iPhone 4S Mount for 5th Gen

[Calpchen]

Any experience with mounting an iPhone in your 5th Gen? I'm looking for a sturdy and inconspicuous mount for my upcoming iPhone 4S.

At the moment, I'm considering the ProClip mount over the center vent or the RAM mount on the dash somewhere.

And to elaborate on my needs:

• Visible to Driver: Mounted iPhone should be visible to driver for use as a GPS navigation device.
• Less than Conspicuous: Should not be conspicuous to a thief (intending to steal GPS navigation devices) performing a quick visual sweep of a parking lot, no less than 30 yards from the vehicle. Should not be conspicuous to a casual passerby (with no ill intent) no less than 10 yards from the vehicle.
• Sturdy: iPhone should remain attached to mount when traversing speed bumps and washboard dirt roads at reasonable speeds.

(Me? An engineer?! :nerd: Preposterous!)

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Quentin]

I've occasionally considered buying one of those double sided suction cups and just suction cupping it to the "glass" in front of the speedometer. It fits in there perfect.

 

[Intruder]

I use a Ram windshield mount with the x-grip for mine. I never leave the phone in the truck so this just makes it obvious to a potential thief that the device isn't there. The mount has been secure on gravel, washboard, off road, and everywhere else.

 

[scanny]

don't have experience with iPhone, but I like to mount devices on dashboard passenger vent. I used vent mounts in different vehicles with PDA Axim X50v and Garmin GPS now. Those devices heavier than iPhone (I think) but good vent mount is normally strong enough to handle quite a lot of weight. 4Runner has strong vent louvres for mounting a device, but I used my mount in few vehicles with weaker louvres and it worked just fine. My Garmin mount never failed me on bad roads and trails. Device was shaking of course but never shift position or fell. If I were you I would try something like this:


Air Vent Mount w/ Spring forApple iPhone 3G 3GS 4 4S | eBay


But this is a first one I found, there might be better and even cheaper mounts, maybe amazon.com is worth to check, sometimes you can find helpful reviews there.

Important thing to check that mounted device would not obstruct any controls or gauges. CD disk might be an issue too. I also would recommend mount with clips with srpings. Once I made a mistake to buy a mount with plastic clips without springs - not sure how to describe it - but it didn't hold well. Ok I found it on ebay too:

This one is a bad type:
CAR VENT MOUNT HOLDER GARMIN NUVI 215 265 285 WT 285WT | eBay

This one is a good one:
Vent Mount Garmin Nuvi 200 250 350 650 750 c550 c530 510 755T i2 i5 850 660 250W | eBay


Hope this helps a little.

 

[Lakelander]

I'm using this one by Macally & works great for me. It mounts in the cup holder, easily viewed, secure, & doesn't block any of the controls. Not sure if it's as stealth as you need though.

http://www.amazon.com/Macally-Adjus...WRN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320520207&sr=8-1

 

[DEKA3]

I have something very similar. I really like it. Easy in, easy out, not easily noticeable from outside and very sturdy. Only downside is it takes up a cup holder.

Also, I can use it while I rest my arm on the center armrest, without reaching for it, and its close to a power source (no cables hanging across the dash/console)

I'm using this one by Macally & works great for me. It mounts in the cup holder, easily viewed, secure, & doesn't block any of the controls. Not sure if it's as stealth as you need though.

Amazon.com: Macally mCup Adjustable Cup Holder for All Portable Devices in Vehicle (Black): MP3 Players & Accessories

 

[scanny]

I have something very similar. I really like it. Easy in, easy out, not easily noticeable from outside and very sturdy. Only downside is it takes up a cup holder.

I was considering cup holder mount but when we travel with my wife we both need cup holders to hold our cofee : )

 

[Titanpat57]

Post #34 down the page..


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/57574-new-trail-3.html

 

[Calpchen]

Great ideas and photos, everybody! Reps all around! :hatsoff:

 

[MikeBuzzsaw]

I love my cup holder mount! Same one mentioned earlier on amazon.

 

[DEKA3]

I was considering cup holder mount but when we travel with my wife we both need cup holders to hold our cofee : )

You can always use the cup holders in the doors. Or just have her hold her own coffee. lol

 

[scanny]

You can always use the cup holders in the doors. Or just have her hold her own coffee. lol

Nah, I 'd rather keep cupholder free : ) But on a serious note door cupholder are bottle holders, I wouldn't put coffee there and another point is that if yiu use GPS it's a lot more convenient to have it on dasborad than down in a cupholder. especially if you driving in the city and need to check the GPS screen often. As an experiment you can try to look at vent when you are driving and then on a cupholder to see waht I'm talking about. To me vent mount is the best possible option so far.

 

[DEKA3]

For GPS, yes I agree that vent mount is best option.

IMO, the best mount location for GPS/phone/etc is where the hazard lights button is located. Easily accessible by both driver and front passenger, keeps cup holders free, close to power, and keeps windshield free of any obstructions.
Antman, get on it....haahha

Nah, I 'd rather keep cupholder free : ) But on a serious note door cupholder are bottle holders, I wouldn't put coffee there and another point is that if yiu use GPS it's a lot more convenient to have it on dasborad than down in a cupholder. especially if you driving in the city and need to check the GPS screen often. As an experiment you can try to look at vent when you are driving and then on a cupholder to see waht I'm talking about. To me vent mount is the best possible option so far.