I believe I have solved my phone mounting problem, and I did it with only three items.
First, because I am right-handed I needed it to be just to the right of the steering wheel. Secondly I wanted to have whatever mount not block my view through the windshield as much as possible. This did the trick. Because it extends across the long distance between the dash and the windshield, it mounts low on the glass.
The mount and holder are two items. The mount is the "Arkon CM117-SBH Replacement or Upgrade Long Arm Windshield Suction Mounting Pedestal with 2T Swivel Pattern" ($20 from Amazon). The holder for my phone is the "Arkon Phone and Midsize Tablet Holder for iPhone X 8 7 6S Plus...", $13.00 at Amazon.
Next, I didn't want any slacked cables floating around the mount. I found this half-foot "Skiva USBLink Duo Short 2-in-1 Sync and Charge Cable with Lightning & microUSB for iPhone" on Amazon, a two-pack for $21. It connects perfectly into the USB port and thence to the phone with virtually no slack to spare. (Sequence: Phone goes into cradle first, then connect cable... not the other way around.)
I tried a number of combinations of Ram Mount products, but none had the reach. I've been driving this around and I really have nothing bad to say about this set up.
The suction cup is secure on the windshield, the handset is easy on and off, very accessible, and does not take up any appreciable field of view or block controls or vents. Done!