CravenSpeed Gemini Phone Mount Blank Switch (2 Viewers)

[atomic8778]

Hey all,

Wanted to just do a quick write up on the CravenSpeed Gemini Phone Mount (no affiliation!).

I wanted a better phone mount for the '19 LX, instead of mounting to the windshield, and I wanted a less permanent solution in case I ever wanted to change my mind. I also wanted a mount that would work with a smartphone wireless charger mount I already had (a generic one off Amazon). With all that, I went with the Gemini Phone Mount since it would replace one of the blank switches.

Things to note:

1. Buy the Land Cruiser version instead of the LX version on their website. The Land Cruiser version comes with the blank switch mount but the LX version doesn't. Weird.
   1. The site says FJ140 2008 - 2021. Not sure why.
2. You may likely need to buy an extension arm - I went with the "5in Femur". I'll illustrate the issue below in a picture if you don't get an extension arm. IMO the Femur is still a bit too long (I think the sweet spot is 4"), but it's still a good length. I had to actually contact CravenSpeed to get the extension arm.
3. I went with the MagSafe option since I was going to replace the phone holder with my aforementioned wireless phone mount and CravenSpeed said that's the one to get. Not sure if the other (cheaper) options would have the same effect, but either way, the MagSafe version worked fine.
4. If you are going to replace the phone mount with your own, you need locking pliers (or whatever other tool you prefer) to remove the ball mount since it's screwed on with blue Loctite.
5. A trim removal tool helps to get the blank switch out.

With that, here's a few pictures:

In the above picture, this is the stock Gemini MagSafe Phone Mount, attached to the blank switch on the dash. I felt this was too short since my phone (Pixel 8 Pro) would hit the stalk. You could offset it to right in front of the aircon vent, but I wanted to preserve the vent and I felt this brought the phone too low - too far below eye level for my taste.

Neglected to take a before photo, but you can search their website to see it. In the above picture, I've added the 5" extension arm.

In the above picture, you can see it now mounted, with extension arm. Much better IMO. It looks high, but most phone mounts drop down a little from the ball mount.

Above picture is an eye (ish) level view.

And finally, in the above, is what it looks like when I used my own phone mount instead of the MagSafe. You can see the phone mount brings the entire assembly a bit more down. Still higher than I'd prefer, but still great.

I've been through some rocky terrain and it never misses a beat. It doesn't rock around nor has my phone ever fallen. Highly recommend!

Happy to answer any other questions!

 

[doru]

Just a note for other readers the '13 LX has no empty switch so getting the LC mount will not work. You'll need the LX version that can be mounted with two screws into the knee panel, maybe next to the switches. The holes are not very small so be sure you want it before you drill.

 

[atomic8778]

Just a note for other readers the '13 LX has no empty switch so getting the LC mount will not work. You'll need the LX version that can be mounted with two screws into the knee panel, maybe next to the switches. The holes are not very small so be sure you want it before you drill.

Thanks for the clarification and chiming in! In that case, it sounds like it would only work for '16-'21 LX owners.

 

[g rant]

Wanted to give my $0.02 as someone who recently bought, installed, and used this product for ~ 2 weeks.

I came from a Pro Clip mount that I used for roughly two years. I loved it but being a more portly individual in Alabama, I really needed that right driver side vent back.

Read the reviews on the Gemini mount (@atomic8778 did a great write up in the post above) and decided to pull the trigger. Initial install went fine, but as atomic stated, the mount on its own was a little short and barely went past the steering wheel.

Like atomic, I decided to get an extender (I went with 3”) and installed with the help of the OP.

First thing I noticed was that the screw that attaches the extender to the mount base was never super secure. It was almost like there was not enough space for the screw to fully tighten. So driving home last night the screw gave out and my phone fell from the mount. That, along with the phone vibrating like crazy with the extender, made me remove the mount all together.

So in short, I personally wouldn’t recommend. Moving to a beat-sonic CarPlay module so don’t necessarily need a phone mount moving forward.

 

[atomic8778]

Wanted to give my $0.02 as someone who recently bought, installed, and used this product for ~ 2 weeks.

I came from a Pro Clip mount that I used for roughly two years. I loved it but being a more portly individual in Alabama, I really needed that right driver side vent back.

Read the reviews on the Gemini mount (@atomic8778 did a great write up in the post above) and decided to pull the trigger. Initial install went fine, but as atomic stated, the mount on its own was a little short and barely went past the steering wheel.

Like atomic, I decided to get an extender (I went with 3”) and installed with the help of the OP.

First thing I noticed was that the screw that attaches the extender to the mount base was never super secure. It was almost like there was not enough space for the screw to fully tighten. So driving home last night the screw gave out and my phone fell from the mount. That, along with the phone vibrating like crazy with the extender, made me remove the mount all together.

So in short, I personally wouldn’t recommend. Moving to a beat-sonic CarPlay module so don’t necessarily need a phone mount moving forward.

Ah sorry to hear. I don't think I've had any issues with mine in that regard. I've been on some pretty rocky/rough roads for miles but haven't had an issue with it coming loose. I do remember it took a second to position the butterfly clamp correctly so that it doesn't become loose but that didn't take too long to maneuver.

Either way, carplay/android auto is vastly superior so good luck on the beat-sonic!

 

[LTSR]

@g rant you can order a pro clip mounted on the passenger side vent but it’s facing the driver, so you don’t lose that vent.