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MagSafe iPhone Car Mounts?

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
earthdog said:
So I initially gave the Zeera poor marks. However, I have changed my mind. I have found its odd (using Apple Leather MagSafe case) it feels as though its not a strong connection but it works flawlessly. I am using iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple Leather Case and a almost vertical solution. I put the Zeera directly onto my Scos he mount. It feels like a slight magnetic hold but its great. Took it out in my Ford F-150 and hit the bumps and it really does hold well.

I also did some testing with the QI Charging. Tomorrow I need to test it with less of a charge to see if it really hits 15watts. Today testing it with 65% state of charge it was only pulling a little over 9Watts but was providing the animation.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing - how are you measuring wattage?
 
earthdog said:
I also did some testing with the QI Charging. Tomorrow I need to test it with less of a charge to see if it really hits 15watts. Today testing it with 65% state of charge it was only pulling a little over 9Watts but was providing the animation.
Click to expand...

Testing what it pulls doesn’t tell you what the iPhone is actually drawing.
Does the battery on your phone go up even under heavy usage like using GPS while also streaming?
 
Gjwilly said:
Testing what it pulls doesn’t tell you what the iPhone is actually drawing.
Does the battery on your phone go up even under heavy usage like using GPS while also streaming?
Click to expand...
Mine goes up with GPS + streaming even with Zeera gen 1 (Tozo from Amazon), which doesn’t show animation
 
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Gjwilly said:
All of the reviews I’ve seen say that the Zeera gen 1 also had the animation so it’s not the same as the Tozo.
Click to expand...
Hmm, ok looks exactly the same (ball socket built directly into back of charging disc vs on a separate additional magnetic disc as in gen 2). So I guess it could either be different or maybe it’s the same and I don’t have a high enough powered cigarette lighter charger to trigger it?

Where have you seen reviews of Zeera gen 1?
 
Gjwilly said:
www.ebay.com

Car Mount Wireless Charger with MagSafe for iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 mini/12 Pro Max | eBay

Car Vent Mount PRO with MagSafe Wireless charging support. A high-quality ball joint makes it easy to flip from portrait to orientation with one hand. Magnetic Car Vent Mount is designed to provide a seamless set-and-drive experience while keeping your device safely mounted and conveniently...
www.ebay.com

I just drove home with my one from eBay and I don't know what the true charging rate is but it sure isn’t 15W.
I used GPS and I was streaming an audiobook and my battery went from 73% to 50% in an hour.
And this is the charger that does have the correct MagSafe animation so Apple’s animation has nothing to do with actual charging.

Does anybody with the Zeera have any real numbers as far as charging?
I’d bet their animation is meaningless also.
Click to expand...
I have one of these coming off ebay, more interested in the holder than charging as i use a cable for CarPlay. Hoping this will work so i don't have to spend $160AUD on a new brodit proclip set up.
 
Vittortech said:
Just an update that I received the Mag-Save.com car mount and it does in fact have the MagSafe animation when it charges. It only shows up when the car mount is plugged in though. Not when you just set your phone on it.
Click to expand...
Lucky you. My Mag-Save unit only charges at 3W and does not "activate" that Magsafe animation.
 
Vittortech said:
Just an update that I received the Mag-Save.com car mount and it does in fact have the MagSafe animation when it charges. It only shows up when the car mount is plugged in though. Not when you just set your phone on it.
Click to expand...
The Apple Magsafe charger doesn't show any animation unless its plugged in as well. Only the cases and wallet show the animation when attached.
 
chrisdazzo said:
My take on the mount I purchased on eBay here, of which there are many copycat listings of the exact same product.

View attachment 1694960 View attachment 1694961 View attachment 1694962 View attachment 1694963 View attachment 1694966
View attachment 1694967 View attachment 1694968 View attachment 1694969 View attachment 1694970

I took this apart so I could remove the electronics and ball mount screw. It's relatively easy to get apart once the ball mount is off, and the back screw is removed. Had to twist the unit a bit to expose one of the gaps between the front metal and plastic charging/magnet pad, then used a plastic spudger around the edges to undo the clips. I also cut the wires to the Qi coil, but before that I plugged it in and it did not show the MagSafe charging animation. This will be used in an environment in which I need to use wired CarPlay anyway. The case clipped back together well enough with no hassle or too much concern about fragility.

I found it odd that the photo on the box did not match the product, and that there were multiple unused adhesive pads inside the unit with one side left unstuck.

