Our smartphones accompany us almost everywhere, and these expensive and important devices are often exposed to rough conditions, especially when used in active pursuits. For over a year, I have found extra reassurance when using mine with a Quad Lock phone mount.

Quad Lockwas originally developed in 2011 so cyclists could mount their smartphones to their bikes. It may have been a niche product then, but cycling was an excellent proving ground for a versatile locking phone mount that holds fast when subjected to shocks.

The device works with a spring locking mechanism that requires a lever to be depressed, the phone to be inserted, and then given a quarter turn to secure it vertically or horizontally with a satisfying click. The socket that engages with the Quad Lock mount is built into a bespoke phone case. It is, therefore, securely anchored to your phone and the mount, and no amount of inertia will separate one from the other.

The cases are made of high-quality rubberized plastic that is precision molded with protruding buttons that feel positive without offering too much resistance. As a minor compromise, the case is a little thicker to accommodate the Quad Lock socket, but the unit feels sturdy and reliable on the whole.

I mostly use my Quad Lock with an old Google Pixel 5, which provides map and Spotify duties when attached to my motorcycle’s navigation bar. I have sinceupgraded my phone, but the Pixel 5 is more than fit for purpose with stable performance and waterproof qualities. I protect it with theQuad Lock Vibration Dampener, which absorbs shocks and preserves its image stabilization capability.

I have toured extensively with my Quad Lock mount, whether on the asphalt during a trip to the Philippines or off-road on the dirt trails around Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It hasn’t let me down once, and most people I know who ride motorcycles use a Quad Lock system for navigation. However, this is just one application for Quad Lock, which only scratches the surface of the device’s potential.

Since its humble beginnings as a bicycle mount, Quad Lock has been developed to suit many purposes, with different attachments for outdoor pursuits, automotive, and lifestyle applications. There are Quad Locks for off-road vehicles, car dashboards and windscreens, marine vehicles, golf, and running. There is even an Aviation category so pilots can read essential in-flight data while aloft.

Quad Lock mounts aren’t limited to active pursuits.Photographers can also use them to secure cameras, and there’s also a range of tripod adapters and selfie sticks for phones. The Everyday category includesdesk mounts, so you can securely mount your phone to your desk, with wireless charging in some examples, to put your Quad Lock-ready device to good use while at work.

Many practical accessories accompany the Quad Lock range. The Quad Lock Vibration Dampener I mentioned earlier (pictured above) can be considered essential phone protection for all modes of transport, and theQuad Lock wireless charging headis highly convenient and helps you arrive at your destination with a full battery.

You can also find handyring-style phone standsthat you can insert into Quad Lock’s socket andMAG walletsthat magnetically attach your credit cards to your phone. If you have a specific requirement for your Quad Lock, the Build Your Own range provides many useful interlocking attachments, connectors, mounts, and accessories.

Having witnessed some mishaps on the road where phones have leaped to their doom from inferior mounts, I feel obliged to share my positive experience with Quad Lock. Sure, it might cost more than most of the competition, but you are more likely to find what exactly you need in the Quad Lock range. Furthermore, you’re less likely to suffer an expensive and inconvenient phone breakage while doing the things you enjoy.