Reddit mentions of ARKON BT010 Windshield Suction Mount for EZ Pass Toll Transponders Bluetooth GPS Receivers and Radar Detectors

Here is what I bought & some suggestions. I am working on my checkride now, so I don't have my PPL yet, but for what it is worth:

1. Sporty's Online Ground Course - the practice tests are very helpful and the videos are decent. Watch the vids, then practice test yourself until you pass 2 at 90% or higher. The minimum is only 70%, but if you consistently get 90%, you will pass the written no problem. http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/learn-to-fly/private-pilot-learn-to-fly-course/learn-to-fly-course-online-private-pilot-test-prep.html
   
   
2. Purchased ASA test prep book (which came with booklet used for test questions). I used this more as a reference but I also did practice exams, etc.
   http://www.asa2fly.com/Test-Prep-2017-Private-Pilot-P3493C22.aspx
   
   
3. Purchased an inexpensive headset (off-brand for $85.00). Your stuff will get beat up a bit in training. I say wait to buy the $1,000 headset until you know that flying is for you and you won't damage your headset in training. Don't want to start a 'flame war' here so I will not recommend one or the other, but if possible I want to get a good ANR headset once I have my PPL.
   
   
4. Purchased the PPL Oral Exam Guide by ASA/Michael D. Hayes. Nicely organized and easy to follow. http://www.asa2fly.com/Oral-Exam-Guide-Private-P3676C480.aspx
   
   
5. Watch videos constantly about flying. There are some great resources out there, both for learning and inspiration: On youtube I like: FlightChops, Cyndy Hollman, MrAviation101, Swayne Martin, steveo1kinevo, MzeroA. There are many, many others.
   
   
6. I bought Saitek yoke, rudder, and throttle controls that I used to fly prepar3d flight sim (basically a Lockheed version of MS Flight). http://www.prepar3d.com/product-overview/
   I have heard that XPlane is better, but that is another subject...I also invested in a sim plane that is nearly identical to the C172 that I use for training. The reason I mention this is that a flight sim is not good for teaching you to fly, but it is good for helping you to remember procedures and working with some NAV instruments (VOR, GPS). I run through emergency procedures in the sim and that seems to help me too.
   
   
7. I invested in Foreflight. Even though I don't use it too often for training, I am referring to it frequently and using it to verify handwritten flight plans, etc. On the simulator, there is software to allow me to use Foreflight with my simulator location - basically spoofs Foreflight into thinking I am actually flying. This was very helpful. I also use the logbook feature (though I enter each flight manually). I love to add pictures and endorsements, etc. to each entry.
   
   
8. I bought a small WAAS GPS and log all my flights, then I debrief them (myself) using cloudahoy (see #9). I should have put this as #1 on my list because having a good, independent GPS has really helped me in my training. There are no ipads to connect, wires, or internet, just a gps that I mounted with double-sided tape on a simple suction mount. I turn it on, start logging, and then attached it to the window. In 1 minute I am logging my flights - and the battery lasts forever.
   GPS:
   https://bad-elf.com/collections/bluetooth-gps/products/be-gps-2200
   
   Mount:
   https://www.amazon.com/ARKON-BT010-Windshield-Transponders-Bluetooth/dp/B000FGI9R0/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1498622046&sr=8-23&keywords=suction+mount
   
   
   
9. I use cloudahoy to review my flights. It is an amazing app/site and a bargain for only $65/year. You can export your GPS logs/tracks to it and it automatically organizes your flight. You can share these with others too. It is very instructional and it acts as a sort of backup of my log (they store gps tracks of all my flights). It also helps me to recall my flight so that when I do my log entries they are accurate.
   
   https://www.cloudahoy.com/
   
   
   
10. It may sound old school, but I bought a nice log book and had my name engraved on it. Cost a bit extra, but it will be something you can use for years, and why not have a classy one. I keep both a written and an electronic logbook - the written I like as it is done by my CFI (unless I solo), and it is a physical representation of my training. I use the Foreflight log book to double-check my numbers and to have a quick idea of how many hours, days left for currency, etc.
    
    http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/pilot-s-flight-logbook-and-record.html
    
    
    
11. Listen to LiveATC.net - I try to pick smaller airports, non-towered. It will help you with comms.
    
    Hope this helps you and best of luck in your training!
    

Is it safe to stick the camera on the black dots? Will it damage the black dots if I try to take the camera off?
I have a leased car, so I'm weary of using the sticky pad. I also got a suction mount like this just in case - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGI9R0
I'm a ibt concerned it might shake too much though.

I bought a toll transponder suction cup mount when we rented a vehicle while on vacation. I bought some double sided mounting tape and adhered the dash cam mount to the suction cup mount. Worked great.

ARKON BT010 Windshield Suction Mount for EZ Pass Toll Transponders Bluetooth GPS Receivers and Radar Detectors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FGI9R0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iLIsDb43H0T9S

Mount the camera to this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGI9R0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FGI9R0&linkCode=as2&tag=dacata-20

I would either use Velcro or a suction mount. This suction cup mount should work but check the dimensions first to make sure your camera mounting pad will fit on the suction mount.

> * https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGI9R0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FGI9R0&linkCode=as2&tag=dacata-20 - Affiliated link

vs

• https://www.amazon.com/ARKON-BT010-Windshield-Transponders-Bluetooth/dp/B000FGI9R0 - Same link not Affiliated link
  
  So the way it was explained to me, ?ie=UTF8 or simply after the question mark is an indication that it is an affiliated link. - I did not setup auto moderator.
  
  Edit: I don't know so much about mod type things, I mostly do advice, and clear out the spam/report folder.