I like Android smartphones, but I also like the toys that come with them. I frequently buy the docking station and the car mount whenever I get a new phone. The thing I don’t like, however, is paying the super premium prices the Phone Store charges for those toys. The solution is to go rogue and buy something that works, but doesn’t cost you a day’s wages.
The car mount for your typical Android phone generally costs about $50 at the Verizon Wireless Store. Sometimes you can catch a sale, which is great. But otherwise, why bother? It’s just too expensive.
The alternative I used for my Galaxy Note II phone is the iOttie XL Windshield mount, shown at the top of this post. It’s only $20 through Amazon (click the image). It works like a champ.
In Figure 1, you see my Note II as it sits in my Jeep, firmly attached to the windshield. The thing has been mounted there solidly ever since I first attached it over a year ago. Yep: The suction cup has not failed me!
Figure 1. The Galaxy Note phone is held firmly in place.
By the way, here’s a secret for suction cups: Lick before you stick. Yes, that’s gross, and I suppose you can use a moist sponge instead, but that extra moisture helps the suction cup really adhere to the glass.
Oh, and cleaning the glass first always helps.
Unlike a custom-designed or manufacturer’s windshield mount, the Ottie XL uses a spring-loaded trap system. You push the phone back into the cradle and the mount grabs it — literally. Squeezing two buttons on either side of the mount releases the phone.
The iOttie is just about everything I need in a windshield mount. It can cradle just about any phone, too, because it’s fully adjustable.
I can site only two downsides.
First, it doesn’t come with the car-Micro USB adapter. You’ll still need to buy one of those. If you do, get the ones on a retractable spool. I like them best.
Second, it lacks whatever magic the manufacturer’s car mounts have that tells the phone to pop up the Car Home screen. You can still manually get to the Car Home by running that app (if your phone has that app), but it doesn’t show up automatically.
Beyond that, I highly recommend the iOttie.
