RAM handlebar mount has arrived - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Nick Mystic · 02-07-2008, 04:00 PM

I ordered a RAM handlebar mount for my Garmin StreetPilot c330 GPS unit a couple weeks ago and it finally arrived today. There was apparently some sort of mix up with my order and the shop sending it to me never processed the order. Once the mistake was identified they were very good about it and overnighted it to me through Fed Ex at no additional charge (I'm assuming no extra charge, but I haven't seen my credit card statement yet).

I am really impressed with the quality of this mount. I ordered the standard 3" arm for my unit and it allows me to position the GPS unit next to my speedometer in a perfect location for viewing and accessing the touch screen controls. The main components are made of aircraft quality aluminum, so it is quite sturdy. With the two rubber ball mounts there appeared to be negligible vibration of the unit.

The only negative comment I have to report has to do with the electrical plug for the power cord. In their literature RAM states that when you order the cradle for your GPS unit it is compatible with the power cord supplied with your unit. When I installed my new RAM mount and went to plug in my power cord I discovered there was no place to plug in the cord! It turns out that you have to remove the plug from your car mount cradle and install it on the new RAM cradle. They didn't provide any instructions or diagrams showing how to do this.

It wasn't difficult to do, but you do have to have a screw driver like you use to adjust the tiny screws on eye glasses in order to unscrew the receptacle from the original cradle that came with the unit and to attach it to the new RAM cradle. Once that was done the mount worked flawlessly. Of course, now I can no longer use this GPS unit in my car until I locate a replacement plug for my original car windshield mounting cradle. It would be too much of a hassle to constantly be unscrewing this tiny plug and switching it back and forth between the two cradles. I would be concerned that the tiny plug would break over time or at the very least have the tiny screw holes get stripped out. And of course the screws are so tiny it wouldn't take much to drop one and never find it again!

**Clint** · 02-07-2008, 04:08 PM

Yeah, I bought a cradle by Garmin that I mated with a Ram mount.

Paddysing · 06-02-2008, 11:36 AM

How is the 330 garmin working with the bike? I read some reports that the vibrations from a bike could screw up the components of the 330. Any problems with your thus far? Are you are to see the screen on sunny days?

olesmokey · 06-09-2008, 03:20 PM

any pics of the finished product? I have a c50 and want to mounty my Magellan Maestro 3100 on it. Glad this worked for you.

baltimorebayside · 06-19-2008, 08:56 AM

My RAM Mount arrived yesterday, went in the garage and mounted it on my bike, then on the GPS. I use a Street Pilot III, auto rounting and voice navigation.

Garmin GPS, XM, Sirius, Magellan GPS, Lowrance GPS, TomTom GPS, MIO GPS & RAM GPS Mount Authorized Dealer at MountGuys.com

These guys at the above web site are great!!! Very fast service!!!!!

Dan!!

Nick Mystic · 06-21-2008, 08:55 PM

I've been riding with the Garmin Street Pilot c330 GPS unit mounted on my bike with the RAM mount for over four months now and it's worked flawlessly. I've had no problems from the vibration, but then again there doesn't seem to be very much vibration to speak of with the mounting system.

Viewing the screen in the sunshine is a bit compromised, but I've found that I've gotten used to it and can see it well enough to suit my purposes. If you play around with the angle a bit you can position the unit so that the worst of the glare is eliminated.

What I really like about the unit is that when it is set on the 3D map mode the map is so accurate I can actually judge how severe an upcoming curve is going to be from glancing at the map. This helps me anticipate a particularly sharp curve and prepare accordingly.

baltimorebayside · 06-22-2008, 01:08 PM

What would be an ideal GPS for a bike is, street level detail in Monochrome...with voice navigation and auto routing.

My old Monochrome Street Pilot seems to work best in direct sunlight, but it doesn't speak. My Street Pilot III is color and has the voice navigation, but is difficult to see in sunlight, especially when your eyes are 53 years old.

Maybe I'll make a suggestion to Garmin, I'm sure they have everything on the shelf to come up with one.......

Don't need touch screen, just decent buttons too, and a good battery life. Backlighting would also be nice....

