[aapocketz]

Just sharing my recent design for a smartphone car dock/mount/cradle/charger for my Galaxy S7 Edge in my 2016 Volt. I had a wireless charger that I liked but I wanted one that would plug into USB to support Android Auto integration. The drop-in design is custom fitted, incredibly secure, and easy to use one handed, in and out, no fiddling with USB cables.

The dock mounts securely without damage by attaching the vertical posts in the Volt's center console using a cheap ram mount attachment. The instructions on how to do this and all materials used are available on thingiverse http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2041572.

Total cost of RAM mount, 3D printed dock, and hardware was under $20.

Also a short video overview, which also shows how I launch waze automatically in the foreground (using tasker) while still running Android Auto in the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB2ULfGEWvA

 

[aspomwell]

That looks awesome! I'd like to make one for my Note Edge but I'll probably be upgrading phone sometime soon.

 

[heyeph]

I have an S7 Edge and want to get this.

a) Can the dock be purchased from Thingaverse?
b) How do you mount the USB cable to it so that you automatically connect when you drop it in?
c) Do you have links to the RAM mount?

Thanks!

 

[jsmay311]

Looks pretty slick.

But, FWIW, for those without a 3D printer or wanting a professional product, I've had a good experience with ProClip mounts.

They make custom mounts for various vehicles' dashes, including Gen 1 and Gen 2 Volts, and then you match it with a separate custom phone mount that attaches to the dash mount. It's a bit pricey after buying both parts, but worth in IMO.

Gen 2 dash mount: http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-mounts/vehicle/chevrolet/volt/2017.cmsv
Gen 1 dash mounts: http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-mounts/vehicle/chevrolet/volt/2013.cmsv
S7 phone mounts: http://www.proclipusa.com/phone-holders/device/samsung/galaxy-s7.cmsv (for example. they have lots of other phone brand/model mounts.)

 

[aapocketz]

I have an S7 Edge and want to get this.

a) Can the dock be purchased from Thingaverse?
b) How do you mount the USB cable to it so that you automatically connect when you drop it in?
c) Do you have links to the RAM mount?

Thanks!

a. If you don't have a 3D printer (I don't!) You can order it from 3D Hubs. You can do it through thingiverse (click "order this printed" and I think it transfers the model to 3D hubs. I found a local shop that printed it and I just picked it up the next day. I recommend using ABS plastic. You could also try shapeways or another big shop online, I think shapeways wanted about $20.
b. It's just friction mounted, I made the hole the same size as the connector and squeezed it in. If it was slightly off I was just going to glue it in place (super glue or RTV). It's measured to be lined up with the phone perfectly so it slides on with minimal push.
c.i think there is a link in the thingiverse comments, but this is the mount I used http://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-SB-187U. Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/Mount-EZ-Strap-Short-Diamond-Adapter/dp/B005E1PSCU

 

[aapocketz]

Looks pretty slick.

But, FWIW, for those without a 3D printer or wanting a professional product, I've had a good experience with ProClip mounts.

They make custom mounts for various vehicles' dashes, including Gen 1 and Gen 2 Volts, and then you match it with a separate custom phone mount that attaches to the dash mount. It's a bit pricey after buying both parts, but worth in IMO.

Gen 2 dash mount: http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-mounts/vehicle/chevrolet/volt/2017.cmsv
Gen 1 dash mounts: http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboard-mounts/vehicle/chevrolet/volt/2013.cmsv
S7 phone mounts: http://www.proclipusa.com/phone-holders/device/samsung/galaxy-s7.cmsv (for example. they have lots of other phone brand/model mounts.)

They look nice! The benefit of my solution is it custom fits my phone with my exact case perfectly, and it is a one handed drop in solution with USB. Also if you discount all the time I spent 3D modeling, it's much cheaper. It's not as professional looking I guess as your injection molded part, but you could spend a a bit more and print it in whatever material, quality or color you wanted. (ABS is nice though, basically feels like the plastic from a Lego brick)

Anyway just wanted to share my work for free, so others can benefit and maybe I spark the next person to improve on my ideas or come up with their own. Thanks!

 

[dleibowitz]

sweet handiwork! can I convince your to produce and ship me one for a fee including a reasonable profit for your troubles? btw...have you attempted to create a customer rubber sleeve for the wireless charging port which cannot accomodate a S7 Edge and allow the center console hatch to completely close?

