Idea for convenient phone and GPS MP3 player mount

[Pilgrim]

I'm about to go on a 1400-mile round trip, and wanted a way to hold my HTC Hero phone so that I could use it conveniently with my new MP3 adapter.

I found a $5.99 phone holder on Ebay that came with a gooseneck mount which had a suction cup on the bottom. I knew the suction cup wouldn't stick to the brushed aluminum console on my 2007 Murano, but no problem - I planned to cut the suction cup off anyway.

How did I plan to mount it? On a wooden insert which I shaped to fit into the front storage cup on the left side of the console. My cell phone and our TomTom One GPS are both about the same size, so the holder will carry either one. But my phone has a GPS built in, so I may not need the TomTom - my wife can use it.

First, I removed the front storage cup from the console in the Murano. (Handy that they pull out, isn't it?)

Next, I found a short piece of 2x4 and trimmed it with a bandsaw so that it was close to the needed dimensions.

Next, I used a rotating sanding disc to sand it to size, using the actual cup to determine when the fit was right.

By the way - for this process, I can heartily recommend a Shopsmith which has all the tools you need...in this photo the bandsaw is on the left, sanding disc is next to the central cutting table...



And here's a look at the wood piece sitting next to the cup from the console...note that I have already drilled a hole in top of the wood block to mount the metal core of the gooseneck:



Here's a look at the gooseneck metal core:



I used J-B Quick Weld to secure the metal core in the wood block..I may spray some black paint on it just to pretty it up.

And the result!



This holds the phone at a very nice - and adjustable - angle where it's easy to work with. There's also a cutaway on the bottom of the clamp-style holder so I can have the phone's 12V adapter plugged in while it's mounted. The earphone hole is at the top of the phone, so I can plug in the MP# adapter as well.

I'll be giving this a 4-day trial within the month!

[Pilgrim]

After testing this device on a 1400-mile round trip, my wife found that it stuck up too far and got in her way when trying to reach the shift knob.

So - I shortened it about 50%. Just cut off the original mount at the wood, drilled out the stub, cut down the bendable metal shaft and cover, then mixed fresh 4-Minute JB Weld and secured the metal shaft back in the wood block. You may also note that I painted the wood a semi-gloss black so that it isn't noticed. Worked nicely.

Here's the result (two views):

[Warhammer]

That's usin' the 'ol noggin!

[Pilgrim]

You can have one too, for $5.99 on Ebay and more time than it's worth to make the wood block fit (if you have to use hand tools).

[Pilgrim]

Sub'd so I can find the thread again.

[mburdett]

Pilgrim - thanks for the post. This is a tremendous idea. I did exactly what you laid out (including the black semi-gloss paint) and it came out great. I just got a new smartphone that I use as an MP3 player and this was the perfect solution. I found a cradle on eBay for $7.00 (and that included a phone charger as well).