Hey --

Just picked up a new to me 08 40th Anniversary the other day, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to mount my iPhone to the dash.

I know there's the Pro-Clip, but it looks like it has this big ugly leg that goes down to the passenger footwell. (http://www.proclipusa.com/media/docu...pdf/853302.pdf) Is there something similar that doesn't have something so ugly?

Also, is anybody using their iPhone as their GPS? I am debating between a Garmin or some iPhone app. I'd like to keep the number of devices in the vehicle to a minimum though. Can someone recommend me a good turn by turn navigation app?

 

Just a fyi, the iphone's internal GPS suck if you are gonna use it for lap timing, anything else its ok.

 

I'm using the Navigon GPS app on my iPhone and love it! I wish Navigon made a PC version as I'm in the process of building a carputer. For now, I just stick my iPhone into the center gauge pod. With the case I'm using it's a snug fit and goes nowhere even over big bumps. It also puts the GPS screen right in front of you which is really nice! It does block the speedo but you have that on the GPS anyway. I've tried most of the iPhone GPS apps and the Navigon is the best by far, IMHO!

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panavise-InDash-...item20b1e1e518

That's what i use for my iphone. You need to find an iphone holder that mounts on it using two screws.
Remove the CD player, unscrew the two screws holding in the air vents, undo the two screws holding in the NAV housing, then place the mount and screw it all back in, solid mount.
I use Dynolisious when i'm tooling around with the car, this mount holds it steady and gives it accurate readings.

 

I enjoy my iPhone 3GS but would recommend a dedicated Garmin for automotive GPS.

 

If you don't mind putting a very small "button" on the back of your phone or case, then I'd check out tetrax.us products. They are very small and don't look bad in the car and it doesn't get any easier to dock/undock your phone.

 

I have a Droid, and made a mount for it using the car dock and a $0.40 piece of metal from the hardware store. I can try and get a pic of the install later, but basically you cut and bend the metal plate (a glavanized piece of steel used for making rafters, think 4" x 8" rectangle with holes in it) so it fits into the gap between the radio head unit surround and the rest of the dash trim. There is a screw behind the surround that holds the upper vents in place, as well as an alignment pin below that. It takes some persistence and trial and error, but I managed to make it with nothing but tin snips and a Vice-Grip. Bolt the mount of your choice to your new bracket and away you go: very, very secure mount and the windshield remains unblocked. Paint it black and it blends in nicely. I think there is a tutorial online somewhere with someone doing this for a VW, and that should have pictures.

 

There are these little kind of pad things at bestbuy its leather it sticks to like your dash or wherever you want it and the item will stick to the leather side of it. they look nice too.

 

Double check and see if your iphone causes audio interference with your head unit. My iphone causes an occasional annoying beep/brapp sound when it's close to the head unit (i.e.-adjacent to center HVAC vents, but not while in the center console). I went with a standalone GARMIN.

 

I currently use a discontinued DLO charger/holder that works pretty well. It can be used with or without a flexible extension.

That said, I'm about to make myself a dedicated iphone holder to replace my ashtray assembly. If it works out as plan, i might make a few of them if there is interest. I don't want to divulge anything else at this point until i get it built and all the bugs worked out.

I'll start a thread about it when i'm finished though.