Hi Jim,

Good questions.

The cradle and suction cup mount provided with the Oudie does not have a
built-in connector for the Oudie. It is a simple and lightweight cradle
designed for use in a car. To be honest, I don't recommend using using the
provided suction cup mount on a glider canopy because the suction cup has a
lever which can pull more suction than I want on a $5000 glider canopy. I
have seen glider canopies "dimple in" to similar suction cups. I fear that
it will cause crazing over time. It is designed for use on a glass auto
window. I do sell a nice RAM rubber suction cup that I do recommend for
glider canopies. I use it often myself and it doesn't deform the canopy.

The cradle provided with the Oudie is not designed to mount to a RAM arm,
but it is probably possible to file off a few parts, drill and countersink a
few holes and use beveled screws to mount it to a RAM arm or the gooseneck
arms I sell. It is a nice lightweight cradle. But I'm not sure it is worth
the effort. I sell a nice RAM-HOL-PD2 cradle that works great with the
Oudie and with all RAM arms and the GNeck2 goosenecks I sell.

The good news is that the power/data connector is a miniUSB connector.
miniUSB connectors are much more robust than the fragile connectors found on
all iPAQs. miniUSB connectors don't have a positive lock (they don't click
into place) but I have not heard any complaints of cables falling out of
iPAQ 310 units - which also use miniUSB connectors for power and data
connections.

I like that the Oudie has only one rugged data/power connector. I like that
it is located on the bottom of the unit.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

----- Original Message -----
From: "JS"
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.soaring
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 3:48 PM
Subject: Naviter Oudie Should be Available in April 2010


Is the mount internally wired with no connector sticking out, and
compatible with a RAM arm or gooseneck from the instrument panel?
I have a $70 Navigon PNA for portable use. It's a bit clumsy for a
permanent installation. Suction cups and external wires both invite
problems.
Jim