Hands free holder for smartphone in a 911
 

Oregon has a new law against distracted driving. You are not permitted to use your phone in any way that involves holding it or that requires you to take a hand off the steering wheel. You are permitted to have it playing music or to talk hands-free or to use it as a GPS. You may touch the phone to turn a function on or off, which is kind of vague but probably means you can touch it to answer or hang up, start playing music, turn off directions, activate Siri, etc - but not enter text etc.

Anyway, I need to figure out some way to mount my iPhone so that I can see the GPS directions, and do whatever minimal interactions the law permits. It should be out of sight, so a cop doesn't see me touching it.

Normally the phone sits in the ashtray, plugged into the stereo. But that's not great as the screen isn't visible and I have to take it out and hold it to do anything.

Any ideas?

I was thinking of using aluminum sheet to make a cradle that I'd screw to the underside of the ashtray, like a shelf with a lip that the phone can sit in, in landscape mode.

Lots of options on eBay. I've tried the magnet mount. Can stick to the dash or use the dash vents.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Plate-Magnet-Magnetic-Car-Dash-Mount-Phone-Holder-Stand-For-iphone-Samsung-/292157504489?var=&hash=item4405f1bbe9%3Am%3AmCQfzl IRPNMnlm1lns4ARdA&_trkparms=pageci%253A0ab7c6c8-a7fd-11e7-8a83-74dbd180690e%257Cparentrq%253Ae0bdd43515e0ab66aead 3a37ffffc75f%257Ciid%253A2


Now they have phone cases that use microsuction technology!? Supposedly sticks to any smooth surface.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Anti-Gravity-Case-For-iPhone-6s-7P-Goat-Suction-Magi-Stick-Selfie-Phone-Cover-RF-/172650724409?varId=471457495080&txnId=175595980800 7

My ashtray holds the my phone well, like that. But, it's not the best location. (too low)

I've been meaning to implement a design I have for mounting it near the clock. But who knows how long that will take. :-\

I use a RAM Mount that does the suction cup thing to the windshield. Have even used it to hold my iPhone to shoot dash cam stuff. Can rotate it all around any which way and has an arm with a ball joint on each end. Usually have it positioned basically on the dash above the radio/HVAC stuff. I like it there for the nav map apps.

I use these Scosche vent mounts on all of my cars. The center vent works well.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/scosche-magicmount-vent2-universal-car-vent-mount-black/9701214.p?skuId=9701214

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507027563.jpg





Rennline makes a mount that slips under the clock.

ExactFit Magnetic Phone Mount-Rennline, Inc.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507027967.jpg

Same here, love the RAM mount and it is used by many for DE's and Autocross.

https://www.amazon.com/Suction-Universal-X-Grip-Holder-RAM-B-166-UN7U/dp/B0066BWMNU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1507030567&sr=8-5&keywords=ram+mount

I have the Rennline one pictured above (except the 996 version but it works the same) and it works great.

It's funny to me how many states think the phone is the distraction and not the conversation you're having on the phone. I have never found myself missing a turn because I was holding the phone. I have however found myself missing a turn because I was talking on the phone.

As for mounts, it seems the sky is the limit. There are window cups with flexible arms as well as several that others have listed above. What about a bluetooth earpiece?
I recently installed a bluetooth head unit in my son's car that cost all of $80 it came with a microphone and can access most of the features on his S7. Amazingly, the call quality is excellent.

The magic mount is great. They even make one that has a double stick back in case the vent isn’t an option.

Velcro! I use Velcro in all my vehicles and motorcycle. Works great on rental cars to! My preferred location for a smart phone is right in the middle of the steering wheel. My phone has a loop side strip on the back and hook side strips are attached anywhere you need them; Bedpost, toolbox, office desk, triple clamp, etc. Easy peazy. Hands free headgear sweeten the deal! And technically, even if you are touching it your hands are still on the steering wheel :D

This works well for me.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507055141.jpg

I use this, on and off the track

READY ACTION Window Suction Cup Mount

Category:*Video Cameras

Windshield mount cell phone holder. Free shipping.

$32.95

Add to cart

Description

Product Description

Get a READYACTION Window Suction Cup Mount*and mount*your phone or camera in your car. *Hit the road and enjoy hands-free GPS and first-person-video.

Mounts any phone or camera to your*windshield via our strong suction cup mountDesigned by David Donohue, 2009 Daytona 24 Hour WinnerGreat for timing, scoring and filming apps on road and trackTilt and lock the hinge with*360 degree rotation abilitySturdy design for smooth or rough roads – allows for*very steady videoIncludes: One (1) READYACTION universal phone mount, (1) 3″ strong suction cup mount and*one (1) adjustable hinge



https://www.teamdi.com/product/cell-phone-holder-windshield-mount/

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507056992.jpg


I'm partial to one of these. They have a speaker phone function. ;)

That’s the magic of Velcro :)

Possibly the most dangerous place. If it is plugged in (power and music) then you cannot turn the wheel properly (safety danger #1). Everytime the wheel turns the map and directions has to reorient and that would disable it for a few secions (danger #2). But in a car with airbags, a simple airbag deployment for a fender bender creates a big issue. It would likely bend the phone immediately shattering the glass and then accellerating those shards into your eyes, nose and throat. Natural reflex is to inhale so you might have a lung problem too.

I prefer some of the other ideas about the clock attachment or something to go into the ashtray but I may suggest this to my mother in law

Yep, I have the magnet mount that uses a suction cup to the windshield. Just my preference because I don't like blocking one of my vents.

I have the Magic Mount in all the cars, and it works great. Costco usually has a 2 pack for about $39.

I also have the Rennline. Seems to work fine so far.

Thanks Reachme!
Always leave it up to a fellow Pelican to poke holes in someone’s genius bubble. The old “a simple airbag deployment...issue”. My young and beautiful bride will be happpy to hear about this as well. What you both don’t know is that I’ve deactivated the air bags. Yeah, that’s the ticket. But that’s OK because I don’t wear seatbelts neither. So it’s a win- win!