15
Jan
09

Griffin Windowseat

windowseat_2b.jpg

So what do you get an iPhone -owning-Gadget nut like me for Christmas? Do you get him case? Nope, already have that. How about a travel charger? Sorry, have that too! Car charger? In the glove compartment.

The WindowSeat from Griffin is the answer. I received one of these from my friend this Christmas–thanks Sam–to my excitement. It’s very much like the suction cup holders for GPS units in peoples car, but for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It attaches to your window or on your dash with an adhesive platform. Also included are: 3.5mm audio cable and an extension arm.

I had it set up on my window in a matter of minutes, basically ready to go out of the box. However, if you want to mount it to your dash or use the extension, it will take a little longer. I tried out a few different angles, on the windshield, on the dashboard and with the extension arm. I found that there is excess vibration when the extension arm is used. This may or may not affect you depending on your car’s ride. I found extra reach of the extension very convenient but the bouncing of my iPhone was very distracting and annoying, so I went back to the regular length.

Switching from portrait to landscape is a very easy twist of the wrist. Make sure that you mount it high enough to clear the dash with room to spare for the rotation and the charging cable–just in case you need it.

Anyone considering this set-up may also want to invest in a bluetooth headset. The iPhone mounts very securely in the holder making it difficult to detach for phone calls–though it could be because I have an Invisible Shield by ZAGG all around.

I hope that in the future they will make a case that works with this holder. It would be great to pull it out of my pocket or off my belt and put it in the holder when I get in the car.

I will say that I am extremely satisfied with this product (as any product I’ve ever used of Griffin’s) and would recommend it to anyone who spends a significant time on the road.


4 Responses to “Griffin Windowseat”


  1. 1 Michael
    January 30, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Supposing your the adhesive platform / you dashboard area
    is horizontal, will you be able to adjust the stand
    so that the iphone is in a vertical position?
    If this is only possible with extension arms,
    with one or two?

    Michael

    • 2 ryoh
      January 30, 2009 at 3:24 pm

      Hi Michael,

      If you dash is completely flat/level, the single arm setup probably wouldn’t work that well. The iPhone/iPod Touch would have to be on an angle to rotate between horizontal and vertical positions.

      However, if you use the extension arm (it only comes with one extension) it shouldn’t be problem. I didn’t want to stick adhesive onto my dashboard, so I haven’t tried it out fully–but I’ve placed it on the dash with the extension before and it seemed ok. My only concern would be the vibrations while driving may be a distraction.

      I hope this helps.
      Ryoh

  2. August 3, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    I just bought the same setup you have: iPhone, InvisibleShield, WindowSear. I was wondering, has the WindowSeat messed up the corners of the InvisibleShield at all?

    • 4 ryoh
      August 3, 2009 at 8:12 pm

      I have had the same thing happen, to be honest. The corners started pealing off after having used the window seat. I am currently using it without the InvisibleShield.

      I was on my second InvisibleShield (replaced due to discoloration and the corners pealing off) when I decided to just take it off completely as the corners were starting to come off from my pocket fuzz getting stuck on it.

      InvisibleShield is a great product for protection, but there seems to be many accessories that will not work with it–like a Mophie Juicepack.

      I’m not sure if I will be putting the InvisibleShiled back on my phone.

      Ryoh


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