Gadget Review

Sticky dashboard device clings to slip-sliding things

Monday, July 19, 2004

Sarah Hollander
Plain Dealer Reporter

I hugged curves, sought hills and dales, and, basically drove just on the legal side of maniacal. If pulled over, I was ready, "But officer," I'd sa as I pointed to the doodad on my dashboard. "I was just testing the original Sticky Pad!"

The 6 1/2 by 4 inch rectangle of non-adhesive, non magnetic, washable, reusable material clings to your car's dash.

"Slip and Slide No More!" the packaging promises. A drawing of the pad shows it holding a cell phone, sunglasses and a few coins in place.

I was skeptical. Was this just a fancy way to collect dust and wayward flies? (Not a bad résumé for a clingy rectangle, but stil�)

I cleaned my dashboard, as advised, and stuck the pad within reaching distance, just above my radio and air vents. It blended right in. And better yet, it actually worked.

I started with the wrapper's suggestion and placed my cell phone, sunglasses, and 16 cents - a nickel, dime and penny - on the pad.

Then I careened around sharp turns and drove and braked with a lead foot. Everything stayed put. And when I pulled the items off the pad, no messy residue (think movie theater floor) came with them.

More than two weeks into the test, the coins are still in their exact spot. So I expanded the test.

Would the Sticky Pad hold a parking garage key card? Yes. A scrap of paper with concise directions? Yes.

How about a small glass jar of lip gloss? Yes. A plastic hippo toy? No. A banana? No. Well, the banana might not have appreciated baking on the sunny dash anyway.

The pad works best for frequently needed items that motorists don't feel like digging for. Most cars, however, already have a plethora of nooks and crannies for this purpose.

Besides the glove compartment, for example, my car has a hole where I stash business cards, gum and a parking garage key card. Then there's a drawer next to my steering wheel for change. And the well under my emergency brake works perfectly for lipstick and pens.

And I wouldn't want to put anything too valuable on the Sticky Pad in plain sight of the sticky-finger element.

On the whole, though, I give the Sticky Pad two thumbs stuck. (And that's a good thing).