This weekend I added a ProClip iPhone mount to my new VW Jetta SportWagen TDI. I'm a rabid iPhone user, but am aware that the touch screen combined with having to hold it in my hand makes for more dangerous driving and/or less convenient phone use. 99% of my car iPhone use is either the iPod music app or the Google Maps with GPS.
My goal was to mount the phone higher so that it would be more at my eye-line and sturdy enough where one-finger use would be a piece-of-cake and not be moving the phone all over the place. In addition I expect a higher location in front of the windshield to provide a better signal for the cell network data and GPS. I also love the clean and simple minimalist design of the VW interior and wanted to find a mount that matched that design and added as little clutter as possible.
I spent dozens of hours doing internet research to figure out if there was a suitable mount that my my requirement for utility and also for aesthetics. It was no easy task. Most mounts are cheap and flimsy, have horribly clumsy mounting solutions and are just plain suck.
One mounting solution that received many positive notes was made by ProClip. They use a two-part system, where you get a mount that is custom-tailored for your vehicle, and then a second part custom-made that holds your device and attaches to the vehicle mount. this system provides custom fit and finish like no other, but there is a hefty price to go with it, both pieces together cost $75 shipped. Yes, that is very expensive.
They have three mounts for the JSW: Vent Mount, Right Side Center Console, and Right Side Floor Console.I wanted the phone to be as close to eye-level as possible to maintain as much peripheral vision of the road as possible when using the iPhone, and to minimize the distance my eyes had to travel when switching focus from one to the other. Therefore I went with the Vent Mount.
They have tons of device holders, it seems like anything you could have, they'll have a holder for. I went with the iPhone 3G Padded Holder with Tilt and Swivel.
The ordering process was smooth and the items arrived quickly, as promised. I had a few concerns about the mount when I ordered, but luckily all were proven to be without merit:
1) The sample vehicle mount on their website is a silver greyish color, but the one that arrived was a smooth matte black that matches the console trim perfectly. It is made out of plastic, but is not flimsy and seems to be very high quality.
2) In some reviews I read, images of the mount and device holder both had garish company logos on them. I was prepared to do whatever modification was needed to keep the console looking sleek and uncluttered, but it turns out they were all just stickers that were easily removed.
3) The installation instructions described using adhesive strips to install the mount, and indeed the mount came with two small adhesive strips on it. However, their use was entirely optional as the clips on each end snap securely into place without their use. I suppose that if you wanted to use the adhesive, it would make the mount even secure, but I am using it with just the strength of the clips' tension, and it is very sturdy and does not budge. In other wordsyou do not need to worry about the adhesive marring your car's interior. Also, not using the adhesive enables you to temporarily remove the whole device with ease.
Installation was a piece of cake. The mount matches the interior perfectly, and it holds the iPhone snuggly. While holding the phone, it leaves access to all buttons open as well as leaving the bottom open for access to the dock connector port, most likely to be used in the car for charging. (Speaking of charging, get this 97¢ Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter to USB from Monoprice, 100% awesome). The mount holds the phone very firmly, allowing it to even be used horizonyally, with almost no give, which is perfect for hitting the menu button and the touch screen without the phone moving out of your preferred position.
In actual use, I could not be happier with the mount. It makes using the iPod function and GPS Maps capability much easier and less distracting, and does not take away from the beauty of the car's interior. It's true that I find the necessary audio cable to be visually unpleasing and cluttering, however, when the new iPhone 3.0 software is available and will enable stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), it will remove the need to have any wires coming from the phone, and instead simply require a small Bluetooth receiver to mini-jack to connect to the Aux-in port in the center armrest. That'll be niiiiiiice.
Click here to see 6 more images of the mount from various angles.
Let me know if you have any questions.
