INTRODUCTION:
As some of you out there may already know, I have long been a HUGE fan of ProClip USA's car holder solutions for my Windows Mobile phones and other devices. For those that are unaware of ProClip, this is a wonderful two-part mounting solution. The Proclip Mounting Bracket is a solution tailor-made for your specific year, make and model of vehicle. This bracket then is utilized by Pro Clip's line of device holders, again tailor-specifically to your device.
Over the years, I have managed to accumulate a number of device holders to handle my wide and varied Windows Mobile devices. While the ProClip solution was flexible enough to allow me to change holders with relative ease, the solution did require me to unscrew the currently-used device holder and then screw the newly-needed device holder into place. While not a difficult process, it did require a few minutes of time and limited the ability to change devices "on-the-fly". Now, that has all changed.
One of the newer additions to the ProClip line is the Move Clip solution. By attaching a female connector to your bracket and male connectors to device holders, you can now quickly change devices with a minimum of effort. The solution works for multiple devices for a single vehicle, one device for multiple vehicles (if ProClip Mounting Brackets are installed in more than one car), or (my scenario) multiple devices for multiple vehicles. My wife's use of the i-mate SP5m Smartphone became the perfect testing ground for this total solution.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mounting brackets are tailor-made to your vehicle and take only minutes to install;
- Setting up the Move Clip solution requires minimal effort;
- Ultimate reliability and flexibility for multiple devices.
THE PROCLIP MOUNTING BRACKET
The ProClip Mounting Bracket is an incredibly customized solution designed to meet the wide variances common amongst vehicles. While there area a number of device mounting solutions, most are very generic and place limitations on where the device can be mounted, as well as the aesthetic results of the installation. To give you an idea of the variances that exist and how ProClip actually leverages them with their solutions, I give to you the example of my two family vehicles.
Vehicle #1 - 2004 Dodge Neon
An ideal placement for this vehicle lies near a small tray area near of the top of the dashboard. ProClip has designed a mounting bracket that leverages this area and provides a solid device support.
I have had this installation for a couple of years now, and absolutely love it for ease of access. My mounting bracket installation literally took less than a minute using ProClip's gap opening tools (more on this shortly). Prior to the ProClip MoveClip solution, attaching the device holder to the bracket took about a minute or two using the two provided screws.
With the new Move Clips (see installation below), I can slide out device holders in seconds!
INSTALLATION:
To demonstrate the installation, I decided to use my wife's vehicle. I knew that this would be a bit more of an installation challenge.
Vehicle #2 - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
My wife's vehicle best lent itself to a bracket installation that was actually in a seam in the console, just to the left of the stereo system. Before installation, I carefully went over the detailed instructions provided in the package.
I have often told people over the years that the folks at ProClip are truly "Masters of the Seams". Their mounting solutions are designed to leverage the seams in vehicles dashboards and are tailored to lock into place whenever possible. To open up a seam for installation, ProClip provides one or more (in this case, two) "gap tools". These are basically plastic awls that allow you to open the seam enough to place the mounting bracket in its proper location.
After opening up the seam, I had the task of Putting the bracket into place. In this installation, I paid careful attention to the instructions. They explained how I would move the upper part of the bracket into place, then apply pressure on the lower part of the bracket while pushing towards the steering console until feeling the channel part of the bracket snap into place. Sure enough, I got it to lock in. It did take a few attempts and an overcoming of some skepticism, but the instructions worked perfectly.
I had previously attached the female Move Clip to the bracket and my wife's SP5m device holder (see below) leaving only to slide things into place. As expected, no problems!
Of course, after removing the gap tools I tested the bracket for a solid connection. Even with moderate pressure, I could not get the bracket to move an inch (which is exactly as it should be).
Overall, I once again found myself very satisfied with the entire ProClip installation experience.
THE PROCLIP HOLDER AND MOVE CLIP
INSTALLATION:
The Move Clip is a two-part installation. The packaging includes the Move Clips, detailed instructions and associated hardware. The hardware includes screws for mounting and a surface cleaning wipe if the attached adhesive is used instead of screws. Personally, I always choose the screws for mounting as I prefer the peace of mind that a more permanent mounting option provides.
The key advantage that the Move Clip solution provides over the standard ProClip vehicle bracket/device holder combination is the to easily replace the device holders without the need to unscrew and re-screw the holders into place. The Move Clip uses a female/male pairing to provide a channel that allows you to slide device holders in and out, all while holding the device holder (and device) firmly in place.
What specifically is shipped depends on what you order with regards to your Move Clip needs. There are a number of options available. One option includes one female Move Clip (mounted to the ProClip bracket) and two male Move Clip (mounted to your device holders), which is perfect for the multi-device/single-car scenario. Another option includes the opposite; two female Move Clips and a single male Move Clip for the single-device/multi-car scenario.
Installation typically only takes a matter of minutes. You will need to provide a small screwdriver; the rest is in the package. The instructions are very detailed and are accompanied with lots of photographs, making installation an easy-to-understand process. I actually performed two installations; one for my existing ProClip bracket in my vehicle, and a new bracket for my wife. I had no problem installing either. I did not have to remove the bracket in my car to add the female Move Clip. For my wife's bracket, I simply added the female Move Clip before installing the bracket.
Adding the male Move Clip is also quite simple, and took less than a minute to get into place.
Just to see how everything would work together, locked in the Move Clips using my wife's mounting bracket before installing it in her car.
ProClip: The Driving Experience
The final and perhaps most importance test of the ProClip system is how it holds up to driving. This tests the firmness of the bracket install and (in the case of the Move Clips) reliability of the bracket-to-device holder connection.
I can speak from a great deal of experience that the ProClip device holders are among the best in the business. Built with the same level of customization as their mounting brackets, ProClip device holders firmly hold their devices in place firmly. Devices slide in and out of channels to make for accessibility while providing that needed grip. Having been a longtime user of a number of ProClip device holders, I can say without a doubt that the driving experience is nothing less than stellar. No device movement and no vibration sounds from either the bracket or the holder. After adding the new Move Clips into the equation, I was eager to see if there were any changes in the experience. I am happy to report nothing has changed here. There are still no issues with movement or sound.
CONCLUSIONS:
If you are looking for a tailor-made device mounting solution for your phone or other device, ProClip should be at the top of your list. If you own more than one device or wish to have a mounting solution for more than one vehicle, ProClip becomes an even more desirable option. Years of experience with ProClip solutions have left me nothing but the highest praise for their quality and reliability.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Prices and availability vary by vehicle, device and solution. Check out ProClip USA for more information.