Dashboard iPhone 4 Mount

subiegy2010 · August 8th, 2011, 05:49 PM

The other day I realized how perfectly my iPhone fit under my windshield so I wanted to make a cheap mount so I could use it as GPS. I already had velcro on my dashboard for my compass/clock/thermometer so I figured why not just buy a silicone case and put velcro on the sides to mount the iPhone right on the dash. If pushed down under the windshield far enough, the grip of the silicone against the windshield alone was strong enough to keep the iPhone in place, but I decided to add some velcro on the windshield anyway for added safety. Came out looking like this:

The phone is pretty firmly in place and doesn't vibrate or move at all while hitting bumps on the road. It takes a good bit of effort to get it out from under the windshield so I'm not at all worried about it falling out. Again, the pressure of the windshield squeezing on the phone is mainly what keeps it from moving around, not the little pieces of velcro on top. Even when the top side of the phone is un-wedged, the phone still sits fairly securely on the bottom piece of velcro.

Anyways, that was my spur of the moment boring Sunday afternoon idea/mini-project.

setasai · August 8th, 2011, 05:57 PM

Nice, simple and effective. The only gripe i have with using a cell phone as a GPS unit is you'll run out of cell signal long before you hide yourself from a GPS satellite.

Live2ride · August 8th, 2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setasai

Nice, simple and effective. The only gripe i have with using a cell phone as a GPS unit is you'll run out of cell signal long before you hide yourself from a GPS satellite.

....smart phones have separate antennae for gps and cell service.

setasai · August 8th, 2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live2ride

....smart phones have separate antennae for gps and cell service.

Yea but it's useless if the maps are downloaded via data like googlemaps. If you have the maps already on the phone as a downloaded app then yes, it'd work just fine.

subiegy2010 · August 8th, 2011, 06:21 PM

I use Navigon. The maps are on the phone.

If I really wanted to I could also get a Powerlet and not have to worry about battery life. I just don't think its necessary right now.

kcaja1 · August 9th, 2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

I use Navigon. The maps are on the phone.

If I really wanted to I could also get a Powerlet and not have to worry about battery life. I just don't think its necessary right now.

I'm still wary putting my iPhone 4 in there just by velcro. If you hit a big road hump/bump at freeway speed that iPhone will be flying. It looks great though.
I bought this
http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GPS032-S..._bxgy_e_text_b

dubojr1 · August 9th, 2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcaja1

I'm still wary putting my iPhone 4 in there just by velcro. If you hit a big road hump/bump at freeway speed that iPhone will be flying. It looks great though.
I bought this
http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GPS032-S..._bxgy_e_text_b

Any pics?

subiegy2010 · August 9th, 2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcaja1

I'm still wary putting my iPhone 4 in there just by velcro. If you hit a big road hump/bump at freeway speed that iPhone will be flying. It looks great though.
I bought this
http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GPS032-S..._bxgy_e_text_b

It's mainly held in by tension, not velcro. The velcro is the backup plan in case it wobbles out from under the pressure of the windscreen. That said, it seems stiff enough that it wouldn't be a problem in the first place.

I just got back from a very bumpy ride and hit speeds of 70-75mph. The phone didn't move at all.

kcaja1 · August 15th, 2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

Any pics?

Look at my post. You can see the iPhone4 location and how it is. My only problem is sometimes my phone shuts down due to excessive heat. I plan to drill holes on the case to air can pass through.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...231#post348231

ninja250 · August 15th, 2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setasai

Yea but it's useless if the maps are downloaded via data like googlemaps. If you have the maps already on the phone as a downloaded app then yes, it'd work just fine.

It still records position and applies it to the google maps later.

I get lost on fishing hikes and have no cell data but the GPS still records position and applies it to the maps later for transfer to my email and later to forums as an image of a route on a map.

Nice mount. I'm using my iphone as a complete dashboard replacement. So much for Koso.
RPM gauge isn't really important on the street much? Neutral finders, blinker reminders? Nah.
I might need the overheating lamp. I can put a 12v light in there sooner or later. Gear finder is nice for 6 speed bikes too and speedometer is good for the cops. Distance meter is good for gas mileage.
All on the iphone but the gear finder and I made that one myself.

I can record GPS while using my dash OR recording video too which is nifty and there's an onboard charger made by Powerlet to keep me all juiced up taped into my harness.

I use the RAM iphone mount. Very good product. Pics in a few.

ninja250 · August 15th, 2011, 08:17 AM

Chaching

subiegy2010 · August 15th, 2011, 07:42 PM

What is the purpose of replacing your stock gauges with an iPhone? Just seems like all you did was lose a lot of stuff for no reason.

ninja250 · August 15th, 2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

What is the purpose of replacing your stock gauges with an iPhone? Just seems like all you did was lose a lot of stuff for no reason.

Exactly.
There was no reason to have all that stuff on my bike. lol
Plus I can sell the gauges and I think it looks better hollowed out up front.

subiegy2010 · August 15th, 2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja250

Exactly.
There was no reason to have all that stuff on my bike. lol
Plus I can sell the gauges and I think it looks better hollowed out up front.

o_O. I don't know, I guess I just find having a tachometer, odometer, and speedometer useful...

Snake · August 15th, 2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

What is the purpose of replacing your stock gauges with an iPhone? Just seems like all you did was lose a lot of stuff for no reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja250

Exactly.
There was no reason to have all that stuff on my bike. lol
Plus I can sell the gauges and I think it looks better hollowed out up front.

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

o_O. I don't know, I guess I just find having a tachometer, odometer, and speedometer useful...

Yea but he gained a clock in the process.

ninja250 · August 16th, 2011, 04:20 AM

My gear gauge has a built in fully adjustable SHift light that I am programming.
There is the Tach settled. It also has a neutral indicator.

