There is no place where I can safely store my iPhone 6 Plus while driving, without leaving it in a bag. It does not comfortably fit in any of my pockets, and the car does not even have a single cup holder between the seats. It pretty much stays in a bag, and I have to take it out every time the need calls for it. And then hold it. That's not very safe nor very convenient.
In my case, the best option is a smartphone car mount. I could easily place it on the middle of the dash. My iPhone 6 Plus would work great for navigation, and I would not have to hold it to see who is calling or what notifications I have received the rest of the time. A long-term test of Montar Universal Car Mount, over the course of a couple of months, reveals it to be just want I need.
This car mount is designed to fit smartphones of all sizes, with its maker claiming that it can hold devices with a screen size of up to 6 inches. My iPhone 6 Plus is easily kept in place, even with a case on; Montar Universal Car Mount could hold an even wider handset, as there is quite a bit of room left.
Montar Universal Car Mount can be placed just about anywhere you want, as long as there is a large-enough flat surface for the base to attach to. I have it on the middle of my car's dash, but it can be placed just as well on the windscreen, upside down. I prefer the former position, because it keeps my iPhone 6 Plus closer to me, making things easier to read on the screen.
The car mount comes with a built-in suction cup, which has proved to be extremely effective. It basically sticks like glue -- the maker claims to have patented it, touting it as the strongest suction cup in the world. I am not sure how accurate that claim is, but I have no doubt that the car mount will stay in place no matter what. It is also washable, which comes in handy when re-fitting it.
In the box, there is a 3mm film that is provided so that the suction cup can work more effectively with all sorts of surfaces. The suction cup can be engaged with a small lever, which does not get in the way of mounting the smartphone.
The coolest thing about Montar Universal Car Mount is the ball head with extendable arms. The ball head allows you to have the arms in any direction you would want your phone to be in; fastening the nut around it will lock it in that position. It has not moved at all in the months I have used it, which is quite impressive for something made out of plastic.
The two arms that keep your smartphone can be extended, albeit with a fair bit of effort on your end. You can try to mount your smartphone with a single hand, but it is much, much easier with two. The arms have rubber on the inside, so your smartphone will not get scratched or move at all. I am raving about it, I know, but I could see this car mount working fine even on a bike's tank. But this is another test for another time.
If you want to get one, you will have to shell out just $29.99 for a Montar Universal Car Mount from the company's site. Shipping is free, internationally, which is a huge plus. You can also get it from Amazon. Thanks to its excellent build quality, it comes highly recommended.
Photo Credit: Mihaita Bamburic