Android tablet hovering over the Dash install.

**RipplingHurst** · 10-07-2011, 01:55 PM

So I was experimenting a bit with my Android tablets and a mount that I think showcases how slim those devices are.

I'm using this Satechi ST-TP01 mount (amazon link) for $29.00. What I like about it is that it's device neutral. Lately I keep buying and selling tablets like crazy, so I'd like to have something just to see how it works.

I got a special incentive to try something new now that CF is charging $50.00 for an upgrade that doesn't really seems worth to me. So I'm thinking of alternatives.

There are a lot of different ways to hold your tablet in the dash/windshield, check here for example. In my case, I could have chosen the Galaxy Tab Car Dock.

Here's the Satechi:

And here's the Official tab one:

The tab one seems to me to be designed to be fit on the windshield, unless you have a very low dash area somewhere, but I don't.

And the Satechi will work with any tablet, and it claims to hold even 10.1" tablets, so that's great flexibility right there.

Another insteresting stuff is that the Setechi comes with some sort of goo that sticks to ANY dash surfaces, or ANY tablet surface. It attaches to both via suction. The arms you see on the picture are just for psychological purposes, they are very flimsy and ugly and can be easily removed. Trust me, I pushed my equipment to the limit and I couldn't remove the Galaxy tab from the suction cup (when engaged) using a lot of force. Much more than those plastic tabs would hold for instance, so I'm sure I'm perfectly safe (as safe as if I used one of those plastic tabs to hold a tablet you see elsewhere at least).

So here is the end result.

**RipplingHurst** · 10-07-2011, 02:01 PM

Option 1: close to the driver:

Very easy to be click stuff in this way, at least in the truck, it makes a difference.

[IMG]http://cdn-3-
service.phanfare.com/images/external/5413559_2417287_140327033_Web_2/0_0_157e7258b700893aad6961bc3ef9a382_1[/IMG]

From the driver's height: doesn't block the view from my angle, it might for a shorter driver, but this can be tweaked by just sliding down the gauges panel.

One advantage: you can use the camera to record stuff.

**RipplingHurst** · 10-07-2011, 02:10 PM

Option 2: centered over the dash area:

Showing off Google gorgeous navigation app. Thanks to 3G, it looks great. It's like google earth with directions, all voice controlled. It's the KILLER APP for me and reason enough to ditch carputer and use Android, IMHO. Now compare that to CF destinator...

Gorgeous screen.

Not recommended if you park your car outside, of course.

The first option makes it look more like cars with aftermarket GPS. THe second one two (it's not OEM looking by any means), but maybe less so. It looks more balanced. Note that the Tablet doesn't touch the dash at all. It doesn't bounce much either, it's a very solid mount this one.

The trade off, of course, is that it doesn't look OEM. I know that the OEM look is the aim of the majority here, and I don't blame them, but that was never my way. I like the custom look, as long as there's no cords dangling to the cig lighter or stuff like that. I like the wires hidden.

**RipplingHurst** · 10-07-2011, 02:13 PM

I finally found what I was looking for. An aftermarket AV cable that would also charge the device.

This one.

I was thinking of using Bluetooth with it, but now I can charge and use only one cable, that I plan to route behind the speaker grille where the tablet is mounted, so the cable won't be visible at all.

**hexxamillion** · 10-08-2011, 06:46 PM

So I take it that you do not want to replace your nav system because I was thinking you could just replace that system with the tablet and use that as the new location for the tablet instead of on top the dash.

**hexxamillion** · 10-08-2011, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

I finally found what I was looking for. An aftermarket AV cable that would also charge the device.

This one.

I was thinking of using Bluetooth with it, but now I can charge and use only one cable, that I plan to route behind the speaker grille where the tablet is mounted, so the cable won't be visible at all.

Hey that's pretty cool. I doubt that will work with my 7" Galaxy tab. I'm jealous.

**RipplingHurst** · 10-08-2011, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by hexxamillion

So I take it that you do not want to replace your nav system because I was thinking you could just replace that system with the tablet and use that as the new location for the tablet instead of on top the dash.

Yes, I plan to keep it, I like the way it looks tbh. Tablet is there just as something extra. I like the steering wheel buttons too, so that counts in favor of the head unit.

**RipplingHurst** · 10-08-2011, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by hexxamillion

Hey that's pretty cool. I doubt that will work with my 7" Galaxy tab. I'm jealous.

Why not? I plan to use that precisely on the 7" tab.

**hexxamillion** · 10-08-2011, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

Why not? I plan to use that precisely on the 7" tab.

Oh really? I thought that cable was for the 10' model. You gotta let me know how it works out. I just may get me one.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

**RipplingHurst** · 10-09-2011, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by hexxamillion

Oh really? I thought that cable was for the 10' model. You gotta let me know how it works out. I just may get me one.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Well, that cable ONLY works with the galaxy tab 7" - thats the tablet in the pictures. the 10" only gets the hdmi option.