4
With the KX3, we’re fortunate to have the I/O connectors on the left
panel. For left hand‐drive vehicles
at least, most of the cabling can be routed over the edge of the dashboard, or behind the instrument
panel. The BNC and SMA connectors can be right‐angled to the rear of the KX3, keeping the antenna
cables out of the way. Don’t leave cables scattered on your dashboard because they can be a
distraction. Having cables drop off and get wound around your hands or feet makes this much worse.
There is more on cabling below.
Several types of vehicle mount that work with the KX3 are readily available. You can always roll your
own if needed, but the easiest and usually best course is to use a manufactured mount from one of the
following categories:
‐ Hard mounting. This is the case where you’d have to develop your own mount or adapt one
that exists. A good source for hard mounts is National Products, with RAM Mount as their brand
name: (http://www.rammount.com/Products/VehicleMounts/tabid/4077/Default.aspx#/
). The
downside to a hard mount is that you’ll need to drill holes for the mount base. The upside:
Hard mounting is the most physically secure type, with a lot of safety margin.
‐ Dashboard seam mount. This type of mount is meant for crowded small vehicle interiors. One
manufacturer is ProClip (http://www.proclipusa.com/
). The mount base is inserted between
seams in panel or dashboard, or around dashboard seams (spanning two seams, or between the
two edges of a panel component). I’ve seen these support loads up to five pounds, including
ruggedized laptops for field service, though two mounts are needed for this type of load.
Almost all the different ProClip mount bases come out to an AMPS hole pattern. Figure 1, on
the next page, shows this type of mount with RAM cradle. described below. A KX3 is shown in
the cradle. At least in this installation, the mount is very secure and KX3 “wobble” is minimal.
‐ Vacuum mount. An example is a family of products manufactured by Seasucker of Florida
(http://www.seasucker.com/shop/seasuckerram‐x‐mount‐phonegps‐holder
/). They’re for use
in marine environments to secure heavy loads to bulkheads and acrylic surfaces. An example is
shown in Figure 2. Seasuckers are available in 4‐1/2‐and 6‐inch vacuum diaphragm diameters.
The 4‐1/2‐inch unit is adequate when used with the KX3 on auto glass, and is rated at 120
pounds for either axial or radial load. Vacuum mounts do not generally work well on curved
surfaces, but a side window or windshield should be okay. This type of mount requires an
occasional push of the plunger to maintain its seal on auto glass. “Occasional” means about
once a week. There is an indicator showing the vacuum level and if it’s getting too low. In the
author’s opinion, the Seasucker is probably one of the two best no‐holes mobile mount bases
available.
‐ Suction mount. There are a lot of these available, for use with device types from iPods to
navigation units. You would probably want a suction mount with a 3‐inch or larger suction cup
to secure the KX3 against windshield or side‐window glass, or on the dashboard. Most come
with an adhesive disc that allows a solid mount point on any surface. Arkon is one
manufacturer: http://www.arkon.com/
. There are many others. Any suction mount you use
should be rated at five times the KX3’s featherweight of 2 pounds. Suction mounts don’t
perform as well as vacuum mounts, and may lose their grip – dropping the KX3 in your lap when
