Waterproofing your Phone ?
Quote from PeteRT on 30.10.2022, 10:51Hi all
I recently bought another bike a Himalayan for winter back road riding. My iPhone 12 is mounted on the handlebar to one side using the QuadLock system. My problem now is that the phone is very exposed to the elements. I'm happy when its dry but driving rain hitting the phone at 60 mph will I think destroy the phone. QuadLock do not make any waterproof cases just a poncho which won't protect the camera lenses on the back of the phone. The best solution I have come up with is to buy a waterproof case and stick the QuadLock universal mount onto the back. Has anyone done this ? Can anyone recommend a good waterproof case ? Anyone found a better solution.
On my RT the phone is mounted behind the screen and is perfectly protected from the rain. I did try a mount for the Himalayan to fix my phone behind the screen but the vibration was too much so resorted to handlebar mount.
Lastly how waterproof is the wireless charger. It seems to me a poor design having to plug a power lead into the back of it. Surely that's not waterproof.
Hi all
I recently bought another bike a Himalayan for winter back road riding. My iPhone 12 is mounted on the handlebar to one side using the QuadLock system. My problem now is that the phone is very exposed to the elements. I'm happy when its dry but driving rain hitting the phone at 60 mph will I think destroy the phone. QuadLock do not make any waterproof cases just a poncho which won't protect the camera lenses on the back of the phone. The best solution I have come up with is to buy a waterproof case and stick the QuadLock universal mount onto the back. Has anyone done this ? Can anyone recommend a good waterproof case ? Anyone found a better solution.
On my RT the phone is mounted behind the screen and is perfectly protected from the rain. I did try a mount for the Himalayan to fix my phone behind the screen but the vibration was too much so resorted to handlebar mount.
Lastly how waterproof is the wireless charger. It seems to me a poor design having to plug a power lead into the back of it. Surely that's not waterproof.
Quote from Guido on 30.10.2022, 11:16Hi Peter,
When I lived in Netherlands I used LifeProof cases. Was very happy with them. They’ve been acquired by otterbox since then, but it seems the product line still exists: https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/lifeproof
Back in those days iPhones weren’t water proof.
The newer iPhones are waterproof enough up-to 6 meters for 30 minutes. (https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT207043)
Now that I live in Mexico I just use the quad lock case. In the rainy season we have the occasional downpour, but the iPhone can handle that. It detects water in the charge port and shuts down the charge port at that time, but the phone continuous working on battery. Then, when the shower is over, I dry the phone and plug it back in.
Id probably go for a waterproof case as well, if I lived in Netherlands, Germany, etc. Places where it can rain all day long.
I don’t use a wireless charger anymore as they generate heat and, combined with full sun, GPS running all the time, and hot Mexican weather, caused my iPhone to overheat and shut down temporarily on occasions where there wasn’t enough riding wind to cool it.
I do still have the quad lock wireless charger and indeed the connection there doesn’t seem waterproof. I’d probably put some silicone sealant around it to be sure in your case.
Hope this helps. Curious what other people use though.
Hi Peter,
When I lived in Netherlands I used LifeProof cases. Was very happy with them. They’ve been acquired by otterbox since then, but it seems the product line still exists: https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/lifeproof
Back in those days iPhones weren’t water proof.
The newer iPhones are waterproof enough up-to 6 meters for 30 minutes. (https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT207043)
Now that I live in Mexico I just use the quad lock case. In the rainy season we have the occasional downpour, but the iPhone can handle that. It detects water in the charge port and shuts down the charge port at that time, but the phone continuous working on battery. Then, when the shower is over, I dry the phone and plug it back in.
Id probably go for a waterproof case as well, if I lived in Netherlands, Germany, etc. Places where it can rain all day long.
I don’t use a wireless charger anymore as they generate heat and, combined with full sun, GPS running all the time, and hot Mexican weather, caused my iPhone to overheat and shut down temporarily on occasions where there wasn’t enough riding wind to cool it.
I do still have the quad lock wireless charger and indeed the connection there doesn’t seem waterproof. I’d probably put some silicone sealant around it to be sure in your case.
Hope this helps. Curious what other people use though.
Quote from PeteRT on 30.10.2022, 12:41Looks like the LifeProof Fre case is the only one that is waterproof in the Otterbox range. Unfortunately the case is made from Polypropylene (PP) and is not suitable with the adhesive on the QuadLock universal adapter. Found this article from QuadLock.
https://support.quadlockcase.com/hc/en-us/articles/235253047-What-phones-cases-does-the-Universal-Adaptor-adhere-to-
The search continues.