I guess I'm asking for the old MonochromeStreet Pilot w/ all the features....able to download routes too.

maybe one of these days...

dan

02-07-2008, 04:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nick Mystic In Training Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki M50 Limited Edition 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 116	RAM handlebar mount has arrived I ordered a RAM handlebar mount for my Garmin StreetPilot c330 GPS unit a couple weeks ago and it finally arrived today. There was apparently some sort of mix up with my order and the shop sending it to me never processed the order. Once the mistake was identified they were very good about it and overnighted it to me through Fed Ex at no additional charge (I'm assuming no extra charge, but I haven't seen my credit card statement yet). I am really impressed with the quality of this mount. I ordered the standard 3" arm for my unit and it allows me to position the GPS unit next to my speedometer in a perfect location for viewing and accessing the touch screen controls. The main components are made of aircraft quality aluminum, so it is quite sturdy. With the two rubber ball mounts there appeared to be negligible vibration of the unit. The only negative comment I have to report has to do with the electrical plug for the power cord. In their literature RAM states that when you order the cradle for your GPS unit it is compatible with the power cord supplied with your unit. When I installed my new RAM mount and went to plug in my power cord I discovered there was no place to plug in the cord! It turns out that you have to remove the plug from your car mount cradle and install it on the new RAM cradle. They didn't provide any instructions or diagrams showing how to do this. It wasn't difficult to do, but you do have to have a screw driver like you use to adjust the tiny screws on eye glasses in order to unscrew the receptacle from the original cradle that came with the unit and to attach it to the new RAM cradle. Once that was done the mount worked flawlessly. Of course, now I can no longer use this GPS unit in my car until I locate a replacement plug for my original car windshield mounting cradle. It would be too much of a hassle to constantly be unscrewing this tiny plug and switching it back and forth between the two cradles. I would be concerned that the tiny plug would break over time or at the very least have the tiny screw holes get stripped out. And of course the screws are so tiny it wouldn't take much to drop one and never find it again!

06-19-2008, 08:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
baltimorebayside Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: New owner of a 2008 C50T Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 272	My RAM Mount arrived yesterday, went in the garage and mounted it on my bike, then on the GPS. I use a Street Pilot III, auto rounting and voice navigation. Garmin GPS, XM, Sirius, Magellan GPS, Lowrance GPS, TomTom GPS, MIO GPS & RAM GPS Mount Authorized Dealer at MountGuys.com These guys at the above web site are great!!! Very fast service!!!!! Dan!! Attached Thumbnails

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06-02-2008, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Paddysing Newbie Joined: May 2008 Bike: VStrom 650 Posts: 2	How is the 330 garmin working with the bike? I read some reports that the vibrations from a bike could screw up the components of the 330. Any problems with your thus far? Are you are to see the screen on sunny days?

06-09-2008, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
olesmokey Newbie Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bouldevard C50 Location: Alabama Posts: 11	any pics of the finished product? I have a c50 and want to mounty my Magellan Maestro 3100 on it. Glad this worked for you.

06-21-2008, 08:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nick Mystic In Training Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki M50 Limited Edition 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 116	I've been riding with the Garmin Street Pilot c330 GPS unit mounted on my bike with the RAM mount for over four months now and it's worked flawlessly. I've had no problems from the vibration, but then again there doesn't seem to be very much vibration to speak of with the mounting system. Viewing the screen in the sunshine is a bit compromised, but I've found that I've gotten used to it and can see it well enough to suit my purposes. If you play around with the angle a bit you can position the unit so that the worst of the glare is eliminated. What I really like about the unit is that when it is set on the 3D map mode the map is so accurate I can actually judge how severe an upcoming curve is going to be from glancing at the map. This helps me anticipate a particularly sharp curve and prepare accordingly.

06-22-2008, 01:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
baltimorebayside Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: New owner of a 2008 C50T Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 272	What would be an ideal GPS for a bike is, street level detail in Monochrome...with voice navigation and auto routing. My old Monochrome Street Pilot seems to work best in direct sunlight, but it doesn't speak. My Street Pilot III is color and has the voice navigation, but is difficult to see in sunlight, especially when your eyes are 53 years old. Maybe I'll make a suggestion to Garmin, I'm sure they have everything on the shelf to come up with one....... Don't need touch screen, just decent buttons too, and a good battery life. Backlighting would also be nice.... I guess I'm asking for the old MonochromeStreet Pilot w/ all the features....able to download routes too. maybe one of these days... dan

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