Waterproofing your phone for the ride

We're big fans of combining cell phones and motorcycling here at ESR. While we don't condone the use of the phone whilst riding, it can provide a number of functions that make your ride better: Music player, navigation and CrashLight safety from our very own app come to mind.

There's just one problem: It's hard to use any of that whilst your phone is in your pocket.

There are a number of mounts on the market. I had a RAM mount on my old Tiger for example, and it worked well although the holder itself was "open". Open to the elements, open to falling out (though it never did) and open to someone running up and grabbing at a stop light. Being paranoid, I didn't use it much. I could have got another case but ram hardware can be expensive.

I got the Interphone case a while back for just this reason. While it's not as flexible or adaptable as the RAM product, it addresses my concerns: It's a closed box and it's waterproof.

Mounting the Interphone

It's a simple design, one on that you'll be familiar with if you've installed anything like a bicycle bell, for example. A two-piece ABS collar goes around the bars and over a rubber strip. As you screw-tighten the two halves of the collar together, they clamp the rubber in place and the whole thing doesn't slip. It took me about five minutes with a screwdriver to get right on my Tiger 1200.

The mount also allows the phone to angled freely in either landscape or portrait, so no matter how you put it, it should still be visible to you.

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Putting the phone in the case

The case itself is reasonably well made, also from ABS. The interior is lined with a grippy rubber that will also act to reduce shocks to the phone and ensures the phone fits just right - firm enough to hold in place, but not too tight to make removal difficult.

There's a clear plastic for the screen (which also allows the screen to be operated), as well as the camera /etc and the whole thing is closed by two large clasps, one on each side. Covered buttons are also provided to control the volume, off-switch and home button.

There's a couple of other openings in the case: A rubber-plugged one at the top for headphones, and one at the base for the charge cable. If the charge cable isn't in use, there's a small removable rubber bung that can be used to close the port, but I'm going to guess this gets lost pretty quickly as it's not attached. Adding is support for the charge cable is nice as it means the phone can be charged whilst in use.

The case then attaches to the bar mount using a slide action to lock it in place. If your bar mount isn't tight, it might slide but once connected it's feels pretty secure. Removal is just sliding in the opposite direction but requires a firm hand, which is reassuring.

Using the phone in the case

The case clearly adds bulk, which is to be expected, but beyond that the phone is perfectly usable. All the in-built buttons do their job perfectly well and the touch screen works to the extent that it will work with your gloves on. The iPhone has a conductive screen, so it will work just fine with bare hands. Gloves on, and you may well have problems though. One solution is Farkle Fingers, which we reviewed recently and liked.

I have to confess, I didn't want to immerse my phone in water, though the case is claimed waterproof. I did however take my phone out and try it and there seemed to be no leaks. I'd have no problems riding through rain.

Summary

It's really nice to be able to use the phone without having to scramble through pockets. I ride a lot and when I do, I often stop to take pictures, or checkin, read email, whatever. I use my phone a lot. Even if I have to remove my glove to use the phone, it still saves me a lot of time.

The phone feels completely usable, if bulky, in the case but it's worth it for the protection. The mount itself feels pretty decent though it may not survive more than a couple of seasons.

The price, at $69.99, may be a little high though. It's certainly cheaper than other products and it's certainly good enough that it's earned a permanent place on my bike.