Waterproof iPhone mounting on bike

[CRM]

For a while I've been trying to figure out the best solution for having my iPhone visible for using the TomTom app while riding. I've previously put in my tank bag pocket but there are problems with seeing it and you can't adjust it without taking it out. I haven't got a tankbag for the ST so looked at better options.

There are all sorts of mounting options but after some research I found that only the medium sized Aquabox on a RAM mount provides waterproof, ability to use the touchscreen, and space to plug in both power and audio plugs (if you use a right-angled plug).

RAM does a specific box for iPhone but it doesn't fit the power plug so a bit useless for touring. The wires run out the back. I've got a short right angled plug in the audio outlet with an adapter I can plug my headphones into if I want to hear music or when I get a call or text so I can pull over. The touch-screen works fine and you can twist it portrait or landscape.

I have a power outlet in the left pocket on the ST that also runs the radar detector so the wires just tuck in there.

I got the RAM mount and Aquabox off trademe for $98 here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/other-electronics/other/auction-572070331.htm Seems to be a pretty good deal.

This works great for iPhone 4 but I think the new ones are a bit longer.

Off to do a trip around the North Island next week so we'll see how it goes :scooter:.

[Ocean1]

Nice, was thinking along those lines myself. Cheers.

[TheDoctor]

ability to use the touchscreen:.

One would assume you don't wear gloves when riding then?

[munster]

Just bought a similar one, don't think much of the mounting bracket at this stage, but will try it out on a decent ride before passing final judgement, they do have a stronger one available. Can't use it with gloves DOH!

http://www.fastbikegear.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=566&products_id=1005

[CRM]

One would assume you don't wear gloves when riding then?

I do actually. But I usually take them off when I stop to reset my GPS - a little awkward while moving. Speaking of gloves check out these clever guys trying to max out their ST1100 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cbQ0_rO9cU).

[CRM]

Just bought a similar one, don't think much of the mounting bracket at this stage, but will try it out on a decent ride before passing final judgement, they do have a stronger one available. Can't use it with gloves DOH!

http://www.fastbikegear.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=566&products_id=1005

Yeah I looked at those - the holder looks good but the bracket wouldn't have worked on my bars - and it does look pretty flimsy. The RAM mount is definitely a more positive option. More adjustment too.

Lots of things you can't do with gloves - maybe that's what SIRI is for?

[leathel]

snip the end off one finger on the glove and you are good to go...

I went for a waterproof Zumo GPS unit that had car and bike mounts, one unit for both and you can use it with gloves on.

I don't have the gps or data activated on the phone so don't use the maps on that... just use the cell for calling so it lasts for a week without charging.... and I use it for the ballistic calculator I have on it :rolleyes:

[Ocean1]

Lots of things you can't do with gloves - maybe that's what SIRI is for?

I was wondering how useable that would be over the required mic/blueteeth arangement. Tried it?


snip the end off one finger on the glove and you are good to go...

Or glue a wee rubber button onto the end of a finger.

[leathel]

Or glue a wee rubber button onto the end of a finger.

Would that work with a modern cell phone? I thought it was heat that activated the screen?

[Ocean1]

Would that work with a modern cell phone? I thought it was heat that activated the screen?

Massive resources have been applied to this question in the last minute and a half. I can tell you that of the thousands of experimental prods with such things as coasters, plastic pens and car keys all failed to work. However I am very excited to bring you the news that success has been discovered in the form of the soft rubber eraser on the end of my draughting pen. You can't have it.

[leathel]

Massive resources have been applied to this question in the last minute and a half. I can tell you that of the thousands of experimental prods with such things as coasters, plastic pens and car keys all failed to work. However I am very excited to bring you the news that success has been discovered in the form of the soft rubber eraser on the end of my draughting pen. You can't have it.

frantically searches draw for pencil with sift rubber....... nup only a block rubber and that doesn't work..... Oh well my GPS works with gloves so I don't really need it anyway ;)

[Ocean1]

frantically searches draw for pencil with sift rubber....... nup only a block rubber and that doesn't work..... Oh well my GPS works with gloves so I don't really need it anyway ;)

I think the "switch" functions when the characteristic pressure area growth profile matches that of a finger. Anything roughly as resilient as a finger tip should work.

[Big Dave]

I don't understand subjecting a $1000 gadget to the rigours or being mounted on a motorcycle when you can buy a cheap gps for $80?

