Cell phone dash mount: Is one really necessary?

[aja8888]

I am considering getting a dash mount sold by ProClip for my new iPhone. I'm on the fence about spending $80+ for the mount and the holder from ProClip. They make one that fits my car quite nicely and is well received but other buyers. With Apple Carplay, which I use for phone calls and maps, I'm having a hard time justifying the use of a phone which is mounted in plain view?

What am I missing here?

Apple Carplay and my LCD screen seem to be enough for most, if not all, phone use, although it could be a convenient place for my phone while in the car versus laying in the slot forward of the center console.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I presume you plug your iPhone into a USB port on your vehicle?
Then you can see whatever apps your phone is using on the vehicle LCD screen?

If so, I don't see the reason for the dash mount.

 

[braumeister]

I am considering getting a dash mount sold by ProClip for my new iPhone. I'm on the fence about spending $80+ for the mount and the holder from ProClip. They make one that fits my car quite nicely and is well received but other buyers. With Apple Carplay, which I use for phone calls and maps, I'm having a hard time justifying the use of a phone which is mounted in plain view?

If you use Carplay, mounting the phone is completely unnecessary. I have a small portable mount I use in rental cars that don't have Carplay, but I certainly don't need it for my own. Since more and more cars have Carplay built in, often wireless, this is a waste of money IMHO.

 

[audreyh1]

Since you can use CarPlay I assume with a Bluetooth connection, why would you need to mount your cellphone on the dash?

 

[aja8888]

I presume you plug your iPhone into a USB port on your vehicle?
Then you can see whatever apps your phone is using on the vehicle LCD screen?

If so, I don't see the reason for the dash mount.

My car has Carplay built in and my phone connects via Bluetooth.

 

[aja8888]

Since you can use CarPlay I assume with a Bluetooth connection, why would you need to mount your cellphone on the dash?

So I can see it and it's not just laying in the console. I guess these mounts are really not that necessary anymore. Back before modern head units, it was better for making call or using maps. I was looking for a reason to have it in plain view.

 

[Qs Laptop]

My car has Carplay built in and my phone connects via Bluetooth.

Then I don't see the need for the dash mount.

As to rental cars without Carplay or Android Auto--every vehicle I've rented in the past two years has these options. I typically get four door sedans, can't comment on other types of vehicles. Be sure to bring a cable in case the car doesn't have bluetooth option for Carplay (or Android Auto.)

 

[braumeister]

Be sure to bring a cable in case the car doesn't have bluetooth option for Carplay (or Android Auto.)

Yes, they're all different. Last car I rented, a few weeks ago, I had to plug it in the first time, and after that it worked with Bluetooth.

As for seeing the phone, it normally sits in my shirt pocket while connected to the car, so always available.
But sometimes I set it on the charging pad which is up at the front of the center console, and I don't always notice it when I get out of the car, so I can understand the issue.

Maybe something like this, which is what I carry when I travel. It hooks firmly on most car vents, and holds the phone very solidly. It also swivels so it works on must about any car.

Lamicall Car Vent Phone Mount

 

[ERD50]

On occasion, I've had a little trouble with dropping the GPS signal with my phone down by the console. Getting it up by the dash with a vent clip seems to have eliminated those issues.

 

[aja8888]

On occasion, I've had a little trouble with dropping the GPS signal with my phone down by the console. Getting it up by the dash with a vent clip seems to have eliminated those issues.

Yes, mine sits in a hole under the lower dash, this is why I am asking. I also have left the phone in car car by accident since it's not in plain view.

 

[audreyh1]

So I can see it and it's not just laying in the console. I guess these mounts are really not that necessary anymore. Back before modern head units, it was better for making call or using maps. I was looking for a reason to have it in plain view.

What’s wrong with it just laying in the console? CarPlay lets you answer calls etc., play music as well as use the navigation/maps.

Sometimes if we’re not getting a great cell signal I just lay it on the dash, but otherwise it does fine in the console between the seats. Yes, you do have to remember to grab it before exiting the car.

BTW this is not an issue at home where the Tesla has the cell connection itself and built-in navigation. I can even leave my phone in my purse. It’s the key, so definitely want to take it with me for the car to lock when I walk away.

