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All iPads Drivers! Are iPad Car Mounts Illegal?
- Thread starter HappyDude20
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^ This. Laws vary by jurisdiction so don't rely on generalizations or discussion forum legal experts.
Not necessarily. Some aren't aware of certain laws or don't properly understand them.
Who has a better chance of understanding local laws, a police office who works there or people on the internet who likely don't.
*obviously they're not illegal to sell, but rather is it illegal to have one mounted and on whilst operating a vehicle? Perhaps there are minor allowances to the rule, say, Google Maps is okay according to the law but not YouTube? I truly don't know and figure I'd ask before purchasing one on eBay.
There's a cup holder ipad version for less th ten bucks but seems to close to me while driving, forcing me to look down.
As suction cup version that adheres to your windshield goes for 15$ but this looks unsafe with a 3rd gen heavy ipad.
I'm looking at one that bolts to the passenger seat and goes for $30ish
Any tips, help n opinions welcome.
Inside the US, if any government prohibits using a mount, it would most likely be a state government. Therefore, you should look at the law books, or call the Highway Patrol departments, of each state you plan on driving in.
Edit: A poster on this thread said this is a gray area because the iPad can also be used for attention-grabbing things like videos and games.
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I use this one daily. For mapping. It works great with my rMini. Naked or with a thin Monoprice case. Because it mounts in the CD slot, it is easily removable and transferable to my other vehicles.
Universal Car CD Slot Mount for iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 http://r.ebay.com/Gbf0tD
Universal Car CD Slot Mount for iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 http://r.ebay.com/Gbf0tD
That's the one pictured above that I use. It is great especially when I rent a car and travel and use it as a gps. Very easy to move from car to car and also it holds the iPhone 5s.
Depends on state and local laws. In CA its illegal to have anything blocking your view through the windshield but I see tons of people using suction cup mounts on their windshields. I've got Mountek Snap for my iPhone and it works great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx9mDK6scFw
Exactly what I was going to say. That sort of thing really does vary from one jurisdiction to the other.
There is no one answer for that. Depends on a combo of federal, state and locality law. The DMV for your area is generally a great resource for this
Great. People can't drive as it is so we are now trying to have iPads blocking their view and redirecting their attention. Awesome. What's next? Can I mount a 50" plasma TV on the dash so I can watch Star Wars while driving to work?
Screens have NO place in a car at all. Even nav systems are dangerous enough. It's too hard to look up directions.
Unbelievable.
Screens have NO place in a car at all. Even nav systems are dangerous enough. It's too hard to look up directions.
Unbelievable.
Of course not but we know that a mounted iPad will not be used just for directions with Siri or whatever. That'd be fine. It won't stop there though. There will be texting, typing, playing games, whatever. That's the problem.
Anyone who says they're only going to check a map or listen to music on their iPad while driving is lying. I'd love to see them ignore an incoming email. And from there, it's only a small jump to the sports scores, calendar, weather, and the boob pics someone just sexted.
Yes, I know, none of you are that stupid, right?
If you were just killing yourselves off, I'd call it Natural Selection, but you'll be taking a lot of innocent people with you. Oh sorry, I didn't mean YOU, of course, because you can handle it. I meant someone else.
Yes, I know, none of you are that stupid, right?
If you were just killing yourselves off, I'd call it Natural Selection, but you'll be taking a lot of innocent people with you. Oh sorry, I didn't mean YOU, of course, because you can handle it. I meant someone else.
Anyone who says they're only going to check a map or listen to music on their iPad while driving is lying. I'd love to see them ignore an incoming email. And from there, it's only a small jump to the sports scores, calendar, weather, and the boob pics someone just sexted.
Yes, I know, none of you are that stupid, right?
If you were just killing yourselves off, I'd call it Natural Selection, but you'll be taking a lot of innocent people with you. Oh sorry, I didn't mean YOU, of course, because you can handle it. I meant someone else.
I watch Netflix on my com cut to work everyday. I never get boobs sexted to me though.
Anyone who says they're only going to check a map or listen to music on their iPad while driving is lying. I'd love to see them ignore an incoming email. And from there, it's only a small jump to the sports scores, calendar, weather, and the boob pics someone just sexted.
Yes, I know, none of you are that stupid, right?
If you were just killing yourselves off, I'd call it Natural Selection, but you'll be taking a lot of innocent people with you. Oh sorry, I didn't mean YOU, of course, because you can handle it. I meant someone else.
These are both rather large generalizations. I do not have my mount installed yet, but at this point I use the rMini in my car for Spotify using the offline mode.
When doing this, my rMini is on airplane mode, so no notifications for iMessage, Email, etc.
When using Maps in the future, iMessage and Email notifications (and push) will remain off to conserve data.
However, unlike both of you, I cannot speak for or accuse others of doing other things with their iPad.
I would also like to point out that this problem of distracted drivers is not exclusive to iPads (mounted or not). Look at how many new cars have "infotainment" systems from the factory. Additionally, the iPad in the car is not far off from a larger phone, which people have had in cars for a while.