 

[cmv727]

Any similar iphone docs out there?

 

[teksavy]

Thanks for sharing. I really like your handiwork. I'll have to design one for my Note 4 and print out on my 3D printer.

 

[aapocketz]

sweet handiwork! can I convince your to produce and ship me one for a fee including a reasonable profit for your troubles? btw...have you attempted to create a customer rubber sleeve for the wireless charging port which cannot accomodate a S7 Edge and allow the center console hatch to completely close?

Sure, I could do that I guess it's pretty simple. What case do you have for your phone, do you have calipers to measure the width? I don't mind adjusting my model a bit to accommodate different phone sizes if interested. Maybe PM me. Perhaps it could help fund me actually getting my own 3D printer LOL.

Not sure what you are referring to with the rubber sleeve for the center console wireless charging port. I guess you are saying the phone is too big for the armrest to close all the way? I do not have the premier volt with this feature (nor would I use it if I did). If I had access to the rubber sleeve I could probably model it and print one with slightly different dimensions if there was room to accommodate, but would have to look at one to be sure. Frankly it's probably not worth the time investment as this seems like a seldom used feature for most.

 

[aapocketz]

Any similar iphone docs out there?

iPhones seem to have lots more accessory options since they are so popular, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a good solution out there that would work similarly with carplay.

I think the reason why there aren't many solutions like this out there is phone dimensions change so fast and people prefer different cases so most docks seem to try to work universally. In my opinion the best universal systems are similar to the iOttie one touch, where it's a spring loaded clamp that can be operated one handed. Magnetic clips are OK but they aren't as secure, add some weight and size to the phone, and are incompatible with wireless charging. Regardless, both solutions require fumbling with a USB cable if you want to charge/screen cast. 3D printing can solve this problem because it's cheap to create fully custom shapes at a low unit basis, but since there is no scale it will most likely exist at a hobbiest level, at least for now.

 

[bpfoley45]

Does you knee hit it while you drive? I'm 6'1" and my knee rests right on that pillar while driving. The fact that it is smooth makes it comfortable; I would like a phone mount but would have to possible mount it on the other side; farther away making it less convenient.

 

[aapocketz]

Does you knee hit it while you drive? I'm 6'1" and my knee rests right on that pillar while driving. The fact that it is smooth makes it comfortable; I would like a phone mount but would have to possible mount it on the other side; farther away making it less convenient.

I am a XL guy at 6'3". It is close to my leg, but doesn't hit it. I do mount it as high on the pillar as possible. I also made a revision 1 of this design which was had about 1cm more drop to it, and I wanted it slightly higher (also less material used). Basically the phone rests only a few inches from my leg, but it could be an issue depending on how long your legs are, seating position, posture, etc. Next time I am in my car will take a photo.

 

[Johnathan Vail]

That is cool. i was thinking of something similar but really prefer to get the magnetic cable to work first.

Is this on thingiverse or would you share an STL?

 

[aapocketz]

Here are a couple picture to get you an idea, with my foot resting on the gas pedal like I was driving.

Thats with the chair all the way back position though. If someone is sitting behind me I move my chair up a few notches and it gets tight.

The main advantage to mounting it here is its right next to my right hand and the controls. Its easy to glance down and see the phone as its right under the infotainment screen (which I do glance down occasionally while driving as I run Waze often). Its a very natural position. I had considered mounting it up on the dash, but there are few attachment points, and due to my seat position not as easy to reach. I think near the left A-pillar would also be good place for me, but again I didn't want to deal with suction cups and definitely no adhesives, and running a USB cable across the dash is annoying.

The downside to mounting it in this location is that its somewhat low on the dash. It also covers up seeing the defrost and fan speed knob easily. These aren't huge issues for me at least.

 

[aapocketz]

That is cool. i was thinking of something similar but really prefer to get the magnetic cable to work first.

Is this on thingiverse or would you share an STL?

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2041572
also I made another size for someone who had a thinner case than me, someone made one yesterday.
http://www.thingiverse.com/make:300642

http://www.thingiverse.com/aapocketz/designs

 

[dleibowitz]

I don't have a case on my S7 edge. Just a very very thin IQ Shield protective film surrounding it. We can assume it adds nothing measurable to the thickness of the phone. so what's the price to bang me out one of these?