Kensington's Sound-Amplified Car Mount for iPhone

Michael Johnston · October 23rd, 2009, 02:36 AM

The Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone is a car mount that's specifically designed to be used with a turn-by-turn GPS navigation app. What makes this mount special is that the cradle acoustically amplifies your iPhone's speaker so that GPS instructions can be heard clearly. It comes with a windshield mount, vent mount, and four sets of rubber inserts that work with any iPhone, with or without a case.

There are two separate mounting types which the cradle can be attached to. Both the windshield and vent mounts hold the cradle quite well, but I definitely recommend the windshield mount over the vent mount.

The windshield mount uses a lockable suction cup that's incredibly secure and simple to attach to your windshield. I like it because it uses a flexible neck which bends at any point and stays there relatively well. This means that you can easily adjust it to the perfect viewing angle.

The vent mount securely hooks onto most air vents with spring-loaded clips. There is one ball joint that allows you to change the viewing angle of the cradle and it's surprisingly rugged. Most vent mounts don't work well but this one is solid. Again, I recommend the windshield mount, but if you can't mount something to your windshield, it works quite well.

The cradle has been designed to accommodate the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and the iPhone 3GS without any adjustments. A spring-loaded clamp holds your device securely and only requires one hand to insert or remove your phone. Kensington also touts the cradle's ability to hold an iPhone even when it's in a case. I found that my iPhone sat comfortably in the cradle even while it was in an Incase Slider. Just be advised that each case is different so your mileage may vary.

The cradle also rotates 180 degrees for landscape viewing in either direction. The actual rotation mechanism seems to be sturdily made since it's part of the cradle, not the mounting armatures.

Of course the most important feature is the sound amplification. I found that the cradle does, in fact, increase speaker volume enough to hear GPS instructions; even on the highway. It does this by acoustically redirecting speaker audio through the bottom of the cradle and out the left side. Rubber inserts sized to fit the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and iPhone with or without a case are provided to create a seal around the speaker. These worked pretty well with my Slider, although you'll get the best sound amplification without a case.

For those who plug their iPhone into their car's stereo system, this mount also allows access to both the dock connector and headphone jack.

Overall, the Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone is an incredibly well made car mount. I can definitely tell that Kensington put a lot of thought into this product. It's a must-have for anybody with a GPS navigation app on their iPhone. I highly recommend it.

Shutterrelease · October 23rd, 2009, 06:25 AM #2

Dang, I just bought a mount too. Wish I had seen this.

caseypearson · October 24th, 2009, 09:06 AM #3

I've been looking for a good car mount also.... the one thing I missed in this post was the price? Was it decent?

Michael Johnston · October 24th, 2009, 02:55 PM #4

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseypearson

I've been looking for a good car mount also.... the one thing I missed in this post was the price? Was it decent?

Price is right there... $39.99

caseypearson · October 24th, 2009, 04:13 PM #5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Johnston

Price is right there... $39.99

Sorry about that... there wasn't an image gallery or website/price when I viewed the article. Sounds like one of the best mounts i've seen for GPS... I think it is going to be a purchase. thanks!

ninjaveggie · **podcast quality?** - November 1st, 2009, 05:04 AM #6

Many thanks for this great review. Just one question - do you think the sound amplification is good enough for me to listen to my favourite podcasts while driving? I would like to ditch my FM transmitter if possible. Thanks for your advice! John

Michael Johnston · November 1st, 2009, 05:41 PM #7

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjaveggie

Many thanks for this great review. Just one question - do you think the sound amplification is good enough for me to listen to my favourite podcasts while driving? I would like to ditch my FM transmitter if possible. Thanks for your advice! John

I believe I listened to a podcast while testing the product at some point and I didn't have too much trouble hearing it. Just be sure you get a good seal around the speaker (i.e. don't use a case).

dnross · November 16th, 2009, 09:29 AM

Hi Michael

I live in the UK and would love to buy one of these! I cannot find any stockists who actually have one in US yet - let alone UK. Do you know when it will be released or can you point me in the right direction.

Many thanks

David

Michael Johnston · November 16th, 2009, 01:40 PM #9

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnross

Hi Michael

I live in the UK and would love to buy one of these! I cannot find any stockists who actually have one in US yet - let alone UK. Do you know when it will be released or can you point me in the right direction.

