Holding phone in car

[Bob Williams]

I bought a device 2 years ago which was supposed to hold my phone, have not used it until I got the iX20 3 months ago:

Unfortunately, it has decided to release the phone, which then flies around the car until finding the floor. On checking, I found that the spring had broken and the catch inside then releases after the vibration of travel shakes it. I would like another such device, but one which attaches to the window in the same way. Any advice guys?

The phone survived, thanks to a good cover.

Thanks to all who reply. Cheers, Bob.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Richard]

I use a shirt pocket mark I where it is out of sight and not a temptation to use it or interact with it, so I cannot help you. Any call answering is done via a Bluetooth headset which allows for almost hands free operation where ever I am, out dog walking or in a shop for example. In fact without the headset I have no idea how to answer a call. The MK I shirt pocket ensures the phone goes with me when I move about.

I have found many such gismos are built to a minimal price rather than to the highest standard so I might be reluctant to on-pass details of any I knew about. I suspect this affected your previous example.

[PlaneMan]

Bob, I have one similar, not sure if it would work for you but it’s redundant now.  Used it in my 2012 Swift a few times, never budged or let my phone slip once even though it’s a bit of monster.

Yours if you want it.

[D-Dan]

Hate to be the nay sayer, but I believe that using a phone, regardless of how, whilst driving is a big no no. Despite holding a driving licence for more than 30 years, I choose not to drive now, simply because there are too many people on the road not paying attention to the road. Unfortunately, as a pedestrian, I’m still at risk by those same, inconsiderate people.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[blacklion1725]

I agree about distraction but used as a satnav/traffic monitor the phone can me used in-car safely in my opinion. I generally use Google Maps overlaid with TomTom Speed Carmeras, and the phone itself connects to the in-car stereo via bluetooth. I have the Shouter app enabled, which reads out notifications and if needs be you can pull over to respond. I’m in total agreement about the ****heads driving while checking facebook etc – but the phone does serve a purpose if used properly – and mounting it securely helps that.

As an aside I always use an air-vent mount, find it less distracting (lower height), leaves no marks and never comes loose.

[dwynnehugh]

Whilst there are many in-car distractions at least hands free at the moment is legal but don’t try to send texts. The idiots that REALLY irk me are those, mainly youngster, who must either have their boom boxes at 150dB or failing that have their ears clogged up with two little wires leading to cotton bugs in their ears. Similarly cyclist who use headphones when cycling.  This is something I would happily vote to make illegal in the interests of road safety.

The more you meet people the more you understand why Noah took animals instead of humans

[The Duke]

I send text via voice. It’s recognition is better than my spelling anyhow.

Most of the time it’s just yes or not to a text, if I need more I’ll usually   just say ”OK google, call [person].

EE in all their wisdom, decided to set call and data baring on my phone, and my phone alone. yesterday. Made it hard to contact them given I could call or get online.

Luckily we had 3 other phones that wasn’t bared. So I could hot spot my phone form their for my sat nav, and Tom Tom app.

Spent about an hour this morning on The super quick 3mb Internet I have! In the end the only way to contact ee was via Facebook messenger. And to my suprise it was a great experience. And they sorted it with in 5 mins of my initial text.

[tadka]

On my recent holiday I was using my sister’s phone holder similar to this one. Very easy to use and will be getting one for myself.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-360-in-Car-Windscreen-Dashboard-Holder-Mount-For-GPS-Mobile-Phone-New/173368151899?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D52543%26meid%3Df352456b72044e5798c6b62b8cefbede%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D272863055919%26itm%3D173368151899&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

[JayCeeDee]

blacklion1725 wrote:

I generally use Google Maps overlaid with TomTom Speed Carmeras, and the phone itself connects to the in-car stereo via bluetooth.

 

I’ve just come back from a cousin’s wedding and have been trying to integrate Android Auto, which it did in the 18 plate loan car that I used. The only problem was that AA needed a phone connection to update map/progress and when it did that it obliterated TT Speed Cameras from the phone screen and just displayed Google Maps  ( or the option of Waze ) on the integrated car screen and an Android Auto “label screen on the phone.

How do you set up Google Maps “overlaid” with TT Speed Cameras??

Edit – I’ve got it overlaid on the phone screen, but AA just takes over the in-car screen. Was that what you meant, or did you get TTSC onto the car’s screen too??

[Bob Williams]

For some reason, my first attempt at posting has died.

Nolan: generous offer, I have PM’d you, thank you.

tadka: that looks good and I will send the link to my son, who bought the same defective item I did.

Dan: I do not allow the phone to distract me. If I am in busy traffic and get a call, I say that I will call them back. Otherwise, on a quiet road, I will answer. Family know that, if SWMBO and I are out driving somewhere, they call mum’s phone. I see the ability to use the phone hands free as a bonus. Following Google directions is also a breeze, compared to the Satnav.

Steve: I currently have 2.5 to 3.5 Mbps Download at home, on my FTTC service. Plusnet supply has fallen over and they are trying to fix it. Openreach are always messing with our cabinet, we are all sick of the poor service here.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[The Duke]

Jcd  all I do is launch he TT app, then there is a small menu botton right, select the minimise option. That give you the overlay of your speed and the actual limit. Then open your mapping option of choice.

Works a treat. If Google just implemented it in maps there would be no need to run two apps. There is no reason they dont as their other say nav Waze has it. I just prefer the way Google maps sets out its lane info  better than any of the others. It’s clear at a glance. The others seem to to an extra second to get the info across. Not good when coming off/on to motorways.

[Bob Williams]

Steve said:

” I just prefer the way Google maps sets out its lane info better than any of the others. It’s clear at a glance. The others seem to to an extra second to get the info across. Not good when coming off/on to motorways. ”

I agree with that, Google gave me a clear map and no gaps, for every journey I made in Suffolk.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[PlaneMan]

JCD, i’ll give the TomTom speed camera app a whirl on Android Auto tomorrow, see how it works in my car.

[PlaneMan]

TT speed camera doesn’t work on Android Auto. It still runs on the phone but isn’t mirrored onto the infotainment screen.

Only Google or Apple sat nav apps work on Android Auto/ Apple car play.

[JayCeeDee]

I suspected that would be the case PM – thanks for trying for me.

They’re missing out as TTSC is my go to driving app – the one that I always want working – it’s accurate, simple to read/use, includes your average speed through the average speed camera’d sections of roads/motorways, gives accurate information about the length of the traffic jam you’re sitting in etc, etc, it just keeps on performing.

Having said that, I did like the integration of Android Auto into the in car display along with the option of Google Maps or Waze. I preferred GM because it already had a lot of my contacts, destinations etc, from where I check things out on the PC.

Edit – that’s moot at the moment, as I’ve now got my car back along with a very big bill this time around!! I will be bearing what app works well with what display as I’m looking to PX it next March/April when the new reg’s come out and there are a lot of 2 or 3 year old trade-ins around.

[Bob Williams]

Further to my Post #23380 above about speeds dropping:

I have had nothing more from Plusnet except a ‘Ticket Number’ and this:

Broadband Troubleshooter started

” Now you’ve confirmed your contact details and telephone number your broadband is supplied on, we need to ask you some questions about your problem.

We’ll save your answers for 14 days, so you can come back if you don’t have time to answer everything now. ”

They have until tomorrow, then I ask what they have done/are doing. Speeds have crept slowly up to 4.3Mbps Down, staying around 50Mbps Up.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Author]

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