You can keep the phone in your pocket for music.

[munster]

just pulled apart a spare car iPhone charger and mounted the 12v to 5v reducing circuit board in the headlight plugged into the accessory outlet, wrapped in heatskrink for attempted waterproofing and ran a lead to the Biologic Iphone holder. Works a treat. Ready for the Boulevard Rally next weekend.

[CRM]

[QUOTE=Ocean1;1130516624]I was wondering how useable that would be over the required mic/blueteeth arangement. Tried it?

Yeah I have a headset that fits into my helmet that runs bluetooth but haven't used it for a while as last time I fitted it I couldn't get it going. Used it a couple of years ago as an intercom when I did a tour with my daughter but it worked well for receiving calls. The only problem was the speakers were no good for music - no bass :crazy:. I must see if I can get it going as it would be good for the Tomtom instructions.

[CRM]

I've been testing the aquabox the last few days riding south in all kinds of weather :(. Mostly its been good. A few observations:
- its easy to control the iphone through the silicone cover (with gloves off) :clap:
- hard to see the screen when you are wearing dark glasses :cool:
- keeps your phone nice and dry even in heavy rain :baby:
- hard to plug in earphones as the cable has to run through the back to be waterproof so you need to leave the headphones hanging out when not in use - not ideal. I haven't been able to find a short extension that has the 4-section plug that allows you to adjust the volume from the headphone cable so that I can leave it in the box and just plug the headphone cable in when I need it. :oi-grr:
- the phone gets pretty hot in the box :sweatdrop
- I put the phone in the box once with a few raindrops on it and the inside of the aquabox silicone screen fogged up immediately :pinch:


So overall its pretty good... I just need to sort out how to run the earphones.

[Skiwi]

I picked up the biologic case, seems pretty good so far, it was a bit unnerving at first as the first tweak was to cut into the silicone shell to run the power cable.

I don't want to cut another hole so I'm exploring options for Bluetooth mic speaker combo that will fit in a helmet and doesn't require me to sell my first born daughter to pay for it.;)

My intention is to use the iPhone as the only gadget I need for GPS, Route recording, intercom, music, phone, camera, maintenance reminders, fuel economy recording and any thing else bike related I can think of.

So far apps I use are:
Navfree
Honda assistant
Ktm assistant
Suzuki assistant
Walkie Talkie

Any other recommendations ?

[hornetakl]

Just bought a similar one, don't think much of the mounting bracket at this stage, but will try it out on a decent ride before passing final judgement, they do have a stronger one available. Can't use it with gloves DOH!

http://www.fastbikegear.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=566&products_id=1005

I used this mount with my iphone 4s and lost it on the motorway... not recomended at all.

[munster]

I used this mount with my iphone 4s and lost it on the motorway... not recomended at all.
Mine has stayed put, no issues at all. As flimsy as the mount looks, it has worked for me.

[Skiwi]

I used this mount with my iphone 4s and lost it on the motorway... not recomended at all.

Out of interest......

Was this mounted in the center or off to one side of your handlebars?
Mines center mounted and I can't figure out any way I could lose it short of a very violent direct shock or parts fatigue.

[hornetakl]

Out of interest......

Was this mounted in the center or off to one side of your handlebars?
Mines center mounted and I can't figure out any way I could lose it short of a very violent direct shock or parts fatigue.

Off to one side. My bike doesnt have a wind shield so that probably didnt help.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[stevensaaron]

Well I have a Lifeproof Case on my iPhone 5, and I have bought a bike mount and it fits onto the bar of my Motorbike, nicely, and the bonus of having the life proof case if that it's fully waterproof, and all you do is just slot it into the holder, now to set up the bike with a USB port for charging, but other than that, it works pretty good, and will fit practically any handle bar... http://www.lifeproof.com/en/iphone-5-fre/

http://www.lifeproof.com/en/iphone-5-fre/accessories/

[Icemaestro]

I have a lifeproof case and bike mount also..great as you don't have to fiddle round getting the phone out of its day to day cover and then into the bike mounted cover etc etc...it just slots in and away you go

[MrItalian]

How much did you guys spent on lifeproof case?

[Rhubarb]

I don't understand subjecting a $1000 gadget to the rigours or being mounted on a motorcycle when you can buy a cheap gps for $80?

You can keep the phone in your pocket for music.

