# Cell phone stand for the car **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 9, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383 "2016-05-09T11:57:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/1 "2016-05-09T11:57:11Z")
I just got a new phone; I need a car stand for it, and I’m torn. My last one was a complete disaster, one of those with the suction cup which is supposed to hold it to the windshield or the dashboard. It never stuck properly and was a constant torment. This one has got to work; I’ve got all the frustration I can handle right now. LOL! Research has shown that my choices are basically another (hopefully better) suction cup, or a vent clip. There are also CD player clips, but my CD player is in the console, so no good. The phone is a Galaxy S7 in case it matters. Do you love or hate your stand? What has worked for you and what hasn’t? Any recommendations or warnings are appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/2 "2016-05-09T12:32:41Z")
I’ve used a [Magic Mount](http://www.scosche.com/magic-mount-cell-phone-holder-tablet-mount) system for a year or two now and really like it. I have the window mount and the suction cup has only failed me in -40c weather. There are a few different mounting options so you can choose the one best suited to your needs. I have the metal plate between my phone and case and it works very well. I like that I can just touch the phone to the mount and it stays until I pull it off again. No fiddling with grips is a big plus. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/3 "2016-05-09T13:20:49Z")
Beware of suction cups that attach to your dashboard. I’ve seen Amazon reviews in which these were used on dashboards that were skinned foam, and they sucked the skin right off of the dashboard, exposing the foam underneath. Wife has [this vent mount from Belkin.](http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8M879/) Well built, fits many/most/all phones. Includes little rubber grips behind it to hang onto your charging cable. The vent grip has a wide opening and a skinny opening, depending on what you’re trying to grab with it. So far it’s worked pretty good in four different cars. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/4 "2016-05-09T13:35:19Z")
I have a vent clip [like this one](http://www.amazon.com/JEBSENS-Universal-SmartPhone-Smartphone-Handbag/dp/B00OTHWPS0/). There a dozens of companies that sell this exact clip. It’s dirt cheap, and it does what it’s supposed to do. Common problem: the internal plastic tab that holds the tension in the spring mechanism _will_ snap off eventually, at which point I just threw a rubber band around the whole thing; problem solved (and now infinitely repairable). ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/5 "2016-05-09T14:20:55Z")
Your Galaxy S7 supports wireless charging. The steel plate is likely to interfere with this if you are using that ability. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/6 "2016-05-09T15:50:30Z")
I highly recommend the Ram Mount. It’s a modular system with a ton of options. I use the suction cup mount with an X-grip. It sticks really well because it has a cam lock which maximizes the suction. I do occasionally need to reapply it when there’s a lot of temperature variation, but this only comes out to once every several weeks or months. > **[RAM® Mounts | Best Phone, Tablet and Laptop Mounts for Cars and Trucks](https://rammount.com/)** > > RAM® Mounts is the industry leader in rugged motorcycle and car phone mounts, rugged tablet mounts for trucks, forklift mounts, and more. Find the perfect device mount for your car, truck, motorcycle, plane, forklift, snowmobile & many more. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/7 "2016-05-09T20:43:40Z")
I keep reading this as “Cell phone stand for the **cat**.” ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/8 "2016-05-10T00:50:28Z")
I highly, \*highly \*recommend products from **[Proclipusa.com](https://www.proclipusa.com/)** They are not the cheapest but they are not universal mounts, they are specifically designed for individual phone models (iPhone & Samsung at least). They also sell mounting brackets that are also specifically tailored for most vehicles and install easily. Don’t waste your time with suction cups, they never work for cellphone holders, only for things you don’t ever remove (like GPS). ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/9 "2016-05-10T01:33:17Z")
Thanks all! Great information here. Those of you who have vent mounts - do you find it’s a problem in Winter when the heat is on? I worry about my phone overheating. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/10 "2016-05-10T03:36:54Z")
