Laptop Mount

[Matt Hunt]

Does anyone have any experience with this laptop mount?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Notebook-La...Stands_Holders_Car_Mounts&hash=item2a34c916bd

It seems like it would not be very stable.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

Always just used RAM mounts myself, but I would bet that mount would have a good amount of wobble to it. That long of an arm and minimal base - definite wobble.

 

[Bob Schafer]

I use a "cage" made from PVC pipe that I designed and constructed a few years ago. It has many advantages, the biggest one being that I drape a small grey blanket over it to shield out the majority of direct sunlight. I designed it in such a way that it can be removed in about 3 minutes, in case the passenger seat is needed! Reinstallation takes about 5 minutes. Pic:

 

[Matt Hunt]

I currently have a wood "mount" that I use, but it's only good for solo chasing, as it blocks the passenger seat. I'd also like to have the laptop positioned a little further up so I don't have to look so far to the side to see it, but I don't really have the money to spend on a Ram mount.

 

[ericjkelly]

I bought this mount (or one like it last year).

I like it....must cheaper than the ram mount, and its not bad.

The only thing is that is has a bit of a wobble, so I just a bungie cord to keep it still

 

[David Wolfson]

I've used that sort of mount for years. The biggest advantage is that it can easily be adapted to different vehicles, including rentals. Wobble was annoying, especially on bumpy roads, although I don't remember it actually causing a real issue.

To stop the wobble I ginned up a stabilizing arm with a few plastic pipe fittings, a threaded galvanized nipple of the right length, and screw clamps ending in a plastic pipe cap. I have Velcro on the end of the cap which I mate to some point on the dash or passenger-side under-panel. The result is a rather cheap, homely jury rig that stops the wobble with enough give to damp vibration, keeps the computer out of the passenger air-bag zone AFAICT, and accommodates a passenger, even in a compact car.

I use a smaller 11" or 12" notebook with the mount. With my configuration allowing for a passenger, a full-sized notebook obscures the driver's view to the right too much for my comfort. The smaller notebooks use much less power and are generally cheaper and easier to handle, anyway, IMO.

FWIW, a very compact setup which may also work for some, is to remove the tray and use the mount's camera screw base for a video camera. The computer then is a tablet rubber-banded (get some 8" EPDM bands) to the driver's sun visor. A Dual Bluetooth GPS provides location services to multiple apps on the tablet without major hassles.

 

[Matt Hunt]

I ended up ordering this one: http://aaproductsinc.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=9

I also got the no-drill bracket, but in case that isn't very stable, my floor board is nice & flat, and I don't mind drilling through it. This one was not only cheaper, but looks more stable since it's not in a sideways V shape. I'll report back how it works for anyone else in the market for a stand, but on a budget!