DIY iPad mount for car...any ideas?

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Mar 09, 2011 5:31 PM

Got a refurbed 1st gen iPad this week, and want to figure some kind of car mount for it.
There are all kinds of suction cup devices, but I barely trust my old GPS on that, let alone a 1.5lb iPad.

I had something in mind like the old CD player gooseneck mounts, that screw into the transmission tunnel, or an oldskool mobile phone mount.

It would be great to have this mounted like a laptop in a cop car.

SO, any ideas or materials you might have on hand for inspiration?

JeepJockey · Post by **JeepJockey** » Mar 09, 2011 5:34 PM

I think I saw this on this site.

http://www.steering-wheel-ipad.com/

Post by **tsmall07** » Mar 09, 2011 6:03 PM

What the fuck do you need to look at on an IPad while you're driving?

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Mar 09, 2011 6:12 PM

tsmall07 wrote:What the fuck do you need to look at on an IPad while you're driving?

Big-Ass GPS mang...

duh....

Tammer in Philly · Post by **Tammer in Philly** » Mar 09, 2011 6:13 PM

Install this in the passenger seat.

-tammer

bwenham · Post by **bwenham** » Mar 09, 2011 6:35 PM

I recently saw someone driving with a dashboard mounted ipad. it looked pretty stupid and blocked a good 1/4 of the windshield.

meh.

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Mar 09, 2011 6:53 PM

Thats exactly what I DON'T want, as stated in the OP.

Eh, more research while at work...

aaront · Post by **aaront** » Mar 10, 2011 9:41 AM

I want someone to integrate it into their console, so it doesn't only provide the typical app and music options, but so it also provides an interface for the climate control. It looks to be about the right size/shape. Someone good with electronics and small motors and switches would be able to figure it out.

Of course, then we'd have to write a MyE28 app and get it through the app store!

slammin_e28 · Post by **slammin_e28** » Mar 10, 2011 9:52 AM

I like Tammer's idea. They have those on Amazon? I don't want a cheapo eBay one....

Post by **Jeremy** » Mar 10, 2011 10:17 AM

slammin_e28 wrote:I like Tammer's idea. They have those on Amazon? I don't want a cheapo eBay one....

Craigslist.

C.R. Krieger · Post by **C.R. Krieger** » Mar 10, 2011 11:51 AM

Here ya go ...

Either that or duct tape.

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Mar 10, 2011 12:13 PM

C.R. Krieger wrote:Here ya go ...

Either that or duct tape.

ilikemybike · Post by **ilikemybike** » Mar 10, 2011 12:20 PM

C.R. Krieger · Post by **C.R. Krieger** » Mar 10, 2011 12:28 PM

Why is it that nobody ever takes us seriously?

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Mar 10, 2011 1:51 PM

C.R. Krieger wrote:Here ya go ...

Either that or duct tape.

This is great...

I am gonna take that CD player gooseneck or mobile phone cradle the next time I find one...

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Mar 10, 2011 6:27 PM

On a more serious note, here's an Instructable that I bumped into today. It's designed for an iPod/iPod Touch, but it might scale up to iPad-size.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-a ... car-mount/

With the added weight of an iPad, using something other than Elmer's Glue and wood might be prudent. Know anybody that could machine something out of a chunk of Delrin for you?

As for where to mount it in a car so that it doesn't keep your eyes off the road... That's a whole 'nother debate.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Mar 10, 2011 7:23 PM

Here you go sir:

http://www.ram-mount.com/NewProducts/Ap ... fault.aspx

Very good quality for what I feel are reasonable prices. I use their hardware on the motorcycle, in the car, truck and airplane.

sQuirly · Post by **sQuirly** » Mar 10, 2011 7:56 PM

coat hanger through the center vent anchored back to the top vent

aaront · Post by **aaront** » Mar 10, 2011 8:21 PM

davintosh wrote:On a more serious note, here's an Instructable that I bumped into today. It's designed for an iPod/iPod Touch, but it might scale up to iPad-size.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-a ... car-mount/

I didn't know the Amish even used iPods, much less needed to secure them in their buggies.

carnutdallas · Post by **carnutdallas** » Mar 10, 2011 10:23 PM

I wonder if that steering wheel mount in the second post will cause the iPad to become a high speed decapitation device when his airbag deploys?

Luckily in an e28, no stink'in airbag to worry about!

I think the iPad should just be turn off in the car. Is is that necessary?

That is why I drive a 20+ year old car without electronics...I love'em, but prefer minimal distraction at 100mph commutes.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Mar 11, 2011 12:47 AM

I felt like I was in the twilight zone the other day on the plane from Dallas to Phoenix. Everyone in my immediate vicinity was using an iPad. I felt so old reading the Wall Street Journal in paper form.

Dexter · Post by **Dexter** » Mar 11, 2011 11:25 AM

This is a great thread, but I have no input, just wasting your time reading my post. I do, however, like the Loctite Power Grab solution.

slammin_e28 · Post by **slammin_e28** » Mar 11, 2011 11:37 AM

Still like Tammer's idea the best. What's wrong with it?

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Mar 11, 2011 1:59 PM

Mark 88/M5 Houston wrote:Here you go sir:

http://www.ram-mount.com/NewProducts/Ap ... fault.aspx

Very good quality for what I feel are reasonable prices. I use their hardware on the motorcycle, in the car, truck and airplane.

Mark,
That looks like a winning product, and not nearly as expensive as a couple of the other arms I have seen.

I can always buy their iPad case then mount that to my own gooseneck too....Thats only $21.

Post by **Jeremy** » Mar 11, 2011 2:04 PM

Where would you attach the base of the gooseneck on an e28? There's a couple options I suppose, but I'm wondering what you're thinking in that regard.

cvillebimmer · Post by **cvillebimmer** » Mar 11, 2011 2:04 PM

JeepJockey wrote:I think I saw this on this site.

http://www.steering-wheel-ipad.com/

That can't be for real. It'll be awesome when the airbag deploys.

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Mar 11, 2011 2:19 PM

Jeremy,
Either to the side of the transmission tunnel, or with a bracket to the passenger front left seat bolt.

I remember 'back in the day' when you would use a stand alone cd player and a cassette adapter in the car, you could install a stand or tray for the cd player, on a nice metal gooseneck that bolted to the side of the transmission tunnel.
I installed a few myself.

Old school mobile phones had similar mounts, but with shorter necks. Just remove the head on them, and attach the iPad case from Marks referenced company Ram-Mount.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

DIY iPad mount for car...any ideas?

DIY iPad mount for car...any ideas?

(borderline NSFW)