ELECOM has launched the MAGKEEP car smartphone holder (model P-CARS18BK), which attaches to a vehicle's air conditioning vent[1]. It uses an N52 ultra-strong neodymium magnet to hold a MagSafe-compatible smartphone in place, keeping it from dropping even under driving vibration or sudden braking[1]. The arm is shaped so it does not block the air conditioning airflow, and because the phone sits lower than a dashboard mount, it is less likely to get in the way of the driver's view. The store retail price is 2,380 yen[1].
Mounted on an AC Vent for a Clearer View
Most car phone holders attach to the dashboard or the windshield. Depending on where they are placed, however, they can intrude into the driver's forward view and become distracting during a drive. The P-CARS18BK is a vent-mount type that clips onto the air conditioning louver, so the smartphone can sit below eye level and is less likely to obstruct the view while driving[1].
On drives where a map app is frequently used in place of a dedicated navigation system, a mounting spot that keeps the screen easy to see while staying out of the way matters a great deal. The arm is designed so it does not block the air conditioning airflow, which is a welcome touch for everyday use — it avoids interfering with cooling in summer or heating in winter[1].
Held by an N52 Magnet, With Support for Non-MagSafe Phones
For the mounting mechanism, the holder uses an N52 ultra-strong neodymium magnet[1]. A MagSafe-compatible smartphone or case simply snaps firmly onto the holder when brought close, preventing drops caused by driving vibration or sudden braking[1]. Unlike clip-style holders, a magnetic mount lets you attach and remove the phone with one hand.
Smartphones or cases that do not support MagSafe can still be used by applying the included metal sticker[1]. Because it works regardless of whether your device supports MagSafe, there is no need to replace the entire holder each time you change phones. The area where the smartphone makes contact uses silicone material to protect the back of the device from scratches[1].
360-Degree Rotation and Adjustable Hook Width for a Wide Range of Vehicles
The holder has ball joints in two locations, allowing 360-degree rotation and free angle adjustment[1]. You can switch between portrait and landscape orientation and fine-tune the angle so the screen is easy to see from the driver's seat. Once the angle is set, a rotation lock mechanism holds it in place, and attaching or removing it is simple[1].
The mounting hook has an adjustable width and fits air conditioning louvers from 10mm to 28mm deep[2]. Within this range it is expected to fit the louvers of many passenger cars, though ELECOM notes that it may not be installable depending on the shape of the louver and the surrounding area[1]. Checking the shape of your car's air vent before buying is a safe move.
An Environmentally Conscious Package
The P-CARS18BK is certified under ELECOM's environmental standard, THINK ECOLOGY[1]. Its packaging is made up only of paper, cardboard, and plastic bags, and the weight of plastic used in the packaging has been reduced by more than 20 percent compared with ELECOM's in-house baseline products[1]. The effort to cut packaging waste, not just to refine the product itself, is another factor worth weighing when choosing accessories like this.
Summary
ELECOM's MAGKEEP car smartphone holder, the P-CARS18BK, is a car holder that mounts on an air conditioning louver to stay out of the driver's line of sight. It combines strong fixation from an N52 neodymium magnet, support for non-compatible devices via a metal sticker, and versatility from 360-degree rotation and an adjustable hook width, all at an accessible store retail price of 2,380 yen. For anyone who uses a map app as a navigation system, it is a product that adds one more option for where to place a phone.
