very simply, this mount has rounded clips made specifically for the earlier iPhone models, not for the square edges of the 4.
if you don't believe me just check out the video for this product and you'll see, it's not the iPhone 4 in the demonstration.
that said does this mount work with the iPhone 4? yes, but not without complications. if you put your 4 in this mount without a case, it will eventually slide out through the bottom with each bump you hit in the road. if you have a hard plastic outer case, it will do the same, just a little more slowly. a soft plastic outer case will not slide, but will be pushed around a little every time you take it in and out of the mount.
i've been using this mount with my iPhone 4 for several months now, with an Incipio Silicrylic case (the best iphone 4 case available) and my homegrown solution was to apply electrical tape along the interior sides of the hard plastic clips to provide adequate friction between the case and mount. it works, and the reason this mount gets 3 stars is because it is relatively easy to seat the iPhone and especially remove it, with just one hand; which is critically important for me while in my car.
this is the second review i've written for this mount, debunking the myth that it works great with the iPhone 4. my previous review mysteriously disappeared. Kensington K39256US Quick-Release Car Mount for iPhone and iPod touch--Compatible with iPhone 4 (Black)
I bought this to be used as a vent mount for my iPhone 4. This device is made of good quality plastic and the vent mount works very well. The vent clips have springs in them so they lock in pretty well. The iPhone 4 fits easily (it's just a clip, I think it can fit many similar sized devices). Once in, you can rotate the iPhone 4 horizontally or vertically.
However, I found that the iPhone clips are pretty stiff. In the video, it seems effortless to clip in the iPhone with one hand. But when I try to push the phone in, I need to use a lot of force, and usually I'm afraid I'll break the vents or the mount. So generally, I use two hands, one hand to pull one of the clips back, and then the other to put the phone in and out. Because of this, I think I would've preferred a "cradle-like" design, so I could just easily/quickly drop in the phone and take it out. When I'm driving, it's dangerous to need two hands to put my phone on the mount or take it off for whatever reason.
Just received the mount and its higher quality than what I expected. Definitely not your cheap dealxtreme/meritline build. Iphone 4 fits secure into the friction mount and rotates from portrait to landscape with secure clicks. Mount can be oriented any direction by ball and socket joint which can be loosened/tightened by the turning the wheel.
I prefer the vent mount as a windshield mount will leave behind a telltale circle when taken off inviting break ins. Vent mount is nicely thought out with spring mounted vent hooks so you don't sit there trying to force the thing when taking it off the vent risking damage to the vent/hooks.
Windshield arm is about 10" long and made of rigid plastic material which can be shaped to any angle. I tested it by mounting on a sliding glass door and suction is rock solid and I could not budge it without trying to tear it off by force. One possible issue is there maybe some play on bumpy roads since the arm is quite long. I got this on sale with a rebate and ended up paying fraction of what it normally sells for anywhere else but product is thoughtfully designed and will do what it does without any headaches.
This product only last less than two months for me. I attached it to the windshield like their picture shown. The product is made of plastic. Probably the material is not strong enough for sunburn, it couldn't stand for the temperature in the car, the plastic part was broken into pieces, when I tried to hold my iPhone. This is rediculous too fast to be broken. I only used it for less than 20 times, I guess. I am very disappointed to its quality. Will contact with Kensington to see what do they say about it.
I've had this car mount now for a couple months and it was fine. I wasn't thrilled with it nor was I completely dissatisfied with it.
Pros:
- It's sleek. Not a big bulky unit to hold your phone.
- The long bendable arm is a nice feature so you don't have to mount in the middle of your windshield.
- Comes with both windshield mount and air vent mount for one price
Cons:
- The long arm is NOT stable. It bounces around like a mad man on PCP when driving. I had to mound and bend mine in such a way that it was firmly pushing down on my dashboard in order to create stability. I had no intention of using the air vent mount because I like my air conditioner and didn't want to give up a vent for that.
- Not for the iPhone 4. Without a case it doesn't grip the square edges too well. WITH a case it's fine.
- IT BROKE! I never forcefully put my phone in the unit. I do have a case on my phone so I was careful when doing so. I did it exactly as shown in the video on this page dircetly from the manufacturer. One side in first, then push the other side in. This worked easily as shown for the last two months, but it finaly gave out and the tab that received the 'push it in' side of the phone snapped out. Completely broken.
I would not recommend this if you're an iPhone 4 user with or without a case on. And if you're using it with something else, be careful. It's only plastic so it can only take so much. - Ipod Car Mount - Kensington - Car Mount - Iphone Mount'
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