I have the speedometer on the phone. (see the picture?)

I record my mileage on a piece of paper every time I get home.. (The phone has a trip meter)

Seriously I don't need the gauges for any reason.

Dead weight.

It's not a bad thing that I removed them for any reason either other than personal preference.

They looked "tachy". lol

I gained a hell of a lot more than just a clock my friends! It records video while being a dash and a GpS route recorder at the same time. I don't have to touch it while driving to make it happen. I can't, my thicker stunting gloves I've been using lately don't allow it. Have to stop the bike to take off a glove and do anything to the phone. I don't see the problem! =)

I do stunts and the phone doesn't move at all or fall off the bike.

"Smartdash"

Only thing I want to put back on is a temp gauge like Kkim had.

If you tempt me enough, I may develop an application that tells the temp on the iphone through peripheral hardware...

adri99an · August 16th, 2011, 07:49 AM

Not only that but it looks HOT

I want mine like that too-soon!

TBC · November 30th, 2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

The other day I realized how perfectly my iPhone fit under my windshield so I wanted to make a cheap mount so I could use it as GPS.

What app is that?

subiegy2010 · April 5th, 2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBC

What app is that?

Navigon

TBC · April 5th, 2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

Navigon

And holy crap is it expensive...

Havok · April 5th, 2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBC

And holy crap is it expensive...

Yea but its the only one that lets you download the maps to the phone. Its a great gps, i have been using it about a year now and i love it.

Dano · April 8th, 2012, 07:24 PM

holy crap $49.99 for a nav app! i mount my gps with a ram mount when i travel. i cant find a ram mount for my iphone 4 that works with my life proof phone case, its waterproof.

Dragonracer76 · March 25th, 2013, 05:13 PM

I know it's an old post but you want to consider the advantages to having your phone on your person. If you leave your bike in an accident, it's nice to not have to crawl to it to call for help. I keep mine in my riding pants for this reason.

August 8th, 2011, 05:49 PM	#1
subiegy2010 noob in training Name: Ilya Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (sold) '05 SV650S Posts: 175	Dashboard iPhone 4 Mount The other day I realized how perfectly my iPhone fit under my windshield so I wanted to make a cheap mount so I could use it as GPS. I already had velcro on my dashboard for my compass/clock/thermometer so I figured why not just buy a silicone case and put velcro on the sides to mount the iPhone right on the dash. If pushed down under the windshield far enough, the grip of the silicone against the windshield alone was strong enough to keep the iPhone in place, but I decided to add some velcro on the windshield anyway for added safety. Came out looking like this: The phone is pretty firmly in place and doesn't vibrate or move at all while hitting bumps on the road. It takes a good bit of effort to get it out from under the windshield so I'm not at all worried about it falling out. Again, the pressure of the windshield squeezing on the phone is mainly what keeps it from moving around, not the little pieces of velcro on top. Even when the top side of the phone is un-wedged, the phone still sits fairly securely on the bottom piece of velcro. Anyways, that was my spur of the moment boring Sunday afternoon idea/mini-project.

August 15th, 2011, 08:17 AM	#11
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	Chaching __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

August 16th, 2011, 04:20 AM	#16
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	My gear gauge has a built in fully adjustable SHift light that I am programming. There is the Tach settled. It also has a neutral indicator. I have the speedometer on the phone. (see the picture?) I record my mileage on a piece of paper every time I get home.. (The phone has a trip meter) Seriously I don't need the gauges for any reason. Dead weight. It's not a bad thing that I removed them for any reason either other than personal preference. They looked "tachy". lol I gained a hell of a lot more than just a clock my friends! It records video while being a dash and a GpS route recorder at the same time. I don't have to touch it while driving to make it happen. I can't, my thicker stunting gloves I've been using lately don't allow it. Have to stop the bike to take off a glove and do anything to the phone. I don't see the problem! =) I do stunts and the phone doesn't move at all or fall off the bike. "Smartdash" Only thing I want to put back on is a temp gauge like Kkim had. If you tempt me enough, I may develop an application that tells the temp on the iphone through peripheral hardware... __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

March 25th, 2013, 05:13 PM	#23
Dragonracer76 ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Cabot, AR Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 209	I know it's an old post but you want to consider the advantages to having your phone on your person. If you leave your bike in an accident, it's nice to not have to crawl to it to call for help. I keep mine in my riding pants for this reason. __________________________________________________ Beards make everything better. ATGATT

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August 8th, 2011, 05:57 PM	#2
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Nice, simple and effective. The only gripe i have with using a cell phone as a GPS unit is you'll run out of cell signal long before you hide yourself from a GPS satellite.

August 8th, 2011, 06:21 PM	#5
subiegy2010 noob in training Name: Ilya Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (sold) '05 SV650S Posts: 175	I use Navigon. The maps are on the phone. If I really wanted to I could also get a Powerlet and not have to worry about battery life. I just don't think its necessary right now.

August 15th, 2011, 07:42 PM	#12
subiegy2010 noob in training Name: Ilya Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (sold) '05 SV650S Posts: 175	What is the purpose of replacing your stock gauges with an iPhone? Just seems like all you did was lose a lot of stuff for no reason.

August 16th, 2011, 07:49 AM	#17
adri99an ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Donger Location: So CAL Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): "Is that a Ninjer 1000?" Posts: A lot.	Not only that but it looks HOT I want mine like that too-soon!

April 8th, 2012, 07:24 PM	#22
Dano ninjette.org sage Name: Dan Location: Perryopolis, PA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09' Blue Ninja 250R and 07' Honda 919 Posts: 605	holy crap $49.99 for a nav app! i mount my gps with a ram mount when i travel. i cant find a ram mount for my iphone 4 that works with my life proof phone case, its waterproof.