How to choose a holder for a tablet in a car

Many drivers on the road use mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, phablets). These faithful companions at times facilitate travel, but most often they are used as navigators, laying the route. There are several ways to place a gadget in a car, and each is convenient in its own way.

It seems that choosing the right holder for your tablet is easy. But, if you look at the assortment of these products, an inexperienced driver is simply confused. The fact is that the existing mounts are different from each other in the following parameters: design, purpose, type and method of fixation. Every nuance must be taken into account, otherwise there is a chance to purchase the wrong holder.

Docked tablet computer

Why do I need a holder

A correctly selected mount solves the following tasks:

• reliably fixes the gadget in the position that is most convenient for the driver to navigate the map, receive calls or SMS;
• prevents accidental fall of the tablet if the road surface is of poor quality (potholes, pits);
• increases the level of driver safety on the road (there is no need to hold the device in hands, being distracted).

Important! Focus only on the design is not worth it. Some models of mounts are designed for certain firms of gadgets, others are universal, providing reliable fixation of the tablet of any manufacturer.

If in the near future it is not planned to replace the tablet, it is recommended to take a special holder for it. However, for other devices, such a mount is not suitable, since the "capture" is not adjustable in height and width. However, many universal holders for a tablet computer have attractive points:

• they have a built-in charger;
• the presence of a connector for an external antenna.

If we consider the price, then special holders are more expensive than universal ones. The latter are attractive to those drivers who change gadgets from time to time. Their grip is easy to adjust in height and width, "adjusting" to any tablet.

Locking device

The locking pad that holds the tablet has a different design, and each affects its usability in its own way. It is important that the device can be placed and removed with one hand.

The most common holders, which are also called "crabs." In their design there is a platform for the back cover of the gadget and side clips. Thanks to the width adjustment, they fit most tablet models. The design of the lock itself can be of two types: with spring-loaded clamps and those that need to be moved apart and compressed. The first ones are easier to use - so that the clips “parted”, just press the lock button with one finger.

In the market of such accessories, “three-point” specimen clamps having the form of a “bird's paw” have long been available. There are two supports at the bottom of this holder, and a latch at the top that is slightly adjustable in height. Such holders are convenient to use - to remove the gadget, just unfasten the "tongue". Visually they are compact, but are characterized by one significant drawback - they are not suitable for all device models (depending on the location of the lower supports). In addition, in the place of the latch there is a chance to "erase" the tablet body.

Clothespin holders are less common, with spring-loaded clamps on the same axis. They are in demand only because of the compact size.There are more disadvantages to the solution: the tablet’s edges are erased faster, and to remove and put the gadget, you need two hands (one unclenches the latch, the second holds the gadget).

Not so long ago, fixatives appeared that hold the tablet thanks to a sticky silicone-like base (often compared to suckers of octopus tentacles). These mounts look original, but the attached tablet must have a smooth back cover. The question of relevance depends on how much the property of the suction cups or sticky base will be preserved.

Latches versatility

Mounting location

Tablets in machines are mounted in different ways - it all depends on the purpose for which it is used. For example, if the gadget is used as a GPS navigator, then the installation location is the front of the car. Sometimes a tablet is relevant as a multimedia device (for entertaining children), then it is placed at the back. When buying a fastener, you need to ask yourself the question in what places it is planned to put it.

The options are as follows:

• On the headrest. There are two varieties. The first allows you to mount the tablet on the headrest of the passenger seat. For fastening, special hooks or tightening nuts are intended. Many models are adjustable in height and distance from the seat. Tilt the gadget attached in this way will work, but turn to the sides - no. The second variety includes clamps placed between two seats. To do this, their design has a telescopic rod, the length of which is easy to adjust. There are hooks on each edge. A holder (three-point or clamping sample) is attached to the rod itself.
• On the dashboard. This is most often the case. With a small tablet screen, you can place it both on the left and on the right of the driver. There is also an option for a holder with clothespins that are mounted on the ventilation grill. Such devices are fixed reliably, but the tablet cannot be tilted or rotated to the sides. Among the advantages - the visibility of the road is not limited.
• Car holder in CD. This is an option for those drivers who rarely use the drive slot (especially when you consider that the radio tape recorders “accept” flash drives and cards). This easy-to-use clip provides secure gadget fixation. The holder itself "sits" steadily, as it is located in the slot under the CD. There are disadvantages to the solution: tablets with a large diagonal overlap the radio controls. In addition, when installing the holder, the CD slot is scratched, making it easy to damage the drive.
• On the steering wheel. The method, which is not widely used, though supplements the steering wheel with a “screen." Suitable for devices whose diagonal does not exceed 5.1 inches. It is necessary to get used to such fastening, since on the steering wheel it is, nevertheless, a foreign body.

Important! All varieties are used, but the main thing is that the holder does not distract the driver and does not interfere with driving, blocking the devices.

Head restraint

Tablet Holder Models

KDS-4C WIIIX

This lock is mounted on the windshield of the car. The holder is practically not visible behind the fixed tablet. The model has a distinctive feature - the legs pressing the gadget are located diagonally. Suitable for tablets with a diagonal from 7.5 to 9.5 inches (for example, for fixing the iPad). The average price for this holder with an interesting design is 840 rubles.

Orico CSP1

This is a multifunctional type of holder, made in the form of a soft and flexible Velcro mat. There are sides that securely fix the location of the tablet. The installation location is the dashboard. In this case, the gadget can be located both horizontally and vertically. The surface of the holder is durable, sticks well, leaving no residue. The average price is 480 rubles.

Orico CSP1

YNMIWEI Universal

Original model with reliable assembly. The installation location is between the head restraints. The attached device is easy to adjust in height and tilt, which allows the telescopic bar. The holder gently holds the tablet without scratching its body.The price of this model of the Chinese manufacturer is from 1300 rubles.

Tetrax smart

Country of origin - Italy. This is a practical and stylish holder that can serve as a decoration for the car. Mounted on the dashboard or to the duct grilles. In the center of the structure there are special magnetic tapes that hold the tablet. The maximum weight of the attached device should not exceed 300 g, and the size - 7 inches. The average price is 1400 rubles.

Tetrax smart

Ppyple CDView M +

Compact holder with a width of 7.5 cm, a depth of 6 cm and a diameter of the magnetic part of 4 cm. It is installed in a CD slot. The fixing method is magnetic, and can withstand the weight of the device up to 700 g. It is possible to adjust the angle of inclination. The set includes protective films installed between the tablet and the plate. Thanks to its compact size, it does not overlap the radio control buttons. The average price is 990 rubles.

Going to the store for a purchase, you should think through priorities in advance to determine the functionality of the holder. It is installed in different places of the cabin: on glass, dashboard, between the headrests, even in the slot for CD-ROMs. There are both universal models and those designed for a particular tablet.