Smartphones in the car: to stand and not fall
No one will argue that smartphones and tablets are convenient. With outstanding functionality, they make many aspects of our lives easier and take on a number of tasks that previously took a lot of effort and time. Electronic devices fit extremely harmoniously into modern cars. Navigation, music, constant communication with the outside world, entertaining passengers - these are just the most obvious scenarios for using a smartphone in the cabin. However, not every car has space for convenient placement of the gadget. For this case, a whole arsenal of holders was invented that can secure a smartphone in any, most unexpected place in the car interior.
The universal mechanical mount on the windshield is convenient due to its ease of installation and further operation. The holder is designed for smartphones with a width of 5 to 8 cm, and the tilt angle is adjustable within 150°. There is nothing superfluous here - a glass mount, a smartphone holder and a gasket to protect the glass.
However, this option has a number of disadvantages: firstly, it blocks the viewing area, which does not have the best effect on driving safety, especially for inexperienced drivers, and, secondly, it tends to detach on its own during the cold season. Taking these shortcomings into account, anti-slip stops for the dashboard for installing a smartphone in a vertical position. You can also store the necessary little things on it: small coins, keys, a pen. The dimensions of this model are 155 x 100 x 20 mm.
If you wish, you can find prettier, and most importantly, functional anti-slip stands. For example, the support mat from Remax is equipped with magnetic charging. When installed, you can immediately connect your smartphone via microUSB or Lightning connector to begin replenishing the battery charge.
All wires can be easily disconnected and put away, after which the Remax can be used exclusively as a support for a smartphone.
Installing a 10-inch tablet in a Volkswagen Tiguan
Tools
- Metal scissors.
- File.
- Pliers.
- Steel plate (thickness not less than 1.5 mm, length not less than 270 mm, width 200 mm).
Sequencing
- A U-shaped fragment is cut out of a steel plate, and the upper crossbar of this “letter U” must be at least 100 mm wide. The corners of the crossbar are cut off, the burrs are carefully processed with a file.
- The resulting profile is bent in the middle at a right angle using pliers, as shown in the photo below.
U-shaped tablet holder - The resulting plate is inserted into a slot on the dashboard, this slot is located immediately under the standard radio (which is why the thickness of the plate should be at least 1.5 mm, since if it is thinner, it will begin to dangle). This DIY holder can hold a 10-inch tablet.
10" tablet mounted in holder
Video on the topic
Why do you need a phone holder?
With a phone holder, you won't have to spend a lot of time looking for your mobile device. It will also be reliably protected. There is less chance that someone will drop it, step on it or spill tea, and most importantly, while driving a car, you will not be distracted. For aesthetic reasons, it can be an excellent decor for a car interior.
Mount your phone or tablet using your car's CD player
The CD drive in your car can support an installed phone or tablet. All it needs is something designed to fit into the drive without damaging the motor and laser. There are several paid solutions available, but the build above uses an old router.
The stand is perfect for holding CDs, the stand slides in and the phone is held in place with rubber straps. This project can be adapted for tablets, especially small 7-inch devices.
How to do it yourself?
From the paper clip
You can make a device that supports your phone yourself. This stand will definitely be exclusive.
Homemade holders can be of three types:
- spoiling the interior;
- not durable;
- representing a whole work of art that requires real skill.
We take the binder, remove the staples, bend them so that a holder is formed, wrap them with thread and place them in their original place, securing them with an ordinary rubber band. All that remains is to attach a simple device to the air duct. The phone is attached securely. The only negative is that the phone cannot be quickly removed from the holder.
From wire
In order to attach a phone to a wire holder, you will have to sacrifice the integrity of the front panel of the cabin, since holes will need to be drilled on it. The holder is made from strong wire, bending it accordingly and inserting it into the holes. The phone must be firmly attached to the holder.
Aluminum stand
It takes a little effort to make a stand out of aluminum. In any hardware store you can inexpensively purchase connecting tubes with angles of 45 and 90 degrees, as well as an aluminum pipe with a diameter of 47 mm. You will also need ice cream sticks and an old phone case.
You can start creating the holder after you have determined the place where it will be located. Now the necessary measurements are made. The pipe is cut into three parts. The short part is attached to a 45 degree angle tube. The horizontal part is held in 45 and 90 degree angle tubes. The longest part - a vertical pipe, 10 - 13 cm long, will hold the stand.
For greater strength, all fasteners are first lubricated with glue. A couple of cuts should be made in the case into which the ties are inserted. The cuts are on the tube. A long pipe is tied together with ties. Wooden sticks are glued between the aluminum pipe and the cover. The final stage is attaching the connecting tube to the car.
Made from plexiglass and stationery pins
This is a very convenient holder.