We have [this one](http://smile.amazon.com/iOttie-Windshield-Dashboard-Holder-Packaging/dp/B007FHX9OK?ie=UTF8&keywords=cell%20phone%20car%20mount%20iottie&qid=1462851199&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3). Coming loose from the windshield has NOT been a problem. Well, it has, in that when I _wanted_ to move it, it was NOT happening - that thing was stuck for good. It did finally come loose after about 2 years - and then, despite the instructions to rinse the silicone under hot water to refresh it, it never stuck again. Having gotten 2 good years out of it, I simply bought a new one. [This kind of thing sounds interesting](http://smile.amazon.com/IPOW-Silicone-Holder-Samsung-Black%7FTable/dp/B018JIF2XO?ie=UTF8&keywords=cell%20phone%20car%20mount&qid=1462851153&ref_=sr_1_13&sr=8-13) but the “English” the description is written is so utterly atrocious that I would avoid it on principle. ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/11 "2016-05-10T07:01:59Z")
I use a Belkin model with my iPhone 6 that connects to the cigarette lighter via a 5" flexible neck to a charger stand that can rotate to portrait or landscape. Depending on your dashboard configuration, this may or may not work for you. Your case needs to have the bottom completely open too. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/12 "2016-05-10T07:24:26Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > There are also CD player clips, but my CD player is in the console, so no good. You still use a CD player? There should be a way you can play music from your phone through your car stereo. Then you can ditch the CD player. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/13 "2016-05-10T07:40:14Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > You still use a CD player? There should be a way you can play music from your phone through your car stereo. Then you can ditch the CD player. Having a CD player does not equal using a CD player. Don’t all cars still come with a CD player as standard? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/14 "2016-05-10T12:16:54Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Thanks all! Great information here. > > Those of you who have vent mounts - do you find it’s a problem in Winter when the heat is on? I worry about my phone overheating. In the winter, the heat is delivered through the floor vents; otherwise my feet get cold. No heat through the dashboard vents, so no problem for the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/15 "2016-05-10T12:19:24Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Having a CD player does not equal using a CD player. Don’t all cars still come with a CD player as standard? Yes. My MY2013 car has a in-dash CD player, but I have never used it. It’s also low on the dashboard, so not the best place for a phone; I would rather have my phone high, up near the top of the dashboard. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/16 "2016-05-10T12:20:36Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Those of you who have vent mounts - do you find it’s a problem in Winter when the heat is on? I worry about my phone overheating. I close that vent. And it’s usually on floor/defrost anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/17 "2016-05-10T12:43:33Z")
I use a beanbag mount. Throw it up on the dash, and put the phone in the claws. It works anywhere, no suction cups to slip off and it fits any number of phones and gps units. > **[Amazon.com: ChargerCity "Claw-X Nonslip Smartphone Beanbag Friction Mount for...](https://www.amazon.com/ChargerCity-Nonslip-Smartphone-Beanbag-Friction/dp/B014VWM1F4)** > > Amazon.com: ChargerCity "Claw-X Nonslip Smartphone Beanbag Friction Mount for All Smartphones up to 4" Wide Like Galaxy S22 S23 Flip iPhone 15 14 13 12 PRO MAX (Fits Pop Out Case) : Cell Phones & Accessories ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/18 "2016-05-11T10:39:48Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > You still use a CD player? There should be a way you can play music from your phone through your car stereo. Then you can ditch the CD player. Oh Honey, it’s soooooo, much worse than that! I had to buy one of these in order to load mp3s: [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFVG9XO/ref=pd\_lpo\_sbs\_dp\_ss\_3?pf\_rd\_p=1944687662&pf\_rd\_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf\_rd\_t=201&pf\_rd\_i=B00006B9QD&pf\_rd\_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf\_rd\_r=1RGWZ4FHN83SET0NPPKZ](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFVG9XO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00006B9QD&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1RGWZ4FHN83SET0NPPKZ) :eek: The CD Player is actually a CD Jukebox, of the type that were considered a massive luxury back in 2006 when it was built. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-stand-for-the-car/754383/19 "2016-05-11T12:18:19Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Your Galaxy S7 supports wireless charging. The steel plate is likely to interfere with this if you are using that ability. Any mount that involves a magnet or magnetic materials can also affect the built-in compass, which may or may not be important to you. Some apps (typically those involving [url=[Augmented reality - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality)]augmented reality) make use of the compass, and won’t work properly without it. If you don’t have (or plan to have) any such apps, then this may not be a showstopper.