Cell phone holder placement

[Beege]

@Beege , could you share the one you bought that didn't work? Also, what the diameter was for the suction cup, so I can eliminate it from my searching.




@Kazz, the video on Amazon shows the range of operations, so definitely check it out. My brother had the non-Qi version of this mount, and it was very good: stable, adjustable, and easy to operate one-handed. This is currently very high on my list of candidates now.

View attachment 3286​

@SEA Stinger, were you able to suction directly to the dash surface, or did you need to use the adhesive pad under it?

 

[eflyguy]

So I guess my question to all of you is, with Android auto and apple carplay why do you still think you need to be able to see the phone while you are driving the car?

Well I can give you my reasons - I have had wireless charging on my iPhone 6S+ since I bought it over two years ago. I ties up the connector, and I like it that way. So I will not be hooking up to carplay until they support wireless connection.

Additionally, to the best of my understanding, you can't send all apps to the car, only the ones Apple supports for carplay, which eliminates Waze, Google Maps, etc.

 

[mldavis2]

Yes, I think that, although Android can display Google maps and Waze, there are most apps that it will not display (for safety reasons). So you can't drive down the road playing solitaire. It's apparently not a simple "pass through" system.

 

[Kazz]

@Kazz, mounting the phone simply involves setting it against the raised button on the back plate of the mount. That triggers the retention clips at the side of the mount to snap into place, securing the phone. Removing the phone just involves squeezing the spring-loaded wings inward (can be done with one hand) to move the retention clips back out again.

For more details, check out the Amazon listing for the iOttie mount. The listing also has hi-res pictures of the mount.
https://www.amazon.com/iOttie-Wirel...pID=516DgjL9nqL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Thank you - very interesting. Now it's all about that base.

@Kazz, the video on Amazon shows the range of operations, so definitely check it out. My brother had the non-Qi version of this mount, and it was very good: stable, adjustable, and easy to operate one-handed. This is currently very high on my list of candidates now.

@SEA Stinger, were you able to suction directly to the dash surface, or did you need to use the adhesive pad under it?

No Qi needed here. But again the base is the question.

I would think that anything that is "soft" enough to work on textures surfaces would leave a residue and mark over time.

I tend to think there are products out there that would be able to clean them up. But yes, it's a concern.

I'd like to know how these things hold up if you park your car in the sun all day while at work day after day, etc. I read all kinds of reviews that say those kinds of mounts eventually give way.

So I guess my question to all of you is, with Android auto and apple carplay why do you still think you need to be able to see the phone while you are driving the car?

Good question! I use Android Auto currently. There are apps I may use from time to time that aren't Android Auto compatible. Ones that work with OBD2 readers and show alternate gauges and such are one example. Also, the UVO app from Kia won't transmit parking data, etc. when Android Auto is in-use.

In my case, I'm just now starting to use Android Auto with any regularity. I have an app that essentially plays podcasts that's not Android Auto compatible. And when one segment is over the next one has to be started - by tapping in the screen.

One other thing is that the phone can (hopefully) located so that it can be reached without leaning unlike one has to do in order to touch the built-in screen.

 

[Renalan]

I used a 3D printer to make this part, it's for a GT with 7" screen. I had to order a flat disc because the surface finish wasn't good enough for the suction cup to seal. I could probably redesign this part to be molded pretty easily.

 

[SEA Stinger]

@SEA Stinger, were you able to suction directly to the dash surface, or did you need to use the adhesive pad under it?

Hey @CDv6, I just used the adhesive pad that came with the mount and suctioned onto it. iOttie mounts get uniformly great reviews and modern adhesives are really good, so I don't anticipate issues when I eventually remove the adhesive pad. Worst-case scenario, should it happen to leave a mark if and when I change to a different mount, I can just put the new one in the same place. Or I can stick a dash cam or a hula-dancer there. Or maybe a dash cam disguised as hula dancer - how's that for a new product idea!

Either way, it's not worth my obsessing over.

 

[mldavis2]

I tend to think there are products out there that would be able to clean them up. But yes, it's a concern.

I'd like to know how these things hold up if you park your car in the sun all day while at work day after day, etc. I read all kinds of reviews that say those kinds of mounts eventually give way.

I used a Garmin dash mount for several years that had that soft gelatin-like base and it didn't deteriorate or leave an uncleanable residue, BUT my G8 was parked in the garage except for rare instances in the sun. Usually if I left the car for a longer time (airport for example) I removed the base (just weighted) and put it under the seat so it wouldn't attract Garmin thieves. Long term, I don't know.

