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

With the open highway changing into a fair stranger place every day and the vacation journey season approaching, many shoppers need to document their drives, whether or not for proof within the occasion of an accident or to observe their very own driving habits. We right here at Pocket-lint love a good dashcam ourselves, however the actuality is that not all of them match into a good funds. Moreover, in the event you’re a first-time purchaser, you may not need to soar straight into the deep finish of the dashcam market.

All of that’s positive and dandy. In spite of everything, there is a product on the market for almost all the pieces, and if you need a funds sprint cam that doubles as a cellphone mount, I imagine I’ve discovered the one you are in search of: the Lounge-IT from Smart Additions. Most cellphone 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 drawback by mounting onto your rearview mirror and, in flip, may double as a wonderful choice for many who use dashcam apps on their telephones.

The mount itself is extremely safe

Should you can stand a tiny magnet on the again of your cellphone, nothing beats this safety

One of many issues I actually like in regards to the Lounge-IT is that it is extremely safe, due to a sequence of magnets on each the mount itself and one which sticks to the again of your cellphone. I wasn’t positive what the cellphone magnet can be wish to dwell with, nevertheless it hasn’t snagged in my pocket as soon as, reveals no indicators of ever coming off except I actually strive, and would not stick out like a sore thumb. Granted, I’ve a black cellphone case that blends in fairly effectively, nevertheless 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 cellphone will not go anyplace within the mount except you need it to. Within the occasion of any accident, that sort 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 effectively with any cellphone mount, I would quite that be the sticking level, pun supposed.

It doubles as a conventional cellphone mount, too

Having the ability to multitask is a should today

Whereas the rearview mount works nice, particularly in vehicles like mine with massive entrance windshields, with the ability to concurrently perform as a vent-based cellphone mount offers the Lounge-IT just a few additional props. Should you’re in a sedan or a hatchback with a smaller entrance windshield, this could be the higher choice for you.

The very best factor in regards to the cellphone 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 couple of minute, after which the Lounge-IT was road-ready.

In a world of wi-fi connectivity, cellphone 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 cellphone mount immediately, when practically each automobile comes normal with wi-fi CarPlay or Android Auto, is an efficient one. Nonetheless, as somebody who religiously makes use of both platform and has spent an enormous period of time dissecting automobile infotainment methods, a cellphone mount nonetheless makes the utmost sense in 2025.

No infotainment system is ideal, and in the event you’re a person of both mainstream choice, the possibilities are you’ve got 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 might get fairly harmful in case your cellphone is, say, in your pocket. A mount solves that subject whereas conserving you a lot safer. It is a no-brainer — cellphone mounts nonetheless work even in the event you’ve gone wi-fi, and the Lounge IT is among the most helpful I’ve reviewed by way of usability and practicality.

The Lounge-IT is at present 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 price, and it solely requires about one-fifth of the setup.