Looks like the LifeProof Fre case is the only one that is waterproof in the Otterbox range. Unfortunately the case is made from Polypropylene (PP) and is not suitable with the adhesive on the QuadLock universal adapter. Found this article from QuadLock.
The search continues.
Quote from PeteRT on 31.10.2022, 12:27Found a solution. I like the LifeProof Fre case but the sticky universal adapter from QuadLock is not compatible. However I had a look at SP-Connect and they do a Universal Clamp that would work well with the LifeProof Fre case. Luckily I have a SP-Connect handlebar mount with vibration adapter that fits the Himalayan perfectly. So have ordered the case and clamp. With the phone so exposed the case will provide protection not just from the rain but dirt as well. Thanks Guido for suggesting LifeProof cases.
Found a solution. I like the LifeProof Fre case but the sticky universal adapter from QuadLock is not compatible. However I had a look at SP-Connect and they do a Universal Clamp that would work well with the LifeProof Fre case. Luckily I have a SP-Connect handlebar mount with vibration adapter that fits the Himalayan perfectly. So have ordered the case and clamp. With the phone so exposed the case will provide protection not just from the rain but dirt as well. Thanks Guido for suggesting LifeProof cases.
Quote from Naskuh on 19.03.2023, 06:35Hi there, would you believe there's a simpler way to waterproofing then this...
I just stick my iPhone into a self(re)closing sandwich bag and then place it back into the holder (Optiline). Easy-peasy. Touchscreen still works. Visibility is still great.. Cost only a few cents.. just saying....
Hi there, would you believe there's a simpler way to waterproofing then this...
I just stick my iPhone into a self(re)closing sandwich bag and then place it back into the holder (Optiline). Easy-peasy. Touchscreen still works. Visibility is still great.. Cost only a few cents.. just saying....
Quote from 2BTSquared on 19.03.2023, 09:31I would think that vibration/shock would be more of a concern than water. From what I've read this is particularly so with iPhones.
Maybe check out the wireless CarPlay/Android Auto displays being talked about/reviewed here...
https://scenic.app/forum/topic/portable-waterproof-carplay-units-for-your-motorcycle/
Supposedly IP68 rated and certainly cheap (sold under various brand names - see AliExpress for example for some of the cheapest deals). Might be a better option to let that thing take the abuse vs. an expensive iPhone.
One other potential solution that might be worth considering... Beeline Moto.
I would think that vibration/shock would be more of a concern than water. From what I've read this is particularly so with iPhones.
Maybe check out the wireless CarPlay/Android Auto displays being talked about/reviewed here...
https://scenic.app/forum/topic/portable-waterproof-carplay-units-for-your-motorcycle/
Supposedly IP68 rated and certainly cheap (sold under various brand names - see AliExpress for example for some of the cheapest deals). Might be a better option to let that thing take the abuse vs. an expensive iPhone.
One other potential solution that might be worth considering... Beeline Moto.
Quote from Guido on 19.03.2023, 13:35Quote from Naskuh on 19.03.2023, 06:35Hi there, would you believe there's a simpler way to waterproofing then this...
I just stick my iPhone into a self(re)closing sandwich bag and then place it back into the holder (Optiline). Easy-peasy. Touchscreen still works. Visibility is still great.. Cost only a few cents.. just saying....
Also be careful with that from a overheating perspective. Especially when in direct sun. The iPhone can’t get rid of its heat in a plastic bag.
Quote from Naskuh on 19.03.2023, 06:35Hi there, would you believe there's a simpler way to waterproofing then this...
I just stick my iPhone into a self(re)closing sandwich bag and then place it back into the holder (Optiline). Easy-peasy. Touchscreen still works. Visibility is still great.. Cost only a few cents.. just saying....
Also be careful with that from a overheating perspective. Especially when in direct sun. The iPhone can’t get rid of its heat in a plastic bag.
Quote from mattsz on 19.03.2023, 17:33Quote from Naskuh on 19.03.2023, 06:35Hi there, would you believe there's a simpler way to waterproofing then this...
I just stick my iPhone into a self(re)closing sandwich bag and then place it back into the holder (Optiline). Easy-peasy. Touchscreen still works. Visibility is still great.. Cost only a few cents.. just saying....
I found something easier still when I rode most of a day through proper rain... iPhone SE (IP67 water resistance, bought used) in a Quadlock case, mounted on a wireless charging base on my handlebars (no vibration damper as I don't care if I ruin the camera). No extra waterproofing - it got soaked all day, worked fine all day, and dried right off at the end of my ride. Water cooled, I guess!
I know, Apple doesn't promise it will stay waterproof... and I broke the rules wireless charging it when wet...
