$2 iPhone Car Mount... Hey, It's an Option

[Michael Essany]

When money is no object, there is no shortage of cool modifications that one can make to their beloved iPhone or iPod. But as a decent expense in its own right, sometimes it is necessary to "cut corners" elsewhere in order to get the accessories you want at a price that doesn't break the bank.

Today, thanks to a blog posting that's getting plenty of attention, we're reminded that all it takes is a little creativity (and some PVC pipe with some foam) to come up with a perfectly good - and functional- alternative to what can otherwise be an expensive vehicle mount for your iPhone.

From the author of the post:

Do you ever wander the aisles at store after store looking for just the right thing to hold your phone/GPS/mobile device while you're driving? There are tons of these on the market but I've never managed to find one that worked in my oddly shaped Scion XB.

Well, not only did he make a handcrafted iPhone vehicle mount to suit his unique situation, he also inspired a lot of people to do the same - with appropriate modifications, of course, to accommodate their particular vehicles. Although it's a creative idea that's presented as an "alternative for all," you do, however, need some recessed area in or around your dash to make it work without proving a driving hazard or distraction while you're behind the wheel.

Luckily for me, the original (super boxy) XB has an assortment of odd "spaces" in the dash. These make a perfect place to attach a rock solid, quick and dirty $2 mount that'll take less than 10 minutes to make from stuff you likely already have around the house.

The instructions for this $2 iPhone vehicle mount is available at Instructables.com

Image via Instructables

[blkcadi]

nice................. it works, that's what matters.

[iphonerookie]

niiiiiiiiice

[lolcats1]

this qualifies as news? lol someones running out of mac and idevice rumors to post. :P

[vantheman169]

would look better with just some velcro on the back of your iphone case and some on your dash. That thing looks like rediculous!

[mastuul]

You can find real car mount kits on ebay for $4.95 including shipping.

[vantheman169]

You can find real car mount kits on ebay for $4.95 including shipping.

Sure can! Love you ebay!

[tudtran]

Very creative. I like it.

[sarahkillah]

ha ha .. that's funny. Looks like it would deter thieves if you put a NASA or radio-active sticker on it somewhere (small and subtle but effective)

[adsonjustin]

I'm pretty sure that's not safe.

[Fall3N iZ DoWn]

this qualifies as news? lol someones running out of mac and idevice rumors to post. :P

So rumors count as news now?

[Fallguy]

Wonder what happens when he hits a pot hole ?

[loocfa]

i like it, crazy looking but a nice idea.
i made a cool and easy/freeish ($1) car mount for my scion xa, this works for scion xb too.
i velcroed the original dock for iphone, behide the steering wheel.(i did remove the outer plastic shell of the dock to allow me to dock my iphone with the case on,fyi a incase slider.
my wife has the car today so i put together a photoshoped picture to give you a visual.if anyone cares i can upload a real photo later.
you can charge it from here, using the data cable to car charger via the back of the dock, and aux cable in the back of the dock to the aux input in the car.
it allows you to adjust the volume via car stereo and steering wheel controls.
unfortunately skip track controls on steering wheel dont do anything,(if anyone knows a workaround this let me know) but so long as you are driving in and straight line you can access the whole iphone screen easily, allowing you to type and even handsfree.this is great of gps.
i tucked the cables into the side panels on the dash etc, to keep it nice and tidy.
hope someone finds this of interest, and i apologies for the crappy photoshop picture, but hopefully youll get the idea.

[StealthBravo]

So rumors count as news now?

Yes, and if you dont like it dont read it.

[iLaw-One]

This looks more like a driving hazard to me.

[rhekt]

very creative indeed

[apexad]

I had previously bought a bracketron vent mount from Best Buy, but my vents could not handle the weight. I've thought about buying the windshield mount. However, I got inspired by this project and instead opted to spend less than $5 and create my own custom mount.

I've just restarted my blog and wrote all about this project, so check it out, here: iPhone project: weak vents, strong handle = new mounting bracket - apexad.net

Otherwise, the attached picture shows it off.
My Jeep Liberty has no such 'holes' or anything to stuff a foam base into, so instead I used the large handle in front of the passenger seat.
If you don't feel like reading my full write up, realize that those 2 ridged pieces unscrew, making the thing fully removable.

I still have to paint it.

[confucious]

How do you drive when you've got that where your stearing wheel should be?

[bengo]

i like it, crazy looking but a nice idea.
i made a cool and easy/freeish ($1) car mount for my scion xa, this works for scion xb too.
i velcroed the original dock for iphone, behide the steering wheel.(i did remove the outer plastic shell of the dock to allow me to dock my iphone with the case on,fyi a incase slider.
my wife has the car today so i put together a photoshoped picture to give you a visual.if anyone cares i can upload a real photo later.
you can charge it from here, using the data cable to car charger via the back of the dock, and aux cable in the back of the dock to the aux input in the car.
it allows you to adjust the volume via car stereo and steering wheel controls.
unfortunately skip track controls on steering wheel dont do anything,(if anyone knows a workaround this let me know) but so long as you are driving in and straight line you can access the whole iphone screen easily, allowing you to type and even handsfree.this is great of gps.
i tucked the cables into the side panels on the dash etc, to keep it nice and tidy.
hope someone finds this of interest, and i apologies for the crappy photoshop picture, but hopefully youll get the idea.

That is the most retarded place to put the iPhone.