Griffin Skyview Handsfree Travel Mount Review

Griffin Skyview Handsfree Travel Mount Review

Price and Where to Buy Griffin Skyview Handsfree Travel Mount: $18 to $30, available on Griffin.com or Amazon.

Attach this device to the airplane tray-table latch to create a stable and adjustable mount for hands-free use of a smartphone, e-reader, or tablet.

Pros:  The Skyview is easy to set up, and holds smartphones and tablets (up to 5.25 x 8 inches) equally well. It nicely spares users the neck pain that comes from looking down to read or watch a movie for extended periods of time. Really, it ends up delivering a very similar experience to a built-in seatback screen. And it’s adjustable so when the person in front of you reclines, it still works. Also, it keeps your tablet off the germy, sticky tray table.

Cons: To keep it protected, it’s best to carry it in its box, where the two pieces can nest into the molded plastic inside. Unfortunately, that means it takes up more space than is ideal in a typical carry-on. Additionally, I couldn’t track down instructions (my box didn’t have any, and I couldn’t find them online), but I took the risk and just wedged the two pieces together in the most intuitive way, and it worked well.

How Griffin Skyview Handsfree Travel Mount Rates:

• Usefulness: 9/10. If you’re one of those people who finds inflight entertainment to be the ideal balm for the sting of long flights, you probably get grumpy when you fly on an airline without seatback screens. This solves the problem (as long as you have an appropriately sized smartphone, tablet, or e-reader to use with it).
• Value: 9/10. If something you pack only does one thing, it better do it well. And this does.
• Durability: 7/10. Stored carefully, it seems like this will last a long time. But it’s got some adjustable parts and bits that stick out, which makes it somewhat delicate and necessitates careful transport and storage. I suspect it wouldn’t do particularly well being popped into your carry-on unprotected.
• Cool Factor: 9/10. You will be entertained in an ergonomic fashion; your seatmates will be envious.

Final Verdict: This is a great idea that’s well executed. It essentially gives you the ability to create a seatback screen from any entertainment-less seatback. While it’s a little bulky to carry, it allows you to control your own entertainment destiny (load it up with your favorite books, movies, and such) and consume it comfortably.

(Photo: Griffin)

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.