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Products:
- ProClip Peugeot 207 (Code 653815)
- ProClip Peugeot 207 (Code 653816)
- Active Holder, Tilt Swivel HTC Mozart (Code 512212)
One problem that can arise for Smartphone aficionados like myself is car mounting, that is how on earth can the 'required' number of gadgets (phones in my case) but fitted within the average car?
This is a problem that I've suffered recently myself when I traded my old car in for a 2010 registered Peugeot 207. The 207 being a new model supports phone media linking via USB socket (iPod style devices) and also streaming media playback for AVRCP Bluetooth enabled phones, plus of course a Bluetooth link for car hands free integration. At the moment I'm using the iPhone 4 for satellite navigation, and media playback with a Windows Phone 7 device (HTC Mozart) for telephone functionality.
Ideally therefore I needed two new mounting solutions, the first being a holder for the iPhone 4, which would ideally terminate in a USB connector (to connect into the cars USB socket), and a power only holder for the Mozart - which I could plug it the cars accessory power socket (cigarette lighter socket). Of course both holders would also require mounting brackets to attach the phone mounts into the cars cockpit area.
The iPhone 4 holder solution was the easiest to meet as I already owned the 'Padded Charging Holder for Horizontal Support with Tilt Swivel and Cigarette Lighter Adapter for iPhone 4' mount. This is supplied with a USB A connector which fits into a USB to cigarette lighter converter. Ideal as this would allow the converter to be removed and the A connector to be plugged straight into the car!
For the other mount and brackets required I browsed over to my good friends at DSL Developments Ltd and used their configuration wizards to find the outstanding holder and the required ProClip mounts. DSL were chosen as a supplier due to their friendly approach to business coupled with their known reliability in proving a good product at the right price. The product of course being that of Brodit and their comprehensive system of gadget holders and ProClip car mounts.
The requirements for the mounts were two fold; one to be located near the centre console of the car relatively out of the way and yet close to the power socket this was to be used for the Mozart. The second mount needed to be suitable for mounting on the upper part of the dashboard giving good visibility of the phone screen and positioning it within easy reach while driving - for navigating with the iPhone 4.
The holder chosen for the Mozart was the Active Holder, Tilt Swivel HTC Mozart (Code 512212) as this offers a swivel mount (giving some adjustment) as well as the required 'active' power connection into the cigarette lighter socket.
The ProClip for the Mozart was to be the ProClip Peugeot 207 (Code 653816) mount as this fixes onto the side of the centre console therefore allowing the power lead to run freely down the side of the console to the lighter socket which is immediately below it.
For the iPhone 4 the ProClip needed to be high up so the ProClip Peugeot 207 (Code 653815) was chosen as this mounted to the base of the centre consoles air vents.
Each holder or ProClip supplied by Brodit arrives in a clear plastic bag and contains all necessary components needed to fit the part concerned. In the case of a holder this is commonly the instructions, the holder itself and 4 self-tapping screws used to screw the affix it onto the ProClip. The ProClip kits comprise the clip itself which can be made from one or more parts, and a 'gap opener' which is used to pry apart the parts on the car to allow the mount to lock into place.
The 653816 clip has two hook-like plastic claws formed into a 'C' shape with the internal portion containing a ready mounted self-adhesive pad. Brodit recommend that the instructions are read through carefully before the clip is mounted. This is important as looking at all Brodit clips the first thought is usually one of 'that will never fit', but I've not known Brodit to be wrong yet.
There is usually a few moments of nervousness as the gap opener is slipped into the cars componentry and the fascia is bent out of place, and you prepare to slide the mount into position, but once the first 'claw' snaps into position that usually eases. In the case of the 653816 once that first leg was in place a significant amount of force had to be applied to the clip to get it to bend around the edge of the console so it would lock into the final position.
Once the effort has been applied and the nerves fought off you end up with a very solidly mounted clip which will not come loose and one which not carry any vibration, to the holder. The mount looks good and offers a perfectly flat surface for the mount to be screwed onto.
The 653815 ProClip is of similar design to the 653816 but has shorter hooks and this time the adhesive strip was yellow instead of red. Both clips of course sport the trademark Brodit logo.
Once again similar mental worries had to be fought off and some physical gymnastics performed to get the ProClip into position, but once again Brodit were correct in their instructions and the ProClip mounted perfectly!
Once the clips were mounted the holder was removed from the plastic bag, screws placed carefully to one side, and the main body of the holder unscrewed from the mountable base of the holder. The base was then aligned onto the mounting surface of the ProClip and I used a bradawl to mark through the mounting holes as to where the screws should go.
The mount was then placed to one side and I took the self-tapping fixing screws and carefully screwed them a couple of turn into the ProClip. Doing this gives a good 'start' to the screws and makes it a lot easier as you don't have to worry about holding the base in place which could result in the screwdriver slipping which could mark the surface of the ProClip.
Once each of the screws have been started they can be removed and the base placed into position. The screws can then be fitted through the mounting holes, pushed into position into the 'starts' and finally tightened up.
Once the baser is in place it is a matter of moments to pop the holder back onto the base, tighten up the center screw until the mount is tight but movable, adjust it for position and then finally nip the screw up tight to lock the holder in position.
This technique was of course applied to both holders and clips resulting in two perfectly mounted holders ready to receive their phones.
With the 653816 holder the Mozart slides into position from right to left, allowing the micro-USB connector to engage and the upper and lower arms of the mount use friction to grip against the top and bottom of the Mozart.
The iPhone 4 is mounted in position as described in the earlier review.
So there you have it - two perfectly mounted smartphones set in the desired positions with looking good with no problems of vibration or looseness, and with ergonomics, safely and ease of operation taken into account.
Oh and finally for those of an inquisitive nature - both the iPod music integration and the AVRCP Bluetooth streaming of music to the car stereo worked perfectly!
Conclusions:
As always finding the right holder for any car can be a somewhat daunting task, but that is always made easier due to the helpfulness of DSL Developments Ltd and the flexibility of the Brodit system of holders and clips. If you need a mounting solution Brodit and DSL can be relied upon to solve your problems.
[All images in this review have been processed by Snagit by Techsmith]