 

[Qs Laptop]

My truck (Ram 1500) has a rubberized slot built into the console tray that is perfect for securely holding the phone upright and at an angle for optimum viewing, and there is a small slot at the bottom for any cable connections. It's perfect.

 

[aja8888]

What’s wrong with it just laying in the console? CarPlay lets you answer calls etc., play music as well as use the navigation/maps.

Nothing, I guess, as long as I remember to take it with me as it's in a spot where I can't see it. I was just asking if there was any other reason to have a mount.

 

[RunningBum]

If you have wireless car play, just keep your phone in your pocket.

 

[Sunset]

Leave the phone in you pocket and you will never forget it.

 

[Al18]

My iPhone sits within viewing distance in the cup holder of every car/suv I own or rented. I only need to see the screen for map directions. If traffic is heavy, my wife holds the phone.

 

[aja8888]

My iPhone sits within viewing distance in the cup holder of every car/suv I own or rented. I only need to see the screen for map directions. If traffic is heavy, my wife holds the phone.

That would be my solution if I had a wife!

 

[Lakedog]

I use one of these in my Tacoma which has an ideal spot (cupholder near the dash).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D9K56KB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[braumeister]

I use one of these

Oh, I like that very much. If Carplay wasn't becoming so ubiquitous, I would have one of those.

 

[jollystomper]

I have an Android phone, so when I rent a car that has Android Auto (and these days anything I rent will have Android Auto) there is no need for me to have the cell phone mounted anywhere. Everything, including map navigation, displays on the auto screen. I either keep the phone in my pocket, in one of the cup holders if available, or in console storage box.

On our cars, which are older and do not support Android Auto, I do have a cell phone mount, the ones that hook clips that attach securely onto the air vents. I tried the type braumeister posted, but it did not work well with my car vents.

If I was concerned about forgetting my phone, I would a retractable coil lanyard, one I use when traveling, that clips to a belt loop and to my phone case. then anywhere I put my phone in the car, it would still be attached to me and I would not forget to take it with me.

 

[Jerry1]

If you have wireless car play, just keep your phone in your pocket.

Leave the phone in you pocket and you will never forget it.

My phone gets pretty warm when I’m using Waze. I don’t think it would be too comfortable in my pocket. I leave mine on the console. I have wireless car play plus my console has wireless charging.

I also wouldn’t want it in my pocket in case the battery runs low. Wired or not, I wouldn’t want to be messing with it while driving.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I use wireless CarPlay every drive. 95% of the time, I interact with it by voice commands such as “Siri, call John Smith” or “Siri, send a message to Jane Do.”

I rarely have a need to look at my phone while driving. I see no need for a mounted phone if using CarPlay. My car also has a wireless charging pad and that is where my phone usually sits.

 

[pb4uski]

Nothing, I guess, as long as I remember to take it with me as it's in a spot where I can't see it. I was just asking if there was any other reason to have a mount.

I just keep my phone in my pocket and it automatically connects to my truck's Andriod Auto via bluetooth and I can make and answer calls, play music or whatever. Then I don't need to remember to take it with me which is a problem with a holder.

For longer trips I sometimes place the phone on a wireless charger in the center console to keep it charged.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

Leave the phone in you pocket and you will never forget it.

I have wireless Android Auto (through a USB dongle), and I almost always leave my phone in my pocket. I love that I can just just get in the car and go. If I'm on a longer drive, I might put it upside-down in the cup holder and plug in the USB-C charging cord. (I've found that while doing maps and streaming music and wireless charging, my phone can overheat.)

 

[Fotodog]

There’s an advantage to plugging in your phone via USB that I haven’t seen mentioned, and that is better sound quality. I just bought a new Lexus that is quiet inside and has an awesome Mark Levinson sound system. My model doesn’t have wireless Apple CarPlay, wired only, so I was planning on buying a CarPlay adapter or use Bluetooth. After some research I discovered that the best quality comes from a wired connection.

I have tested this in my car, listening to the same song switching between wired and Bluetooth, and there is definitely a difference. Listening to YouTube music through the wired connection is the best listening experience I’ve ever had in a car. I’m sure that other people here have nice sound systems in their cars and might like to experiment for themselves. In my former vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, I might not have noticed the difference.

When I’m running around on short errands I get lazy and listen to Sirius XM, which also provides some nice variety. But Sirius compresses it’s music signal some more, so it’s a compromise.