Hands On with OWC’s iPhone Windshield Mount

Dec 16 2009

Surely, I can’t be the only one in search of a solid iPhone windshield mount. Yet there haven’t been many reasonable solutions. I’ve previously had good luck with the Griffin RoadTrip, which also happens to charge your device and beam audio over FM to the car stereo. Yet my attempts to get the iPhone a bit higher up in the cockpit haven’t been so successful. For example, the Griffin WindowSeat design couldn’t deal with the slope of my windshield and I ripped a shirt trying to loosen one of the grommets.

Last Friday, Other World Computing announced their own windshield mount. Which also happened to be the day I decided I would attempt (again) a 2GB to 4GB Macbook memory upgrade. So for another $15, I had them add the mount to my order. It’s not as elegant looking as say the MIA Navigon mount, but it’s not a cludgy plastic embarrassment either. (Not to mention, I use Telenav.) Functionally, the iPhone clasp rotates 360 degrees and of course the stalk is flexible. As you can see from the pics, it fits comfortably into my vehicle. While the suction has been good, the long neck does result in a bit of jiggle/vibration while driving. Not a deal breaker by any means, just an FYI.

Seeing as how Melissa recently dumped her Blackberry Curve 8900 for an iPhone 3GS and I replaced her TomTom 140S with the now reasonably priced TomTom iPhone app ($50, iTunes), I have a feeling we’re going to need a second OWC mount. If she can get used to the idea of periodically removing her Incase.

Click to enlarge:

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7 Responses for "Hands On with OWC’s iPhone Windshield Mount"

Dave Zatz December 16th, 2009 at 8:25 am 1
Oh yeah, unlike my first attempt at a memory upgrade much earlier this year this was a success. Previously, with new memory installed the late fall 2008 unibody Macbook would not wake from sleep. OWC even replaced the first sets of chips with another pair, we tried resetting the PRAM, etc. No luck. But after reading of success on two other Macbooks of the same vintage upgraded to Snow Leopard, I gave it another shot. Unfortunately, my former $80 memory upgrade was $110 this time around. Unpredictable fluctuations in the silicon industry I guess. But I should now be able to comfortable keep as many Firefox tabs open as I’d like.
Adam December 16th, 2009 at 9:41 am 2
That’s the problem with most of the window mounts, they don’t allow you to adjust for cases. I have the Proclip mount with the pass through dock pins. It’s expensive, but I’m able to adjust the size of the mount for my case, and it attaches to the dash and now the window.
Dave Zatz December 16th, 2009 at 9:46 am 3
I’ve looked at ProClip a few times. $50-$70 for a custom mount like that isn’t unreasonable. But I also like being able to throw the mount into my glovebox or switch cars. And I don’t like the clamp solution, prefer the custom fit/look – but as you say, it limits usefulness to a naked iPhone. We need someone like Incase to make a custom car accessory to go with their cases. As for me, my iPhone is usually naked. Although the 3G and 3GS are more slippery than the first gen iPhone, and I sometimes use an iSkin to keep a firm grip.

PS I’m not exactly sure how to refer to these guys. Some things are branded NewerTech, some Other World Computing, and the website is macsales.com.
Big John December 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am 4
Throwing my weight behind the ProClip system, love it (but I get what you’re saying as well)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigjohn/3182695603/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigjohn/3183532346/
Alex December 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am 5
My problem is that I’m not willing to take off my case everytime I want to use the mount. Like Dave said, it would be great if a case maker would come out with a mount solution that works with their case.
Glenn December 16th, 2009 at 2:58 pm 6
Have the Proclip installed in both mine and my wife’s cars. Sure its too expensive, but its perfect and works with the iPhones in their cases. Mine is always in a case.

I have the Griffin RoadTrip. Use it when traveling, which is really the only time I use the Navigon app since both of us have Nav in our cars. Its okay at best. For travel I’d really prefer something smaller, more like the clip they’re using on the back of the LCD TomTom’s these days. Would keep the packing down. Also the head on the RoadTrip comes off a lot when you just want to turn your iPhone.

That Navigon unit looks cool though.
ryandh December 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm 7
You can get mounts like this on Ebay for $4-$7 shipped. I heated mine and bent it out a little to accomodate for the case I use.