[paulcbrowne]

I thought this topic deserves its own thread because cases for smartphones can cause damage.

Ever since I used my iPhone in a RAM Aquabox one time, its battery has become progressively weaker. Now, I must replace the iPhone battery. Charge lasts only a few hours, charging required 2-3 times per day. It had become quite hot in the sealed Aquabox. The heat probably did in the battery. Sealed cases may keep a smartphone dry, but lack of air circulation can create a problem

I've ordered a RAM X-Grip holder that looks promising. I also ordered a wrist strap to use as a tether. If it rains, the phone will go in my pocket or one of the cubbies and I'll just listen to directions via Bluetooth.

 

[TheDarkCutlass]

Sealed case + direct sunlight + intensive process using apps such as navigation + charging (if applicable) = failure. Surprised the iphone's heat protection didn't kick into protection honestly.

 

[Renegade1978]

I have the RAM X-Grip. It is AWESOME! No heat buildup and access to all ports.

 

[adventuregpx]

I use an Otterbox but only when I'm on the bike, so it's not on there the whole time. Hopefully won't have the same problem as you. I use the X-Grip too and it's a great solution, easy to get the phone in and out of but super secure when riding.

 

[TechArtGuy]

i have a samsung note 2 i use within an aquabox. i have noticed at times that the phone can get warm even outside of the box depending on how much fluff is running. soi have an app management app that kills off uneeded apps at regular inervals. so now with the gps and audio apps running it stays fairly cool. i do have it rooted w custom rom and an extended bat so that maybe helping as well to avoid running it down. i did modify mybox with some homemade quick disconnect audo and power for the phone however.

 

[mjustice5898]

I have the RAM X-Grip. It is AWESOME! No heat buildup and access to all ports.

Hey Renegade, any issue with the X-grip? I just ordered one for use with a MCL brake cover and small RAM arm to mount my smart phone. A few of the reviewers of the mount on Amazon expressed concerns that bumps might jostle their devises loose from the spring action arms, so I have been trying to figure out a means to "tether" the phone to the mount and/or the bike in some way to avoid losing my phone on the road. You are the first forum member I saw post about this particular mount, so wanted to get your impressions. Thanks!!!! ccasion5:

 

[mjustice5898]

I use an Otterbox but only when I'm on the bike, so it's not on there the whole time. Hopefully won't have the same problem as you. I use the X-Grip too and it's a great solution, easy to get the phone in and out of but super secure when riding.

Just saw that you too are using the X-Grip. Any concerns about needing to tether the phone somehow in case of rough roads? Thanks!

 

[adventuregpx]

Just saw that you too are using the X-Grip. Any concerns about needing to tether the phone somehow in case of rough roads? Thanks!

The otterbox has a lanyard that comes with it, so I just loop that around the X-Grip. This is on a Dual Sport bike that I take on some pretty serious trails and therefore gets as much 'jostling' as you are likely to ever see. I don't really feel the need to tether it, but since the lanyard is there I use it.

 

[mjustice5898]

Thanks! Might look into the "otterbox" for my phone too.

 

[Muse]

With Bluetooth no need to stick iphone in a holder, the cubby hole is perfect to keep it working well and dry.

 

[Renegade1978]

Hey Renegade, any issue with the X-grip? I just ordered one for use with a MCL brake cover and small RAM arm to mount my smart phone. A few of the reviewers of the mount on Amazon expressed concerns that bumps might jostle their devises loose from the spring action arms, so I have been trying to figure out a means to "tether" the phone to the mount and/or the bike in some way to avoid losing my phone on the road. You are the first forum member I saw post about this particular mount, so wanted to get your impressions. Thanks!!!! ccasion5:

Sorry to be so late in responding to this. In short, there have been NO issues with my phone coming loose. I've done a 1600+ mile trip on it and had no problems. I've hit potholes and gone over rough railroad tracks. Zip! It's a great accessory, and I wouldn't be without it now. The only concern would be if I run into rain, but I can usually see that coming (watch the wipers of the oncoming traffic), and get it out of the way in time. A Zip-lock bag placed upside down over my iPhone offers adequate short-term protection.

 

[ErikDK]

With Bluetooth no need to stick iphone in a holder, the cubby hole is perfect to keep it working well and dry.

Kind of awkward if you want to see the map during gps navigation.

 

[NormanB]

I have a Zumo 660 a dedicated piece of navigational equipment, designed for a bike and waterproof to boot. I also succumbed to the Apple con and bought an iPhone5 - why would you risk a $500 phone either in wet weather or hot climates cooped up in a waterproof case? Seems a rather short sighted attempt to save money.

I cannot see how a smart phone gps app can really substitute for a truly capable dedicated GPS unit.

 

[Rusty J]

I've been using the CoPilot Live app on a Samsung Infuse 4G (an outdated phone, but I have my reasons) in a home-made mount strapped to the center of the handlebars. The app has a few useful features: the maps are stored on the phone and it calculates routes natively, so it works without cellular data; it has several options for route selection (five levels of preference for freeways, from Strongly Avoid to Strongly Favor, for example), and it allows you to edit the computed route and save the edited version. (On Android, you can also transfer a route's waypoints to another device running CPL by copying/pasting from within the filesystem -- it's not officially supported, but not difficult if you know what you're looking for.)

Additionally, using the phone allows me to also listen to streaming internet radio (via the TuneIn Radio Pro app) over bluetooth to my helmet along with the voice navigation prompts.

A dedicated GPS might work better, but this works well enough.

 

[Colchicine]

For those with iPhails, S3s or S4s, there is a really good case that is rugged that you can use full time, off and on the bike.

http://www.seidioonline.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=OBEX