This gadget turned my mobile phone into a splash cam for lower than $30

With the open street changing into an excellent stranger place every day and the vacation journey season approaching, many customers wish to document their drives, whether or not for proof within the occasion of an accident or to watch their very own driving conduct. We right here at Pocket-lint love a good dashcam ourselves, however the actuality is that not all of them match into a decent funds. Moreover, if you happen to’re a first-time purchaser, you won’t wish to leap straight into the deep finish of the dashcam market.

All of that’s effective and dandy. In spite of everything, there is a product on the market for almost every part, and if you would like a funds sprint cam that doubles as a telephone mount, I imagine I’ve discovered the one you are searching for: the Lounge-IT from Smart Additions. Most telephone mounts solely couple up together with your A/C vents, however as we all know, not all vents are created equal. The Lounge-IT circumvents that downside by mounting onto your rearview mirror and, in flip, also can double as a wonderful choice for many who use dashcam apps on their telephones.

The mount itself is very safe

If you happen to can stand a tiny magnet on the again of your telephone, nothing beats this safety

One of many issues I actually like concerning the Lounge-IT is that it is extremely safe, because of a sequence of magnets on each the mount itself and one which sticks to the again of your telephone. I wasn’t positive what the telephone magnet could be prefer to dwell with, however it hasn’t snagged in my pocket as soon as, exhibits no indicators of ever coming off until I actually attempt, and does not stick out like a sore thumb. Granted, I’ve a black telephone case that blends in fairly nicely, however it’s a lot smaller than any Pop-Socket I’ve ever seen, and that counts for one thing.

It is minimal sufficient to go unnoticed, however substantial sufficient to make sure your telephone will not go wherever within the mount until you need it to. Within the occasion of any accident, that type of safety is exactly what you need. I genuinely have to almost pry it out of the mount every time I take it off, which, if you are going to ensure you do one thing exceptionally nicely with any telephone mount, I would quite that be the sticking level, pun meant.

It doubles as a standard telephone mount, too

With the ability to multitask is a should lately

Whereas the rearview mount works nice, particularly in automobiles like mine with giant entrance windshields, having the ability to concurrently perform as a vent-based telephone mount provides the Lounge-IT a number of further props. If you happen to’re in a sedan or a hatchback with a smaller entrance windshield, this is likely to be the higher choice for you.

One of the best factor concerning the telephone mount is that it is adjustable to any vent dimension or form. All it takes is screwing the mount’s base in or out to regulate its attain, then tightening it again down onto the vent for safety’s sake. All in all, my setup took a few minute, after which the Lounge-IT was road-ready.

In a world of wi-fi connectivity, telephone mounts nonetheless make sense

I’ve used nearly each infotainment show in the marketplace, and none are good

The query of whether or not somebody wants a telephone mount at this time, when almost each car comes customary with wi-fi CarPlay or Android Auto, is an efficient one. Nevertheless, as somebody who religiously makes use of both platform and has spent an enormous period of time dissecting automotive infotainment techniques, a telephone mount nonetheless makes the utmost sense in 2025.

No infotainment system is ideal, and if you happen to’re a person of both mainstream choice, the probabilities are you have skilled moments throughout your common commute when CarPlay or Android Auto simply randomly disconnects. Thus begins the scramble of reconnecting earlier than you miss your flip, which may get fairly harmful in case your telephone is, say, in your pocket. A mount solves that concern whereas protecting you a lot safer. It is a no-brainer — telephone mounts nonetheless work even if you happen to’ve gone wi-fi, and the Lounge IT is likely one of the most helpful I’ve reviewed when it comes to usability and practicality.

The Lounge-IT is at the moment on sale from Sensible Additions for $28, however even at its $30 full worth, it is a fraction of what a funds sprint cam would value, and it solely requires about one-fifth of the setup.