My solution to the iPhone/GPS Mount problem (with pics)

There have been a number of threads (some that I participated in) that discuss where/how to mount an iPhone or GPS unit in our car. I have the TomTom iPhone car kit and like what it does, including:
1.) best holder for the phone
2.) easy to get phone in/out
3.) enhances GPS accuracy
4.) charges phone
5.) supplies hard-wired audio-out feature
6.) And more...

What I don't like are suction cups on my windshield and the fact that when I had it mounted in the lower left corner of my windshield you could see the wires (audio and power) coming from the A-piller where I ran them up to the mount. Plus is was pretty hard to reach up there in the corner.

I wanted a solution that allowed me to easily see the phone (which I use for Gauges with an OBDII port Wifi adapter and TomTom GPS) - but wasn't too distracting, and that wouldn't leave permanent ugly wires or marks in the car.

This is what I came up with. I used the SUPER strong seek-arm magnets from several old hard drives I had laying around to make the TomTom iPhone car kit magnetically mount to the hood that goes over the cluster. I tried a few different locations but even though I wanted them to work (centered on the hood, in the middle of the cluster, etc) they were either to distracting or just wouldn't fit right.

I mounted it off to the side of the hood with the magnets and then installed a USB port under the hood. The single USB port supplies 5V power thats run to an adapter on the ignition circuit and analog audio connections that run into the AUX port in the center console. I use that for the best quality audio when I'm not just streaming my music/GPS voice directions/etc via A2DP Bluetooth audio.

Here is a link to the project pictures (62 pics/vids total):
iPhone Car Mount Project Gallery

Here is a brief YouTube video of the ease of use:

And here's a few pics from the gallery link above of the project in progress:
Test mounting magnets in center of hood:


Magnets located on top side of hood (center mount test):


The test rig (still using suction cup and steel plate w/ magnets):


May not seem like it in this pic, but its too distracting when really driving mounted here:


Trying other mounting locations/orientations (just not working):



Best placement that I found:




Building the magnetic mount:



Installed USB Power/Audio port in cluster hood:


Wiring up the connector (takes audio in and power from wires I had in the car):




Custom Power/Audio cable I made that goes from the port in the hood to the iPhone TomTom car kit:



The cable connection:



Finished Project:
















I've been driving with it for a few weeks and it's working great. When I want the mount removed I just unplug 1 USB cable and pull it off - and there's no evidence to anyone that there ever was something there.

The mount is very solid and secure - and I can reach the iPhone to change GPS locations if needed as well as holding down the HOME button to give it voice commands.

I'm considering this the best location I found for the iPhone/GPS mount of the many I have tried since I've owned the car. Maybe this will help others come up with some mount ideas that work for them!

--Geoff