Why phone mounts

[stetch]

I've been curious about this. I am about to get my bronco tomorrow, so asking with zero experience with this rig right now.

Why are folks getting phone mounts for their vehicle?

Seems like for street driving, Google play/apple play is fine

For off roading, I can see using camera views and a having a phone mount with onx, gaia, or whatever your favorite navigation app is.

I get mounting cameras, radio holders, etc. just the phone mount seemed niche, yet I see ads and picture of dash boards with them constantly.

Am I missing something? Is there another use case besides what I mentioned where the onboard system doesn't cut it?

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[Fatfireman]

I like it because it is a secure place to store my phone and charge at the same time. Don't really like keeping it in my pocket and the charging pad that may or may not be in the Bronco is total trash.

 

[stetch]

I like it because it is a secure place to store my phone and charge at the same time. Don't really like keeping it in my pocket and the charging pad that may or may not be in the Bronco is total trash.

So not really for viewing, just for convenience?


Most of the mounts I am seeing dont have chargers. I was going to get a qi puck and put it on the dash in the phone fitted holder.

 

[Bronco60]

I have to do Zoom calls for work regularly, and am expected to be on camera. Whether parked or driving, a mount gives me a set place to stick my phone for the camera and to see whatever screen is being shared on screen (if I am looking at the screen, I am always parked).

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I don’t have a phone mount, but considering one (and maybe an iPad mount) for one reason: sometimes it’s useful out on the trails to look at two apps at once.

OnX in offline mode, with a downloaded map, is quite good, but its CarPlay app UI is quite limited compared to the tablet or phone version. Sometimes I find myself using the phone version while simultaneously having the OnX CarPlay app on my 12” Ford screen. Thus far this is most pragmatic with the phone in a co-pilot’s hand, but maybe she’s not always going to be on every trip.

And … I’m up in the mountains, and I’ve ventured across wide swaths of desolate UT, NV, AZ and NM, with a Garmin InReach, but there are surprisingly few places where you really get zero bars for an extended period. So I’ve found it’s often also useful to check where you are in OnX vs Google Maps satellite view in real time (in you have bars).

I’ve been lucky to have a trusty co-pilot along on all my extended trips except one. She was doing real time weather reports last time we crossed the Rockies in freezing rain/snow and that saved our butts. Knowing what I know now, if I was solo, a mount would be useful. I wish Siri was better.

 

[brkdncr]

The factory wireless phone charger is an easybake oven. It eventually overheats. Wireless CarPlay wasn’t very reliable and incurs an observable delay between controls like prev/next.

some things aren’t available in CarPlay and having the phone in a stationary location is helpful for those times .

 

[Fatfireman]

So not really for viewing, just for convenience?


Most of the mounts I am seeing dont have chargers. I was going to get a qi puck and put it on the dash in the phone fitted holder.

Yeah, 95% convenience? I bought mine from TackForm, super high quality and the ability to add about as many things as I want to it.

 

[not on the rug]

Where else would you put your phone?

 

[stetch]

The factory wireless phone charger is an easybake oven. It eventually overheats. Wireless CarPlay wasn’t very reliable and incurs an observable delay between controls like prev/next.

some things aren’t available in CarPlay and having the phone in a stationary location is helpful for those times .

The 2026 doesn't even have a charger anymore

 

[stetch]

Where else would you put your phone?

There is a cubby in the dash for it.

 

[crzyhawk]

I like to put the turn by turn directions on my phone, with the map on the display screen.

 

[psdtime]

I bought my phone mount on day one and took it off 3 days after using it. Not needed for me. I rely on Android Auto on all of my vehicles.

 

[DarthLincoln]

1. It’s a convenient and consistent place to put it, and charge it (cable or wireless).
2. I’m less likely to forget it when I get out than if it is tucked in a bin.
3. The phone makes a great video camera thanks to its image stabilization functionality.
4. Not every app I want to use in the car is on CarPlay - like an altimeter/compass app.
5. Even for apps that are in CarPlay, most limit functionality or access to content - even Music.app does this.
6. Some times it’s useful to use my phone or iPad as a second screen to simultaneously display a different app than what is being displayed in CarPlay.
   
   

 

[CalvinT]

I keep my phone in my hip pocket. Always, even when driving. Sometimes Apple Maps can't connect, then I move it to the top of the dashboard where it tends to fall off. I'd like a phone mount for that situation. I also put the phone on a charger when on long trips to keep the battery charged. Then the phone is in a cubby or the passenger seat.

I'd like a dash mount that does these four things. Holds the phone securely, doesn't require me to give up the case my phone is in, doesn't require me to plug it into a cable ie. has MagSafe or holds Apple's, and looks good, not like an after thought. Aigmux comes closest, but they still don't get it. @AIGMUX

 

[not on the rug]

There is a cubby in the dash for it.

Ok...let's play. Where do you put your keys?

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