i ordered a garmin gps suction cup mount with just the blank mounting plate:
[as a new user i can't post links; search ebay for "garmin gps suction mount" and 100's will come up]
my plan is to use the 3m heavy duty velcro to connect it to a hard case. i am trying to find a case that would be easy to snap the phone into and out of while it is suction cupped to the windshield. there are many that look promising, but it is hard to tell from the limited info on amazon/ebay which will work better. any suggestions?
my project was inspired by this:
[again, no links. it was a story that ran on lifehacker from a project writeup on overclockers forums uk]
already covered this here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=769453
thank you. can i delete this whole thread, or put in a request to have a mod delete it?
Related
So I'm sure everyone has seen the DIY android car dock. There was a thread in here with someone wanting to make something similar (and me silently stalking it), but no one had found a suitable case to make the mount from. Well, I went on ebay and was able to find one, so here's some pics of the finished unit. Sorry there are no before pictures, I forgot to take them in my excitement.
The case cost me about $5. The other parts used were a garmin gps suction mount, the clip to hold a garmin gps, and some double sided tape. I simply used a dremel tool to cut off the ends of the gps clip to provide a flat surface, and attached it to the case with the tape. Looks somewhat ugly due to the clear case color(couldn't find a black one) but it works well, rotates, and looks good with the phone actually in it.
Well apparently I can't post external links(the images), but there's no way to upload the images here.
The USB ciggarette adapter
http: // imgur.com/WhHe1.jpg
The case/mount/tape
http: // imgur.com/ZRIQh.jpg
http: // imgur.com/qZ5Aj.jpg
http: // imgur.com/VJ5YJ.jpg
The phone mounted in my car:
http: // imgur.com/ZH5or.jpg
http: // imgur.com/TTowp.jpg
Linked...
The USB ciggarette adapter
http://imgur.com/WhHe1.jpg
The case/mount/tape
http://imgur.com/ZRIQh.jpg
http://imgur.com/qZ5Aj.jpg
http://imgur.com/VJ5YJ.jpg
The phone mounted in my car:
http://imgur.com/ZH5or.jpg
http://imgur.com/TTowp.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks nice. How does the Captivate fit in the case, does it just snap in? I can't see how is it mounted it on the car... vent clip?
aloant said:
Linked...
Looks nice. How does the Captivate fit in the case, does it just snap in? I can't see how is it mounted it on the car... vent clip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting the links. Yeah, it just snaps into the case. The gps mount I'm using is the suction cup mount as it fits nicely onto my stereo face. It's just a regular garmin gps ball mount clip that I cut the ends off. It's 2 pieces, the mount, and the clip part, so you can use it with the vent mount.
Nice job. Other than the tape, it looks good. This seems to be the mod of choice for DIY car docks. I don't see why manufacturers can't seem to make this a retail product. Just a snap-on/slide-in back plate with a ball cup on the back. Anyway, thats a nice way to take your captivate for a ride!
I would like to do the same thing but my concern is the fit of the case to the phone. I want it to be snug but remove easily without scratching/damaging from repeated use.
Do you feel confident that case will hold up?
If you do, mind throwing out a brand name or model number?
Shovelhead84 said:
Nice job. Other than the tape, it looks good. This seems to be the mod of choice for DIY car docks. I don't see why manufacturers can't seem to make this a retail product. Just a snap-on/slide-in back plate with a ball cup on the back. Anyway, thats a nice way to take your captivate for a ride!
I would like to do the same thing but my concern is the fit of the case to the phone. I want it to be snug but remove easily without scratching/damaging from repeated use.
Do you feel confident that case will hold up?
If you do, mind throwing out a brand name or model number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My concern as well. I'd change up the mounting a bit for my car since there's a plate the previous owner mounted an XM radio head and I can't take it out without leaving an eyesore. If this can go there, my car will be /perfect/.
I'd actually prefer some sort of clear sleeve (think the "case" that comes with the N1) so that after I get my permanent case I don't have to snap it in and out of both, but if that's what it will take, I'll do it.
@Shovelhead84: Yeah, the tape isn't the best looking. I really wish the snap-on case was black, so you couldn't see it at all. It's kind of an eyesore in my mercedes without the phone in it, lol.
The case itself fits the phone pretty well, and it fits in pretty easy. It's not quite as easy to remove the phone, but still easy enough. I'm really not sure why no one is making docks like this either, all of the one's I've seen have been gigantic and ugly. I'm not worried about it damaging the phone, as the case only covers the back.
I'm not sure what the brand is since I got it off ebay, but here's a link to the exact one I bought.
http: //cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-i897-CAPTIVATE-AT-T-SNAP-OEM-CASE-COVER-/350388879623?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5194ce0107
BigJayDogg3 said:
My concern as well. I'd change up the mounting a bit for my car since there's a plate the previous owner mounted an XM radio head and I can't take it out without leaving an eyesore. If this can go there, my car will be /perfect/.
