[syscore]

Thanks for posting this, I was just about to get a mount for my 12 pro. I looked around at other apple related sites and I guess this has been happening a lot. For the riding I do on my bike, I probably don't need nav, but if I did, I guess I would go Garmin in light of this. I can still get audio nav through my headset with my iPhone in the saddle bag or my pocket.

 

[K9F]

No problem here my iPhone 8 still going strong.

You won't have any problems either. It is only the iPhones from 10 onward that have this issue. The phones with camera stability control and face recognition. This has been a known problem for ages and I am glad Apple have finally acknowledged this issue as they may do something about it with future development? Mounting your phone as close as is practical to the bar clamps and fitting a Quadlock Anti Vibration mount will mitigate the issue. I have the anti vibration mounts fitted to both my motorcycles for the very issue that has been finally announced officially.

This was my post from 8 months ago mentioning the issue:

After a little more research and the fact apparently V-Twins eat IPhone cameras I bought the anti-vibration mount. I used to keep my phone in my pocket but occasionally do longer haul trips and like to keep the phone charged. I also learnt my lesson when getting hopelessly lost one time on a longer haul trip in Dortmund Germany, and another when running extremely low on fuel on another occasion on a German Autobahn. Both times had to stop, get online and sought my sh1t out. Nice to have it readily accessible for such occasions and it's only about 4" from the USB outlet anyway to keep it fully charged on the aforementioned longer haul trips.

 

[Dark-horse]

Looks like mounting a phone to the chassis may cause problems.

Apple Warns Vibrations Like Those From High-Power Motorcycle Engines Can Harm iPhone Cameras

Exposure to vibrations, like those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines, might impact iPhone cameras

I agree with Apple. I have a tank bag that has a map pocket on top that I put my Garmin in. I power it via the battery tender cable attached to the battery.

 

[JoyRider]

Yes my iPhone XR camera now shakes and makes a crackling sound.

Exactly. 3 phones and 4 cameras later, I highly recommend the QuadLock system with the vibration damper. It just works.

 

[syscore]

Quad Lock does state that their vibration dampener avoids this issue ...

Motorcycle - Vibration Dampener

The Quad Lock® Vibration Dampener protects smartphone camera's image stabilisation from harmful vibrations wherever you use your motorcycle. The Quad Lock Vibration Dampener reduces over 90% of high frequency vibrations produced by motorcycles.

www.quadlockcase.com

I wonder why the Apple statement doesn't agree with this?

 

[MSScout]

Looks like mounting a phone to the chassis may cause problems.

Apple Warns Vibrations Like Those From High-Power Motorcycle Engines Can Harm iPhone Cameras

Exposure to vibrations, like those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines, might impact iPhone cameras

I have the quad lock with anti vibration Mount since spring with IPhone 11. No problems so far

 

[rrhemi]

I am being told by Apple that starting with the i phone 11 they are now using sensor based image stabilization instead of lens based image stabilization, this is supposedly where the failure is occurring. They told me I won't have an issue if I select an 11 or newer.

 

[syscore]

I am being told by Apple that starting with the i phone 11 they are now using sensor based image stabilization instead of lens based image stabilization, this is supposedly where the failure is occurring. They told me I won't have an issue if I select an 11 or newer.

Just to be clear, the support document actually mentions two mechanisms. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), which you addressed, and which is not in iPhone 11 and above. And AF (Auto Focus), which is in iPhone 11 and above. I have an iPhone 12, so that makes me feel better, but not all the way out of the woods, due to AF. But I think I feel ok with a dampening mount.

 

[rrhemi]

Just to be clear, the support document actually mentions two mechanisms. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), which you addressed, and which is not in iPhone 11 and above. And AF (Auto Focus), which is in iPhone 11 and above. I have an iPhone 12, so that makes me feel better, but not all the way out of the woods, due to AF. But I think I feel ok with a dampening mount.

I asked the Apple customer service rep about that specifically. She said their data indicates that I phone 12's have a clean history regarding this vibration issue. I was not inquiring about an 11 so she didn't mention them. Her replies were pretty quick considering it was on a chat. I was also told Apple care is only good for two years. This will be the first phone I ever replace in two years or less. The glovebox of the Chieftain is pretty soft, had to be the Harley!

