Phone cradle for Puma - anything that works?

[travelrover]

Hi all

Santa gave a Powertech QI phone cradle (with a fast wireless charger) to my wife for Christmas for use in her Puma 90. I have lost count of the different varieties and money wasted on these things for this vehicle. This one was just under $60, we had tried another similar one a few weeks ago which was $35 and there were earlier failed attempts..

167136

This thing has two mounting options, the first is a sticky/suction pad on the windscreen which seems to offer the most adjustability. The second is connecting to the dash centre vents via a spring loaded clip.

We live on a gravel road and it is usually in pretty bad condition and now after a week of rain has large corrugations and potholes. We had the cradle attached via the sticky pad and needless to say this thing has not lasted long before falling off. The second option will not work as the clip is too thick to fit between vent 'rails'.

I have a couple of $10 cheapies that have suction pads and work fine for me in the our other older Defenders (though they do fall off every now and then but do last more than three days) but the wife specifically wants one that provides support at the bottom of the phone. I think the distance from the windscreen to the front of the dash in the Puma is a bit further thus providing additional leverage/loading. I may be able to find a suitable RAM mounting that will do the job but they are not cheap and I haven't found one yet.

Has anyone got a phone mount (that doesn't require drilling) they are happy with and would recommend? The wireless charging is a nice to have but certainly not essential.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers - Simon

[skidrov]

I have the one below. Works fine in suburbia/highway touring.

...and, when I eventually get around to going off-road again [emoji849] my intent is to swap the attachment cradle for the second one shown - better grip but a PITA to load/unload. Clip out/in to change the cradles.

Both accept a charge cable connection underneath; I run a short spiral to a USB quickcharge adapter in the cigarette lighter port.

Source was eBay, I think. But might have been AliExpress?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201230/6beecd0dad33e49b6446b77e7c76abec.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201230/08237c2a68676e54b475f44179213a3c.jpg

[travelrover]

I have the one below. Works fine in suburbia/highway touring.

...and, when I eventually get around to going off-road again [emoji849] my intent is to swap the attachment cradle for the second one shown - better grip but a PITA to load/unload. Clip out/in to change the cradles.

Both accept a charge cable connection underneath; I run a short spiral to a USB quickcharge adapter in the cigarette lighter port.

Source was eBay, I think. But might have been AliExpress?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201230/6beecd0dad33e49b6446b77e7c76abec.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201230/08237c2a68676e54b475f44179213a3c.jpg

Thanks skidrov

That would work. Any idea of a brand name or price range?

[skidrov]

It was about $15, from eBay. Link for a similar item (can't find the exact link for mine):

Air Vent Car Phone Holder Cradle Mount Stand Fr Samsung Galaxy Note/20/Plus/ S10 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Air-Vent-Car-Phone-Holder-Cradle-Mount-Stand-Fr-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-20-Plus-S10/313118086941?hash=item48e74ad71d:g:psYAAOSw0~de6Dm 4)

...just make sure to get the one with the metal rod (as per my photo) - the plastic one breaks, guess how I know... [emoji849]

Search eBay for "car vent phone holder" for more choices.

...and looks like my "heavy duty" holder came from AliExpress. No links but a similar search will give choices.

[jon3950]

Ive been using a Clic-on mount and its coped with everything I’ve thrown at it. Details are in the this post:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/236135-alasdair-my16-keswick-110-a-2.html#post2535915

Cheers,
Jon

[Tombie]

Quadlock case and Quadlock mount/charger.

Won’t beat it for positive hold, charging and ease of use.

[travelrover]

Thanks so much all, I will check out all your suggestions.

Cheers - Simon

[carpdvl]

Second for the quadlock case. I don't have the wireless charger but have it connected to a ram ball and the Mud UK ram mount for the puma dash which replaces the screw in the dash with a new screw and RAM ball.

Works a treat - rock solid because it is essentially screwed to the dash without harming anything in the process. You can also then vary the position (can have up on screw at top of dash in the centre or sides or the other side of the radio) and lengths depending on RAM arm (mine is standard length in photo below and find it perfect). I just plug a cord into the phone when driving which I find is quicker charging than wireless and is second nature now so I hardly notice having to do it. But that may not be to your taste in which case the Quadlock windscreen wireless mount would work.

I'd recommend the RAM mounts for iPads as well - heaps of options shown on the Mud UK website for attaching it in front of passenger too for maps etc. like the RAM track or their other ball mount that goes into the screw for the grab handle.

Can't imagine going back to some of the janky plastic and magnetic mounts I've had in the pasthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210103/c6fb322b967085ecbbf5b4bac156d7ca.jpg

[DieselDan]

Another vote for the mud stuff ram ball and a ram arm.
However on the other end of the ram arm I've got one of the ram ball/flat plates onto which I've stuck a Scosche (?) magnetic plate.
The Scosche kit came with a couple of metal plates and I've stuck one on my phone and the other on an 8" tablet and swap between the two.
The tablet wobbles a bit, but hasn't fallen off, even over dirt road corrugations.

[filcar]

Ram mount for rock solid mounting systems. One of these with a short arm and a ball to suit your charger may work, and as you noted not cheap, but a once off expense.

RAM Defender Dashboard Mount – MUD-UK (https://www.mudstuff.co.uk/collections/ram-components/products/ram-defender-dashboard-mount)

[travelrover]

Thanks all, yes RAM seems to be the go, I have one for the Garmin GPS in one of the other Defenders and it has never failed even in very rough country. We managed to get a refund for the original unit so that helps...

Cheers

[ramblingboy42]

why do we need to see our mobile phone while driving?

major cause of traffic problems.

you can tell when someone is looking at their phone.

I wish traffic police could do more about it.

[AK83]

why do we need to see our mobile phone while driving?

major cause of traffic problems.

....

Yes, major cause for concern, BUT!! .... what about navigation?
many folks use Phone's as navigators(with various software).

Really isn't that different to keeping an eye on the dash, checking the various variables like coolant temperature(useless in a Landrover anyhow!) .. or speed(useless in a Tdi! [biggrin])

I think the big problem with phones is the usage of it(eg. replying to messages), not so much visibility of it when driving.