| DMor |
| Tim was kind enough to send me a Clear Cargo Mat for a "test drive" and photo op. I've included pics of all angles including a pic of the original BLACK Acura mat so those in waiting can compare. |
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| DMor |
| Here's the top view of the Clear cargo mat |
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| DMor |
| This view shows the mat with the rear seatback adjusted to max lean. You'll notice that it buckles. |
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| DMor |
| Here's another shot with the seatbacks straight. |
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| DMor |
| Mat is very flexible |
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| DMor |
| Close up of left side |
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| DMor |
| Close up of right side |
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| roadrunner |
Great job with the photos DMor!
Would it be reasonable to consider the less expensive and easy to roll-up and store clear mat an useful option to those that only occasionally need protection? I would include myself in this category as I usually do not need or want a cargo mat, but a few times a year I find myself carrying potting soil or other items that I would like to keep out of the carpet.
Meep Meep |
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| DMor |
Hi RR!
Material used is basically the same stuff used for carpet runners. This one has been cut to fit the MDX. My main concern with this one is the GAP of exposed carpeting in the front. Most who haul anything in and out already know this area tends to be the first landing spot of most cargo before it's scooted toward the rear. It's also the last resting spot before hauling it out. I would probably cut an add'l piece to fill this gap and protect the carpeting.
Otherwise, you'd be fine for occassional moisture-free hauling. |
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| tdnone |
Another point is without the curved lip like the Acura one, dirt seems to go to the crevices both in the front and the back. Remember there is still some draft in the MDX even with the doors close. Now how about some wet stuffs?
I think this clear cargo mat may be good for dry cargo like furniture and boxes, but not the garden, camping, water sports stuffs.
I would stick to the Acura one for those with ebony interior and would wish Acura have a tan or clear one for those with tan interior.
Hmmm...maybe a color coded painted/dyed cargo mat :D |
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| remery |
| I have the Acura Mat and after seeing the clear one, I am glad I do. Unlike roadrunner, I usually have a Home Depot run two or three times a month so a tray is a must. Then there's the pooch. From DMor's pictures, I don't think this appears up to the quality of the other Acura accessories. If all you need is occasional cargo area protection like RR, then a $7 plastic tarp at HD is a better value IMHO. |
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| bdespain |
| I purchased a WeatherTech Mat. They come in black, gray, and tan. I bought the tan one. It looks great. It cost $89. If I had to guess I would say they make the Acura one for Acura. It looks almost exactly the same from what I can see from the pictures. |
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| marne |
bdespain: Where did you get your WeatherTech mat? For how much? Could you post a photo?
Thanks!
--Marne |
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| hondacuraworld |
quote:
Originally posted by remery
I have the Acura Mat and after seeing the clear one, I am glad I do. Unlike roadrunner, I usually have a Home Depot run two or three times a month so a tray is a must. Then there's the pooch. From DMor's pictures, I don't think this appears up to the quality of the other Acura accessories. If all you need is occasional cargo area protection like RR, then a $7 plastic tarp at HD is a better value IMHO.
I myself had that same thought. I figured it was worth a shot, especially for the price. Now that I see it installed, I'm impressed with the way it was cut to fit the cargo hooks, but it's strange that it doesn't cover the entryway better.
At the very least it gives people with tan interiors an option if they don't like the look of the black tray. What do you think, DMor? Is there a market and use for this, or should I dump it? |
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| bdespain |
quote:
Originally posted by marne
bdespain: Where did you get your WeatherTech mat? For how much? Could you post a photo?
Thanks!
--Marne
I bought mine from a company called AutoSeattle.com (www.autoseattle.com). You could probably get it from any company that sells auto accessories.
I went out to Yahoo and searched for WeatherTech and it found a bunch.
I paid $89 for it plus shipping. I am not sure what the shipping was because I also bought the FormFit bug deflector and Manik side steps at the same time.
Sorry no picture. Don't have a digital camera.:rolleyes: But it looks just like the Acura one. It has about a 2 inch lip all the way around. |
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| DMor |
quote:
Originally posted by hondacuraworld
At the very least it gives people with tan interiors an option if they don't like the look of the black tray. What do you think, DMor? Is there a market and use for this, or should I dump it?