It requires a minimum number of parts, but the main advantage is that there is no need to drill holes for mounting in the dashboard. To assemble, cut a piece of plexiglass to the desired shape and size. Next, take the wire and make 4 hooks from it. They should be fixed on prepared plexiglass. PVC glue is suitable for fastening. Two hooks are installed on the long side. This will be the bottom of the holder. A couple of other hooks are installed on the side. 2 holes are drilled for fastenings; it is better to place them on the center line.
The next step is decorating the plexiglass substrate. In principle, this is not necessary, and if there is no special desire, then you don’t have to do it. The easiest way is to cover the base with leatherette. Next, the fasteners are installed; for this, screws 4-6 centimeters long are inserted into the holes. The nuts are screwed onto them and tightened. Clothes pins are attached to the bolts.
The holder is installed on the deflector located in the middle of the torpedo. To do this, tails of clothespins are inserted into its cracks. This stand is held quite firmly. Thanks to its convenient location, the tablet can easily be used as a navigator. The only drawback of the design is the restriction of the flow of cold air through the deflector, but this problem arises only in winter.
MOUNTING TO VENTILATION GRILLE
This method of fastening appeared relatively recently, but it already has many fans. The relatively small design is attached to the grille slats with a universal clothespin, thereby allowing the smartphone to be placed in close proximity to the driver. Everything is simple and relatively convenient, but you need to understand that, firstly, such a mount cannot catch on every ventilation grill.
Secondly, even if the design of the air duct allows you to attach it to it, then by attaching a telephone there, you are blocking one of the channels of the ventilation system.
Thirdly, such a mount can be directly harmful to the smartphone. Alas, it is not possible to block the air flow with the lamellas open on every car, therefore, the smartphone will be exposed to it. Now imagine that you turned on the stove to maximum. How will a smartphone feel in such a sauna? So, when choosing this method of fastening, first make sure whether it is possible to block the air duct without closing the slats, and also see if the clamp can be secured to them. There are, of course, more advanced designs, but these are really designs, and sometimes quite cumbersome.
TOP products
The rating presents popular models with a lot of good reviews. The numbering in the lists does not indicate the superiority of one model over another.
Best Suction Cup Car Holders
Pyple Dash-N5
The compact Korean retainer is made of high-quality plastic. The phone is easily secured with a durable sliding clamp. Good quality for little money (from 800 rubles).
pros
- Rotate horizontally and vertically;
- Good fixation on any surface;
- Small size.
Minuses
- Does not adhere to a textured surface;
- Suitable for thin phone body.
Onetto Mount Easy One Touch 2
Onetto Mount Easy One Touch 2
It has sliding side clamps, a high-quality helium suction cup and a telescopic tube for adjusting the distance to the mobile device. Average price 1600 rub.
pros
- Attached to the dashboard;
- Reliable fastening system;
- Wide range of adjustments;
- Adjustable tilt and rotation angle;
- Affordable price.
Minuses
- It squeaks a little when moving;
- Suitable for thin phone body.
Deppa Crab Vogue
Deppa Crab Vogue
The model with an extension rod has become cheaper than the analogue from Onetto, but is no less reliable.
pros
- Holds your phone securely;
- Sliding clamp;
- Alcohol wipe included;
- Good quality material;
- Ability to connect charger to phone.
Minuses
- Weak suction cup.
Baseus Osculum Type Gravity Car Mount
Baseus Osculum Type Gravity Car Mount
The most popular holder with suction cup on AliExpress (over 1500 positive reviews). Designed for smartphones with screen diagonals from 4″ to 6″, with the ability to rotate the device.
pros
- Mounts with a suction cup on the dashboard;
- Attractive design;
- The phone fits easily into the holder.
Minuses
- Low quality plastic.
Red Line QI fast charge 1.67A
Red Line QI fast charge 1.67A
Expensive holder with wireless charging function. Price: about 2000 rubles. The kit includes replaceable holders: a suction cup and a mount for the deflector. The hinge design allows you to rotate the phone.
pros
- Convenient to charge;
- Various mounting options;
- High quality material;
- The angle of inclination and rotation is adjustable.
Minuses
- Doesn't hold the phone.
The best holders with mounting to the deflector
Onetto Vent Mount Easy One Touch
The wide base protects the smartphone from overheating. The claws of the clamps are rubberized. High quality materials and workmanship. Price about 1500.
pros
- Strength.
- Universal.
- Laconic design.
- Air duct mounting.
Price:
from 1200 rub.
Kenu Airframe
Compact, reliable, stylish, versatile. Average cost 1500. Convenient smartphone fixation.
pros
- Strong;
- Compact;
- Stylish;
- Easy to put in and take out the phone.
Minuses
- Overpriced compared to analogues;
- There is no possibility of turning left to right.
Defender Car holder CH-122
Defender Car holder CH-122
The cheapest option (from RUR 100) for devices with a width of 50 to 90 mm and a weight of up to 0.5 kg. It stands out for its compactness and ease of installation.
pros
- Affordable price.
- Quality materials.
- Small in size.
- Flexible rod and suction cup.
Minuses
- Maximum size 7 inches.
