As anyone who’s spent more than an hour driving with kids in the back knows, keeping them entertained is key to a peaceful journey. We used to rely on handheld devices or hoping they’d look out the window, but that quickly became a source of constant squabbles and dropped gadgets. The thought of wrestling with unstable screens attached precariously to the back of the seats was exactly the problem I wanted to avoid. A proper, secure mounting solution for our portable DVD players wasn’t just a nice-to-have; it was essential to maintaining sanity and safety on the road. Without it, we faced potential meltdowns and distractions that no parent wants while navigating traffic.
Choosing the Right Car DVD Headrest Holder: What to Look For
Portable DVD players are a godsend for families on long road trips, providing hours of entertainment for passengers, particularly children. They help alleviate boredom, reduce backseat arguments, and make travel significantly more bearable for everyone in the car. Someone seeking a product in this category is likely a parent or guardian who frequently travels with kids and already owns or plans to purchase one or more compatible portable DVD players.
This type of product might not be necessary for those with cars that have built-in rear-seat entertainment systems, or individuals who primarily take very short trips where screens aren’t needed. Also, if your portable DVD player isn’t one of the specific models designed to work with screw-in mounts, this particular solution likely won’t be the right fit, and you’d need to look for universal strap-based or clamp-style holders instead.
Before diving into a purchase, there are several crucial factors to consider. First and foremost is compatibility – not just with your specific model of portable DVD player (does it have the necessary mounting holes?), but also with your car’s headrests. Headrest post width and thickness vary between vehicles. Stability is paramount; a mount that bounces or sags excessively will make viewing difficult and could be distracting or even unsafe. Ease of installation and removal is also important, especially if you plan to move the mount between cars or remove it when not in use. Finally, consider adjustability, such as the ability to tilt the screen for optimal viewing angles, and the overall build quality and durability of the materials.
Introducing the Watana Car DVD Headrest Mount
The Watana Car Headrest Mount is specifically designed to provide a sturdy, screw-in mounting solution for certain models of portable DVD players, notably those from brands like Sylvania, WONNIE, Fangor, Arafuna, and UEME, that feature metric M6 screw holes on the back. It promises a stable viewing experience, even on less-than-perfect roads, and is marketed as a more reliable alternative to flimsy straps or less secure universal holders. When you purchase this product, you get two sets of mounts – one intended for the main DVD player unit and another for its companion monitor, making it ideal for dual-screen setups. Compared to generic strap mounts often included with players or found on the market, it offers a more integrated and potentially more stable attachment method, leveraging the player’s built-in mounting points.
This specific product is tailored for owners of the compatible DVD player models listed. If your player is one of these, and you’re looking for a semi-permanent, secure mounting solution that minimizes bounce and sagging, this mount is definitely for you. It is likely not the best choice if your player doesn’t have the required M6 screw holes, if your car’s headrest posts are unusually shaped (though it tries to accommodate many), or if you prefer a mount that can be quickly swapped between various devices.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience and product details:
Pros:
* Designed to fit specific, popular portable DVD player models using their screw holes.
* Provides a more stable connection than many strap-based mounts.
* Includes hardware (two sets of screws) for compatibility with many different headrest post sizes.
* Allows for vertical angle adjustment for better viewing.
* Comes as a set of two mounts, perfect for dual-screen players.
Cons:
* Only compatible with portable DVD players that have M6 screw holes on the back.
* Some users report potential wobble or sagging, depending on installation and car type.
* Does not include paper instructions, relying solely on an online video tutorial.
* May require slight modification for cars with uniquely shaped headrest posts.
Hands-On Experience: Exploring the Watana Mount’s Capabilities
Having used the Watana Car Headrest Mount for a considerable time now, I can share quite a bit about how it performs in real-world driving scenarios. It’s been through short errands, long road trips, smooth highways, and definitely some bumpy country roads.
