[SMBenn]

DIY Tablet Dash Mount - With Video

I primarily use Spotify for my music in the car and I have always hated that I can't access my Spotify playlists without picking up my phone and scrolling through. Because of that I decided to install my Nexus 7 on the dash, but could not find a low profile mount that I liked. I decided to go ahead and try to build one and it came out great.

I purchased a couple of these brackets from Home Depot. I like them because I can bend them to fit perfectly and they were only 58 cents each.

I decided to mount the Nexus in the compartment on the dash, so I bent the brackets to fit. I also rapped them with electrical tape to keep from scratching the tablet or the dash. Here is what the brackets looked like when they were finished.

The brackets slide into slits I cut into my tablet's case.

After sliding the brackets into the back of the tablet, I just open the dash compartment, place the feet of the brackets beneath the lip of the lid, close it up, and voila!

Here is what it looks like from the driver's seat:

The great thing about this mod is that it is cheap quick and easy. It also requires no modification to the car and it works quite well since it's within my reach while driving and my eyes don't have to venture to far from the road to operate the tablet.

I added an extra layer of electrical tape to make the brackets fit snug in the dash compartment and as a result the tablet feels sturdy and secure. It doesn't move with bumps in the road or when I press something on the screen.

Right now I'm just using a 3.5mm audio cable to the radio's Aux input, but I'm going to either try out bluetooth streaming, or run a long 3.5mm to RCA cable to the JBL MS-8 in the trunk. Since I prefer good audio quality, I'm leaning toward running the cable.

I will have to keep an eye out on the dash compartment to be sure that the tablet's weight isn't causing any problems, but from what I saw today, I don't really expect that to be a problem.

Note: The launcher I'm using on the tablet is called CarHome Ultra.

UPDATE: Here's a video of how everything works!

 

[Boats4Life]

VERY nice. Looks pretty damn good for such a cheap mod, I'm impressed. Finally found a use for that dash storage, too! lol

 

[WrenchGuy]

Cool....I was gonna do something in the lid of that thing eventually.

 

[MinnesotaMike]

I like the concept but it doesnt seem practical. IMO it blocks too much of your view of the road and is very distracting. I have a dash mount for my Galaxy phone that works well and does not block my vision what so ever.

 

[SMBenn]

I like the concept but it doesnt seem practical. IMO it blocks too much of your view of the road and is very distracting. I have a dash mount for my Galaxy phone that works well and does not block my vision what so ever.

I thought it would block my view at first as well. I was actually a little shocked that it doesn't. I added a pic below that shows what I see at eye level from my normal driving position. You can actually see the edge of the hood all the way around the car.

 

[jpackard86]

Did you tint half your windshield?

 

[MinnesotaMike]

Looks great in the picture!

 

[SMBenn]

Did you tint half your windshield?

Nah, pictures throw everything out of whack. It actually stops at the AS1 line about 4 inches from the top. I hadn't planned on having that done when I had my windows tinted, but it was free since it came with the package. When they said my favorite word "free", I said "sure"!

 

[SMBenn]

So I got a little caught up and took this project to another level. I soldered wire to the headphone jack and routed it through the bottom of the case and mount to avoid having anything sticking out from the tablet.

I also started messing around with an app called Tasker on Android and I have to say that I am in love! I was just trying to automate a few common tasks when I get in the car and ended up making a light app that allows me to access some things quickly using a pretty nice interface.

I wish I had found this app sooner. It's useful for a lot of things and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to create a few shortcuts for common tasks on an Android device!

 

[NuGuyMalibu]

Very nice mod to the compartment. Would come in very handy for the everyday traveler.

 

[jpackard86]

@SMbenn I sent you a message

 

[KevinBridges]

I primarily use Spotify for my music in the car and I have always hated that I can't access my Spotify playlists without picking up my phone and scrolling through. Because of that I decided to install my Nexus 7 on the dash, but could not find a low profile mount that I liked. I decided to go ahead and try to build one and it came out great.

I purchased a couple of these brackets from Home Depot. I like them because I can bend them to fit perfectly and they were only 58 cents each.

I decided to mount the Nexus in the compartment on the dash, so I bent the brackets to fit. I also rapped them with electrical led light to keep from scratching the tablet or the dash. Here is what the brackets looked like when they were finished.

The brackets slide into slits I cut into my tablet's case.

After sliding the brackets into the back of the tablet, I just open the dash compartment, place the feet of the brackets beneath the lip of the lid, close it up, and voila!

Here is what it looks like from the driver's seat:

The great thing about this mod is that it is cheap quick and easy. It also requires no modification to the car and it works quite well since it's within my reach while driving and my eyes don't have to venture to far from the road to operate the tablet.

I added an extra layer of electrical tape to make the brackets fit snug in the dash compartment and as a result the tablet feels sturdy and secure. It doesn't move with bumps in the road or when I press something on the screen.

Right now I'm just using a 3.5mm audio cable to the radio's Aux input, but I'm going to either try out bluetooth streaming, or run a long 3.5mm to RCA cable to the JBL MS-8 in the trunk. Since I prefer good audio quality, I'm leaning toward running the cable.

I will have to keep an eye out on the dash compartment to be sure that the tablet's weight isn't causing any problems, but from what I saw today, I don't really expect that to be a problem.

Note: The launcher I'm using on the tablet is called CarHome Ultra.

It looks really nice I must say.. I am sure your invention will keep tablet safe so I am trying this method to place my tablet and enjoy music..Thanks

 

[SMBenn]

It looks really nice I must say.. I am sure your invention will keep tablet safe so I am trying this method to place my tablet and enjoy music..Thanks

Thanks! I hope everything works out great!

 

[SMBenn]

@SMbenn I sent you a message

I responded! Sorry for the delay!

 

[malkimeansking]

can u post a video on youtube with you using it and driving around... looks really nice!!! i got that tablet (or my girl does, but we share it) google nexus 7... might be thinking about doing the same thing!!!

 

[SMBenn]

can u post a video on youtube with you using it and driving around... looks really nice!!! i got that tablet (or my girl does, but we share it) google nexus 7... might be thinking about doing the same thing!!!

Sure! I'll try to post something up a little later this week and I'll link to it from here.

 

[jpackard86]

I responded! Sorry for the delay!

No problem. I figured you just didnt see it

 

[malkimeansking]

Sure! I'll try to post something up a little later this week and I'll link to it from here.

thanks cant wait to see it

 

[SMBenn]

can u post a video on youtube with you using it and driving around... looks really nice!!! i got that tablet (or my girl does, but we share it) google nexus 7... might be thinking about doing the same thing!!!

Here's a link to the Youtube video I made!

 

[jpackard86]

NICE! looks good and is a great alternative if you dont want to spend the $$ on a double din. IMO double dins look cleaner but thats just me. I like what you did though.