, suction cups, and adhesive. After considering several positions and exploring the options in my car, I decided not to use the mounting plate and instead installed the flexible arm directly into my dash.
After careful measurements, I found that the threaded shaft of the bolt at the end of the flexible arm was long enough to extend through the plastic dash plate and still receive a nut on the back-side. A carefully drilled a hole through the faceplate using the correct bit would also allow the threads to dig into the hard plastic of the faceplate. Moreover, as positioned, a slightly modified 1/4 bolt on the rear side of the radio faceplate falls precisely between two ridges that hold the bolt in place without allowing it to turn. This seemed like a very strong mounting and looked a lot cleaner than any other option.
Before I went ahead the downsides I considered were: 1) I would be permanently altering the radio face plate, 2) as mounted it would slightly impair my view of the radio and access to the radio controls, 3) future phones may not fit this mount.
Issue #1 was resolved. Prior to drilling the dash, I was able to get a "like new" replacement faceplate from a junked car for future use. So this became a non-issue. After some careful consideration I felt that issue #2 wasn't a real problem and that despite a disrupted sight line I could still use the radio easily. Issue #3 was a significant consideration but the PED3 mount is flexible and very accommodating (it can even hold a iPhone with some cases) so I hope it will receive future phones (i.e. the iPhone 4). Additionally, the actual phone mount is not permanently attached to the flexible arm so it is very possible that an new phone mount can be easily attached to the arm.
It's been a while (6 months+) since I did this but I thought it was still worth posting the results of my efforts. Unfortunately, I did not take photos during the install so I don’t have any shots of the rear of the panel with the bolt positioned.
So, without further ado here are the photos. I'm very happy with the outcome – a very solid but easily adjustable mount. It positions my iPhone for easy access for use in navigation, hands free Bluetooth telephone communication, and as an audio source.
