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Ive got the Streetpilot III deluxe also and I love it. Ive got mine hardmounted using RAM mounts. Its a solid arm that can be set however you like. There is a new pilot that is supose to be excellent. It has a remote and faster route calculation than mine does, and a touch screen. I use it in my S and in my Volvo - perfect for transfering between cars and I bet its as good as any dash system. This is not my car, but mine is exactly the same.
I have a Garmin in my Range Rover hard mounted. I looked at the RAM mounts some time ago. Could you get a pic of how the mount is actually connected to the vehicle? Does it use the seat rails as it's mounting point, or did you have to drill the transmission tunnel?
I have the garmin sitting on the mount it came with on top of the dash. In some VERY spirited driving at the Freshwater Tour this weekend, it did not fall.
The PDA is an iPaq 2215 (I need CF and SD memory slots) and I'm currently using the Navman 4410 w/bluetooth. Maps and software are decent; it works okay, haven't had problems, and it does what I need it to do. Haven't found a need to switch over to other software/maps yet even though the maps are by Tele Atlas.
I ecourage the portable units....move between cars and let your wife/girlfriend use it when they need it. Also, the firmware and compact flash is upgradable. Roadmate 700