Hmm, come to think of it, maybe I don't recommend this after all... 😛
Quote from Naskuh on 19.03.2023, 06:35Hi there, would you believe there's a simpler way to waterproofing then this...
I just stick my iPhone into a self(re)closing sandwich bag and then place it back into the holder (Optiline). Easy-peasy. Touchscreen still works. Visibility is still great.. Cost only a few cents.. just saying....
I found something easier still when I rode most of a day through proper rain... iPhone SE (IP67 water resistance, bought used) in a Quadlock case, mounted on a wireless charging base on my handlebars (no vibration damper as I don't care if I ruin the camera). No extra waterproofing - it got soaked all day, worked fine all day, and dried right off at the end of my ride. Water cooled, I guess!
I know, Apple doesn't promise it will stay waterproof... and I broke the rules wireless charging it when wet...
Hmm, come to think of it, maybe I don't recommend this after all... 😛
Quote from Paul on 16.08.2023, 14:49Hi,
I use Quadlock with vibration damper + IP SE 3rd generation on my Honda NT1100 with Apple Carplay. This works great when dry. The Iphone is supposed to be water resistant but after some time riding in rain the lightning port gets wet and the phone and the navigation "die" until the phone is dried up. This happened on the Autobahn on my way from Sweden to Spain in April. So I used the zip lock bag concept mentioned here - luckily 3C and rain prevents overheating of both the phone and the rider. But the wind at Autobahn speed is not nice to the bag. Searched Quadlock for a solution but their poncho's does not allow any cables and the cable is needed for Carplay and charging function. With a longer cable it is possible to stick the phone in a dry place (tank bag / pocket) but that can not be the way it is supposed to be 🙂 Are there lightening cables out there with an o-ring/silicone seal to keep the water out of the port on the phone? Someone tried chewing gum? 🙂
Hi,
I use Quadlock with vibration damper + IP SE 3rd generation on my Honda NT1100 with Apple Carplay. This works great when dry. The Iphone is supposed to be water resistant but after some time riding in rain the lightning port gets wet and the phone and the navigation "die" until the phone is dried up. This happened on the Autobahn on my way from Sweden to Spain in April. So I used the zip lock bag concept mentioned here - luckily 3C and rain prevents overheating of both the phone and the rider. But the wind at Autobahn speed is not nice to the bag. Searched Quadlock for a solution but their poncho's does not allow any cables and the cable is needed for Carplay and charging function. With a longer cable it is possible to stick the phone in a dry place (tank bag / pocket) but that can not be the way it is supposed to be 🙂 Are there lightening cables out there with an o-ring/silicone seal to keep the water out of the port on the phone? Someone tried chewing gum? 🙂
Quote from Guido on 16.08.2023, 15:38I don’t know about cables but another option would be to get a waterproof case (otterbox, lifeproof) and stick the universal quad lock thingy on the back of that case.
I don’t know about cables but another option would be to get a waterproof case (otterbox, lifeproof) and stick the universal quad lock thingy on the back of that case.
Quote from Guido on 16.08.2023, 16:15Personally I have my iPhone in my tank bag when using CarPlay , with a charge cable running in my tank bag. Or for shorter rides I just keep the phone in my pocket. (I have a crappy Chinese CarPlay unit…more on that here if you have some time to kill: https://scenic.app/forum/topic/portable-waterproof-carplay-units-for-your-motorcycle/ )
Personally I have my iPhone in my tank bag when using CarPlay , with a charge cable running in my tank bag. Or for shorter rides I just keep the phone in my pocket. (I have a crappy Chinese CarPlay unit…more on that here if you have some time to kill: https://scenic.app/forum/topic/portable-waterproof-carplay-units-for-your-motorcycle/ )
Quote from Paul on 17.08.2023, 12:40Hi again,
Searched and gave it som thought.
PTFE (teflon) thread seal tape is only 0.1mm thick (and cheap).
Will bring some on my next long trip and and put on the the charging cable's lightning connector close to the base when the dark clouds appear .
Found some pictures indicating Apple's IP activities to prevent water entering lighting and USB C ports.
Cheers / Paul
Hi again,
Searched and gave it som thought.
PTFE (teflon) thread seal tape is only 0.1mm thick (and cheap).
Will bring some on my next long trip and and put on the the charging cable's lightning connector close to the base when the dark clouds appear .
Found some pictures indicating Apple's IP activities to prevent water entering lighting and USB C ports.
Cheers / Paul
Quote from Paul on 23.10.2023, 06:43Update: Tried the PTFE tape in the beginning of my 6500km European trip and it does not work in heavy rain.
The phone detects water in the lightning port and shuts down.
