Provides: Windshield/dashboard/console mounting systems for iPhone
Developer: Arkon Resources, Inc.
Minimum Requirements: Any iPhone or iPod touch
Price: $14.95 – IPM515; $17.95 – IPM514
Availability: Now
Your car offers you quite a few options for GPS placement: windshield, dashboard, etc. Which option is better for your vehicle and your personal driving style? You’re likely not going to know that until you’ve tried them all, so you may as well buy a mounting system that combines multiple options in one. Arkon Resources’ IPM515 and IPM514 Mobile Mounting Systems do just that, but not without some inconveniences.
The functionality of both systems is based around two units: the Travelmount and the Slim-Grip holder. The Slim-Grip is what actually latches onto your iPhone, and it does it quite well. Four support legs slide into the unit (two on top, and two on the bottom), allowing you easily pull open the spring loaded holder. Slip your iPhone into place, let the legs clamp down, and your iPhone is secure.
Unfortunately, there are two problems with this—one at the top, and one at the bottom. The legs, you see, aren’t convenient. On top, the one on the right needs to be centered or it’ll press down on the power button, shutting off your phone. Because, of this, I preferred to just use one leg in the center. The internal spring is strong enough to hold the iPhone in place with just one centered leg.
This doesn’t work as well on the bottom, though. If you’re going to power your iPhone with the docking cable, you have to keep the legs outside of it. This means that one will be placed directly over the speaker, making the turn-by-turn directions quite difficult to hear. The only ways around this are to either not dock the phone, or to only use one leg again and orient the phone so that leg is under the dock, not above it, if oriented horizontally.
If you can get around these drawbacks, the rest of the system functions exactly as it should. The Slim-Grip snaps securely to the Travelmount Swivel, which then attaches to your car with a powerful suction cup. You have two choices with that. You can either attach the suction cup directly to your windshield, or you can affix the adhesive circular disk to your dashboard and attach the suction cup to that. Because I like to eliminate as many variables as possible, I went with the windshield.
The dashboard of my Kia Soul has a fairly obnoxious texture to it that isn’t conducive to adhesives. The windshield is nice and smooth, and the spot directly beneath the rear view mirror allows me to glance at the directions without taking my eyes off the road.
The difference between the Travelmount of the IPM514 and IPM515 systems is minimal. Both give you full 360° swivel functionality for vertical or horizontal viewing. Both lock securely into place with the suction cup and with the Slim-Grip attachment. The 514 system, though, allows you to get a little more intricate with the positioning. Most won’t notice the difference, but considering the multiple locations you can place this system, the ability to get precise adjustments is worth the additional $3.00 charge.
The only real deal breaker here is that the system isn’t completely conducive to iPhone use. You can work around the legs covering the power button and speaker, but it’d better if you didn’t have to.
Still, this open system means you can mount your iPhone while it’s in a protective case or skin, and you won’t need to upgrade if you switch phones or if Apple rolls out a new design. Even better, get a second dashboard disk and you can easily transfer the system to another car.
At only $15 and $18, respectively, the IPM515 and IPM514 mounting systems are a great way to figure out what you need in a mobile mounting system. You may decide you want additional functionality or iPhone specific cradling, but you won’t easily find greater flexibility.
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Looks like an affordable way to use GPS and hands-free for when you're driving. What's really great is that you can use a case also. It looks like the legs are adjustable enough to maneuver around the ports and buttons, so if you have an FM transmitter or stereo AUX, you don't have to worry about covering the speaker.
That's all true, Mamba, although as I mention in the review, there's no room on the bottom of the iPhone to place them anywhere other than over the speaker if you've got the dock port connected. FM transmitters and other such devices for radio hookup can help, but I didn't want to factor additional costs for that into the rating of these solutions.
I like the look of this mount, it's sleek. Would you recommend this to someone that doesn't use Nav that much for driving? I mostly use Bluetooth for calls and aux cable for music in the car…
Yes. It's very easy to remove when you don't want it in the way when not in use, but considering how nicely it tucks away, you likely won't need to do that.
Did you intend to say that the 515 gets more precise adjustments than the 514? I'm noticing that it's the 515 that's about $3 more expensive. Thanks!