We were big fans of the Mountek�s CD slot car mount when we reviewed it a little over 3 years ago. A brilliant way to repurpose your car�s long forgotten CD player, we�ve been using it just about every day since and quite frankly, couldn�t live without it. Since then, the nGroove has undergone a few revisions, with Mountek creating a version that uses magnets to hold your phone in place instead of traditional arms.
But, no matter how much we love the CD slot mount � it�s definitely not for everyone. While we do all our music listening by streaming it from the cloud, there are still people out there that use CD�s (for our younger readers, these are like tiny records that only store about 80 minutes worth of music) or have decks installed that don�t even include a CD slot.
In an attempt at covering all their bases, Mountek has introduced the AIRSNAP, a magnetic dock that attaches to your car�s air vent. We know what you�re thinking � car vents suck and normally you�d be right, especially when you�re using with a larger 5.5-inch+ smartphone. But the AIRSNAP is different in that it features a tiny stabilizing arm to ensure the mount is held securely without your phone wiggling and wobbling around on the road.
That�s not to say there is no shake. Air vent blades aren�t the most stable things to attach to. But in our test, it was far better than most other vent mounts we�ve used. Just keep in mind that while the AIRSNAP works great with most air vents, newer cars with those cylinder-type vents aren�t compatible. You�ll also want to mount the AIRSNAP on the highest possible air vent blade to keep airflow unobstructed.
Inside the the AIRSNAP are 4 powerful magnets just underneath a grippy rubber that, when paired with 1 of the 2 included steel �Badges�, provides a level of convenience and a streamlined look that simply can�t be beat. The steel badges that come inside the box feature 3M adhesive on the back and while you could attach these directly to the back of your phone, it�s a little less intrusive to just stick them to the underside of your favorite smartphone case. In the case of our Nexus 6, we didn�t even need to stick it on using the adhesive and everything worked just fine. There are even larger tablet-sized badges (sold separately) if you want to go that route.
Overall, we were quite pleased with the AIRSNAP. Although we prefer a CD slot mount (less shake, even if it is more of an eyesore), this is a great alternative for those that still listen to CDs, or can�t stand suction cup mounts. Simply put, it�s another great addition to Mountek�s current dock offerings and we give it an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up. Normally priced at $30, the AIRSNAP is included in Amazon�s Deal of the Day for only $22.46.
Pros
-Small, minimal design
-Significantly more stable than other vent mounts
-Magnets making docking/undocking incredibly easy
-Even larger sized devices are held securely in place
Cons
-Only comes with 2 steel Badges for your devices (3 would have been nice)
-Not well suited for case-less phones, especially those with a curved back
-A little on the pricey side
Buy on Amazon: Mountek AIRSNAP ($22.46)