Affixing my mobile phone holder to the dash?

Zascar

I have a bit of a problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I drive a 2001 Audi TT - and I just bought the official HTC Car dock for my phone (HTC One). The dock looks like this - so basically it fixes to the windscreen fine, but I find it too far away and too high up. The place where I think it would be perfect, is just on the dash - basically here.

Now HTC provide a little round sticky pad that is supposed to affix to the dash, and then the phone suction mount can stick to this. The only problem is that my dash is curved so it just can't get enough surface area to stick.

I've covered all other options but what I want is to get this sticky pad to be firmly affixed to my dash as that's where I want the phone to be.

So, if there would be a non-permanent way that would be idea. Can anyone think of one? If not, I suppose I'll just have to glue the thing to the dash. But I want to do it properly so can anyone suggest how I best do this without it looking awful?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

listermint

I believe most installs just screw them to the dash with 2/4 screws. Dash repair is actually relatively easy and simple to do. There are many places that can repair the screwholes in minutes to restore it to former condition later down the road.

biko

It doesn't look that curved at that spot. Maybe buying a small block of black foam and shaping it with a knife to be sloped for the curve and the same size as the sticky pad?
Or fit something to the vent?

Zascar

Thanks actually I had not really thought of just screwing it in, and two small holes are better than a big lump of glue! How do I know what I'm screwing into is safe? And what type of screw etc would I use?

colm_mcm

Please don't be putting holes in that lovely dash :eek:

Zascar

On second thought, if I put holes in it, the sucker on the phone mount would not be able to create a vacuum so wont stick to it. Might have to be glue. No more nails perhaps? What happens if I need to get it off?

listermint

colm_mcm wrote: »

Please don't be putting holes in that lovely dash :eek:

Dash holes are simple to repair. you wouldnt even know they were there.

essentially its similar to this smart dash repair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWnTHzlgdoI

listermint

Zascar wrote: »

On second thought, if I put holes in it, the sucker on the phone mount would not be able to create a vacuum so wont stick to it. Might have to be glue. No more nails perhaps? What happens if I need to get it off?

No more nails is liable to ruin the dash as you wont actually get that off

biko

Maybe something like these?
http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-mounts/vehicle/audi/a3.cmsv

listermint

biko wrote: »

Maybe something like these?
http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-mounts/vehicle/audi/a3.cmsv

The all still need to be screwed in, only difference is for some of them the screw would be hidden *but not all.

SleeperService

Brodit do good no drill, clip in, mounts. Wish they did a.decent universal phone holder too go with them.

Zascar

Thanks lads but I am not interested in using a universal phone holder. The reason I want to use the specific HTC Car Port is because its built specifically for my phone - it also automatically enters the phone into car mode, turning on and off bluetooth and gps. So what I need to do is find a way to affix the suction cup to the dash so I can mount the phone in the place I want.

You can see the 3M sticky pad here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1lUVfm_a90&feature=youtu.be&t=1m35s - in an unboxing video. It's this that I need to mount on the dash. I'll try to take a pic later to show you how its curved and wont stick. Is there any type of sealant or glue I could use that will stick it firm but come off with some work if I needed it to? If not, I can try a screw but it would have to be sealed so I could get the suction mount to get a proper grip on it.

biko

Yeah there's plenty of various semi-perm adhesives that will come off with a bit of effort.
Google Semi-Permanent 3M Adhesive

SleeperService

I was suggesting a brodit mount as something flat that you could glue/screw/whatever to without damaging dash.

Zascar

Someone told me about this: http://sugru.com/ - seems perfect! invented by an Irish girl!
Just bought some, I'll let you know!

biko

Sound, I "discovered" sugru last year but it didn't even cross my mind now.
Fantastic product and shouldn't leave residue once you remove it either.

SleeperService

Zascar wrote: »

Someone told me about this: http://sugru.com/ - seems perfect! invented by an Irish girl!
Just bought some, I'll let you know!

Do please, have some but haven't used it yet

Zascar

Will do. Ah if I had of known you had some I could have bought a tiny piece off you rather than just spending €17 on a pack! Ah well, I'm sure I can find some new uses for it

biko

Search the Lifehacking forum for it, we posted up a few uses for it.
It's like duct tape, the more you use the more you find need for it.

dodzy

Get a black plastic disc, would only need to be a couple of mm thick, the same size as the suction pad ( a reversed camera lens cover of similar size might do the job ??? ). Or just a smooth plastic plate , easily formed to shape and size with a dremel tool. 1 countersunk screw hole in the centre. 1 tiny hole in dash. 1 screw. Job done.

JohnCleary

Those specifically made phone holders that mount to the air outlet look the bees knees but at $55 (before postage) for a HTC one... yikes!

-Edit- I wonder how would this be as a cheap alternative? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Air-Vent-360-Rotation-Mount-Holder-Cradle-Stand-for-HTC-One-HTC-M7-/141008107192?pt=US_Mounts_Holders&hash=item20d4bcf6b8

biko

Just don't get one that sits in a vent for hot air.
Blasting hot air directly on the phone isn't good for the battery.

mickdw

The little knee pads attached to the metal frame are removable and as such ate a useful place to attach a phone kit. Just replace the knee pad If required.
It's alot lower than you want but I had it done. Phone fixed on passenger side out of the way.

Zascar

Got the Sugru today, worked like a charm!

SleeperService

Zascar wrote: »

Got the Sugru today, worked like a charm!

Any pics? Could be mounting something on the dash myself soon, phone holder wont do.

Zascar

Will take some later and post back

Zascar

Here's a quick few pix. The Sugru worked perfectly. Great stuff. It's now in the perfect position. I can take off the mount and leave it with just the small disc on the dash, and if needed I can pull this off as if it was never there!

It's currently plugged into the cigarette lighter but I'm going to get it wired in behind the dash for a stronger current.

biko

Looks good, and the sugru should allow for vibrations too.