How Sturdy is Your Windshield Mount?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5731914/the-military+grade-iphone-windshield-mount?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+gizmodo/full+(Gizmodo)&utm_content=Google+Reader' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5731914/the-mili...t=Google+Reader</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Using touchscreens in the car can be such a hassle, because even if you put them in a dash or windshield mount where they're safely in your line of sight, they still wiggle around too much. Or they did."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1294942998.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Not with this mount from RAM though, according to the author. It does look pretty solid, and after doing some research on it, I've found that it also has several attachments available so you can get it to work with a variety of mobile devices. So buy the arm [<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/applethoughts-20/detail/B00361ETAM" target="_blank">affiliate link</a>], then you can buy any number of attachments to work with your particular device (they even have setups for bicycling). I've ordered one so I'll report back and let you know just how sturdy it is since I plan on using it in my Jeep, not the smoothest of rides.</p>

[Dyvim]

I'm a fan of ProClip's mounts. They're expensive but they're solid and both device and vehicle specific, which means you only need to upgrade part of the system when you get either a new device or vehicle. (Plus they have a lot of options such as sharing multiple devices with one vehicle or sharing one device with multiple vehicles.)

The branding they come with looks cheesy, but it's all stickers that peel off easily.

[hotdram]

I have used products from both Ram Mount and Proclips and love both of them. Neither one is cheap but neither is the stuff I use them with.
I used a Ram Mount for a Garmin eTrex GPS in my truck and now I use it on my 4 wheeler. It is rock solid and will take a beating. Custom cradle for your device and mount it to the ball on the arm and you have multiple degrees of freedom.
I used a Proclip in my last truck for all my cell phones. Custom mount for your vehicle and custom cradle for your device. Bolt the two pieces together (I suggest getting the swivel mount to go between the cradle and the mount) and you are good to go. My new truck has the Ford Sync system in it, so the phone just stays in my pocket.

I would recommend either system.

Here is the Proclip system holding my AT&T Fuze (which is the reason I own an iPhone now)
http://www.riegerweb.com/fuze.JPG

On my right handle bar is a Garmin GPSMAP60Cs mounted with the Ram Mount system
http://www.riegerweb.com/Mena/Riding%20011%20(Small).jpg



~Rob

[hotdram]

Here are some better pics of the Proclip system with my Audiovox SMT5600 and a universal cradle. The nice thing with Proclip is that as you upgrade your device, you just buy the correct cradle for it and you already have the mount. I went from the 5600 to a Blackjack to a Blackjack II to an iPhone.
I chose a non-screw in type of mount for my vehicle. There was a little bit of play in it, but it never bothered me.

http://www.riegerweb.com/Phone_Holder1.jpg
http://www.riegerweb.com/Phone_Holder2.jpg
http://www.riegerweb.com/Phone_Holder3.jpg
http://www.riegerweb.com/Phone_Holder4.jpg
http://www.riegerweb.com/Phone_Holder5.jpg

~Rob