Medion PNA100 Ram Mount

[NeverRodeBefore]

Okay, since Christmas I've had a Medion PNA100 PDA with integral GPS, and I got it with the intention of fitting it to the GS.

I bought it as it came with a 'bicycle' mount and showerproof cover.

Used it on the bicycle, and it used it's battery in about 2 hours.

I sort of mounted an ordinary fag socket at the right hand side of the battery, and fitted an inline fuse as close to the battery terminal as possible. I than fitted the bicycle carrier where I could see it, only to realise it popped off the cradle on full lock as it hits the tankbag, so I moved it inwards, but found that the angle on the bars made it impossible to see whilst riding, and hard enough when stationary.

I eventually decided to speak to RAM-Man at the GPS warehouse, who gave me some good advice, which I ignored, and decided to just buy an Aquabox2 rather than trying to meet up with Blowzorn.

Anyway, with an R1200GS adapter (RAP-319), a handlebar mount complete with diamond base (RAM-B-149Z) and the aquabox2 (RAM-HOL-AQ2) I was able to fit the PDA to the bike as per the photo.

The Medion is a tight fit with the waterproof membrane in place, and only fits in the back of the box. The box has little thin sections to allow for cable routing, but my PDA is such a tight fit that I had to measure the location and drill through the bottom of the aquabox.

Okay, I know it's no longer waterproof, but it is in close behind the screen, and I think if it gets submerged by dropping it during a water crossing, the £200 PDA will be the last thing I'm worrying about

With the power lead in place, I can open the aquabox, and it won't fall out

Thanks very much Steve! Pleasure doing business with you

 

[ebbo]

That looks neat, what it like to use on the road?

 

[HMR]

I bought it as it came with a 'bicycle' mount and showerproof cover.

You guys from Little Brittain are indeed amazing! Do you navigate in the shower?

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

What's it like on the road?

Well, it's actually a bit useless at the moment!

I tried it with the rubber membrane, and with the natural light I found that the reflections were making it difficult to see. Then on the way back from Rainbow, I took the membrane out, and that was better, then I put my sunglasses on, and couldn't see it at all.

I was that disheartened, I cycled off to the local Halfords, but they didn't have a Quest

I think I might have had the map bit zoomed out to much, and I think I can alter the colour balance and brightness, so I guess I'll have to twiddle with it for a bit...

Might have to try it on the handlebar, in order to bring it a bit closer in.

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

Hi HMR

We do indeed navigate in the 'Shower'.

This is England, when it Snows in Sweden it Rains here, when it snows lightly in Sweden, it rains lightly here, and during summer when it's sunny in Sweden, we have short spells of rain, we call showers, with some cloudy bits inbetween..

Hang on a moment... I live here... why do I own a Motorbike and a car with absolutely no roof?

 

[SilverFish]

Well, it's actually a bit useless at the moment!

I tried it with the rubber membrane, and with the natural light I found that the reflections were making it difficult to see.

I used to find the same with both my PDA and a mobile phone in an Otterbox and Boxit case respectively. I found that running the display on maximum brightness solved it for 90% of the time, except when the sun was shining strongly from behind me. It did also mean that it needed to be connected to the bike's battery in order to make the devices last more than about 2 hours, but I think you've already found that!

Mike

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

Finally gettin somewhere

After a bit of fiddling, I can finally see the screen... can't hear it though....

I've set the backlighting to maximum, and switched the navigation settings to night mode. It gives a much better contrast between the roads and the background.

I'm still taking the flexible front membrane out so it's not waterproof.

With it set where it is I can see the display without having to look down so much.

Mind you I've started to notice I'm getting funny looks from the tinbox drivers at traffic lights....

 

[Ste@SSB]

Erm ... thats big enough to obscure half the damn road when your riding...