I would ask the manufacturer if the pattern can be extended to cover the carpet near the tailgate. If the price is right, and the pattern can be extended, it has potential for those (with either ebony or saddle) who don't do much messy hauling of dirt or other wet stuff and aren't willing to cut out their own mat from this readily available material. Otherwise, I'd probably 'dump it'. |
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| hondacuraworld |
| Consider it dumped. It was worth a shot though :) |
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| phillyflyer |
There is a bright spot with this mat. It does roll up easily.
The cargo tray, while being a "container" for spills, etc, does not store very easily. This is particularly a pain when you have the tray in the vehicle and you want to use the third row.
I do like my tray, however, and would not consider the mat.
Just my 2 cents.
Ed |
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| DMor |
quote:
Originally posted by phillyflyer
There is a bright spot with this mat. It does roll up easily.
The cargo tray, while being a "container" for spills, etc, does not store very easily. This is particularly a pain when you have the tray in the vehicle and you want to use the third row.
I do like my tray, however, and would not consider the mat.
Just my 2 cents.
Ed
Hi phyllyflyer! I assume you know the Acura mat can be rolled and stashed behind the third seat. It isn't convenient for any OTHER storage...but can be done. Remery displayed a pic several months ago.
Rem's pic: |
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| phillyflyer |
Thanks DMor. Yes, I have rolled it up similarly, but I have found that it is a pain, takes up all the cargo space, and it looks lousy.
With that said, the utility of the tray is worth it, and I use it ALL the time.
Ed |
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| AtlantaMDX |
| I've been considering a cargo tray. Does rolling up the Acura cargo tray cause any stress on the lip? |
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| texrb |
For what it's worth...
I have a clear mat that looks very similiar to the one tim sent to DMor in my RX300. I bought it at Walmart for $5.99. I use it for the Home Depot "gardening stuff" run to protect the carpet mat. I had to cut it to fit (since "one size fits all") but it is a very inexpensive solution as well. I'll post a pic if you like.
Waiting for the '02 MDX before I buy my black/saddle touring. |
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| DMor |
Texrb
Great idea...post a pic so others have some alternatives! :) I wonder if the current material is limited to roll size, thus leaving several bare inches of carpeting? Your RX300 is not as deep as the MDX, correct? The MDX cargo bed is 42" from seat back to plastic threshold. I'm wondering if the original size of your WalMart mat would have been deep enough? |
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| texrb |
| OK - here it is. As you can see it is not nearly as nice as the one DMor tested. |
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| texrb |
| corners also don't fully reach |
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| texrb |
FYI - the mat was cut down by me - it initially was too wide to fit in the back of the RX300. IF you look closely you can see the lines to fit various sizes. They even have various names on the lines (explorer, pathfinder,etc) but not MDX.
Anyway - the wife hates the heavy duty cargo mats - so this kept her happy & keeps the back clean. |
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| phillyflyer |
quote:
Originally posted by AtlantaMDX
I've been considering a cargo tray. Does rolling up the Acura cargo tray cause any stress on the lip?
Atlanta:
The tray is definitely worthwhile. But, yes, rolling it up does stress the lip somewhat. So far I have not had any creases or cracks, but I wonder how it will hold up after several cold Philly winters.
I don't think this will affect DMor in the temperate Eden otherwise known as Sandy Eggo. But maybe Ghost can fill us in on the tray's long-term resilience in his frigid Duluth environ.
PM me and I can give you any other details you need.
Ed |
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| tdnone |
quote:
Originally posted by texrb
FYI - the mat was cut down by me - it initially was too wide to fit in the back of the RX300. IF you look closely you can see the lines to fit various sizes. They even have various names on the lines (explorer, pathfinder,etc) but not MDX.
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Hi All,
Remember that the RX300 does not have the third seat under the cargo area :rolleyes: and it has the cargo mat (or carpet), so it is more important to protect the MDX third seat backing as well as the crevices in between the seats and the sides of the seats from all those little dust and dirt fallen into them :( And the dreaded food spillage :mad:
So select your cargo tray or mat wisely :D :D |
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| ghm2112 |
Atlanta:
I second the recommendation for the tray. Also, if you have a dog or load things in the rear and want to prevent stuff from flying into the 2nd row of seats, I would recommend the separation net.
PS what the hell happened to the Bravos this weekend?
Happy Trails. |
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