I really like the concept of backplates with built-in accessories of the new FP 6. While a card holder or a finger loop seem quite nice, I wonder, if there are any plans to offer a backplate with an integrated adapter for any wide spreaded bicycle mount system (e.g. SP Connect).
That would be ideal for people like me, who use their smartphone a lot for bicycle navigation.
I just connected to this forum to express the exact same opinion. Such accessory, bike mount, is a must for a smartphone today and even more aligned with the Fairphone and the fact that bikes are becoming more and more used as alternative mobility.
+1, that would be actually nice to have
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Such accessory, bike mount, is a must for a smartphone today and even more aligned with the Fairphone and the fact that bikes are becoming more and more used as alternative mobility.
Wait a minute - is there alternative to bike mobility???
very cool idea!
there can be something to figure out, but without forgetting that it shouldn’t impede normal usage so much because you can’t be removing it immediately after biking. so, some sort of clamping mecanism in two-parts can be envisioned.
I would actually prefer a fix solution with an inconspicuous adapter like this one https://sp-connect.com. There are already a lot of clamped or glued solutions around, which aren’t very reliable. So I don’t think we need another one.
There are universal smartphone holders.
As an example, FP6 should still fit into the universal waterproof version of Bicycle SMARTPHONE HOLDER "SPITZEL" (universal) | FAHRER Berlin - the bicycle accessories manufacturer
“Made in cooperation with workshops for people with disabilities”, by the way, as well as “Wherever possible, we utilize recycled materials or virgin materials in a recycled form”.
I occasionally have my Fairphone 3 with its original bumper in it, and there’s still some wiggle room for the width, so FP6 should fit even with a normally dimensioned bumper or case.
Ok, but why? Universal mounts are not good enough? Do we really need to design, produce, store and distribute across the world yet another holder?
I also just guess that creating custom accessory is not a big deal. Back cover is flat, can be purchased separately, it’s made of plastic, that means it’s perfect base for any DIY project. Good quality glue, maybe some rotatory tool or 3d printer, and any existing accessory can be adopted.
And to be honest, this phone requires extra protection, not just an ordinary holder. Fairphones are not waterproof nor breakproof. Everyone should use some kind of extra protection against rain or falling on the ground, if they want to enjoy their device longer.
Shiftphones are selling/using/recommending Spitzel as well.
That’s surely right. But it’s also right for the finger loop and the card holder. So if there’s the one thing, why not the other?
I didn’t actually think of a completely new Fairphone solution. That’s why I mentioned SP Connect. It’s an existing system, so one would just have to integrate the adapter.
Perhaps someone with an FP6 could already attest that the backplate connection to the phone seems trustworthy enough for this?
I have not seen it clearly yet … it’s the two screws and … what else?
I can see why, this thing is good.
The one downside I experience is that because the holder isn’t screwed to the handlebar but relies on a fastened rubber connection, on rough terrain the phone may tilt forward or backward over time (can be reduced but not totally avoided by optimally balancing it out on the holder beforehand with some trial and error).
But with this downside there comes the upside that shocks and blows from the terrain don’t directly impact the phone, it just happily wobbles along on the handlebar with the rubber fastening acting as a cushion.
Anyway … on rough terrain I’m looking at the terrain in front of me and not at the phone, and when the rough phase is over, I just shove the phone into place again with one hand.
Might not be the mount of choice when biking on rough terrain only, though, or would need some DIY intervention to fix it more tightly to the handlebar.
That’s why I mentioned SP Connect.
SP Connect does not provide protection against water. That means simple adapter or body case is not a complete problem solution for FP6. For DIY it’s acceptable, but not for commercial product, just to avoid sending misleading signals about potential phone features. It’s not a rugged device.
I could be wrong (I don’t have an FP6), but the cover seems to slide down on rails in order to be removed. In that situation the screws are only needed to stop it from sliding down, and maybe provide a little clamping support at that end of the cover since the rail may not extend all the way to the top of the cover.
Ah ok, now I’ve seen it … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEfY6rQ6ejc&t=214s
(What one can accomplish when just stopping being lazy .)
I bet against it. The vibrations on the handlebars when cycling are certainly too extreme. That would certainly damage the thread of the screws…
ah, good thinking. But if it’s a two-part thing, wouldn’t that absorb some of the shocks?