Mobile phone

iPhone 5C

We have a subscription and had just renewed it right before Rob had major medical problems. At that time, we both had fairly simple Nokia phones, and although they had internet, they were not really “smartphones”. When everything happened, I had not yet even had time to transfer contacts yet, so I was standing outside of the ICU trying to remember telephone numbers!

When it came time to get new phones Rob was not comfortable changing his phone. We had just replaced it about a year before with a heavy duty model that worked well, so we just decided to wait. When finally it was time to get new phones after 6 years, our subscription provider was not the least be interested in giving us a deal, despite not having upgraded  phones in 6 years.

I really wanted to get us Apple iPhones, because we are somewhat invested in other things Apple, and I felt of all of the options, it would be the easiest for Rob to use. So we decided on an older model that did not cost too much, the iPhone 5c, that is also smaller and easier to hold than some of the newer models.

Device cases

After we got our iPhones I quickly went to look for cases. Rob is really hard on phones and they get dropped and wet easy. I did not want to pay out-of-pocket for a new one if it was damaged, which has happened a few times before.

I was surprised to find out how difficult it was to find a case with a lanyard, carabiner, clip, etc. With the exception of a few, SwitchEasy and Lanskin, they just don’t make them anymore, or they are for kids or trendy women’s necklace type chains. None of them were compatible with the iPhone 5c that were robust and met the other criteria. The following are our requirements:

1. A way that the phone can be worn on his person and accessible, e.g., lanyard, carabiner, clip, etc.
2. Robust with both a hard back cover and screen protector.
3. Protection from falls of a few meters and water resistant.
4. Usable with one hand — no need to do anything other than pick it up to speak.
5. Easy to plug in charging cord.
6. Easy to use the main functions, home, volume, on/off.
7. Nothing too fiddly that makes it difficult to use with visual field cuts.
8. Easy to hold in the non-dominant hand with a good tactile grip.
9. Something that will not slide off of tables or out of pocket too easy.
10. The ability to mount on his wheelchair with a universal mount (not integrated).

Griffin Survivor

Model: GB38141 EAN: 0685387408849 Price: €29.99

Like everything, it took me many hours searching for something so that he can wear it in case he has a seizure. The good thing about it is that it has a clip that he can clip it on himself and it also has a hole to use for a lanyard around his neck. They sell them for most major brands of phones. It’s also meets all of our other criteria, and is well reviewed and has a good track record.

The Griffin Survivor promises military grade protection from wind, rain, sand, dust, and vibrations in addition to shocks and falls. The exterior is all rubber, except for the front bezel and two small segments on the back, and the material has a slightly gritty texture, making it easier to hold. All four of the iPhone’s buttons are covered. The headphone port, Lightning port, rear camera and flash, and side switch are individually protected by thick rubber when not in use, but made to be easy accessible when needed — possibly we will remove these if too fiddly.

The unit snaps apart into three primary pieces—a plastic tray, a rubber frame, and a plastic-bordered screen protector, plus the separate detachable belt clip. That last component is a thin column of plastic that snaps onto the top and bottom of the case with a clip that rotates a quarter turn in either direction.We plan to use the hook on the clip to attach a lanyard to be worn around the neck or attach it to his clothing

Device mounts

The following are our requirements:

1. Mountable on a 1.25″ diameter wheelchair armrests or seat frame.
2. Can be mounted on the left side to be out of the way of transfers on the right.
3. Double ball and socket mounting system that can be adjusted at both ends for angles and articulation.
4. Usable with one hand, with as big knobs as possible..
5. Not too heavy with adding too much weight to the wheelchair.
6. Nothing too fiddly that make it difficult to use with visual field cuts.
7. Should not get in the way of desks and tables when mounted.
8. Robust with good holding power.
9. Water resistant / rustproof.
10. Easy to remove or fold down when transporting the wheelchair.
11. The ability to use with his Griffin Survivor iPhone case.
12. Ability to swap cradles to use it with a larger phone or tablet and a camera.

RAM Mounts

RAM Mounts manufactures rugged and versatile mounting systems, protective cases and docking solutions for phones, tablets, cameras, laptops and other mobile devices that can be attached nearly anywhere, including wheelchairs. They can be for a variety of applications including biking, boating, fishing, auto’s, etc. They are also used in industry and are supposed to be very tough.

They come as components that you piece together based on the application or they can be bought in grouped sets. The good thing is that you can swap out parts dependent on the application so it is not completely device dependent. It’s taken me a while to figure it all out. I’ve listed the components that we are looking at, along with some of the grouped sets.

 X-Grip Cradles

Dimensions iPhone 5c in the Griffin Suvivor case: height: 5.5 width: 3″ “.