I'd actually prefer some sort of clear sleeve (think the "case" that comes with the N1) so that after I get my permanent case I don't have to snap it in and out of both, but if that's what it will take, I'll do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it would be nice if the phone just slid into the case. Unfortunately all of the cases I've seen snap together around the phone, so this was the first one I found that appeared to even be useable for a car mount. Hoping I'll find something a little better later. This definitely works well enough for now though, and the price was hard to beat (I had the garmin parts sitting around from my gps I don't use).
phone damage
have you noticed any scratches or scuffs from taking the phone in and out often?
i am with you waiting on that sleeve type case like in that original video
epoplive said:
@Shovelhead84: Yeah, the tape isn't the best looking. I really wish the snap-on case was black, so you couldn't see it at all. It's kind of an eyesore in my mercedes without the phone in it, lol.
The case itself fits the phone pretty well, and it fits in pretty easy. It's not quite as easy to remove the phone, but still easy enough. I'm really not sure why no one is making docks like this either, all of the one's I've seen have been gigantic and ugly. I'm not worried about it damaging the phone, as the case only covers the back.
I'm not sure what the brand is since I got it off ebay, but here's a link to the exact one I bought.
http: //cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-i897-CAPTIVATE-AT-T-SNAP-OEM-CASE-COVER-/350388879623?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5194ce0107
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get the case for like $5? The listing is about $13
I know there a few threads about windshield mounts but none of them have what I'm looking for. I am looking for a windshield mount for my 2000 Ram 1500. I want it to mount on the BOTTOM on the windshield and come to the edge of the dash so it will need to be fairly long. I switch between the Seidio Innocase II surface and the Seidio 3500mah extended battery so I need something that will accommodate both of those. I also need it to switch between portrait and landscape. The Kensington windshield mount for the Iphone looks like it would be great but it doesn't look like it will allow me to use my extended battery.
What have you guys found that might work for what I need?
ive been using this...
Scosche IUHW7 Windshield Vent Mount Kit.
its inexpensive it sitcks... it turns and fits all kinds of stuff
I think I got it for 12 bucks at walmart
bacidath said:
ive been using this...
Scosche IUHW7 Windshield Vent Mount Kit.
its inexpensive it sitcks... it turns and fits all kinds of stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might have to see if my local walmart has that. Thanks.
http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/ck17hev4c04.htm
it is not long but with a little modification it will work.
it also holds thee innocaseII and the extended battery one.
will car dock the phone
Ram Mounts are good in trucks
http://www.ram-mount.com/
Mountek MT5000
I bought this after finding a thread about it on another forum. Best accessory ever. Extremely quick and easy to install, rotates portrait/landscape ... can't complain about anything. It uses your CD slot - you just put it in the opening and clamp it down.
It's actually started to become a problem because I'm constantly distracted while driving by my cellphone now. It's just right there up in my face, gorgeous and begging to be played with.
Can't post the link since I'm new here ... but you can Google it easily.
I like the Clingo mount so much, I am going to mod the Sedio Active Innocase I have to make it work with it (smooth.velvty doesn't stick to Clingo).
sanyi83 said:
Ram Mounts are good in trucks
http://www.ram-mount.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used Ram Mounts in my Jeep, good stuff!
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I've got a cheap Arkon universal mount I use in my car. Works great with my ballistics case or naked.
Dunno how long it is but I have am ikd z car and its mounted to the bottom of my windshield and comes to the dash edge. Probably 6in or more. It was tricky too cause my car has a high rake angle and I wanted it mounted so it wouldn't show Tue mount at all in videos. It does block half the camera but it clamps hard enough that you can scoot it up and get the camera free.
Sent from my (insert daily ROM name here) Evo 4g
When in its case, mine fits in my Garmin windshield mount
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Why not just get the seidio innotraveler? It will fit both the extended battery and innocase power their website. I have it and love it, it actually extends pretty far.
Sent from my hand with XDA Premium installed
Because the seidio one is $50! Thats crazy for a windshield mount. I found one at bestbuy yesterday its by rocketfish and made for the iphone but it works with our phone to. It doesn't come to the edge of the dash but it will work.
I have been a longtime ProClip user, but I was tired of waiting for them to produce a holder. I really liked the OEM Verizon mount, so I bought one and found that it is quite easy to attach to a ProClip swivel mount (with move clip in my case). The Verizon mount is about $25-30, so it is actually cheaper than the ProClip part will be.
I did not take any "making of" pictures, but it is trivial to do it yourself. The back part of theh Verizon holder can be seperated from the front after removing four screws from the back. Then just drill two holes that match up with the swivel mount, find small screws to attach them, and reassemble the front of the Verizon mount.
I have several old holders that are useless, so I had parts around, and I really like the result. One downside is that you cannot access the center swivel mount screw to change the tension of the swivel wihout taking the whole thing apart, but I think I can live with it.
Brent
Nice work. I have considered doing exactly what you did. So does the phone enter a dock mode with that holder?
The phone does enter dock mode.
Brent
Nice! ProClip is second to none in quality and fit...but a few phone models later the price starts to add up. Personally I'm looking into either the tetax magnetic setup or the soundgate m2 to save some bucks.
Nice work for sure. If I stumble on a super cheap VW holder on eBay ill prolly do the same. Thanks for sharing.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Right,
A couple of years ago I made a custom windscreen mount for my S1 which was as sturdy as anything I had seen then or have seen since. Here is the thread I posted at the time. The first post in that thread contains a link to my inspiration.
