Stick ’em up: navigation mounts tested

Posted by Melanie van Zyl on 25 August 2014

You could use a GPS, but chances are you’re using a smartphone or tablet for navigation these days. We’ve found the best navigation mounts for your digital devices.

1. Clip it quick

R199

The Universal Car Holder is a simple clip with a suction mount that fastens to your windscreen. It grips the width of your smartphone, which can be displayed vertically or horizontally, and has a 360-degree turn-around. Compatible with most 5,5-inch smartphones. The simple design, nice price and compact size make it a good value-for-money navigation mount.

Buy at: Tangled.

2. In-ventive

R399

The Kenu Airframe doesn’t obstruct your windscreen, is small enough to pop into the cubbyhole and cleverly designed to grip any kind of vehicle air vent while holding a smartphone in place with expand- able, spring-loaded arms. It comes with a two-year warranty and the soft plastic grips are made to withstand wear and tear from the heating or air-con.

Buy at: Mobile Fun and iStore.

3. Buckle up (Best Value Buy)

R129

Small and well priced, the universal Smart Buckle is a clever little gadget, even it does look like it’s a McDonald’s Happy Meal freebie. Adjust the support arm to fit your smartphone (it won’t accommodate bigger phablets like the Samsung Note) and snap shut to keep it in place. Then wrap the elastic strap over your steering wheel so it dangles between the top of the steering wheel and the hooter. I was skeptical at first, but it didn’t get in the way of driving. Available in four colours.

Buy at: Superbalist.

Along with the Smart Buckle, I’ve curated other other awesome
cables and organiser items for your smart devices on the Superbalist store, check out the Organise and Charge up feature here.

4. Get a grip (Editor’s Pick)

R1 559

The robust, seriously sturdy seven-inch universal X-Grip tablet holder comes with a lifetime guarantee. Four spring-loaded, rubber-tipped arms grip the device and there’s little chance the suction mount will fall off the windscreen. It’s bulky on your windscreen, but it’s still my pick of the lot. The mount is detachable, so you need only buy the arms when you upgrade the device. Available for all smart- phones and tablets.

Buy at: RAM Mounts.

5. Do it yourself

R200 a metre

Capable of securing up to 15kg, this heavy-duty, stick-on Velcro is great for making your own mount. Cut to any shape or size to fit your device and it sticks to most surfaces.

Buy at: Builders Warehouse.

Get the app

The maps that come with Garmin and TomTom devices, although sufficient for navigating most South African regions, are inadequate when heading off road in Southern Africa. Supplement them with Tracks4Africa, says local expert Kevin Bolton of NavWorld store. ‘Anyone leaving South Africa without Tracks4Africa should be shot before dawn. My honest opinion,’ he says.

You could forgo a GPS altogether if you have a smartphone or tablet. The Tracks4Africa Overland Navigator app works offline using a built-in 3G transmitter. It includes practical points of interest such as petrol stations and a near-exhaustive directory of accommodation as well as detailed, accurate maps. But it doesn’t comprehensively cover big cities with lots of streets such as Joburg; in these instances it’s best to use Google Maps.

Buy at: Apple app store. Available soon on Google Play store.

Visit the Tracks4Africa site for more info.