 

[StingerGT68]

I'm gonna be that guy and say you shouldn't be swiping your phone at all while driving.

I use Android Auto and it does everything I could possibly need a phone to do while driving. On my daily commute I see too many people swiping on their phones while driving.

So why not just plug your phone into the USB for Carplay or Android Auto?

 

[Berzerker]

I'm gonna be that guy and say you shouldn't be swiping your phone at all while driving.

I use Android Auto and it does everything I could possibly need a phone to do while driving. On my daily commute I see too many people swiping on their phones while driving.

So why not just plug your phone into the USB for Carplay or Android Auto?

I honestly hate taking my phone out of my pocket when I'm driving, so CarPlay and Android Auto are getting a "no use" from me until they support Wireless, if they will.

I don't really have a problem with the stock UVO system, GPS is fine, and all of my music in on a USB drive that just lives in the data port behind the closed door, so I don't really see the need for a mount, to be honest.

 

[CDv6]

So I guess my question to all of you is, with Android auto and apple carplay why do you still think you need to be able to see the phone while you are driving the car?

I haven't really embraced CarPlay yet. Apple is very conservative in what they allow on the car screen. Unless things loosen-up a bit, I'll view CarPlay as an emerging capability, and will continue using Bluetooth connectivity as my primary interface. I don't know how Android Auto compares in overall functionality, but I've commented before that the availability of Waze projection to the car is a huge advantage for Android users over Apple.

Now it's all about that base.

That's what she said!

 

[CDv6]

I used a 3D printer to make this part, it's for a GT with 7" screen. I had to order a flat disc because the surface finish wasn't good enough for the suction cup to seal. I could probably redesign this part to be molded pretty easily.

Interesting solution. Did you find a way to get it to stay in place without adhesives?

 

[bugaboo90]

Intellectually I agree with you but there have been many times when I've needed to access my phone. If android auto was more functional maybe but not at it's current state.
Having that said I will go this weekend without touching my phone while driving (and see if I go through withdrawals lol).

I'm gonna be that guy and say you shouldn't be swiping your phone at all while driving.

I use Android Auto and it does everything I could possibly need a phone to do while driving. On my daily commute I see too many people swiping on their phones while driving.

So why not just plug your phone into the USB for Carplay or Android Auto?

 

[Kazz]

I'm gonna be that guy and say you shouldn't be swiping your phone at all while driving.

I use Android Auto and it does everything I could possibly need a phone to do while driving. On my daily commute I see too many people swiping on their phones while driving.

So why not just plug your phone into the USB for Carplay or Android Auto?

I do, and I tap on that screen instead of my phone when I do.

 

[StingerGT68]

I do, and I tap on that screen instead of my phone when I do.

Yes but Android Auto only allows maps and music. You don't get emails, Facebook, Twitter, or, most importantly, a keyboard when driving. Any text message responding is done via voice. Personally, I love Android Auto.

 

[Kazz]

Yes but Android Auto only allows maps and music. You don't get emails, Facebook, Twitter, or, most importantly, a keyboard when driving. Any text message responding is done via voice. Personally, I love Android Auto.

I don't use Facebook and I don't use email or Twitter on my phone. Rarely will I text - but that's usually while parked.

 

[bugaboo90]

You are a better person then I am.

I don't use Facebook and I don't use email or Twitter on my phone. Rarely will I text - but that's usually while parked.

 

[mldavis2]

So am I to understand that if you hook up to Android autoplay to use, say Wave or Google maps, you can't use your phone at the same time for -- well, phone calls?

 

[Kazz]

So am I to understand that if you hook up to Android autoplay to use, say Wave or Google maps, you can't use your phone at the same time for -- well, phone calls?

I can't say I've tried as I don't use either. But the phone interacts via bluetooth just fine.

If you all can't tell yet, I use my phone for podcasts and music, not much talking or texting. LOL And man, do I like it that way!

 

[mldavis2]

Still confused. What can you do or NOT do using bluetooth? Same with USB? In other words what are the limitations for each type of connection?

 

[StingerGT68]

So am I to understand that if you hook up to Android autoplay to use, say Wave or Google maps, you can't use your phone at the same time for -- well, phone calls?

You can most definitely multitask with it...Waze while on a phone call for sure.

When plugged into Android Auto, the phone screen is "locked out". On the car's touchscreen you then open Android Auto and it allows you to use the dialer, music/podcasts/Audible, and Google Maps/Waze. It's also completely voice controllable, and it works well...unlike most infotainment systems. If a text comes in it'll read it to you and you can easily dictate back.

I absolutely love it...keeps me from looking at my phone while providing the best infotainment system (& Google Maps!).