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A while back, I linked up to a PocketGPSWorld review of the Carcomm Mobile PDA Cradle. I have since gotten my hands on one, so I can share a bit more personal an experience. It’s a really neat device: A mounting system for your car, complete with a gooseneck setup and swivel capabilities. It’s pretty straightforward, actually, so I’ll get right to the review — and pictures, of course.

For the less tech-savvy among us, the Mobile PDA Cradle might look a bit intimidating out of the box. There are a number of parts, including a piece that has two wires — stripped at the end — dangling from it. At first, I feared for soldering, as that’s a huge turnoff. But then I realized that it was just an optional part which allows you to permanently install the unit, rather than running it through your cigarette lighter. So that’s a plus right off the bat.

Assembly was a breeze. It was just the four bolts and nuts, which slide right through the cradle portion — which includes a sliding mechanism to support nearly any sized BlackBerry — and into the gooseneck. The whole thing attaches to your windshield with a suction cup. Carcomm is even considerate enough to include a surface cleaner, so you can clear your windshield of debris before you mount it.

It might look a little cumbersome, but it easily takes up less space than the mounted GPS system my friend has in his car. The gooseneck makes the unit easily adjustable. However, I can’t speak for the swivel piece, since the package didn’t contain the screws necessary to install it.

That was actually my biggest complaint about the device. The gooseneck provides a decent level of movement, to the point where I’m not quite sure the swivel is necessary. But it is an included part, and to not have the screws necessary to install it is a bit disappointing.

Beyond the swivel piece, there is a ton of wiring. It’s kind of unavoidable, but if you’re using the cigarette lighter, you’re going to have a wire running from your windshield down to the adapter. Of course, it only needs to be hooked up when the unit needs charging, so it’s a minimal complaint. But there is way way way too much slack, as you can see below.

This is problematic for someone like me, who has a number of wires already running (tape adapter for the iPod, iPod car charger).

My one last minor gripe is that it won’t fit my BlackBerry when I have the rubber casing around it. I have to take that off. Once again, a minor inconvenience. But it’s definitely worth noting.

As far as usage goes, I’m not so sure this has much use for someone without a GPS program on their BlackBerry. It’s perfect for turn-by-turn directions, since you don’t have to constantly look down at your lap or elsewhere to get the directions. They’re right in front of you. The only other use I can see for it is to avoid looking down at the caller ID when a call comes in. But other than that, there’s not a ton you can do with this unit.

So if you’re using GPS services with your BlackBerry, you’d do well to check out the Carcomm Mobile PDA Cradle. It’s easy to assemble, easy to install, and easy to use.

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