Cup Holder Tablet/Phone Mount

[Doug C]

Just wanted to share my experience with this mount. I know a lot of people use RAM mounts but they're pricey. I found this as a possible alternative for those on a budget like me. It will take up a cup holder place so it won't be for everyone, but works for me for now. It's by "ikross" and I picked it up on Amazon for $20. Just tried it out on a pretty rough trail and I had no issues with it holding my full size iPad. I like how when you're not using it it folds down into itself. I attached a couple of pictures of it in my 4Runner. You can also use it for a phone. Here's a link to it on Amazon.

 

[NightCrawler]

Just wanted to share my experience with this mount. I know a lot of people use RAM mounts but they're pricey. I found this as a possible alternative for those on a budget like me. It will take up a cup holder place so it won't be for everyone, but works for me for now. It's by "ikross" and I picked it up on Amazon for $20. Just tried it out on a pretty rough trail and I had no issues with it holding my full size iPad. I like how when you're not using it it folds down into itself. I attached a couple of pictures of it in my 4Runner. You can also use it for a phone. Here's a link to it on Amazon.
View attachment 39103 View attachment 39104

But where do you put your drink then when off-roading...keep two hands on the wheel? LOL

 

[theBROFESSOR]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

 

[NightCrawler]

I only have two cup holders in my old ass XJ, so I went with a magnet mount...which I have in my commuter vehicle as well and it seems to hold pretty well. Off-roaring on the other hand...anything not bolted down seems to work itself loose no matter what. Heaven forbid there ever be a roll over... I don't want stuff flinging around in the rig.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[Chadlyb]

Just wanted to share my experience with this mount. I know a lot of people use RAM mounts but they're pricey. I found this as a possible alternative for those on a budget like me. It will take up a cup holder place so it won't be for everyone, but works for me for now. It's by "ikross" and I picked it up on Amazon for $20. Just tried it out on a pretty rough trail and I had no issues with it holding my full size iPad. I like how when you're not using it it folds down into itself. I attached a couple of pictures of it in my 4Runner. You can also use it for a phone. Here's a link to it on Amazon.
View attachment 39103 View attachment 39104

Just picked this up for my truck...looking forward to using it...only using up one cup holder of the 5 in my center console

 

[brian0128]

How has the ikross held up for the last 2 months? Do you still like it? Will it work in the front cup holder or is the arm too long? I saw a different one on Amazon that had a shorter arm.

 

[Doug C]

I do still like it and have no complaints. With a full size iPad I can’t use it in the front cup holder. Not sure if a smaller tablet would fit or not.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[persquank]

...anything not bolted down seems to work itself loose no matter what. Heaven forbid there ever be a roll over... I don't want stuff flinging around in the rig.

I agree with this one. No one wants to be in an accident or roll over or anything bad. But you should think about "worst case scenario" when you have "loose" items in your vehicle. If you don't want it to hit you in the face, make sure it is secure. I haven't used one of those mounts. Do you think that cup holder mount will stay if the vehicle were up side down?

 

[Doug C]

No idea. It seems pretty secure but I don’t do extreme off roading.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[Zack]

Thanks for sharing Doug. I was just doing some research on this myself!

 

[Doug C]

No problem at all.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[jeffpajap]

I used that same tablet holder on a very remote rough trail getting into the north rim of the grand canyon last Sept. We were 4 days on that trail and never saw another vehicle. I was very pleasantly surprised how well this inexpensive unit did. It is not spring loaded to hold your tablet as I thought it would be. I use a thick rubber band around the middle to hold the tablet in place. No, I don't think it would come out in a typical back country roll over. High speed on highway is another thing. overall it very much surpassed my expectations.

 

[Zack]

So I looked at the product and decided to go a little bit lux and did a ram mount set up with my iPad mini. I am really happy with it. Ran me $177 plus a couple of bucks for sheet metal screws. So far it has been really solid for a daily driver. I will update when I get on the trail. I merged ideas from Swell Runner and Lifestyle Overland. If people are interested I can send along the ram parts list and pictures.

On another topic, I recently mounted my iPhone with a ProClip set up and I have been very satisfied. Super sturdy. I now need to figure out a way to run the charging cord. Anyone have any low profile options/ideas?