 

[DMV SoloRider]

I asked the Apple customer service rep about that specifically. She said their data indicates that I phone 12's have a clean history regarding this vibration issue. I was not inquiring about an 11 so she didn't mention them. Her replies were pretty quick considering it was on a chat. I was also told Apple care is only good for two years. This will be the first phone I ever replace in two years or less. The glovebox of the Chieftain is pretty soft, had to be the Harley!

After reading this, as an iPhone 12 Pro Max owner, I contacted Apple Support myself to see if they could clarify.

Appreciating this is a chat with Apple support, take it with a grain of salt. I’ll post the pictures of my chat so you can decide for yourself. The problem is two-fold for both cause and effect. The cause appears to be from physical vibration, as well as a frequency that’s generated by the engine vibrating in the frame. The effect is that both vibration and frequency can damage either the OIS or the Closed-Loop AF within the phones (this is for all phones using these technologies, not just iPhones). iPhone 11 and later phones no longer have OIS, but they do have Closed-Loop AF, so they can still suffer from the vibration/frequency issue. And while vibration dampeners may help protect your phone from damage caused by vibration, that wouldn’t necessarily provide any protection against frequencies penetrating your phone through the air and damaging its internals. 🤷‍♂️

I’ve been using a wireless dongle so I don’t have to put my phone in my Challenger’s glovebox. There was a period where I was having lots of disconnection issues that were super frustrating. But whether from an Apple iOS update, a ride command update, or just good luck, those issues seem to have resolved, and I’ve experienced a stable connection for several thousand miles now. That’s only a solution for us bagger/Ride Command owners, but wanted to pass this along.

Hopefully the phone/motorcycle manufacturers will engineer a solution for all of us.

DMV

 

[syscore]

I don't think there is any risk from "frequencies through the air". If that was the case, all the phones would be trashed by the internal speakers. But I appreciate the update regarding vibrations.

 

[DMV SoloRider]

I don't think there is any risk from "frequencies through the air". If that was the case, all the phones would be trashed by the internal speakers. But I appreciate the update regarding vibrations.

I think the idea is the frequency created by engine vibration is a specific frequency or range of frequencies, not just any ol’ frequency or equivalent to anything coming from speakers. 🤷‍♂️

Just to add, there are all different types of frequencies in the Radio Frequency spectrum (think about your radio - each channel represents a unique frequency, and “radio” is just one teeny band within the much broader RF spectrum). Some frequencies can penetrate matter, others bounce off of it. Some can break metal, some can’t. There are, as far as I know, near limitless frequencies in the spectrum. The frequency generated by engine vibration is distinct from the frequency generated by a phone speaker - one has nothing to do with the other.

 

[LilDab77]

Can you share which wireless dongle you bought? I just broke my first camera tying to use apple carplay on my Chieftain.

 

[DMV SoloRider]

Can you share which wireless dongle you bought? I just broke my first camera tying to use apple carplay on my Chieftain.

I bought the Carlinkit 2.0 - they make a newer version, the 3.0, but I can’t speak to that one. The 2.0 has mostly worked well/reliably, but there have been times when the wireless unit disconnects. Sometimes it might be a software issue, sometimes perhaps a wireless issue (they connect via Bluetooth and wifi), and at one point the original mini-usb cord that came with mine stopped working. Switched it out and haven’t had any issues. Ultimately, it’s a superior solution to a broken phone! 👍

 

[EvilMonkey]

After reading this, as an iPhone 12 Pro Max owner, I contacted Apple Support myself to see if they could clarify.

Appreciating this is a chat with Apple support, take it with a grain of salt. I’ll post the pictures of my chat so you can decide for yourself. The problem is two-fold for both cause and effect. The cause appears to be from physical vibration, as well as a frequency that’s generated by the engine vibrating in the frame. The effect is that both vibration and frequency can damage either the OIS or the Closed-Loop AF within the phones (this is for all phones using these technologies, not just iPhones). iPhone 11 and later phones no longer have OIS, but they do have Closed-Loop AF, so they can still suffer from the vibration/frequency issue. And while vibration dampeners may help protect your phone from damage caused by vibration, that wouldn’t necessarily provide any protection against frequencies penetrating your phone through the air and damaging its internals. 🤷‍♂️

I’ve been using a wireless dongle so I don’t have to put my phone in my Challenger’s glovebox. There was a period where I was having lots of disconnection issues that were super frustrating. But whether from an Apple iOS update, a ride command update, or just good luck, those issues seem to have resolved, and I’ve experienced a stable connection for several thousand miles now. That’s only a solution for us bagger/Ride Command owners, but wanted to pass this along.

