Review: TaoTronics GPS Mount
I’ll start off this review by stating that my venerable Kenu Airframe broke after three years of daily use.
When I’m driving, my iPhone is my navigation system. Since the Airframe was no longer functioning, I began to research the market for a worthy replacement. My requirements for a GPS vehicle mount were threefold:
1) The holder should be durable and easily accommodate both medium and large smartphones. (My wife has an iPhone 6plus, and I have an iPhone 6s. Both are enclosed within UAG protective cases.)
2) It should keep our smartphones at eye level, with the ability to adjust the angle of my device as needed.
3) It should also be easy to attach and detach.
Since the time of my review, there have been many new competitors in the GPS vehicle mount space. The choices were overwhelming, but ultimately I purchased the TaoTronics Car Phone Mount Holder for Android and iOS. The retail price on this unit is $17, but I found it available online for under $10.
Per the description, the TaoTronics TT-SH015U car mount can handle a range of devices, including iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Nexus models. For this review, I tested the unit with an iPhone 6s and iPhone6plus.
What’s in the Box
In the diminutive box is the mount itself, a warranty extension card (giving up to 18 months on the unit) and a small user guide.
The TaoTronic unit will not work with all air vents, but if yours is of the shutter variety, you’re in business.
The clip can accommodate circular or rectangular air vent blades, with a small toggle to select the appropriate air vent blade thickness: from 1.5mm to 2.5mm in thickness up to 2.5mm to 3.5mm in thickness. Clipping the unit to the car was literally a snap. Best of all, the clips (which use silicon rubber pads) leaves no residue or marks.
Below is the unit at its base size.
Press the button on the back of the latch and it will extend.
Place your phone inside the latch, and press the latch handles together to secure the device. For more nuanced adjustments (like angle and rotation), simply loosen the circular knob and secure it once your adjustments are in place. The unit itself has a good build quality.
Using an iPhone6s with a UAG case, I had more than enough room to adjust the latches. When the TaoTronic’s latches are fully extended, it can accommodate a case-equipped iPhone6plus. Bear in mind, though, it’s a very snug fit.
In my own use case, I found it very easy to secure and remove my iPhone6s from the TaoTronics holder, using only one hand. With a case equipped iPhone6plus, it was a little more cumbersome. Regardless of the phone I used, the mount kept the units secure and in place, with no flopping around.
I really like the fact that I can adjust the angle of my smartphone so that it’s facing me. I found the securing clip to the air vent to be strong enough to keep the unit in a fixed position.
All in all, for a $10 street price, the TaoTronic TT-SH015U is a good option to consider, especially if you own a smaller sized phone. Its pricing is very competitive – and about $20 cheaper than the comparable Kenu Airframe+. If you have a larger phone with a case, the TaoTronics holder should also work – but keep in mind that it’s going to be a tight fit.
Time will tell how long the Taotronic unit lasts. If I can get at least three years with it, I’ll consider it to be a good value. As it stands, I give it 4.5 Bob Weiners.
Update: I’ve revised my review downward to reflect the fact that after about a year and a half of usage, the spring mechanism on the Taotronics does not have enough pressure to properly secure the smartphone onto either of our cars’ air vents. I’ve since gone back to the Kenu Airframe Plus.
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