Many thanks

David

I don't have any idea when it'll start shipping. I'm surprised it hasn't already. I would just pre-order from Kensington's site.

dnross · November 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM #10

Thanks - I'll follow up

David

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Michael Johnston This is my fricken site, durrrr Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 2,691 Thanks: 11 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts	Kensington's Sound-Amplified Car Mount for iPhone - October 23rd, 2009, 02:36 AM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> The Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone is a car mount that's specifically designed to be used with a turn-by-turn GPS navigation app. What makes this mount special is that the cradle acoustically amplifies your iPhone's speaker so that GPS instructions can be heard clearly. It comes with a windshield mount, vent mount, and four sets of rubber inserts that work with any iPhone, with or without a case. There are two separate mounting types which the cradle can be attached to. Both the windshield and vent mounts hold the cradle quite well, but I definitely recommend the windshield mount over the vent mount. The windshield mount uses a lockable suction cup that's incredibly secure and simple to attach to your windshield. I like it because it uses a flexible neck which bends at any point and stays there relatively well. This means that you can easily adjust it to the perfect viewing angle. The vent mount securely hooks onto most air vents with spring-loaded clips. There is one ball joint that allows you to change the viewing angle of the cradle and it's surprisingly rugged. Most vent mounts don't work well but this one is solid. Again, I recommend the windshield mount, but if you can't mount something to your windshield, it works quite well. The cradle has been designed to accommodate the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and the iPhone 3GS without any adjustments. A spring-loaded clamp holds your device securely and only requires one hand to insert or remove your phone. Kensington also touts the cradle's ability to hold an iPhone even when it's in a case. I found that my iPhone sat comfortably in the cradle even while it was in an Incase Slider. Just be advised that each case is different so your mileage may vary. The cradle also rotates 180 degrees for landscape viewing in either direction. The actual rotation mechanism seems to be sturdily made since it's part of the cradle, not the mounting armatures. Of course the most important feature is the sound amplification. I found that the cradle does, in fact, increase speaker volume enough to hear GPS instructions; even on the highway. It does this by acoustically redirecting speaker audio through the bottom of the cradle and out the left side. Rubber inserts sized to fit the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and iPhone with or without a case are provided to create a seal around the speaker. These worked pretty well with my Slider, although you'll get the best sound amplification without a case. For those who plug their iPhone into their car's stereo system, this mount also allows access to both the dock connector and headphone jack. Overall, the Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone is an incredibly well made car mount. I can definitely tell that Kensington put a lot of thought into this product. It's a must-have for anybody with a GPS navigation app on their iPhone. I highly recommend it. __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: White 32GB iPhone 3GS iPhone Version: Whatever the latest is because I'm crazy like that. Computer & OS: 15" Unibody MacBook Pro + OS X Leopard 10.5 AIM: iPhoneAlley twitter: MichaelJohnston

Shutterrelease Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Orion Arm of the Milky Way Posts: 407 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	October 23rd, 2009, 06:25 AM #2
	Dang, I just bought a mount too. Wish I had seen this. __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: Black 16GB iPhone 3G iPhone Version: The Latest and Greatest. Hacks: None, but tempted... Computer & OS: iMac OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.1 There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. - Ansel Adams

caseypearson Forum Lurker Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	October 24th, 2009, 09:06 AM #3
	I've been looking for a good car mount also.... the one thing I missed in this post was the price? Was it decent?

ninjaveggie Forum Lurker Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	podcast quality? - November 1st, 2009, 05:04 AM #6
	Many thanks for this great review. Just one question - do you think the sound amplification is good enough for me to listen to my favourite podcasts while driving? I would like to ditch my FM transmitter if possible. Thanks for your advice! John

dnross Forum Lurker Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Kensington's Sound-Amplified Car Mount for iPhone - November 16th, 2009, 09:29 AM #8
	Hi Michael I live in the UK and would love to buy one of these! I cannot find any stockists who actually have one in US yet - let alone UK. Do you know when it will be released or can you point me in the right direction. Many thanks David

dnross Forum Lurker Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	November 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM #10
	Thanks - I'll follow up David