The ultimate iPhone / smartphone and gps mount

[19016c]

I've had a lot of different custom mounts in my car over the years including using iPod docks, upholder mounts etc. I have customized the ram mounting system to fit perfectly by drilling two holes in my rear view mirror. See results below. It is a perfect solution in conjunction with a stereo bluetooth a2dp receiver.

[Genespleen]

Clever work, but too much crap in your field of vision.

[FiveStar]

nice work, but like ^ it looks like a lot going on for the middle of your windshield. I've got mine in the top left corner of my windshield and its still a little sketchy sometimes.

do you think you'll run into any trouble with having it mounted there (police), i could be completely wrong, but arnt there some laws agains having gps (or anything else) mounted to your windshield or in your field of view? (may not apply to your state)

[19016c]

Thanks to the swivel joints, the arm can swing into many different positions, including to the side of the mirror in portrait mode if you need to just get it out of the way. Otherwise the position shown is ideal for using the phone as a GPS, dialing, etc. I did a blog post listing the parts you would need for a DIY. You could also get additional arms and joints for additional capability. It also works quite well for shooting in car footage.

I use an A2DP stereo bluetooth device to stream music to my head unit so there are no wires or other obstructions. In the future, hopefully a bluetooth receiver with both A2DP(music) and HFP(phone calls), will come to market which does not require the use of an external microphone. For now, I just a stereo bluetooth receiver which disconnects and transfers the call to speaker, should a call come through while music is playing.

[tmg19103]

I don't see this as any more of a problem than an OEM GPS in the dash - and probably less.

Either you are looking at it or you are not, and the dash one's require you to look down and away from the road while this one just requires a minor glance to the right.

Just like looking in your rear view mirror. How dangerous is that?

Great job!

Can you give the make and model of the phone cradle?

[19016c]

Amazon.com: RAM Mounting Systems Ram Mount Motorcycle Brake Clutch for Apple iPhone 4: Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: RAM Mounting Systems Ram Mount Motorcycle Brake Clutch for Apple iPhone 4: Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: RAM Mount Long Double Socket Arm f/1" Ball Bases: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: RAM Mount Long Double Socket Arm f/1" Ball Bases: Sports & Outdoors

Also optional is a double ball mount which would let you position your phone to the right or left of the mirror.

Amazon.com: RAM Mount Aluminum Double 1'' Ball Adapter: GPS & Navigation

Amazon.com: RAM Mount Aluminum Double 1'' Ball Adapter: GPS & Navigation

[tmg19103]

Originally Posted by 19016c

Amazon.com: RAM Mounting Systems Ram Mount Motorcycle Brake Clutch for Apple iPhone 4: Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: RAM Mount Long Double Socket Arm f/1" Ball Bases: Sports & Outdoors

Also optional is a double ball mount which would let you position your phone to the right or left of the mirror. Amazon.com: RAM Mount Aluminum Double 1'' Ball Adapter: GPS & Navigation

Thanks!

[ryuclan]

That looks great man. I'm sure its not much of an obstruction given the size of iphones. I just got a gps which I mount tothe windshield, and besides security purposes (damn thieves!!) I never have it up because its in the way.

[19016c]

Yeah you can pop off the mount arm super easily if you're worried about theft as well. Just loosen the wing screw. Since there's that black coating on the windshield, no one can see the tiny ball mount sticking out when the arm is removed.