Customized Compatibility: A Perfect Fit for the Right Player
One of the standout features of the Watana headrest mount is its targeted design. It’s not a one-size-fits-all universal mount. Instead, it’s specifically engineered to work with portable DVD players that have the standard metric M6 screw holes on the back. This includes popular models from brands like Sylvania, WONNIE, Fangor, NAVISKAUTO, Arafuna, and UEME. The benefit here is significant: you’re not trying to jury-rig a generic clamp or strap onto a player it wasn’t meant for. The mounting plate of the Watana Car Headrest Mount aligns perfectly with those screw holes, creating a flush, secure point of attachment directly to the player’s chassis. In practice, this tailored approach feels much more robust than relying purely on friction or straps that can loosen over time. You feel confident that the player is *meant* to be mounted this way, reducing the worry of it falling off or shifting dramatically. When I first attached my compatible player, the alignment was spot on, and screwing it in felt solid, not flimsy like some other mounts I’ve encountered. This customized aspect is a major plus if you own one of the supported players, as it potentially offers a level of stability generic options just can’t match. It’s a feature that truly delivers on its promise of a secure, tailored fit for the specific portable DVD player models mentioned.
Universal Headrest Adaptability: Fitting Most Cars
While the mount is specific to certain players, it’s designed to be quite adaptable to different cars’ headrests. The product includes two sets of screws – one longer, one shorter – which are meant to accommodate varying sizes of headrest legs. This is a smart inclusion because headrest designs, particularly the diameter and spacing of the posts, are not standardized across all vehicle manufacturers. The process involves placing the back plate of the mount behind the headrest posts and securing the main mounting bracket from the front, using the appropriate screws that thread into nuts within the back plate.
For many standard headrests with two vertical posts, the installation is relatively straightforward, assuming the post width falls within the mount’s range. The inclusion of different screw lengths helps ensure you can get a tight fit without bottoming out or not having enough thread engagement. However, it’s important to note that “99% adaptable” is an optimistic figure. As one user review points out, vehicles with non-traditional or uniquely shaped headrest supports (like older integrated headrests or seats with unusual contours around the posts) might require some modification to the mount’s plastic components to get it to fit correctly. My own car has fairly standard headrests, and I found that one set of the included screws worked perfectly, cinching down tightly onto the posts. It wasn’t a struggle to find the right fit for my vehicle. This adaptability feature, while perhaps not 100% universal, certainly covers a very wide range of common headrest designs, saving you the hassle of searching for a car-specific mount.
Angle-Adjustable: Finding the Sweet Spot for Viewing
One of the simplest yet most effective features is the vertical angle adjustment. Once the DVD player or monitor is mounted, the bracket allows you to tilt the screen up or down. This seemingly minor detail is crucial for passenger comfort and optimal viewing, especially for children who might be sitting at different heights or whose seating position changes during a journey. Being able to tilt the screen allows them to find the angle that reduces glare from windows (a common issue in cars) and provides the clearest picture. It also means the view isn’t fixed rigidly, which can be uncomfortable over time.
The adjustment mechanism on the Car Headrest Mount is typically a pivot point that you tighten or loosen. I found that tightening it firmly held the angle in place even on bumpy roads, preventing the screen from gradually drooping. Loosening it slightly allows for easy adjustments when needed. This adjustability ensures that no matter the angle of the seat or the height of the viewer, they can get a good, comfortable look at the screen. This feature alone makes a big difference in reducing complaints from the back seat about not being able to see properly.
Sturdy Locking Mode: Aiming for Stability
The Watana Car Headrest Mount highlights its “sturdy locking mode” which utilizes a full range of four screws to secure the mount to the headrest posts, promising maximum stability even on bumpy roads. The idea is that by gripping the headrest posts firmly with multiple screws, the mount itself provides a solid foundation for the attached DVD player. This contrasts with simpler designs that might only use one or two points of contact or rely on less secure methods. When installed correctly and tightened firmly, the mount does feel very secure against the headrest posts.
However, this is also where some mixed experiences can occur, as highlighted by some user feedback. While the *mount’s grip on the headrest* might be solid, the *player’s connection to the mount* and the *overall rigidity* can sometimes lead to a degree of wobble or sagging for some users. The screw-in connection to the player is generally stable at the point of attachment, but if the plastic arm or the headrest connection isn’t perfectly rigid for a particular car or setup, some movement can be observed, especially on rougher surfaces. I found that ensuring the screws attaching the mount to the headrest posts were very tightly secured made a significant difference in minimizing shake. While it wasn’t perfectly static – you are, after all, in a moving vehicle – it was vastly better than any strap system I’d tried. The screens remained watchable and didn’t bounce violently. It seems that achieving maximum stability with this feature requires careful installation and tightening, and the outcome might vary slightly depending on the specific headrest design and the weight distribution of the player/monitor units. It’s sturdy *when installed optimally*, but potential for some motion exists. This is where the claim of “maximizes the stability” holds true compared to looser methods, but it might not equate to absolute, zero-motion rigidity in all situations.
