After uncovering some chatter here about GPS mounting solutions, I decided earlier this week to bite down on the CravenSpeed "Pro" GPS mount. It arrived last evening. Some initial thoughts:

• I find it a bit ridiculous, frankly, that a tiny piece of painted aluminum, a 12v socket, and a few pieces of hardware (screws, spacers, etc.) retails for $84. I'm certain this is a low-volume product hand-made in the USA, and it's a great one, but I guess everyone thinks MINI owners are accustomed to accessories that cost 4x more than they should. (My MINI dealer certainly does—$75 for a freakin' iPod cable? Seriously?) Nobody forced me to buy it, but when I opened the box, my reaction truly was, "I paid $84 for this?"
  
• I managed to get the bracket installed before the darkness and evening chill set-in; will tackle the hidden wiring part at a later time. As you can see from the photos, it makes for a nice, tidy installation—and in that sense was worth the money. I suppose it's normal with these things, but CravenSpeed didn't really give any advice or suggestions on how to best handle dressing the cabling; a couple of zip-ties and some trial-and-error and I found what works for me. (Bottom photo.)

Bottom line: I think it's an over-priced but elegant and ideal solution to discarding the always-a-pain-in-the-butt suction cup mount that's illegal in certain places anyway, and now I can use my window shade properly! As an added benefit, when mounted to the right, the front seat passenger (a/k/a the navigator!) can reach the thing to program it (I had it suctioned far left before, in my reach only). Finally, it's zero-obstruction with regard to seeing out the windshield.

It's a nice quality piece, no regrets despite my grumbling over price, and here's the end result:

 

I agree with you on the price. It is nice to have it located where it is, and it seems to be well made, but it's not as great as I would have liked.

I find mine will vibrate and shake when driving, as well, it causes the speedo to creak and squeak sometimes. Other than that though, it is better than the window mount!

 

Just wait until you get tired of the all the vibrating and start getting scared that something in your tach is going to snap. The $84 is going to seem cheap compared to the cost of upgrading to Kuda.

 

Kuda?

 

http://www.kudausa.com

I just didn't personally care for the approach, but a lot of folks here seem to like 'em.

 

I'm slow this morning, do you like the kudas better or do you have one?

Seems solid.

Ps
Love your signature!

 

kuda

leather wrapped, cleaner look, solid mount. attachments get a bit pricey.

 

Can I see more pictures of the gauge clusters? I love how your outer rings are matte black.

 

No, I'm not using Kuda. I considered them. Lots of folks here like them, including one of the posters in this thread. I just happened to prefer the Craven better for the GPS, and picked Mountek (search Amazon) for my iPhone.

Thanks! ;-)

 

i've used both. i started with the cravenspeed gps mount with the extended arm and found that it was impossible to drive without the gps vibrating. it didn't matter the angle or how much i tightened the arm, it always vibrated. maybe it was paranoia, but i didn't want the vibrations to damage the tach so i replaced it.

the kuda mount has no moving parts, it installs in a place that's easy to see anywhere in the car, and doesn't obstruct any part of the windshield.

 

Sure! I thought I had a fuller view handy, but can't put my fingers on it just now. I'll post one ASAP.

 

A lot of people have mentioned that, actually, but for whatever reason—no idea—I just don't have that issue. Perhaps exceedingly slightly, but barely noticeable.

Who knows... It's why we have options, right?

 

I chalked the vibrations up to the Garmin with too big a screen and weight for the spindly craven arm. My screws worked loose on the tach back, but easily fixed. No kidding about the cost. I don't believe that if the screws are tight the vibration is going to harm anything. I've gotten use to the vibration and use the ecofuel gauges with the OBDII connector from Garmin. Don't have an Android though.

 

I appreciate it. Did you change them or did they come like that?

 

2013 Mini Cooper Coupe - ScanGaugeII / Phone/ GPS / Radar Mounting w/ Coupe Sunroof view ...

http://www.blendmount.com/ Radar Mount Mirror Tap 1000/2000

http://www.cravenspeed.com/ W mount for ScanGauge and SmartPhone

http://www.mountek.com/ For Garmin GPS or other accessories ...


Less than one hour total installation once everthing arrived ......

Gauge Mount installs with Sunroof view ...


Gauge Install: