Having two technology savvy kids (4 and 10 yrs old) and using 4Runner on longer trips I thought there should be a way to keep kids busy on those rides. Unfortunately “Rear Seat Entertainment, DVD Electronics” aka DVD player provided by Toyota (PT900-00101 and PT900-01100) was rather limited and outdated solution, so no go for it. The same story applies to other aftermarket DVD players. I wanted something portable to be used outside 4Runner, and something we can enjoy outside a car.

Seeing how kids were using their iPods obvious solution was to go "larger" and allow kids to use iPads. So I started research on head rest mounts for iPad. I wanted to avoid any kind of ‘strap’ mounts, and I was hunting for a mount with the following features:
- Easy to operate.
- Easy to remove case with an iPad. Need this feature to remove iPad from a vehicle or hide it away.
- Clean mount look when iPad/case is removed.
- Using case as a stand outside a vehicle.

Somehow I came across two headrest mount I really liked: inCarBite headrest mount and something marketed by BMW as a ‘travel system’ with a nice functional iPad mount. Unfortunately BMW stuff was not on a market yet, so I started with inCarBite headrest mount.

inCarBite Headrest Mount
incarbiteusa.com

inCarBite manufactures couple different models of headrest mounts: standard, powered, powered with infrared audio transmitter, powered with infrared + FM transmitter. Basically 4Runner/iPad setup doesn’t need infrared or FM transmitters. 4Runner has Bluetooth to stream audio through a head unit/car speakers. Also there are plenty of choices of Bluetooth headphones to be used with iPads.
Powered option seemed to be a nice one (you can easily hardwire a headrest mount, hello Antman!) but has one huge disadvantage: it doesn’t leave ipad’s 30-pin connector open. An extra 12DC power supply with a barrel plug is required to charge iPad without removing it from a case. It’s a big no-no. I already have plenty of tiny USB wall chargers and introducing another charging interface (bulky 12V/barrel plug) just doesn’t make sense.

So a ‘standard’ inCarBite headrest mount was a way to go!

inCarBite headrest mount is very sturdy. It’s very easy to slide case in/out and tilt it. Even 4 years old can do it. And it’s pretty much one hand operation for an adult.

I've bought my inCarBite mount straight from incarbiteusa.com and spoke with Tim couple times. He's a nice guy and it was a pleasure to do business with him.

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BMW iPad Holder

In April 2012, BMW have finally released their headrest mounts to the US market and I got it. I like mount base. It has really clean OE look. BMW logo can be easily removed or replaced with Toyota logo ;) However BMW case (stand) itself is bulky compare to inCarBite’s case. You have to press buttons to tilt/rotate it and it’s difficult even for 10yr old. Yes, it can have portrait/landscape orientation but I’m not sure if it’s a huge benefit for us. Having 2 identical iPads we usually grab one in an inCarBite case.

If someone decides to buy this headrest mount, they should look for a manufacturer part number 51952183852 which is designed for iPad2 (there is another holder for iPad1). And yes, iPad2 fits The New iPad (iPad3). However, it doesn't have an opening for rear view camera. Also a 'Base' attachment from the BMW Travel & Comfort System is not included with an iPad2 holder and has to be bought separately. I've scored both from eBay.

On a side note, a 'Base' attachment doesn't fit all headrests. Some headrests have larger distance between posts and a 'base' is too short to expand itself enough to provide a sturdy support. For sure it doesn't fit Honda Accord.

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Other Gadgets
We use GoFlex Satellite - Mobile Wireless Storage to have some our digital content handy. GoFlex Satellite creates a wifi network inside a car and streams media content. You don’t need an internet connection to have a local wifi, GoFlex Satellite acts as a router. It’s really a cute little device: it runs on a battery, you don’t need to charge it on short trips, it can create password protected wifi, and it streams different media to multiple devices at the same time.

Bottom Line, literally
It's good to have choices and options. However inCarBite headrest mount is our favorite one.

Side Note
Even both cases are hard-shell type cases, iPad screen shatters when you drop it

BMW iPad Holder (continued below).

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something to consider for the futur, I have to save this thread.

I love th fact that you took the time to pull up the 4R website before taking pics lol.. Commited

Nice setup! Love it.

Great idea!
Those straps on the driver's (inCarBite) side are for something other than the iPad mount, correct?

My daughter doesn't even know how much she want's one of those...yet.

I've been looking for something like this. Yesterday I pulled the trigger on a couple Android tablets (total cost with otterboxes is still under the price of one naked ipad) for the kids to learn on. This is the type of setup I'd love to run in the car for trips, but will also let them just hold them if need be.


Nice setup, waaaaay better solution than DVD players/headrest imbeds etc!

Yes, straps are not related to iPad mounts at all. They are 'Brica Kick Mats'.
See my post and pictures here

Cool. I have something like that too, but they're called "Maggie Dog Slobber Mats". lol

I just beat my kids when they get the car dirty. Those mounts look sweet, very clean. I'm tryign to decide if it's something I need since my kids usually just have the iPad sitting on their laps. Are they able to reach it when strapped in?

[QUOTE=kingpin748;1115494]Are they able to reach it when strapped in?/QUOTE]
Yes, 4 y/o son can reach inCarBite from his car seat when I'm driving. If my wife is driving (I like ), I guess he can't reach because driver seat is moved far upfront (we can put another seat in between ).

10 y/o daughter reaches BMW mount when buckled up.

However, when kids play games on iPads, they like to hold iPads. They use headrest mounts when watching movies primarily.

Kids these days even too lazy to hold the iPad? LoL

1. Please try to watch a 1.5 hr movie holding an iPad on your lap...will your neck hurt?
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/0...ain-your-neck/
2. It's much easier to hold an iPad in a good stand/case regardless where you use it: in a car, around a house, or outdoor.

For those who haven't purchased yet...check out the In-car iPad mount entertainment system from TouCoul version. It allows a lot more movement and freedom. It also allows the use of the camera on the ipad2 for recording purposes.

I have this mount, very solid and sturdy which limits vibration and it articulates really well. The arm can be folded up so it sits directly behind the headrest or extended so it is between the seats for two people to watch. Highly recommended for the kids to watch movies or play games. It's only drawback is you need to remove your iPad from its case (if you use one) to snap it into the mount.