Pros
  • Holds very well, despite the alignment magnet being MIA and using an Apple Leather case
  • USB-C connectivity
  • The chamfered edges may not actually be aluminum, but they look premium
  • The vent clamp included seems very tight and sturdy, but I did not test it
Cons
  • Press on the magnet ring too hard and it will give/crack (e.g., when applying a 3M adhesive pad)
  • I don't expect this to actually charge at 15W, but no way to test now
  • Took a full two weeks to ship
Overall, this is a good interim solution until Moment, Scosche, etc. release their MagSafe products. I expect it to hold well.
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks for your review, does it hold with a thin clear case? non Magsafe case
 
Paco II said:
"Max output for iPhone 12: 7.5W"

That tells me that it is really just a wireless charger that is making use of the iPhone 12's magnetic capabilities. (As opposed to a MagSafe charger which would deliver the full 15w)
Click to expand...
I saw this as well, and my thoughts ran along the line of “can a 7.5W charger really be called a fast charger when the standard charger is 15W?” This caused me to doubt the whole thing.
 
D3ggy said:
The USB C Carlinkit unit works fine. I’m delighted with mine
Click to expand...
Works just fine in my car too (2021 Toyota C-HR). I have it plugged into one of these just in case it ever freezes or acts up. Don't need to unplug, just toggle the switch:

www.amazon.com

ANDTOBO USB Switch Extension Cable, (Upgraded Data + Power) USB Extension Cord with On/Off Power Switch Cable for LED Strips, iOS System, etc- 3.3 FT

USB Extension Inline Rocker Switch for Driving Recorder, LED Desk Lamp, USB Fan, LED Strips,you can use it anywhere,which will bring great convenience to your daily life. Just no need to pull the cable to restart your device, just press the button to turn it on and off .
www.amazon.com
 
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treimche said:
With the new MagSafe accessories starting to arrive, I am interested to see if there will be phone mounts for a vehicle that will allow the use of the MagSafe magnets without having to add additional magnets to the back of your iPhone or case. I don't really care about wireless charging in my vehicle since I have to plug it in for CarPlay to work anyway, so as long as a magnetic mount will work, I'm in.
Click to expand...
C8D217EF-842D-4E4E-8D1A-73CAD84304CD.jpeg
I installed a 17mm ball head that will accept a wide variety of MagSafe mounts and chargers. And since I’m in New England I have to keep it away from the vents so the iPhone will not overheat.
 
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Not sure why so many people are trying to use a round puck size for their car. The lower magnet is an orientation lock. In a car with vibration you’ll want one that is like the Belkin holder so it doesn’t move and slide around. id rather have a holder that has more points of magnetization then just the ring.
At home I think the round puck style for a stand or something is fine because theres no vibration.
I also don’t want to use a holder that could be moving slightly causing small micro scratches over time. I don’t use a case so I have to think about what the holder is really doing to the back of the phone over years of holding. Really don’t want to end up with a ring scratch on the back of my phone.
 
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Has anyone found a good car mount that wirelessly charges and works with MagSafe...specifically for the 12 Pro Max in an Apple Silicone case?
 
x-evil-x said:
Not sure why so many people are trying to use a round puck size for their car. The lower magnet is an orientation lock. In a car with vibration you’ll want one that is like the Belkin holder so it doesn’t move and slide around. id rather have a holder that has more points of magnetization then just the ring.
At home I think the round puck style for a stand or something is fine because theres no vibration.
I also don’t want to use a holder that could be moving slightly causing small micro scratches over time. I don’t use a case so I have to think about what the holder is really doing to the back of the phone over years of holding. Really don’t want to end up with a ring scratch on the back of my phone.
Click to expand...
Have you actually tried one? I’ve used two with just the round ring (without the straight vertical lower magnet) - the ESR and Tozo - using a MagSafe Silicone case and my 12 Pro has never rotated one bit in many hours of driving, including some rough off-road
 
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x-evil-x said:
Not sure why so many people are trying to use a round puck size for their car. The lower magnet is an orientation lock. In a car with vibration you’ll want one that is like the Belkin holder so it doesn’t move and slide around. id rather have a holder that has more points of magnetization then just the ring.
At home I think the round puck style for a stand or something is fine because theres no vibration.
I also don’t want to use a holder that could be moving slightly causing small micro scratches over time. I don’t use a case so I have to think about what the holder is really doing to the back of the phone over years of holding. Really don’t want to end up with a ring scratch on the back of my phone.
Click to expand...
Do you know of one that attaches to the dash that has the orientation lock you mentioned?
 
Guys I was doing some research and found this: https://www.amazon.com/enGMOLPHY-Co...x+car+wireless+charger&qid=1608385388&sr=8-12

It shows it is compatible with MagSafe. Anyone try this? It is interesting that it is just a holder for the official Apple MagSafe charging puck...I kind of like that idea!

My only question is that my car has regular USB ports and the Apple MagSafe charging puck is only going to work then if I get an adapter to USBC correct?
 
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