I'm all ready to start using my new iPhone SE's Apple Maps turn-by-turn voice navigation. I thought it would be straightforward to choose a car mount, but as it turns out, there are countless options. And I can only see them online.

I've narrowed them down to ten. It's a large number, but I've already done ruthless vetting. It must be suction anchored, not anchored to the CD slot, cigarette lighter, or cup holder. I wanted the stability of suction, and didn't want the mount to obscure manual access to the dashboard controls. I also didn't want the air vents to be blocked, or the cup holder to be monopolized by the mount.

The only thing I have to live with is the fact a mount taking up space on top of the dashboard or on the windshield, which obstructs my use of a reflector that I place against the windshield to keep the sun out. So being able to quickly remove the mount *might* be good, but removing the mount means that the suction surface will pick up dust, unless I want to wash and air dry it *every* time I remove it (which boils down to every time that I park). I think I will have to figure out a way to make that work after acquiring the mount.

I basically looked at amazon.ca for candidates with the above features, and having 4 stars and up. The "short" list of my candidates for are listed below. At this point reading the reviews isn't all that helpful because each candidate will have a variety of positive and negative comments. I'm hoping to get targeted anecdotes -- I am specifically mounting an iPhone SE, Apple's smallest phone -- (4.9"h, 2.3"w, 0.3"d) and I am mounting it in a 2013 Hond Fit LX. Pictures of the dashboard can be found at:
http://cars.usnews.com/static/images..._dashboard.jpg
http://cars.usnews.com/static/images..._dashboard.jpg

Can those who have gone through this search and now own a car holder please chime in either about my criteria/consideratoins or about the specific candidates? Thanks.

"Short" list of candidates
--------------------------
MoKo Universal Smartphones Car Mount $13
One 5-star review (28 reviews at amazon.com, averaging 3.5 stars)

VicTsing Car Mount Holder Gooseneck Flexible Phone Holder $15
305 reviews averaging 4 stars

TaoTronics Car Phone Mount $12.50
727 reviews averaging 4 stars

TaoTronics Car Phone Mount $20
29 reviews averaging 4 stars

TaoTronics Car Phone Mount with Convenient One-handed Operation $20
8 reviews averaging 4.5 stars

TaoTronics TT-SH07 Holder $11.50
133 reviews averaging 4 stars

Mpow Car Mount Universal 360 Degree Rotation $18
185 reviews averaging 4.5 stars

iOttie Easy One Touch 2 Car Mount Holder $34
853 reviews averaging 4.5 stars
Price a bit steep

iOttie Easy One Touch 3 (V2.0) Car Mount $35
282 reviews averaging 4.5 stars
Price a bit steep

Spigen Kuel Stealth Car Mount Universal Phone Holder $22
157 reviews averaging 4 stars
Priced at the high end

 

in rentals i use a cheapo amazon magnet vent clip. works perfectly.
i have an iphone7 and place the metal plate between the phone and the case.

 

Thanks, Ken. Do you have a model for the mount? As well, what phone do you have?

 

I have this magnetic mount for my Galaxy S7.

 

So you just stuck it with adhesive onto the dash? What's the brand and model? What do you think of it?

 

Here is the link of the Scosche MAGDMB MagicMount Magnetic Dash Mount for Mobile Devices.
I liked it because it's small and when the phone is mounted, it doesn't block your windshield view. The mount also rotates 360 degrees so you can adjust it.

The only disadvantage I notice is when you have the charger connected it won't fit very well unless you have the right angle connector something like this
Another thing is when you mount the phone in landscape orientation, it fits but not horizontally straight. But if you have a smaller phone it might fit okay.

 

I use the same magnetic mount on my GK. It works really well https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...ml#post1372253

 

something like this. you can probably find them even cheaper for the pair


i use a case with my iphone7 and place the metal plate between the case and phone.

 

utsug- did you use armor all on your dash? yuk. clean it off with alcohol and use Aerospace303 50/50 with water for a clean matte finish.

 

Yes I did lol
I'll try that Aerospace303.

 

good choice! haha

 

@utsug: I appreciate your anecdote. It indicates to me that I have to reconsider my decision to not go with magnetic binding. Coming from an electronics background (long ago!), I feared that strong magnetism might stress physical components. For example, in integrated circuit (IC) chips long ago, the contacts between the (IC) package and the silicon IC inside was made via delicate wires that arc'd up and down between metal pads on the package side and the package side and the silicon side. I cringed at the thought of strong magnetic fields. As well, strong magnetism can create forces that stress any complex system containing metals, and the reliability problems set in with the passage of time. However, it's quite possible that my concerns are outdated.

About the right angle connector, it may be difficult or costly for me, as the phone side is a Apple Lightning connector. I do, however, have a smaller phone (iPhone SE). I'm not quite clear on what the problem is with a straight connector, given that there do not appear to be any obstructions due to the phone mount.

@kenchan: Thanks for the tip on buying in pairs. I only need one for now. I fact, I only need none, as I rarely use navigation (and rarely drive). I only looked for a solution because my obsession with old school navigation (paper map) put a wrench into a trip in which others used GPS. So GPS navigation is meant as a standby capability for me. I am pondering whether it would be wise to purchase a mount just-in-time, when the need arises. I might not have a need for a long time. Components and materials age, e.g., adhesives and suction cup rubber. Of course, I would then need to experiment and muss with the first time usage of the mount (which might actually be fun).

P.S. Does no one worry about the blast of hot air from the vent on to the phone in the winter time (especially considering the electronics and the battery in the phone)?

 

my tip wasnt to buy in pairs. they just happen to sell in pairs at a low price.. so buy it cheap, keep a spare.

 

Understood. Thanks.

 

Found this previous thread on phone mounts for the Fit: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...one-mount.html.

I'm intrigued by the Aduro U-Grip Plus Universal Suction Cup Mount mentioned in that thread, for which a better review is available at . It works well even on textured dashboard surfaces. It was shown to work with the narrow iPhone 4s, which is almost identical in width to my iPhone SE. You can clean the suction cup surface when the suction degrades due to dust/lint. It isn't magnetic, which posed concerns for me, and it isn't vent-mounted, thus incurring the risk of heating the phone & battery in the winter time.

I have the option of mounting on the windshield if I wish (though I'm leaning toward the dashboard surface, for the sake of visibility). It's not mounted on the cupholder, so I don't monopolize my cupholder, and it's not mounted on the 12V power outlet, which is quite low down on the 2013 Fit LX. It's cheap, so if it doesn't work out, oh well. My only decision now is whether to acquire one now, for standby availability, or getting one just-in-time (when I anticipate a trip).

 

After hearing feedback from Fit owners who have permanently mounted phone holders, I researched it a bit more. One potential concern is that the presence of mounts tends to attract the attention of thieves. Even with a suction mount, you have to remove evidence of the mount when you remove the mount. If thieves see signs that you use a mount, they are likely to break in to find the phone or GPS unit.

Sigh....hooda thunk that a simple phone mount could involve so many considerations.

 

yes very true depending on where u park. just get the cheepo magnet one for the vent. most folks will think you took the phone with you so they're not going to break in.

 

I'm not worried about the phone holder. I'm worried about the damage to the car. As I said, i suspect that they are not after phones, since people don't usually leave them. They are probably after dedicated GPS navigation devices, which most people don't take with them.

 

you and i dont seem to communicate in the same frequency..

 

Maybe not. But I am trying to understand your intent and meaning, and respond to it. I am also trying to articulate my reasoning in my responses. It's the best that I can do to in terms of bridging the gap.