Now, the time has come to construct one for my S3. So I've ordered these parts:
Car Windshield Holder For Garmin Nuvi - £1.97
Black Matte Slim Hard Case Snap On Back Cover - £3.45
Once they arrive, the Dremel comes out along with the Bostik and away we go.
I'll post some pictures and stuff as I'm putting it together. The finished article looks clean, sturdy and designed specifically for the S3. It also gives you clean sight through the camera, if you wished to use one of the many 'Black Box' type apps out there.
Just waiting for them to make their way over from China now
Cheers,
BS...
I remember doing this with my Nexus One and the windshield holder that I got from Ebay (exactly the same as the one you posted) really sucked. Every time I would drive over a little bump, the holder would fall
h_zee13 said:
I remember doing this with my Nexus One and the windshield holder that I got from Ebay (exactly the same as the one you posted) really sucked. Every time I would drive over a little bump, the holder would fall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you did it wrong.
BS...
Winnergear asked me to do my mini-review on the Montar Universal car mount and I obliged . Being I do a lot of accessory reviews here to give back to the great XDA community, here is another one for ya. I know there's another thread about it, but I didn't want this post get buried in the thread so....
I got this yesterday and decided to do a day of testing before doing one of my reviews. I usually just pop the box open and post pretty much right away . But not this time! I was busy at work anyways lol.
First off, the box is the normal boxes that you see from time to time and it is a nice small frame box, but in transit, if not boxed, will be damaged in transit. The mount includes a mounting disk for your dash for even more sticky-ness. I already have one installed due to my old gps units.
When I first tried it out in the truck, I peeled off the protective cover of the adhesive sticky pad side, which is a lot like the Nexus Wireless charger backing. Once you feel it loses any tackyness, just wipe with a damp paper towl and it's magically refreshed. I placed it on my dash plate and it immediately stuck. Pushed down the lever to anchor it and this thing is not coming off! It will tear off my dash plate before coming off. Really impressive.
I currently have a Seidio Ledger flip case and was curious in how this universal would fare with it on. I thought, because of the grippy rubber red "teeth" it should grab and hold anything you throw at it. Was I right? Yep lol. Ok that is pretty cool. Using a flip case and placing the flap on the back or even have the hinge side of the case facing down and letting the cover flap open with gravity. Either way works and works well. The phone is not dropping from this device.
Before moving on, the base is nice and sturdy and the ball joint is maneuverable and can do a 360. Smooth operating. You just unscrew the area where the ball joint is and then adjust accordingly. What I usually do is just unscrew it just enough where it can move around pretty well and then when satisfied screw the joint adjuster until tight so the phone won't flop around. Another thing is that the grips open on both sides. So you can do a one handed mount. I have not perfected the one handed dismount yet, but that's fine lol.
Anyways, the phone is pretty much anchored where ever you place it. Overall, this a premium universal mount, if you can call it that lol. I can see this fitting many many type of cases without any issue. And the sticky mount is the best I have tried so far in the car. Can I recommend this? Well it is a premium device as I said, so the cost of the mount is around $35 USD. Not too high up, to me just at the top side of my range on what I would spend on a dash mount. Being this a really good one, I feel good recommending it to anyone that is willing to pay for what you get. A solid universal mount that will last past this N5 and many others IMO.
Pros:
Size is middle range.
Can pivot 360 so you can see your device at any angle.
Rubber teeth holds firm
Sticky pad is VERY sticky.
Cons:
Sticky pad can get dusty really really really fast.
Color is shiny gloss black like other car mounts I have used with the exception of the Xenomix brands which are matte black, but much more expensive. As a result, can get scuffed like mine is on the back side.
Wishlist:
Cord management
Or ability to house a wireless charger pad by an insert or different "grip".Not an engineer, sorry lol.
Recommend? Yes over any Arkon mount you can throw at it. For being that I can get it in the US pretty fast, I can recommend this. Will I stop using my Kenu Airframe? Probably not, but this is a great alternative.
Any questions, please ask away! Oh I'll be getting a Spigen SGP Neo Hybrid case where I can test with that on as well. I don't foresee any problems, but just a FYI.
Linkage
UK Amazon
http://amzn.to/1jEyJyn
US Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/kjy4e5d
Might be a strange question, but has anyone actually bought a Montar mount and received it? It seems like every review I have seen was when Montar has sent the person one to review. I tried to order one last year and I found a lot of negative feedback about the company claiming they never received their item or it took months for them to actually get it. I ended up buying a similar mount on Amazon. But yeah, just curious has anyone actually bought one from them and what was the service like?
EDIT: Sorry, disregard my post. I just saw your Amazon link. When I originally was going to order it it wasn't on Amazon but on their own site which is what was getting negative feedback.
I received mine long time ago ... Amazing mount , built to last ...
Nice review. Thanks
no doubt .. it's the best !
+1
Can you give us the measurements of the dock? I'm mainly after the height and also the max width of the grip. I have a 9cm mat that I want to mount if possible. Thanks!
Nice