Went out for the 1st real ride with a [url= http://www.boxit.net/engine.php?cat=327 ]Boxit[/url] 'phone holder thing for my HTC Hero.
All was well (oh, and Viewranger is fantastic) until the descent from Matlock Moor down towards Matlock Bank.
The bar mount snapped sending the unit to ground kinda hard. It had been wagging up and down (technical terms) previously, and I think it was just too much for the plastic. The 'phone survived but the box and of course the mount are knackered.
So I'm assuming I'll get it replaced, but to tell the truth I may have trouble trusting it again. So, is there an alternative that you guys could recommend? In which case I may just go for a refund.
If not, any suggestions as to how I can secure it a little better?
Or, any other suggestions for mounting a 'phone on the bar for use with GPS?
Because I am sold on having GPS and OS on the bar, it was so cool to ride a new area without the constant map checking to do. And of course OS has all that extra info, disused mine, tumulus, that sort of thing, that adds some local interest to the ride.
Cheers gang,
APF
Hi,
In general the Boxit case is very good (unfortunately me Desire won't fit in it! ), however I was never convinced by the mount.
I just cable tied it to the bars! Worked really well, but a pain if you want to swap it between bikes. in ended up just buying a case for each bike.
Regards
I use one of the motorbike/bike cases from [url= http://www.ultimate-mobiles.co.uk/mobile-phones/htc/htc-desire-accessories/motorcycle-bicycle-holders/pro-motorcycle-case___687.htm ]Ultimate Mobiles[/url].. it's a lot sturdier than a BoxIt (went through several of their mounts) and relatively water resistant.
life time warrenty says at the bottom of that link mate.
life time warrenty says at the bottom of that link mate.
The BoxIt? Yeah, I enquired about getting the mount replaced, but you had to sent it back to Italy.
Plus by then I didn't really have any confidence in the mount, and I'd also just switched to a phone that didn't fit the case.
The UM case in my link has a much more rugged mount as it seems to have been initially designed for use on motorbikes..
Just had a reply from Boxit. They'll replace it, but want me to pay the postage, to bloody Portugal!
Not good enough really, I'd advice against getting one, going to look at the Ultimate Mobiles one. Looks better, and it's cheaper 🙂
Frogstomp, can you operate the touch screen with it ok?
And does that flexible ball-socket mount stay in place when giving it some down hill?
And does it offer any sort of protection for the 'phone in case of an off?
Thanks for the help,
Alex
Alex.. the touch screen on my Desire works fine with it.
The ball socket is pretty secure - if I remember correctly you can tighten up any slack in it..
The case is reasonably padded, but I use a rubber case with my phone as well for that extra bit of protection. It also helps to not overtighten the clamp on the bars so it gets knocked out of the way rather than absorbing all of the force of an impact.
OK, top tips Frogstomp, reckon I'll go for one. Just got to get my money back from these Boxit shysters now.
Thanks for the advice pal,
Alex
Alex,
I can confirm the ultimate mobile case will protect your phone. My Desire survived three high speed falls onto tarmac in it.
However the reason for the falls were due to it coming out of the bike mount. Like i did with the Boxit I just cable tie the mount to the stem instead. I would add though that was only on the road bike, it never dislodged itself while on the mtb. I think the front suspension, even off road, is enough to stop that happening.
Regards
So, Spangles (and were they really that great?), you've had the case separate from the mount on Ultimate Mobile system, but you reckon only on a road bike?
How come? Even with a soft fork at 140, the bar's going like the clappers. How can that be easier than a road bike?
Frogstomp, ever had any problem with yours coming loose on more vigorous descents?
I really appreciate your help guys, want the next system I get to be more trustworthy.
Alex
Alex,
I think it is just due to the road bike having no suspension so any big hits go right through the mount. I dare say if you bottomed out your suspension hard enough it could knock it off the mount. However I am wuss and never bottom out my 100mm of Giant Anthem suspension.
Regards
p.s Spangels were greeeat!
OK, UM back in the lead 🙂
APF