Phone Holder Placement

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KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#208811 28-Feb-2017 16:49

Hi,

Just of curiosity.

Are there any rules for where can we mount phone holder / GPS on windscreen ?

I saw a lady 2 last week, she had her GPS mounted right to the steering wheel & just next to it (which was exactly in front of steering wheel) her phone was mounted. I was surprised to see that.

i could have clicked a photo but could not as i was driving.

isn't that dangerous & illegal ?

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

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2114 posts

Uber Geek

#1727848 28-Feb-2017 17:59

I have mine on the right as low as it will attach to the screen. I can pretty much reach it whilst keeping the same hand on the wheel. It's a blind spot of bonnet anyway. I never understand mounting it under the rearview mirror.

Journeyman

1186 posts

Uber Geek

#1727997 28-Feb-2017 22:14

I don't know if there are rules, but there should be. I've seen people with their GPS mounted dead centre of the windscreen. WTH? How is that safe? How is that not blocking an important piece of vision? You'd think common sense would dictate that you keep the GPS mounted somewhere to the edge of the screen.

tdgeek

29746 posts

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#1728023 28-Feb-2017 23:49

In California, GPS cannot be on the windscreen, so the rental we had gave us the GPS and a beanbag, so it sat near the gear shifter. Very safe, you take your eye off the road and peripheral vision to look down. yes, I know you can listen and not look, but we all look!

If I had one, I'd have it on windscreen in my view, left or right id the wheel, so I can move my head and eyes less, and still get peripheral vision. I dont use ours, I stick my phone in front of the gear shifter and listen.

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#1728084 1-Mar-2017 08:42

I'm not aware of any specific rules governing the location of removable phone cradles or similar. The WOF manual defines an area of the windscreen that must be clear of chips, cracks etc, but that's a one size fits all rule.

I think it's a matter of keeping your line of vision in all directions clear. You can always remove for a warrant or if instructed to by a police officer.

I positioned mine with the lower edge touching the dash just above the instrument panel.

Something that is very important is to keep it well clear of the deployment path of all air-bags.

Mike

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#1728086 1-Mar-2017 08:44

tdgeek:

In California, GPS cannot be on the windscreen, so the rental we had gave us the GPS and a beanbag, so it sat near the gear shifter. Very safe, you take your eye off the road and peripheral vision to look down. yes, I know you can listen and not look, but we all look!

When I rent cars in NZ I put my phone on the instrument panel in landscape orientation. Use as a Speedo and GPS.

Mike

tripp

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#1728088 1-Mar-2017 08:50

A few years ago (2011 or so) I was getting a WOF and they told me you could not have one stuck to the window at all. However i don't know if that is the case otherwise everyone would be getting tickets for it.

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#1728141 1-Mar-2017 09:34

tripp:

A few years ago (2011 or so) I was getting a WOF and they told me you could not have one stuck to the window at all. However i don't know if that is the case otherwise everyone would be getting tickets for it.

Any dubious sounding determinations like that from a WOF inspector and I ask them to show me the relevant text in the standard/manual.

Sometimes WOF inspectors say things that are incorrect or represent a personal view rather than the regulated standards.

Mike

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frankv

5680 posts

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#1728152 1-Mar-2017 09:51

MikeAqua:

Sometimes WOF inspectors say things that are incorrect or represent a personal view rather than the regulated standards.

Yup... had one fail me on a broken taillight which I had repaired, I think mainly because he wanted to sell me a replacement taillight module for about $80. His understanding/opinion was that *only* OEM taillights could be used legally.

We eventually agreed that my repair was adequate and legal.

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1728177 1-Mar-2017 10:23

this christmas i got a speeding ticket, the officer was checking things on my car, while my phone was mounted on the windscreen on bottom right corner, but he did not say anything about it.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

maoriboy

1007 posts

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#1728199 1-Mar-2017 10:55

KillerHulk:

I saw a lady 2 last week, she had her GPS mounted right to the steering wheel & just next to it (which was exactly in front of steering wheel) her phone was mounted. I was surprised to see that.

I was under the impression there could not be anything mounted to a steering wheel as that could pose a safety risk in the event of a collision or is that just spinners??

http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/steering-and-suspension/steering-and-suspension-systems

Or did I read the OP post incorrectly.

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1728202 1-Mar-2017 10:59

maoriboy:

KillerHulk:

I saw a lady 2 last week, she had her GPS mounted right to the steering wheel & just next to it (which was exactly in front of steering wheel) her phone was mounted. I was surprised to see that.

I was under the impression there could not be anything mounted to a steering wheel as that could pose a safety risk in the event of a collision or is that just spinners??

http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/steering-and-suspension/steering-and-suspension-systems

Or did I read the OP post incorrectly.

hi, well gps & phone were mounted on the windscreen not on steering wheel.

sorry i might have missed that out.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1812490 4-Jul-2017 12:08

Just saw a lady yesterday on queen street auckland.

Phone was mounted on windscreen next to rear view mirror, plus she was doing video call to someone while driving !!!

People are so talented & dumb !!!!!!

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1812504 4-Jul-2017 12:30

The area immediately above the steering wheel must be free of obstructions. You also cannot mount it in such a way that it would interfere with any of the vehicles safety systems, for example you cannot and should not Velcro it to the steering wheel that has an airbag (yes I have seen that more than once). Other than that there are no laws, however there is the requirement that you are not careless in operating a vehicle, deliberately mounting the phone so that it significantly obstructs a drivers vision could come under that rule. Would it be enforced? ... unlikely.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

richms

28172 posts

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#1812508 4-Jul-2017 12:35

I have a stalk that goes under a seat bolt of the passanger seat and comes up and hold it just beside the gear shift. Nice and low so people behind me cant see whats on the screen unless they are in something really tall and close.

Richard rich.ms

Wiggum

1199 posts

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Inactive user

#1812556 4-Jul-2017 13:33

KillerHulk:

Just saw a lady yesterday on queen street auckland.

Phone was mounted on windscreen next to rear view mirror, plus she was doing video call to someone while driving !!!

People are so talented & dumb !!!!!!

Seriously. Whats wrong with that?

The phone is mounted, and there is no law against using it for video calling wile driving. Done it heaps myself.

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