Stratus 2 mounting solutions

TangoWhiskey

TangoWhiskey

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Feb 23, 2005
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Midlothian, TX
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3Green
I've had the Stratus 2's suction cup let loose at least three times now, while mounted on the co-pilot's side front windshield, lower right corner. Obviously not an ideal situation for a number of reasons, including smacking the passenger's knee, rolling forward under the pedals, smacking the floor hard and damaging the device, and upsetting the AHRS indication if you were using it for an emergency backup situation.

I plan to have it mounted permanently, connected to ship's power, and "away" (behind the panel or in the glove box) when the Stratus ESG Mode S ADS-B OUT transponder comes out in the spring. In the meantime, looking for ideas on a more effective mounting solution.

I own the plane, so I considered mounting it in the same location with a couple of good strong Velcro (Dual Lock or the like), being careful not to block fan vent holes, but friends suggest the adhesive will likely let go in the sun, and I'd be back to the same problem.

Just toss it up on the dash? :dunno:
 
I have been running a few years with the rubber mat tray on the dash...only had it go flying once in some wake turbulence of a 747 otherwise has been solid!

I agree with the adhesive giving out on a window, but if you use Velcro on the dash that might hold better as the Velcro would just be keeping it in position, not holding the weight.
 
The suction cups on the two units our clubs have are also coming loose more frequently.

At a meeting, someone suggested that the cups are wearing out and should be replaced. So that's what we're going with
 
The unit is also sensitive to heat... so tossing it on the dash might not always be the best solution.

If you have the remote antenna, you could mount it just about anywhere (like the space on the floor behind your fuel selector) and post the antenna on a convenient bit of glass.
 
Self stick velcro works for my GDL. I'd use the same if I had a Stratus.
 
Mine has fallen down a few times and I know this sounds gross but licking the perimeter of the suction cup prior to sticking it to the window(I use the side window by the back seat on my Archer) has so far resulted in it staying put.

I like the rubber tray idea and might try it. Main reason being is that it's easier to reach the power switch, and it's in my line of sight so I don't forget to turn it on. I'd think it would pretty much stay put unless there was some serious turbulence going on.
 
Have you tried just leaving it in the back seat? Out of 4-5 planes I've flown with one, only one of them didn't allow a signal to be received from the back seat.
 
Our stratus is Velcroed to the top of the dash. We have a piece of sunscreen we put over it when it's parked on the ramp. We tried other mounting locations but in the Cherokee it only gets reception right at the windscreen.
 
fiveoboy01 said:
Mine has fallen down a few times and I know this sounds gross but licking the perimeter of the suction cup prior to sticking it to the window(I use the side window by the back seat on my Archer) has so far resulted in it staying put.
Click to expand...

You mean like this?

 
172andyou said:
Have you tried just leaving it in the back seat? Out of 4-5 planes I've flown with one, only one of them didn't allow a signal to be received from the back seat.
Click to expand...

If you're going to use it for backup AHRS/attitude/synthetic vision, it's good for it to be mounted securely.
 
For mine I go pilot's side, same position you described - lower left windscreen between the panel and the door post. Mine falls off once in a while but it falls on me. I pick it up, rotate the suction lever back, wipe it off, moisten as desired, and stick it back up, hold it on there, and rotate the suction lever forward. It will stay up for weeks or months typically.

I used to stick it up on the pax window behind my left shoulder but in that position I wouldn't know if it fell.

That video is greatness.
 
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I'm wondering if the GoPro "super suction" cup might work better than the one that comes from Stratus. There are dual suction cup units, too.
 
Speaking from experience - the GoPro suction cup mount stayed stuck to the swingarm of my motorcycle at the race track at speeds well in excess of 140 MPH.
 
I use the rubber mat setting up on the dash. I have gotten the "hot" warning a time or two during the summer but that is all. I do not leave it there when not flying.
 
I had my Stratus 2 in the right side of the main window and my iPad on the left side of the main window fall off within a few minutes of each other climbing through 10000 to 11000 yesterday. Pressure change from departure elevation of 855', I'm guessing!
 
I have my iPad on the yoke using the RAM mount, inverted with button on top which only covers up the switches and the carb temp.
 
Mine is mounted under the copilot. GPS antenna on the dash, ADSB antenna in the back window and ships power under the carpet.

I had mine overheat a few times and run the battery Down on the glareshield. Now it's a nonissue.
 
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