For example:
The problem does not stem from the device, it is the driver.
I can. See below.
So what? Does adding distractions from the factory make it better than bringing in your own distractions? Does that excuse people from being distracted because "if it wasn't OK, they wouldn't have built it in"?
Unfortunately, not all drivers are as conscientious as you. Not the guy that hit my wife while he was texting, and not my friend who crashed into a parked car while looking for a song.
You can't POSSIBLY believe that giving "infotainment" to people operating motor vehicles is a good thing. Or can you? You may be one of the very few that can handle it, but tell the truth do you really think the average teenager or idiot adult won't use their iPad for other things while they're driving? Be honest. Do you REALLY think this is a good thing for everyone? (Not talking about you, of course!)
I can. See below.
So what? Does adding distractions from the factory make it better than bringing in your own distractions? Does that excuse people from being distracted because "if it wasn't OK, they wouldn't have built it in"?
Unfortunately, not all drivers are as conscientious as you. Not the guy that hit my wife while he was texting, and not my friend who crashed into a parked car while looking for a song.
You can't POSSIBLY believe that giving "infotainment" to people operating motor vehicles is a good thing. Or can you? You may be one of the very few that can handle it, but tell the truth… do you really think the average teenager or idiot adult won't use their iPad for other things while they're driving? Be honest. Do you REALLY think this is a good thing for everyone? (Not talking about you, of course!)
I think where you are confused is that I am only talking about myself, while you seem to be talking about everyone.
Well, you pointed out several things that concern others, not yourself, and I clearly said:
so you must have been confused about my reply.
I would think that, regardless of state laws about iPad car mounts, a police officer could give you a ticket for "distracted driving" if you make a mistake and get stopped. Possibly dubious, but you might or might not win if you went to court.
not illegal to be mounted
It is not specifically illegal for an iPad to be mounted, however, there are laws on the books against distracted driving. And a Police-person can site you for that even if you are not watching TV, Video, or Youtube. I personally use the "Steelie" magnetic mount, to mount both iPhone and iPad to my dashboard.
There are a few other similar ones out there as well.
https://www.niteize.com/collection/steelie.asp
It is not specifically illegal for an iPad to be mounted, however, there are laws on the books against distracted driving. And a Police-person can site you for that even if you are not watching TV, Video, or Youtube. I personally use the "Steelie" magnetic mount, to mount both iPhone and iPad to my dashboard.
There are a few other similar ones out there as well.
https://www.niteize.com/collection/steelie.asp
Got this in and installed today. It holds firm in the CD slot using one of the supplied spacers. The iPad itself bounces a little, but not to the point where I would worry about it falling off.
That being said, I need to tighten the collar where the iPad height and angle are adjusted. I didn't have a lot of time to mess with it tonight since I had to go pick up my son. I will get it adjusted tomorrow and report back.
Overall, I am very happy with it.
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NOTE: All pictures taken when either stopped at a red light or parked.
That being said, I need to tighten the collar where the iPad height and angle are adjusted. I didn't have a lot of time to mess with it tonight since I had to go pick up my son. I will get it adjusted tomorrow and report back.
Overall, I am very happy with it.
NOTE: All pictures taken when either stopped at a red light or parked.
I have what appears to be an identical mount with a brand name of "Ppyple" that I recently purchased from Amazon for about $33. I use it with my iPad retina mini and am totally pleased with it. It mounts in the CD slot of my Honda Fit and is in a perfect position for convenient use in that vehicle. One nice feature is that it allows the iPad to easily swivel to either vertical or horizontal orientation. The iPad can easily be installed or removed by use of the padded spring-loaded jaws. Absolutely nothing needs to be attached to the iPad. Ideal for those like me who prefer their iPads naked.
Of course I only use the Nav and music functions while in motion.
I can highly recommend this product. Only three things to be aware of:
If you keep your iPad in a case, evaluate how that may affect the convenience of using this mount.
Before buying, scope out the location of the CD player slot in your vehicle. Evaluate other functions on the dash in the vicinity and see what controls may be obscured by the iPad in both orientations. In my case, this was not a problem.
When ordering, make sure you get the model intended for the iPad Mini, which will be a generic "small tablet" version. They also make other models for iPhones, etc.
Of course I only use the Nav and music functions while in motion.
I can highly recommend this product. Only three things to be aware of:
If you keep your iPad in a case, evaluate how that may affect the convenience of using this mount.
Before buying, scope out the location of the CD player slot in your vehicle. Evaluate other functions on the dash in the vicinity and see what controls may be obscured by the iPad in both orientations. In my case, this was not a problem.
When ordering, make sure you get the model intended for the iPad Mini, which will be a generic "small tablet" version. They also make other models for iPhones, etc.
I paid around $35 shipped for this one. Sounds like they are the same product under different names.
I tried it this morning with the Smart Cover on, no problems with fit. I can see how it would be a problem with bigger cases.