Magsafe phone mount for driver and passenger

[un1teee]

Does anyone have any recommendations on a Magsafe phone mount (preferably with power) that can be mounted on the dash (or somewhere accessible), one for the driver, one for the passenger? I'd like to avoid using a vent mounted system. My search didn't reveal anything obvious for what I'm looking for.

[Boxster1971]

Go to ProClip web site. They have the brackets and Magsafe powered phone mounts. I have one on driver side and it works great. They make brackets for both driver and passenger side

https://www.proclipusa.com/

[JimMartin]

I have tried both ProClip and OffRoam powered magsafe mounts. I really like the mounting system on the OffRoam. It's compact and mounts very securely to the dash:
https://getoffroam.com/products/magn...nter-2019-2023

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by JimMartin

I have tried both ProClip and OffRoam powered magsafe mounts. I really like the mounting system on the OffRoam. It's compact and mounts very securely to the dash:
https://getoffroam.com/products/magn...nter-2019-2023

Thanks for sharing your experience. That is a nice looking mount. It is a bit more expensive than the similar ProClip mount I have. But this OffRoam looks more flexible.

[ylwjacket]

my wife bought a thing from Amazon that fits in the cupholder. It is powered, and does wireless charging for the phone mount. The best thing is that those pop out cup holders aren't good for anything, as things tip, but this holds a cup of coffee securely, while letting me see and charge my phone. the downside is only 1 will fit in there, because it's kinda large.

[69SoulShine]

I have swapped over in all my vehicles and my boat to this. They've been working great since last year.
I use the stick on mount.
https://a.co/d/9sGjqOA

[un1teee]

I will check these out. Where are you getting power from? Have you been able to hide the cables?

[69SoulShine]

Originally Posted by un1teee

I will check these out. Where are you getting power from? Have you been able to hide the cables?

They come with a charging wire. I bought some shorter ones to fit my locations better. I also bought one that came with an extension Bracket to work with my F350 because of location issues. I have thought about using some stick on cable management clips, but haven't gotten around to it.

[69SoulShine]

That bracket will fit on the fixed mount or the vent mount.

[69SoulShine]

This bracket

[JimMartin]

I didn't like having the charger and cables laying out and having dogs and our feet getting caught in the them and ripping them out.
Here's my first attempt with ProClip mounts and cables going everywhere:


I wanted the chargers to look like they were integrated, not tacked on afterwards. The solution was to pop off the cup holder on the center console.


(Charger power connector highlighted)

I ran the charging cables down along the dash trim, then drilled a couple of holes along the back of the console so I could feed the cables under the console (the holes are hidden when the cup holder is reinstalled).
I split the power going to the built in 12v charger using wago connectors and hid another charger inside the console.




The charger plugs into the hidden charger and the entire thing is accessible via the panel on the driver's side where you access the positive cut off switch for the 12 chassis power


And here is what it looks like today (Using OffRoam mounts with ProClip chargers):

[StogieMan]

One thing to note is that the OP has a 2018 Sprinter which is a NCV3 model from years 2006-2018 and some of the recommended products are for newer Sprinters VS30’s model years 2019 & newer so those may not fit the NCV3’s. The NCV3 has a funky weird setup that makes it tough to find a proper phone mount.

I have had many phone mounts on our NCV3 and till this day not completely satisfied with any one of them. The closest were the Pro Clips but my side just kept getting in the shifters way and the one on my wife’s side was tilted away from here so I tried to modify it and flip it but it was still bit too hard to see the screen for her. Trust me when I say that I have had plenty of phone chargers and many went back to Amazon. Recently, I took another dab at it, ordered six different mounts and temporarily settled on the cheap linked mount that I attached to the middle cup holders. It still allows us to put two drinks down in that area and I can see my phone when I need to.

Prior, I did install two 12v chargers in the small cubby section on each side. One for the wife and one for me. Mine is attached to house batteries and the Alpine radio and always on when the radio is on. My wife’s side is only on when the van is on and attached to the chassis battery.

So far this is working until I can finally find a comfortable phone mount solution. I will have to admit that it’s really hard to find a charger that will work and be able to attach it to a secure location on these NCV3’s. I have been trying for the past nine years and yet to find it. I absolutely avoid any mounts that attach to the vents as they will eventually break the fins at some point.

Actually, another thing that the OP should consider is adding some additional 12V outlets to charge the phones as there really isn’t any convenient options if you don’t want phone cords hanging.

I might try the center dash Pro Clip mount too see if it doesn’t interfere with the Alpine radio.


Phone Mount:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1


Pro Clip Center Dash Mount:
https://www.proclipusa.com/products/...nter-2007-2018


Edit to add: I just ordered the Pro Clip Center Dash Mount along with a their recommended iPhone holder. I'll report back once I receive it and use it.