Hopefully the phone/motorcycle manufacturers will engineer a solution for all of us.

DMV

Thanks for talking to Apple customer service and posting their response. What I understand it’s the physical ridged connection between the phone and the handlebar, transferring the vibrations to the phone that causes the damage to the camera. If you have a vibration isolation mount the phone should be ok. (I don’t have any recommendations for a mount, I haven’t used any.) I store my iphone (XS Max) in my handlebar bag (Vintage). Over 10,000 miles in the last year, no phone camera issues. I have a Garmin handlebar mounted GPS. My phone provides the traffic and weather info via the Garmin Drive App. The over the air frequency spectrum, even if it perfectly matched the bikes physical vibrational frequency would not cause any damage to a phones camera. There is just not anywhere near the same transfer of energy Vs the physical mount.

 

[Caprock]

I bought the Carlinkit 2.0 - they make a newer version, the 3.0, but I can’t speak to that one. The 2.0 has mostly worked well/reliably, but there have been times when the wireless unit disconnects. Sometimes it might be a software issue, sometimes perhaps a wireless issue (they connect via Bluetooth and wifi), and at one point the original mini-usb cord that came with mine stopped working. Switched it out and haven’t had any issues. Ultimately, it’s a superior solution to a broken phone! 👍

A month ago, I purchased this cable Amazon.com: Short USB 3.1 A to Type C Cable 5 inches CableCreation USB Type C Cable 3A Fast Charging USB C to A FPC Cable 5Gbps Compatible with MacBook iPad Pro S22 S21/S20, SSD, Oculus Quest Link etc. 12cm Black : Electronics and have had ZERO disconnects with my Carlinkit. I also updated my firmware to a version that now has the ability to insert a "start delay" , which I have set to 15 seconds. Since I did that, I have had 100% success linking it up every time that I start my bike. Not once has it failed me with those 2 changes in the month that I have implemented them, and I have ridden all but 2 days this month.

I am also using this same setup in my Ram with the only difference being a 5 second delay, and the Carlinkit has worked flawlessly in that vehicle as well.

The wireless convenience that the Carlinkit provides is excellent, and with it, Carplay has been working perfect on my bike. I'll edit this post if things change, but I have ran it through its paces and so far there hasn't been a hiccup at all.

 

[DMV SoloRider]

Thanks for talking to Apple customer service and posting their response. What I understand it’s the physical ridged connection between the phone and the handlebar, transferring the vibrations to the phone that causes the damage to the camera. If you have a vibration isolation mount the phone should be ok. (I don’t have any recommendations for a mount, I haven’t used any.) I store my iphone (XS Max) in my handlebar bag (Vintage). Over 10,000 miles in the last year, no phone camera issues. I have a Garmin handlebar mounted GPS. My phone provides the traffic and weather info via the Garmin Drive App. The over the air frequency spectrum, even if it perfectly matched the bikes physical vibrational frequency would not cause any damage to a phones camera. There is just not anywhere near the same transfer of energy Vs the physical mount.

Yeah, the whole wireless/RF piece was clear as mud to me at the time. It’s just vibration, and honestly, I think it’s a bit of luck of the draw too. Happens to some, but not others. 🤷‍♂️

 

[EvilMonkey]

Here’s a thread to look at about phone mounts …

Best iPhone mount?

Not spending over $500.00 for the nav upgrade so I am looking for real world opinions on the best mount to secure an iPhone. I would only use it for Waze Navigation so I am thinking a handlebar mount. And because it would rarely be used perhaps one that disconnects easily would be nice. Perhaps...

www.indianmotorcycles.net

 

[DMV SoloRider]

Here’s a thread to look at about phone mounts …

Best iPhone mount?

Not spending over $500.00 for the nav upgrade so I am looking for real world opinions on the best mount to secure an iPhone. I would only use it for Waze Navigation so I am thinking a handlebar mount. And because it would rarely be used perhaps one that disconnects easily would be nice. Perhaps...

www.indianmotorcycles.net

Right. Have it solved with my wireless doodad. I just keep my phone in my pocket. lol

 

[Kawliga]

Has anyone here had a problem with this?

Negative, I had 3D mount that screwed into clutch perch , phone sat in cradle horizontally and held secure by two rubber straps, it moved , got rained on and went over 43K and never fell out and every function worked camera and Pandora. This was an iPhone 7 Max with Pelican case.