Phone Crane
Phone Crane is a device that's meant to rest in any standard round cup holder within any vehicle, where it'll hold onto various types of cell phones, including small flip phones and jumbo-sized smartphones. Each phone holder has a long arm that's purported to be able to raise your phone more than one foot higher than the device's base—and at a wide variety of angles. Using this type of phone holder may be safer than using one that attaches to your windshield, as it shouldn't block your vision.
Total Cost Breakdown
The cost of Phone Crane is $19.99 plus $7.99 shipping for a total price of $27.98.
Price is from As Seen on TV Commercial page: buyphonecrane.com
How to Use (Step by Step)
- Place Base in Cup Holder
To get started with your Phone Crane, place its base in any round, standard-sized cup holder in the vehicle of your choice. Keep in mind that if you're going to be driving, it's best to use a cup holder that's in the front seat. Once you've placed the device in your chosen cup holder, give the base a twist to the left. This will cause the base to expand so that the cup holder can contain it more securely and prevent it from wiggling around.
- Adjust Arm
There are two different adjustments you can make to the long arm of your device before you add your phone to it. Perhaps most importantly, each arm has a joint in the middle that will bend. If it's resting at a more obtuse angle, the entire arm will appear longer, while it'll appear shorter if you rest it at a more acute angle. At as obtuse an angle as possible, the arm will extend more than one foot upwards. The arm will also rotate in a full circle, so you can position it so that it's facing in any direction.
- Add Phone
Once you think the arm of your device is in a good position, you'll have to add your phone to the slots at the top. With a push of your fingers, these slots will shrink or expand in width to accommodate the specific width of your phone. You'll also be able to rotate the slots 90 degrees so that your phone can rest either horizontally or vertically. Plus, if you feel like you need to adjust the arm of your device again after adding your phone, you can certainly do that at this point.
- Drive Along Normally
With your Phone Crane's arm in an ideal position and your phone resting securely inside its uppermost slots, you'll be able to drive along as you normally would. If needed, you'll be able to glance over and look at your phone and even operate it with one finger if the need arises.
Features
- Works in Various Vehicles
The Phone Crane has not been designed for use in just standard cars or trucks. As long as a particular vehicle that you're driving has a round cup holder of a standard size, you'll be able to use it in there. Aside from standard vehicles, you may find that it comes in handy when you're driving an RV, a golf cart, a motorcycle, or even a boat. Furthermore, it's black, so its appearance will complement the color scheme of most vehicles.
- Compatible With Most Phones
Along the same lines, this phone holder is compatible with the vast majority of cell phones, so if you get a new phone, you likely won't need a new holder. This device may even hold onto some small tablets, although some will be too large to fit in the holding slots, and you shouldn't try to force a larger one to fit between them.
- Easy-Release Buttons
When you need to remove a cell phone from your Phone Crane, all you'll need to do is push down on the easy-release buttons on the outside of the slots with your fingers. Following that, the phone holder should gently release your phone so you can pick it up and do whatever you'd like with it.
- Phone Charger Included
With every single device (or set of two identical devices) you obtain, you'll receive a compact cell phone charger with two USB ports. This black charger is meant to be plugged into the cigarette socket on your dashboard, so it can charge your phone or another USB-compatible device while you're operating your vehicle.
Positive Points
- Won't Interfere With Vision
If you were to use a phone holder that attaches to the windshield in front of you, it may interfere with your view of the road, which could cause you to make unsafe driving moves. Fortunately, if you use the Phone Crane to hold up your cell phone instead, you'll be able to place it at a height and angle that'll stop it from interfering with your vision. That way, you'll be less likely to get into an accident or miss any natural obstacles up ahead, such as debris on the road.
- Good for Young and Elderly
In general, young drivers and seniors are the two types of drivers who tend to get distracted the most while they're on the road. Therefore, neither a windshield phone holder nor holding onto a cell phone in one's hand can be considered appropriate options for these types of drivers. The Phone Crane is a suitable option, though, as a young or elderly driver will be able to set up the crane so that their phone is pointing slightly away from them at all times. Consequently, it shouldn't be a major distraction.
- Phone Unlikely to Fall
Windshield phone holders often attach to the windshield of a vehicle with a silicone suction cup, which makes them likely to fall down as you drive, especially on a bumpy road. Phones that are just haphazardly placed on your dashboard or near your console are perhaps more likely to meet the same fate. However, if you have the Phone Crane hang onto your phone, it'll be fastened so tightly in your cup holder that it'll be unlikely to ever fall over. The device's slots will also grip the phone tightly at the top, so it won't slide to the floor.
Negative Points
- Doesn't Fit in Square Holders
Unfortunately, the Phone Crane won't fit into square cup holders, which means that if your vehicle has only that type, you won't be able to use it properly. You could attempt to jam the round base of this device into a square hole, but even if you were successful, the device would likely jiggle around and knock over your phone during your drive.
- Takes Space for Cups Away
If you commonly make use of all your cup holders while you're driving yourself, your household, or your friends around in your vehicle, the Phone Crane might not be the best choice for you. It'll consistently take up one cup holder, which will leave one less cup holder for a traveling coffee mug, a fast-food cup, or whatever you or your passengers like to drink out of.
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