When looking for phone accessories, such as car mounts, simple is sometimes enough. Yes, it's handy to have a fully-articulating suction mount with built-in wireless charging if you spend a lot of time driving, but for an occasional commuter, it doesn't often justify the hefty price tag.
Osomount's Vent Luxe is a no-frills car mount that travels well and gets the job done.
The Vent Luxe has a rubberized grip that slips over the blade of your car vent, allowing it to install in just about any automobile.
The smartphone bracket is spring-loaded on one side, which adjusts to hold onto phones of various sizes.
The bracket is hinged on a 360-degree ball joint that gives you the freedom to position your device any way you choose.
Setup
Installing the Osomount Vent Luxe is as easy as sliding it onto your vent blade though it does take some elbow grease to get it started.
If you have an adjustable vent, you will want to hold it in place with one hand and slide the mount on with the other. The rubber clip on the mount will provide a little bit of resistance as you insert it in the vent, but should then pop into place and hold firmly.
And that is it. You can then pop your phone in and use the swiveling mechanism to position it to your liking.
The Good
Osomount's Vent Luxe is well-constructed. The main part of the bracket is solid. And even though the spring-loaded arm of the bracket slides effortlessly when putting your phone in, it still holds the device firmly in place.
The silicon grips on the bracket are smartly angled. This ability assures that they securely hug your smartphone, while avoiding pressing any buttons on the side.
As for the ball joint, it may not have adjustable tension, but it is set just right. When mounted in the vent, you can swivel it without much effort, so it won't be a distraction while driving. And yet it offers plenty of resistance to keep your phone in whatever position you put it in. It even kept my large Lumia 1520 from moving around while navigating some bumpy back roads.
Aesthetically, the Vent Luxe's grey frame and patterned leather offer up a handsome alternative to the cheap-looking black plastic that make up most mounts of its kind. The mount still also maintains a neutral enough look to fit most car interiors.
It is also convenient to take with you. Because it is small, lightweight, and nearly universal, the Osomount Vent Luxe is just as perfect for when you are riding shotgun with someone else as it is in your own car.
The Not-so-good
The one piece of the Vent Luxe's design that I could envision failing is the spring-loaded arm on the bracket. When extended out to accommodate a larger phone, it seems a tad flimsy. In fairness, I did try flexing it and applying a decent amount of pressure to it but did not get the sense that it was going to break. As long as you aren't a brute to it, you probably won't have any issues with the arm.
One could argue that the price tag is a little on the high side for a vent clip mount, and it's true that you can find cheaper ones. However, there is also the counter-argument that you get what you pay for. And if you are looking for a vent clip mount, then this is a quality one.
Aside from that, the only criticisms that can be directed at the Osomount Vent Luxe are the ones that apply to all vent mounts.
Firstly, different cars have different vent setups, so some users may find that the vent design cannot support the weight of a phone, and thusly, it may sag.
Secondly, these mounts, by design, sit directly in the path of your air conditioning and heat, so they may block air flow from where you want it. Not to mention that having your heat blow directly on what is essentially a small computer may lead to issues in its own right.
Conclusion
My limited experience with Osomount's products has been very positive, and the Vent Luxe is no exception. From a design standpoint, it is both intelligent and aesthetically pleasing.
It is sturdy enough to support even a large smartphone and convenient enough to bring with you in other vehicles.
Sure, you can argue the merits and drawbacks of vent clip mounts, in general, and whether or not there are better options. But, the point is that if you are looking for one, the Osomount Vent Luxe is damn good.
You can get it up Amazon below for $24.95. For the next month or so, you can get 15% off the Osomount Vent Luxe if you use the code "HVUPBHON."
Buy the Osomount Vent Luxe car mount on Amazon.com
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