Easy Installation: Getting It Set Up
The product description emphasizes easy installation and points users towards an installation video. This is a critical piece of information because, as mentioned, the mount does not come with paper instructions. Relying solely on a video might be a drawback for some, but the video itself is reasonably clear and walks you through the steps: assembling the two halves of the mount around the headrest posts, selecting the correct screws, tightening them, and then screwing the portable DVD player onto the mounting plate using its M6 holes.
For me, the installation process was indeed straightforward *after* watching the video. It took only a few minutes per mount. Identifying the correct screw length was simple by holding them against the headrest posts. Tightening the four screws per mount is the key step for stability. The main part of the installation involves just a few steps and a screwdriver. The fact that it’s a screw-in system means you’re not fumbling with complicated clamps or trying to get adjustable arms to grip just right. It’s a direct, mechanical attachment, which feels more positive than relying on tension or friction alone. While I would have preferred paper instructions as a backup, the video was sufficient, and the physical process was not difficult at all.
Cost-Effective: Value for a Specific Need
Finally, considering the price point and what you get – two sets of sturdy, specifically compatible Car Headrest Mounts with angle adjustment and headrest adaptability hardware – the Watana Car Headrest Mount offers good value. For someone who has invested in one of the compatible dual-screen portable DVD player systems, finding a reliable way to mount them securely is essential to getting the most out of that investment. Generic solutions might be cheaper upfront but can lead to frustration due to poor stability or incompatibility. This mount addresses a specific need for specific players with a design that aims for enhanced stability over universal options. Getting two sets means you can mount both screens of a dual setup right out of the box, without needing to purchase additional hardware. This targeted approach and the inclusion of hardware for two screens make it a cost-effective solution for its intended purpose, especially when you weigh the cost against the reduced stress and improved viewing experience on road trips.
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking around at what others have experienced, the feedback for the Watana Car Headrest Mount is generally positive, though with some caveats similar to my own observations. Many users praise how easy the mount is to install, often mentioning the helpfulness of the online video tutorial, although acknowledging the lack of included paper instructions. People who own one of the specifically listed compatible DVD players frequently confirm that the mount fits their unit perfectly using the M6 screw holes and provides a more secure connection than the flimsy straps that came with their players. The sturdy design receives positive comments, with some drivers noting a significant reduction in screen wobble compared to other mounting methods, leading to a much smoother viewing experience for rear passengers on various road surfaces.
However, not all experiences are identical. A few users have reported issues with the mount sagging or the screens still wobbling more than expected, suggesting that achieving optimal stability might depend on the specific car’s headrest design or the precise installation tightness. One reviewer mentioned needing to modify the mount to fit their car’s non-standard headrests, highlighting that while adaptable, it’s not guaranteed to be a perfect fit out-of-the-box for every single vehicle type. Despite these varied experiences, the consensus leans towards this being a solid, effective mounting solution *if* you have a compatible player and relatively standard headrests, offering a much-needed upgrade over less secure alternatives.
Final Thoughts on Solving In-Car Entertainment Woes
Dealing with unsecured portable DVD players bouncing around in the back seat is more than just annoying; it can be a significant distraction while driving and potentially dangerous for the occupants. Ensuring screens are mounted securely and at a comfortable viewing angle is vital for keeping passengers happily entertained and allowing the driver to focus on the road. The complications of not solving this problem range from constant complaints and requests for adjustments from the back, to screens potentially becoming damaged or even causing injury in sudden stops.
The Watana Car Headrest Mount presents itself as an excellent fit to solve this common travel headache for owners of compatible portable DVD players. Its key strengths lie in its designed-in compatibility with specific, popular players, offering a much more stable screw-in attachment compared to generic strap-based methods. The inclusion of hardware for various headrest sizes and the useful vertical angle adjustment add to its practicality. While installation requires watching a video and some vehicles might pose unique fitment challenges, the core benefit of providing a generally sturdy platform for in-car entertainment is undeniable. If you’re tired of wobbly screens and want a more reliable solution for your compatible portable DVD player setup, the Watana Car Headrest Mount is definitely worth considering. To check it out and see if it’s the right fit for your setup, Click here to learn more.