I will be traveling from California to New York starting this Saturday. I bought a universal dash mount so I can use my M8 for GPS. What I was wondering, how can I protect my phone from the sun or heat damage? Will having it in a case help it at all? Regards
I don't see it being a problem while driving and you have the AC on or windows open. It is when you park that matters and I assume you will then remove it from the dash mount so it is out of sight from bad guys. I also assume you will take it with you when stopping to eat or for the night. If not, then you should still stick it under the seat or at least cover it with a towel or something so it is out of direct sunlight. As far as in a case, I can't really picture a case that will protect it from heat or the sun and still allow you to use it as a dash mounted GPS.
OK thanks. I was just wondering because I'll be driving for about 7 hours or so at a time. And despite the A/C on, the dash still gets hot.
Yes, but by using a dash mount, the phone will up in the circulating air, not laying on the dash. It will still get warm but not too hot IMO - at least not from the sun. Just the screen being on for hours on end will get it pretty warm. If that concerned, you could just get yourself a Garmin or TomTom GPS. They are designed to be mounted up there.
I also have a Garmin w/ lifetime maps. A good deal for sure. Mine will overheat when on the dash even with a/c on if the sun is shinning on it. Others have reported same. If your able, set it on the mid console. A bit less inconvenient, but it works. Enjoy the trip
I've never had that happed, except when I forgot and left it in the sun when parked. It had to cool down a bit before it would work again. But mine is mounted on a dashpad similar to this and not stuck to the windshield so the GPS leans out further into the passenger compartment of my truck where it get more cool air. Or at least that is my guess why I've not seen those problems.
I never leave mine in the sun. My mount is a bean bag type that holds it up with max air flow all around. Yes, when it overheats it can be brought back to working order by removing from direct sun for a couple of minutes. I did a bit of research when it first happened and learned others where experiencing the same problem. Overcast days are problem free. Mid-console location works fine.
How can you avoid that? You can't always drive with the sun at your back. Or do you mean when parked?
I never intend to leave mine in the sun when parked. But at 63, I sometimes suffer from ACF (acute cranial flatulence) and forget to take it down or throw something over it.
lol No, after 24 years in the military, it typically vents via a tirade of obscenities - at least until I forget what it was I was mad about forgetting!
Last summer I was up in Minneapolis and relied on the GPS on my GS4 (in an Otterbox Commuter) to get around. I had it in one of those dash mount holders and on warmer days (IIRC 80+) I couldn't charge it because it'd overheat and disable the charging. This was with my AC on max and it set to blow at my windshield.
This is what I was afraid of. Thanks for posting this. I found a different spot, mid dash to mount my phone now.
Tell my aching joints that. I can see where a case like the Otterbox Commuter can act like an insulating blanket. And that would be made worse if a dark color. But I don't think cell phones are really designed to be exposed to such extremes for such long periods of time either. I note the "operating" temperature range, according to my Garmin's user guide, is -4°F to 131°F. While the operating range is not specified for my S4 Mini cell phone, the manual says to avoid temperatures below 0°C / 32°F or above 45°C / 113°F. 113°F.
I went ahead and picked up a Garmin 50. Everything is cool now. Found a mid dash mounting spot also. Regards
Probably a good idea if for no other reason than you won't be subjecting your expensive cell phone to the direct sun and heat.
Wise choice the 50. I have it as my backup GPS. If you have the LM it is well worth it to load Garmin Express & update maps & software a couple times a year.
Agreed. I think you are allowed 4 free updates a year. Certainly something worth doing before heading across country.
One question about m Garmin. I know what way i want to go on the maps. Is there a way to set up Garmin to follow that?