Customer Reviews

RAM-B-149Z-GA26U: RAM Bike / Motorcycle Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi 710, ...

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I got a new GPS, I needed a new mount for my motorcycle since the old was 4x3 and this one is wide screen.

I considered some of those cheaper mounts that hold on essentially with a large zip tie. I finally decided to pay the extra money and go with this mount manufactured by RAM Mounts. I'm so very glad I did.

The quality is excellent and it really holds the GPS securely. Plus, RAM offers a large number of spare parts and optional add-ons for their products, so if it breaks way down the road, I know I can replace anything that is broken. With those other mounts, they seem to be pretty much an all-in-on device, meaning it's replace it all if part of it breaks. That giant molded in zip tie worried me a lot on those other solutions.

Here are a few highlights of this mount:

- It has a very robust adjustment arm that pretty much lets you place the GPS about anywhere you need it. I have mine set so, when I'm on the bike, it appears below my gauges. That makes it easy to check everything in essentially one spot.

- The mount attaches to the bike with a large U-Bolt. There is a plastic insert to protect the handlebar chrome. You may have to trim the ends of the threads down for very skinny handlebars since they're pretty long. I have 1" diameter bars and it was very close to avoid interfering with the arm. I couldn't use the rubber caps provided since those made the threads stick up just a bit to far to allow full arm motion. I may trim them down, though I'm not sure if I'll use the caps. They seem like something that is bound to fall off on the road, anyway. I mounted the arm right above the clamp for my windshield, so if it does slip, it won't go far.

- You can adjust the arm in multiple directions with one friction knob. It holds very securely when tightened by hand.

- The GPS is held on both the top and bottom and stays thoroughly put. I have no fear it will pop out of the cradle. There is room to leave the car power adapter attached while in the mount. You'll want to connect it to the back of the GPS before placing it in the holder, though or you won't be able to fit it in behind. There's just enough room back there when it's already installed, which is good. It means the connector won't pop off the GPS.

- The only negative part is the lack of directions. It fit together fine, but there were extra screws provided that worried me until I realized they really were extra. There was a set of black and a set of shiny screws you can use to attach the mount. It's pretty easy to figure things out, though: screw the holder onto the arm with two of the steel screws and the nuts, stick the U-bolt around the handlebars with the plastic insert on the curved side. Tighten the nuts onto the U-bolt until it doesn't move. Then use the knob on the arm to adjust things. It may be easier to loosen it and remove the arm from the U-bolt assembly while you tighten the nuts. If the thread ends stick out too far, just use a hack saw or Dremel tool to shorten them.

I rode for at least 20 miles, half on the highway and half on our famously beat up streets we have in the Northeast. The GPS didn't budge. The mount held it very well. I have no worries it will do its job on longer trips.

I'm very pleased I didn't cheap out.

I included some photos at the top of the page so you can see the mount in use.

I used this as a motorcycle mount. You can position it about anywhere. Very secure. I only wish that it came with some kind of sticky thin rubber pad to protect the handlebars. The RAM youtube install video shows this (they do say not included). I don't remember if it was suggested as a "you might also like.." but if you are considering mounting on a motorcycle, I suggest you look for something to protect it in case you remove the mount. I used black electrical tape wrapped a few times. I think this will protect from scratches, but I know it might get messy cleaning the tape off if I decide to move the mount.

Mounting is easy. It holds the GPS securely. It was well worth the price. The quality is great. We would definitely recommend it!

I got the Ram mount for my Garmin Nuvi and absolutely love it. It is very high quality for very little money. Frankly it looks and feels like it should cost much more than it does. I like the fact that it comes with a piece to keep the handlebars from getting scratched.

