Best...Phone Mount...EVER

[2010BMW335iXdrive]

I searched far and wide for a sleek, minimalistic, unobtrusive phone mount for my (2010) 1’er. I wanted something clean, something that didn't detract from the beauty of the 1 series from the both an exterior and interior perspective. I found a few posts discussing the various “clunky” looking options on the market…and finally I arrived found something different…I found “Steelie”. Steelie’s universal ***magnetic*** phone mount is easily the best way to get your phone perfectly integrated into your 1’er’s interior. I’ll spare you the details, this short video should do the trick – check it out (turn your sound up):

[pinmagic]

Steelie is very cool. It was funded on kickstarter.com. The only downside I can see is that on part has to be permanently mounted to your phone, which might create problems with some cases, and isn't necessarily the most attractive thing. But all in all, probably worth it.

[Sylon]

That looks absolutely awful. I can't see how anyone would want a big metal ball sticking out of their dashboards. Not to mention, magnets and LCD screens don't get along well. That's something you really have to be careful with.

[UsualSuspect]

Originally Posted by 2010BMW135i

I searched far and wide for a sleek, minimalistic, unobtrusive phone mount for my (2010) 1’er. I wanted something clean, something that didn't detract from the beauty of the 1 series from the both an exterior and interior perspective. I found a few posts discussing the various “clunky” looking options on the market…and finally I arrived found something different…I found “Steelie”. Steelie’s universal ***magnetic*** phone mount is easily the best way to get your phone perfectly integrated into your 1’er’s interior. I’ll spare you the details, this short video should do the trick – check it out (turn your sound up):

Nice video! What software do you use to edit with?

[2010BMW335iXdrive]

Originally Posted by UsualSuspect

Nice video! What software do you use to edit with?

two programs, 'Adobe Premier Elements 10' to swap the video from horizontal to vertical. Then i used Camtasia to do all the heavy lifting in terms of editing. Camtasia is a screen capture software solution that allows you record video of what you doing on your computer screen but I've used it so much in my day-to-day job that I've gotten 'ok' at simply importing my own media and editing it.

[2010BMW335iXdrive]

Originally Posted by Sylon

That looks absolutely awful. I can't see how anyone would want a big metal ball sticking out of their dashboards. Not to mention, magnets and LCD screens don't get along well. That's something you really have to be careful with.

in a perfect world, Sylon, the mount would be completely invisible. But what's the alternative bearing in mind we're talking about a 2010 1 series, not the newer models with more and better options for phone mounting. I can't find a less obtrusive mount on the market today. Everything I've seen seems to be some version of a large plastic mount that's suction cupped to your window or sticking out from something via a big plastic arm. Let me know if you found something better.

I considered painting the steel matte black but I'm pretty sure the magnet on the phone would scrape off the paint in no time.

as for the science behind magnets affecting LCD screens...i'll take Steelie's guarantee (and Apple's corresponding guarantee) that the mount won't damage the phone at all. I'm assuming Steelie and Apple aren't lying.

[UsualSuspect]

Originally Posted by 2010BMW135i

two programs, 'Adobe Premier Elements 10' to swap the video from horizontal to vertical. Then i used Camtasia to do all the heavy lifting in terms of editing. Camtasia is a screen capture software solution that allows you record video of what you doing on your computer screen but I've used it so much in my day-to-day job that I've gotten 'ok' at simply importing my own media and editing it.

Thanks for the info. Yeah I use Camtasia for screen recording. If you want Adobe Premiere Pro, let me know.

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by 2010BMW135i

in a perfect world, Sylon, the mount would be completely invisible. But what's the alternative bearing in mind we're talking about a 2010 1 series, not the newer models with more and better options for phone mounting. I can't find a less obtrusive mount on the market today. Everything I've seen seems to be some version of a large plastic mount that's suction cupped to your window or sticking out from something via a big plastic arm. Let me know if you found something better.

I considered painting the steel matte black but I'm pretty sure the magnet on the phone would scrape off the paint in no time.

as for the science behind magnets affecting LCD screens...i'll take Steelie's guarantee (and Apple's corresponding guarantee) that the mount won't damage the phone at all. I'm assuming Steelie and Apple aren't lying.

Mine: http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...-e828-1-series

And I use high-strength velcro on this mount and the GPS clamp mount that holds my phone. So I won't need a fancy case (so it works with any case) on my phone. I can detach the clamp mount with ease and the Kudo mount looks like it belongs here. And I can use it with both my iPhone and GPS. Certainly looks better to me than a big steel ball sticking out of my dash in a random place.

[2010BMW335iXdrive]

Originally Posted by Sylon

Mine: http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...-e828-1-series

And I use high-strength velcro on this mount and the GPS clamp mount that holds my phone. So I won't need a fancy case (so it works with any case) on my phone. I can detach the clamp mount with ease and the Kudo mount looks like it belongs here. And I can use it with both my iPhone and GPS. Certainly looks better to me than a big steel ball sticking out of my dash in a random place.

That Kuda does look like a really good mount, better than all the other non-Steelie mounts I'd found. Do you get a color choice to match your car's interior? It does look a bit 1990's though...

I'm in the early days of owning this Steelie, so I'm still enthralled with the magnetic functionality (super easy twist an tilt capabilities) and the ability to place it anywhere which enables me to ensure I have no power or audio wires glaringly visible. I do hear you though, the steel ball does stand out - but love everything about it! fyi my phone is mounted every time I'm in the car, so the only time the steel ball is 'sticking out of the dash' is the few moments it takes me to get in/out of the car with phone in hand.

It's a polarizing product (damn, what a pun), looks like we're on either ends on this one.

[1MAGINE]

Strangely enough, I ordered the same product and installed it in the very same spot. This was before I saw your video even. While it is OK for a vertical mount, it is not strong enough to hold my Evo horizontal, and even worse if I hook up a charging cord while sideways. (Roughing up the ball did allow for a more positive grip)This is my preferred position for GPS which I use a lot. Also, I didn't realize how far my knee goes over on cruise control, too far :-( Other than that, I have always used magnetic mounts and like them. I find myself sticking the phone to everything, and maybe now if I leave the damned thing on top of the car and drive off it will be there when I stop LOL.

[2010BMW335iXdrive]

OP Update: I've been using this mount for years now and it's still great in my eyes

[sl8anic]

Proclip/Brodit make great phone (and other device) holders.