I’ve always been a big fan of car kit accessories for all my iPhones. I routinely spend four to five hours a day on the road driving as part of my job. For me, having a reliable, competent windshield mount has become a necessity. I regularly use navigational and weather apps to help me be more prepared in the field, and having that information displayed at eye level, within arm’s reach is a big plus. However, I always seem to have the same problem in my quest for the perfect accessory—they never seem to last very long Now, obviously I haven’t tried every iPhone car mount kit on the market, nor am I saying that they are collectively all junk. In my experience, though, the ones I have used fail to live up to my expectations. At least that was my experience before I tried the new iPhone 4 Windscreen Suction Mount by Herbert Richter.
There were ten different versions of the iPhone 4 specific window mounts to choose from. I tested the Banana Global Herbert Richter device specific suction mount/tower combo (that’s a mouthful!). The direct link to this product can be found here. One quality that stood out from the very beginning with this window mount versus other window mounts I have used in the past was how sturdy it was. It was readily apparent to me that this was a product that was built to last. Located in southern Germany, Herbert Richter products go through extensive tests before release. They have over 50 years of experience manufacturing car accessories and mounting solutions. All that sounds great—but what I really wanted to know was how well the product would perform out of the lab and in the field.
As you may have noticed already, this holder works completely independent of any case. In fact, you can’t use a case with the iPhone 4 passive holder. I wrestled with this detail for some time initially. My iPhone 4 was a big investment. I love my iPhone 4. I want to protect my investment. Why would I want to risk possibly damaging my iPhone by using a car mount holder that doesn’t support a case?
You may not, and for those of you with an iPhone 4 that want to be able to use the windshield mount with a case, there is an additional option provided to you by Herbert Richter. However, when I secured my iPhone in the holder for the first time, it was evident to me that I had nothing to worry about. The phone slides into two clips at the bottom of the device, and then is held fast along the top by a firm clip that holds it in place. In fact, I really like the “naked” look of the phone without any case.
The Herbert Richter website describes his iPhone 4 specific holder as having a vibration free mounting system ideal for heavy duty use. For me, that’s one of the biggest selling points. I regularly use four wheel drive, and I am often driving on uneven road surfaces. There is nothing more irritating when using a navigation application, or any other application for that matter, than when the windshield mount holder is constantly vibrating or bouncing up and down with every imperfection in the road. I like to adjust my windshield mount, and I want it to stay that way. This can be accomplished with little effort thanks in part to the ratcheting plate that can rotate 360 degrees to allow for portrait or landscape view. Horizontal and vertical adjusting can be further tweaked by 40 degrees. Lastly, the whole apparatus is secured to your windshield with a sturdy suction cup that stays in place via a clip that is receded into the top of the mount.
I can honestly say that I am extremely happy with my field testing, and how the Herbert Richter responded to everyday use. I would highly recommend this windshield mount. There are many variations to choose from and customize for your individual needs. There are even solutions for every version of the iPhone and iPod ever made, from the iPhone 2G, to the iPod Classic, and all the iterations in between. The iPhone 4 Banana Windscreen Suction Mount by Herbert Richter retails for £23.50, which is roughly $33.00 US dollars.
The iPhone 4 Banana Windscreen Suction Mount was provided for review on iSource.com by Holders and Mounts–one of the largest UK based online retailers specializing in holders and windscreen mounts. For further information regarding our site’s review policies, please see the “About” page.
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