I recently fitted a Brodit hands-free mount for my iPhone in my Octy II. There weren't many pictures or reviews online to help me decide so I thought I'd post some here for others...

I ordered the parts separately from eBay and Amazon to minimise cost but both bits arrived in original Brodit packaging.

I decided on the centre mount just above the radio console. The ProClip was even easier to fit than I thought. I didn't take the cover off the sticky pad that would keep it in place because there are small lips that prevent it from slipping out without using the small plastic tool provided to widen the gap in the dash trim.

The next step was less than straightforward. The instructions simply said "Place the attaching plate onto the desired position. Screw the attaching plate into place with the enclosed screws". Well the screws didn't seem to go in very well. It was very easy to over tighten them. One screw quickly became loose. In the end I took the ProClip back off the dash and retired to my garage. I used a vice while I very carefully drilled tiny pilot holes. Having driven the screws almost fully in I removed them, cleaned away the plastic shavings and put a tiny dap of super glue in each hole then put the whole thing together again and re-mounted it in the car.

I was happy with it once installed. It is a quality product and the phone slides very nicely into place with a snug fit due to the soft fabric finish of the holder. It is all very secure and sturdy. The swivel is smooth and easy to position and can be rotated 360 degrees left or right to position the phone in portrait or landscape mode.

In portrait position the power cable trails naturally down the edge of the centre console and won't get in the way at all. For me the cost saving over the permanently powered holder is well worth it as its not much hassle to plug in the phone everytime given that I will won't be mounting my phone for short drives or the commute unless I need satnav.

I like the position of the phone as it doesn't block any of the windscreen but its not too far down to look at for directions, plus it remains easily accessible to the front seat passenger.

If you don't like suction holders I'd thoroughly recommend this setup if you don't mind spending the money. I paid about £35 for the bits.

For those that are interested, part numbers I used are: ProClip 653525 and Passive holder with tilt swivel 511422.

I got the Brodit holder (and universal mount) for my HTC One - although mine is mounted adjacent to the heater controls. I chose this position as I don't need the Sat Nav facility that the phone offers as I'm lucky enough to have it built into the Amundsen+ head unit so I'm happy to have the phone lower down the dash. I went for the universal holder as I've got a case for my handset and didn't want the hassle of taking it out of the case everytime I got into the car either.

If I remember I'll put some pics up sometime for comparison - although quite pricey, the Brodit stuff is decent quality kit. Just pleased it was not just me that had the same trouble with the fixing screws though!

Hi Skippymon,

I have exactly the same set up in my VRS. I like the Brodit mounts and when you sell the car there's no sign it was ever there.

What I have noticed is that with the lead plugged into the lightening port the phone looses the network signal much more often.

I started to think perhaps my iPhone 5 was faulty but I now think its a "feature".

Can you let me know if you notice the same thing ?

In a weak signal area - 1 to 2 bars plug in the cable and see if it goes to "no service".

In stronger signal areas the number of bars drop but it still gets service.

Note the bars are not a "real time" read out, you have to wait for 10 to 20 sec while it averages out the signal strength and updates the display.

Paul

Looks great.I,ve been after something like this for my iPhone too.Apparently it can take an iphone with a cover on too

Thanks for write up and photos.

Apparently it can take an iphone with a cover on too

Yes that's right but be sure to order the correct holder which will have a different part number from the one I used. There are various ones depending on the thickness of the case on your phone. You will need to measure the dimensions of the case on your phone first.

IMO it looks naff sorry,

IMO it looks naff sorry,

Suggestions of non naff?

Might be naff but its practical, suits my satnav needs and avoids suction mounts falling off and wobbling around!

Edited 29 May, 201313 yr by Skippymon

Brodit mounts are always better than faffing around with stupid suction cups. I have the very same dashboard clip and a very similar holder for my iphone 4S. Easily worth the money.

I tucked the cable inbetween the panel in front of your knees and the side of the center stack. I also found some gaps in the panels down by the transmission tunnel to further hide it from view. I don't know if anyone makes Lightning cables in black but that wouldn't hurt either.