[JimMartin]

Originally Posted by StogieMan

One thing to note is that the OP has a 2018 Sprinter which is a NCV3 model from years 2006-2018 and some of the recommended products are for newer Sprinters VS30’s model years 2019 & newer so those may not fit the NCV3’s....

Ugh! I missed that. Yea, completely different dash with different possible mount points. OffRoam has mounting kits for the 2007-2018 models but they aren't the same as the ones I referenced: https://getoffroam.com/collections/m...8-phone-mounts

Like you, I am not 100% happy with any of the solutions I've come up with so far, but I am (slowly) making progress.

[StogieMan]

Originally Posted by JimMartin

Ugh! I missed that. Yea, completely different dash with different possible mount points. OffRoam has mounting kits for the 2007-2018 models but they aren't the same as the ones I referenced: https://getoffroam.com/collections/m...8-phone-mounts

Like you, I am not 100% happy with any of the solutions I've come up with so far, but I am (slowly) making progress.

No worries Jim as I know you’re trying to help the OP and everyone else and greatly appreciate it. That one sounds promising and I just ordered it too to see which one can work for me.

Thanks for link!

[SuperTrouper]

I bought one of these a few years ago for a cross country motorcycle trip and I was so impressed that I converted the rest of my vehicles and even my desk at home with Quadlock chargers. A bit expensive but a solid locking mechanism yet easy to place and remove. All mine have wireless chargers and i use them with an iPhone with a Quadlock case. Plenty of mounting options. https://www.quadlockcase.com/

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by JimMartin

I didn't like having the charger and cables laying out and having dogs and our feet getting caught in the them and ripping them out. . .

I wanted the chargers to look like they were integrated, not tacked on afterwards. The solution was to pop off the cup holder on the center console. . .

. . . I ran the charging cables down along the dash trim, then drilled a couple of holes along the back of the console so I could feed the cables under the console (the holes are hidden when the cup holder is reinstalled).
I split the power going to the built in 12v charger using wago connectors and hid another charger inside the console. . .

. . . And here is what it looks like today (Using OffRoam mounts with ProClip chargers):

Nice work Jim! You have inspired me to clean up my cable mess.

[hikingcamera]

One thing worth mentioning here, I have found that the MagSafe charging overheats my iPhone 13 Mini to the point that it starts dropping the Apple CarPlay connection. It doesn't always, but longer rides with sun shining in on it contribute to this happening. I use a RAM Mount that holds a genuine Apple MagSafe charger. I use the BuiltRight dash mounting system in my F-150 for it, along with my backup camera and tire pressure monitor.

I end up unplugging the MagSafe cable so that it is not charging wireless (and plug in the wireless charger) on longer trips where I need navigation more. I find if I don't need navigation, or on shorter trips, or on colder, less sunny days, it works okay.

My next purchase will be a non MagSafe mount. I have a Peak Design case for my Phone and use a bicycle mount for it, so I've been considering theirs. They have a non-charging version that works with my case, or a wireless charging version that should work with any device. They are expensive, but Peak Design does build quality stuff and guarantees their products.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by hikingcamera

One thing worth mentioning here, I have found that the MagSafe charging overheats my iPhone 13 Mini to the point that it starts dropping the Apple CarPlay connection. It doesn't always, but longer rides with sun shining in on it contribute to this happening. I use a RAM Mount that holds a genuine Apple MagSafe charger. I use the BuiltRight dash mounting system in my F-150 for it, along with my backup camera and tire pressure monitor.

I end up unplugging the MagSafe cable so that it is not charging wireless (and plug in the wireless charger) on longer trips where I need navigation more. I find if I don't need navigation, or on shorter trips, or on colder, less sunny days, it works okay.

My next purchase will be a non MagSafe mount. I have a Peak Design case for my Phone and use a bicycle mount for it, so I've been considering theirs. They have a non-charging version that works with my case, or a wireless charging version that should work with any device. They are expensive, but Peak Design does build quality stuff and guarantees their products.

Thanks for the info. I have not seen this problem using MagSafe charging with my iPhone 13 Pro Max. I just ordered a Peak Design case for my iPhone as the old one is trashed. Good to know they are a quality product.

[StogieMan]

Finally - some success with the phone holder on a NCV3 van!

The Pro Clip Center Dash mount seems to be one that can work comfortably and I can live with in harmony.

It doesn’t completely block the vent or gets in the way of the Alpine Head unit. It’s sturdy enough with no unwanted play or movement.

I also received the OffRoam one today but it doesn’t fit because of the added Airstream faux trim work and the Sprinter cubby door. Without both it would’ve fit and worked.

Currently on a two hour trip up to the mountains and liking it very much.

[Wende-2012AI]

I’ll second this unit… outstanding performance