 

[Road]

So I looked at the product and decided to go a little bit lux and did a ram mount set up with my iPad mini. I am really happy with it. Ran me $177 plus a couple of bucks for sheet metal screws. So far it has been really solid for a daily driver. I will update when I get on the trail. I merged ideas from Swell Runner and Lifestyle Overland. If people are interested I can send along the ram parts list and pictures.

On another topic, I recently mounted my iPhone with a ProClip set up and I have been very satisfied. Super sturdy. I now need to figure out a way to run the charging cord. Anyone have any low profile options/ideas?

I'm interested in what you put together for your iPad Mini and would love a parts list and images. I'm using an iPad Mini too. You can private message me here or I can message you my personal email address. Thanks man!

 

[DividedSky]

So I looked at the product and decided to go a little bit lux and did a ram mount set up with my iPad mini. I am really happy with it. Ran me $177 plus a couple of bucks for sheet metal screws. So far it has been really solid for a daily driver. I will update when I get on the trail. I merged ideas from Swell Runner and Lifestyle Overland. If people are interested I can send along the ram parts list and pictures.

On another topic, I recently mounted my iPhone with a ProClip set up and I have been very satisfied. Super sturdy. I now need to figure out a way to run the charging cord. Anyone have any low profile options/ideas?

Have you tried the 90 degree lightning cords.
Cheap easy fast

 

[Zack]

So it is all installed and works great. Took my 4Runner out on snowy trails and bumped along without any stability issues. Currently have the iPad plugged into a 2.1A charger and it holds a charge perfectly. As for the charging cord, I wrapped it around the arm a number of times so it no longer gets tangled.

My girlfriend often rides with me and it is our daily driver and she is not bothered by the mount. When you do not have a tablet installed there are enough articulation points in the arm to fold it away from the passenger side. Additionally you can unscrew the arm from the mounting points with ease. As far as mounting, I used sheet metal screws and they went in easily to the plastic by the 4 wheel shifter but took a little more force to properly install through the carpet and metal (for the lower mounting point). I have yet to put nuts on the back and I am thinking that I will also put some marine sealant on as well to prevent rust.

For those of you who are interested, here is the part list along with pics of the assembly and installation.

UNPKD. RAM 2 7/16" DIA.BASE WITH 1" BALL, Part ID: RAM-B-202U, Qty: 2
RAM PLASTIC DBL SOCKET ARM B BALL A LNG, Part ID: RAP-B-201U-A, Qty: 3
RAM BASE WITH 1/4" NPT THREADED HOLE, Part ID: RAM-B-218-1U, Qty: 1
UNPKG RAM DBL SOCKET ARM B BALL C LENGTH, Part ID: RAM-B-201U-C, Qty: 1
UNPKD RAM RAIL BASE W/BALL & ZINC U-BOLT, Part ID: RAM-B-231ZU, Qty: 1
X-GRIP UNIVERSAL TABLET HLDER W 1" BALL, Part ID: RAM-HOL-UN8BU, Qty: 1
1/4" X 9" LONG PIPE NIPPLE ALUMINIUM, Part ID: RAM-PA5409, Qty: 1

 

[Steve]

That looks *solid* @Zack! Very similar to the one posted here by @Lifestyle Overland last year (https://overlandbound.com/forums/threads/overland-ram-mount-solutions.5752/)

I'd seen versions with the added second RAM mount on the side of the console, and just received my additional pieces yesterday. I also ordered a longer 12" pipe, as I found the 9" too short with my iPad and 7" Garmin mounted.

I have an assortment of arms, so it should be easy to swap in different lengths to change the angle of the tube for different uses. I also have the double head like in Kevin's link above, which makes if pretty flexible (as in use, not sturdiness.)

Thanks for the photos and parts list.

 

[Zack]

@Steve - yes I saw what @SwellRunner and @Lifestyle Overland did and I basically combined some of their best ideas. So what I installed is definitely not unique. As someone with basically zero experience with working on cars, this was an easy and sturdy install.

Yeah, I like the 9" pipe for the timbering but the thought has crossed my mind that a longer one may be helpful in the future.