Dimensions iPad 2: height 9.50 in (241 mm),  width 7.31 in (186 mm) depth 0.34 in (8.6 mm)

RAM Universal X-Grip^® Cell/iPhone Cradle

Model:  RAM-HOL-UN7BU

Minimum Width = 1.875″ (Minimum Height = 4.25″)
Maximum Width = 3.25″ (Minimum Height = 2.25″)

Note: I think this is too small should we decide on a larger phone.

RAM Universal X-Grip^® Large Phone/Phablet Cradle

Model: RAM-HOL-UN10BU

Minimum Width = 1.75″ (Minimum Height = 5.5″)
Maximum Width = 4.5″ (Minimum Height = 3.25″)

Note: I think this would work ffor now, but it would be better to get one a bit larger if possible, should we decided on a small tablet.

RAM Universal X-Grip^® Cradle for 7″ Tablets

Model: RAM-HOL-UN8BU

Minimum Width = 2.5″ (Minimum Height = 7″)
Maximum Width = 5.75″ (Minimum Height = 4″)

Note: I think this would be the best option for the current phone and a possible future small tablet. Included are extra easy access grip knobs, located on the back of the cradle for quick release of the tablet.

RAM Universal X-Grip® Cradle for 10″ Large Tablets

Model: RAM-HOL-UN9U

Minimum Width = 6.25″
Maximum Width = 8.1″
Maximum Length (using additional supports) = 10.25″

Note: This would work with our current iPad 2, but it will be big, bulky and heavy.

Socket Arms

RAM Double Socket Arm for 1″ Balls

Model: RAM-B-201U

Overall Length: 3.69″
Socket-To-Socket Length: 3″

RAM Long Double Socket Arm for 1″ Balls

Model: RAM-B-201U-C

Overall Length: 6″
Socket-To-Socket Length: 5.25″

DSLR rig mount

RAM 1″ Ball with 1/4-20 Stud for Cameras, Video & Camcorders

1/4-20 Camera Threaded Adapter

Model: RAP-B-366U Price: $10

Mounting base

RAM Small Tough-Claw™ with 1″ Diameter Rubber Ball

The mounting base for quick and easy tool-less installation and removal. Able to mount tablets, cameras, smartphones, etc., and suitable for mounting on wheelchair arm rest or seat frame.

Dimensions wheelchair arm rest / seat frame: 1.25″

Model: RAP-B-400U

Clamping Range (Rail/Tube Surfaces) : 0.625″ – 1.5″
Dimensions: Height: 4.25″ Width: 1.18″
Ball Size : B size 1″ (Holds up to 5 lbs)

Grouped products

RAM Tough-Claw^™ Mount with Universal X-Grip^® Phone Cradle

Minimum Width = 6.25″
Maximum Width = 8.1″
Depth = 0.875″
Maximum Length (using additional supports) = 10.25″

Model: RAM-HOL-UN7-400U Price: $53 Weight: 0.5 lbs.

This would allow it to be mounted on the swing away armrests.

RAM Small Tough-Claw^™ Base with Short Double Socket Arm and Universal X-Grip^® Cell/iPhone Cradle

Model: RAM-B-400-A-HOL-UN7BU Price: $69 Weight: 0.7 lbs.

This would allow it to be mounted on the swing away armrests.

RAM Small Tough-Claw™ Base with Long Double Socket Arm and Universal X-Grip® Cell/iPhone Cradle

Mode: RAM-B-400-C-UN7U Price: $76 Weight: 1.0 lbs.

This would allow it to be mounted on the swing away armrests.

RAM Small Tough-Claw^™ Base with Long Double Socket Arm and Universal X-Grip^® Large Phone/Phablet Cradle

The RAM-B-400-C-UN10U consists of the Tough-Claw™ rail clamp base, LONG length double socket arm and universal spring loaded X-Grip® cradle for 5″ large phones and phablets.

Model: RAM-B-400-C-UN10U Price: $79 Weight: 1.0 lbs

This would allow it to be mounted on the the swing away armrests or seat frame (I think?). The same arm and mount could be used for a tablet, with a different X-Grip cradle (see below).

RAM Small Tough-Claw™ Base with Long Double Socket Arm and Universal X-Grip® Cradle for 7″ Tablets

Model: RAM-B-400-C-UN8U Price: $88 Weight: 1.17 lbs.

This would allow an iPad Mini to be mounted on the the swing away armrests or seat frame (I think?).

RAM Small Tough-Claw^™ Base with Long Socket Arm, X-Grip^® Cradle for 10″ Tablets with Roto-View^™

Model: RAM-B-400-C-UN9-ROTO1U Price: $147  Weight: 2.31 lbs.

This would allow the iPad 2 to be mounted on the the swing away armrests or seat frame (I think?).