*Edited to add:
I have taken two trips of 800+ miles each on my motorcycle and this mount is a lifesaver. Keeps the GPS just high enough to be in view but not distracting at all. It is also rock solid. Because I ride a cruiser with a tank mounted speedometer, the GPS has become my speedometer because I don't have to look down much at all to see it.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 750 and this mount fits perfectly. I also purchased the auxiliary power cord that runs power into the unit via the mini usb port located on the bottom of the GPS. This mount does not interfere with the power cord.
I used this mount on a 2002 Harley Wide Glide. Vibration is not an issue.
I would suggest purchasing a bonnet of some sort to shade the screen a bit. I know they make them, I just haven't found them yet. Course at night, glare is not an issue.

The Ram Motorcycle Mount works really well. I am impressed how well it holds the GPS and doesn't budge at all. No vibration while going down the road. It took me awhile to get it set up just right, but once I did it was perfect. No instructions at all, but it is pretty straight forward on setting it up. It just takes awhile to tighten everything down so it doesn't move. About an hour from opening the product to getting it set up on your bike.

I purchased this for my Garmin Nuvi 780 to mount on my Harley Ultra Classic. Installation was a snap even though no instructions were provided. It was so easy no instructions were necessary. Fifteen minutes and I was up and running. This mount holds the GPS rock solid. There is no vibration and the quality is far better than I expected. This mount is definately worth the money. I couldn't be happier. You won't be dissapointed with this one.

I love this mount and it preformance GREAT!

I had consider buying the Waterproof version and I am happy that I did not! I seen one the other day and they seem very bulky!

I make mine WP but just putting a zip Lock Bag over it with a Rubber Band!!

All an all, this is an awesome mount !

I took a trip with my truck to try it out. It really is a nice GPS with a lot of features. The menues make sense when you try to find different features.The suction cup mount is solid and held well. The display is clear. I loved the mp3 player and the way it stops the song and announces the upcoming turn. I hooked mine up to the radio through the aux. jack. Navigating the screen was a little tedious if you were on the move but it got easyer as you learned where stuff was. Some things I did not care for are:
1.If you are using a dark icon to represent where you are on the map it is difficult to see at night if you have the screen in the dark mode. I had to change it to a light colored icon.(no big deal)
2. The text to speech was choppy sometimes. This made it hard to react at interstate speeds when your eyes were on the road.
3.FM transmitter was poor. (I've never seen a good one yet. They have a weak signal. Laws limit output power)
4. I went to update the map to 2009. You get a free map upgrade to the latest map. This is nice because maps are about $70.00. That's when the problems started. I downloaded the 1.9 Gig file. Everything went smooth till it tried to update the map file. I would get an error and the update would fail. I re-downloaded the map file in case it got corrupted when I downloaded it the first time. I tried it with Windows XP,Vista and Windows 7 with the same results. Worse yet it corrupted the files on the GPS. Local streets were missing and highway names would be spelled in part english and part foreign charicters. I sent a problem report to Garmin but not being one to give up I tried updating with an old laptop I had laying around and it updated without a hitch. Now I am happy again.
I do not have a bluetooth phone but that looks like a handy feature.
I like the SD memory card slot for extra storage. When you plug your GPS into your computer the Nuvi and the SD card act like external hard drives. You drag and drop stuff onto the drives. It is simple.
Typing in an address is easy. The verbal turn instructions came in time to make the turn and when you turned it suggested staying to the left or right lane if you had another turn coming up quickly. Handy if your on the city freeway. I could recieve satalite signals in parts of my basement. Prety Impressive. Overall I am pretty happy with this GPS. At the pesent time I will not use the bluetooth feature. I will also not use the picture viewer or some of the other gadjets. Would I pay $500.00 for this thing? No. Would I pay $226.00. I think it's worth that. I will take it for another test run with the updated maps and see if the choppy voice was fixed.
Update 06-20-09 There is a patch to fix the voice stuttering. It works well. I use this GPS on my motorcycle now and I wouldn't go anywhere without it. I use a RAM motorcycle mount. I installed a lighter outlet on my cycle so I plug the GPS in. The RAM mount allows for leaving the GPS mount with the power cord on the unit.Very handy for those country roads when you don't have a set course and with a push of a button you can chart your course home. It is now a permanent part of my cycle travel gear.