Can confirm that the solution "to put the Phone in the tank bag" proposed by others here works well also in heavy rain.
I would prefer to have the Iphone on the handle bar though since I use it to start / stop recording an Insta 360 X3 camera.
Thanks for all comments and recommendations
Paul
Update: Tried the PTFE tape in the beginning of my 6500km European trip and it does not work in heavy rain.
The phone detects water in the lightning port and shuts down.
Can confirm that the solution "to put the Phone in the tank bag" proposed by others here works well also in heavy rain.
I would prefer to have the Iphone on the handle bar though since I use it to start / stop recording an Insta 360 X3 camera.
Thanks for all comments and recommendations
Paul
Quote from Deleted user on 27.10.2023, 03:09The only way to get it right is to use a Quadlock iPhone mount system with the wireless charging head in combination with the Weather Resistant Poncho.
Nope, I don’t have Quadlock stocks……
The only way to get it right is to use a Quadlock iPhone mount system with the wireless charging head in combination with the Weather Resistant Poncho.
Nope, I don’t have Quadlock stocks……
Quote from Paul on 27.10.2023, 07:38Thanks,
Hmm…. - no stocks? 🙂
The Poncho does not allow the cable - the cable is needed not only for charging but also to feed Honda’s Carplay. I think the phenomena it is called ”Catch 22”
Cheers / Paul
Thanks,
Hmm…. - no stocks? 🙂
The Poncho does not allow the cable - the cable is needed not only for charging but also to feed Honda’s Carplay. I think the phenomena it is called ”Catch 22”
Cheers / Paul
Quote from mattsz on 27.10.2023, 18:00For what it's worth... my experience using Quadlock's weather resistant poncho (in combination with the wireless charging head) was not a good one. After a couple of hours riding in the rain, my phone was just as wet inside the poncho as it would have been without it... maybe it has to do with the mounting angle, and I ride a naked bike which leaves the phone out in the rain and wind. Plus, the poncho reduced the effective interaction between my screen and my "conductive" gloves from pretty good to almost nonexistent. I ditched the poncho and just ran the phone in the rain, uncovered. No issues with the touchscreen, or water in the charging port...
Doesn't help you, though, does it Paul? Sorry...
For what it's worth... my experience using Quadlock's weather resistant poncho (in combination with the wireless charging head) was not a good one. After a couple of hours riding in the rain, my phone was just as wet inside the poncho as it would have been without it... maybe it has to do with the mounting angle, and I ride a naked bike which leaves the phone out in the rain and wind. Plus, the poncho reduced the effective interaction between my screen and my "conductive" gloves from pretty good to almost nonexistent. I ditched the poncho and just ran the phone in the rain, uncovered. No issues with the touchscreen, or water in the charging port...
Doesn't help you, though, does it Paul? Sorry...
Quote from Mex on 27.10.2023, 22:52Hi folks.
Just as an idea.
Waterproof case and use a powerbank with your phone in the case. Just a short cable. 15.000 mah should keep up power of the cellphone for a complete day.
Dont know if there a cases with space for two units.
As mentioned: just an idea.
Regards, Mex
Hi folks.
Just as an idea.
Waterproof case and use a powerbank with your phone in the case. Just a short cable. 15.000 mah should keep up power of the cellphone for a complete day.
Dont know if there a cases with space for two units.
As mentioned: just an idea.
Regards, Mex
Quote from theigi on 28.10.2023, 17:40I use an iPhone SE2020 to navigate, which is actually only partially weatherproof
Use a cheap bike holder from Amazon Basic (10€) and a simple Torras half shellSo far it has always worked well for me despite driving in the rain
I take some plasticine (Play Doh or something else) and use it to seal the lightning port and cable. the same with the power bankThe longest journey in the rain so far was about 360 km from Villach to Lake Chiemsee, if you don't drive on the motorway
There haven't been any problems with this so far, only if it's warmer than 28 ℃ you shouldn't forget to remove the whole thing, otherwise the dough will melt (just put it in the freezer for 2 minutes and the mess will go away again if you forget)
I use an iPhone SE2020 to navigate, which is actually only partially weatherproof
Use a cheap bike holder from Amazon Basic (10€) and a simple Torras half shell
So far it has always worked well for me despite driving in the rain
I take some plasticine (Play Doh or something else) and use it to seal the lightning port and cable. the same with the power bank
The longest journey in the rain so far was about 360 km from Villach to Lake Chiemsee, if you don't drive on the motorway
There haven't been any problems with this so far, only if it's warmer than 28 ℃ you shouldn't forget to remove the whole thing, otherwise the dough will melt (just put it in the freezer for 2 minutes and the mess will go away again if you forget)