+1

Trade Me 5" GPS ($62 with mounting bracket)

A tight fit plastic bag to put the GPS in ($3 for 100 at Officemax with the press together seal)

The touch screen works perfectly through the plastic bag.
The GPS still clips into its mount with the plastic bag on.
It seals okay around the power cable but you could put a little tape on if you think it's required (mine has never needed it)

6000+ km in all types of weather (including a few West Coast downpours) and it's still working perfectly.

[MrItalian]

+1

Trade Me 5" GPS ($62 with mounting bracket)

A tight fit plastic bag to put the GPS in ($3 for 100 at Officemax with the press together seal)

The touch screen works perfectly through the plastic bag.
The GPS still clips into its mount with the plastic bag on.
It seals okay around the power cable but you could put a little tape on if you think it's required (mine has never needed it)

6000+ km in all types of weather (including a few West Coast downpours) and it's still working perfectly.

Good advise ^^ or you cold simply buy one of these puppy for $39 ( including gst and free shipping ) from Mightape and strap it around left hand fore arm:

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Sporteer-Velocity-V2-Armband-for-iPhones-55S5C-and-Smartphones-ML-Black/21639660

:cool:

[Icemaestro]

65$ from memory on sale from the cheapest place on pricespy. A couple of trademe sellers were doing very good fakes - if the silent button doesn't work properly, it's fake. The bike mount I got off trademe for 1$ - damaged box!


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[Razaghul]

Good advise ^^ or you cold simply buy one of these puppy for $39 ( including gst and free shipping ) from Mightape and strap it around left hand fore arm:

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Sporteer-Velocity-V2-Armband-for-iPhones-55S5C-and-Smartphones-ML-Black/21639660

:cool:


65$ from memory on sale from the cheapest place on pricespy. A couple of trademe sellers were doing very good fakes - if the silent button doesn't work properly, it's fake. The bike mount I got off trademe for 1$ - damaged box!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)


Good stuff guys.

[stevensaaron]

How much did you guys spent on lifeproof case?

well I bought the Lifeproof case from Dick Smih, it cost $89
and the bike mount cost about $30-40 i think.

It's really good, the Lifeproof case is probably the best case around, it's light, waterproof (It actually is...i've actully used it videoing while snorkling), It can handle knocks and drops, It is as the name suggest, it's Lifeproof.

[Waihou Thumper]

well I bought the Lifeproof case from Dick Smih, it cost $89
and the bike mount cost about $30-40 i think.

It's really good, the Lifeproof case is probably the best case around, it's light, waterproof (It actually is...i've actully used it videoing while snorkling), It can handle knocks and drops, It is as the name suggest, it's Lifeproof.


Put the phone in a safe place and use it when needed.....:) Get a GPS guys....Cheaper in the long run by the time you have added all the attachments, surely?

[Skiwi]

Put the phone in a safe place and use it when needed.....:) Get a GPS guys....Cheaper in the long run by the time you have added all the attachments, surely?


Not if you already own he phone .......

[Icemaestro]

I bought the case as I often drop my phone, and the 'waterproof' case I had on the bike previously used to leak a little. I was also going snorkelling in fiji, and it was able to take photos underwater for that. the fact there was a 1$ bike mount on tm at the time clinched the deal. use pricespy to get the best price on the case though, don't buy off trademe.

[Icemaestro]

its handy as you could have a bluetooth speaker or headphone in as well if you like, and the time...

[PrincessBandit]

Love the description from the link:

LIFEJACKET
When you’re rollin’ on the river, splish-splash takin’ a bath, or sittin’ on the dock of the bay, the LifeJacket keeps your iPhone buoyant and afloat. Along with the super buoyancy, the additional shock protection makes it great for working on constructions sites, oil rigs and of course, pirate ships.

After Balu sold our bike GPS I don't think I'd fork out the money for another when there is an accessory such as this for the iphone. Of course, it would be very handy when I take to the high seas aboard my pirate ship :laugh:

[stevensaaron]

Put the phone in a safe place and use it when needed.....:) Get a GPS guys....Cheaper in the long run by the time you have added all the attachments, surely?


Yeah, but if you've already got the phone, it's the best case around, and it's not just to use on the bike, it's not really any cheaper to get a GPS unit, cos you can have all that on the iPhone rather than having to worry about multiple units, you can have it all on one device,
If it works for you than it's probably the best option, if you don't have an iPhone than just find something that works for you, if it's getting a dedicated GPS than just do it that way :) :msn-wink: