PDA/Sat-Nav Cradle Solution?

[olip74]

Hi,

Seeking opinions on cradles for phone/sat nav. I've got an HTC Hero with CoPilot loaded and have been researching options for mounting the phone on the dash (2009 Leon). I don't want to drill holes, etc so there are a couple of options it seems -

First query is how effective are the 'gooseneck' devices at sticking to the windscreen? I don't want my Hero smacking off the centre console at any point. Any brands recommended/to avoid?

Second, I found a cradle manufactured by Brodit that mounts on the central air vents. I'm not sure if I want hot air blowing on the back of the phone, even occasionally, but does anyone have experience of these? Is it easy to remove the cowling to fit them? Also, looking at pictures of the product it looks as if it just does portrait orientation. Can you swivel it into landscape?

Would be grateful for your advice!

Cheers, Oli

 

[predo]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544385

 

[GainfulShrimp]

For longer journeys or those where I need custom POIs, I use a TomTom One IQ Routes Edition which has an integrated windscreen sucker.

However, mostly I can't be bothered with faffing around with suckers. So I have TomTom on my iPhone and use that for simple journeys where I don't know my way.

For my iPhone, I have a Brodit Pro-clip mounted permanently on the A-pillar (i.e. next to the little window just behind and right of the steering wheel). This works well for both calling and TomTom. The iPhone version of TomTom works well when in portrait orientation, so I don't need a horizontal mount. Works very well. I'm sure I took some pics... just need to find them.

I used to use one of the generic black 'gooseneck' sucker devices in my Golf. It would be fine 99% of the time, but those few times a year when it decided to let go of the windscreen, you'd get a shock while driving as it all tumbled into the footwell. I personally would avoid such devices in future.

 

[olip74]

Thanks for the tips.

I think the comments about the gooseneck device holders confirms what I thought, I'll be steering clear of them.

From the comments above and on the thread at the xda forum, Brodit looks like the way to go. Not sure if the A-pillar situation suits me though, I will probably want to run a charger lead into the base of the phone so the vent mounted holder may be best.

 

[Bedlam]

Not sure if the A-pillar situation suits me though, I will probably want to run a charger lead into the base of the phone so the vent mounted holder may be best.

Are you sure? http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=183644&highlight

 

[olip74]

Very flash!

I can't actually see myself using the sat-nav all that much and I would only need a charger for long journeys so a passive Brodit cradle and a line from the 12v supply will be fine for my needs. I already have an adapter to USB port.