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Author Topic: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?  (Read 3519 times)

Offline alansides

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Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« on: March 16, 2015, 08:30:13 PM »
So far my research has come up with the following options:

To use the Ram Mount Motorcycle Fork Stem Base with 1-Inch Ball:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RHVS8I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

With the Ram Mount RAM-HOL-UN4U Universal Finger-Grip Phone or Radio Holder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QD8Q5Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

connected to the diamond base and 2.5" socket arm.

My searching has also come up with this:
Navitech Durable & Robust Cycle / Bike / Bicycle / Motorbike Waterproof Holder Mount And Case For Smartphones & GPS Including
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FOSP7S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A34I76D6T5OLHY

Which doesn't seem compatible with the 1" ball of the Ram mount system, although I did see an adapter for $25.

My question is this, on a 2014 is it better to go with the fork stem or another position for the Ram Ball and if so why do you think so?

I also have a 7" tablet and the only holder I can find for that which I like is Navitech. Should I bother with the adapter?
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jirod

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2015, 08:51:53 PM »
I mounted my GPS on a MotorcycleLarry.com triple-tree nut with a Ram ball and 5" arm. You can build up from there. It puts the unit in front of me where it can be seen and is protected. I tried a clutch lever mount, but I like the triple-tree position Better. The main isue is visibility of the screen in full sun, IMO.
http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=46_59&products_id=260
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2015, 10:04:56 PM »
Just a zillion threads on GPS options and mountings.  Check the search function to find more but here are just a few that seem relevant:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7983
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=18834
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7905.0
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16759
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=19008
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=15784

I always recommend a RAM ball type mounting (my risers came with one and I the Zumo came with a mount for the GPS that worked with it, perfectly).  Lots and lots of mountings for various phones and non-bike GPS units.
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Offline alansides

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2015, 03:10:42 AM »
Quote from: jirod on March 16, 2015, 08:51:53 PM
I mounted my GPS on a MotorcycleLarry.com triple-tree nut with a Ram ball and 5" arm. You can build up from there. It puts the unit in front of me where it can be seen and is protected. I tried a clutch lever mount, but I like the triple-tree position Better. The main isue is visibility of the screen in full sun, IMO.
http://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=46_59&products_id=260

Interesting option I hadn't seen yet. Thanks.
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Offline alansides

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2015, 03:47:17 AM »
Quote from: maxtog on March 16, 2015, 10:04:56 PM
Just a zillion threads on GPS options and mountings.  Check the search function to find more but here are just a few that seem relevant:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7983
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=18834
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7905.0
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16759
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=19008
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=15784

I always recommend a RAM ball type mounting (my risers came with one and I the Zumo came with a mount for the GPS that worked with it, perfectly).  Lots and lots of mountings for various phones and non-bike GPS units.

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out when I have more time.

I'm undecided if I want to try and use the phone or the 7" tablet as a GPS. (I used Google maps so there is no need of a Tom Tom or other GPS unit and besides the Tab does much more, radio etc). The only problem is, there doesn't seem to be any sure fire ways to mount a 7" tablet that fits to the Ram Ball mounts.

This is the best I can come up with is the Navi Bag:
http://www.amazon.com/Navitech-Bicycle-Waterproof-eReaders-Including/dp/B00ADKLG6O/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426583664&sr=1-2&keywords=navitech+tablet+case

But I'm unsure how good the adapter on the back of it would be which would seem to require one of these to convert it to Ram Ball.

http://www.amazon.com/Mounts-RAP-SBA-RGU-Snap-Link-Garmin/dp/B009NRPBE6/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A24X6L8V5U06S5
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NIUVY9U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2M5QDP98S2Y2&coliid=I220DMBOZVD32Q

I was looking for someone who may have done this before to ask how it worked out before I shell out the $ to try it.
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Offline JS_racer

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2015, 05:07:11 AM »
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RHVS8I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
the ram with the squishey deal, had that before the motorcycle lary nut and ball. Very pleased with the change. made the change a few years ago
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Offline JS_racer

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2015, 05:08:13 AM »
Quote from: alansides on March 17, 2015, 03:10:42 AM
Interesting option I hadn't seen yet. Thanks.

great option, rock solid  :)
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Offline C14lvr

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2015, 07:15:51 AM »
I tried using a 7" tablet as a GPS last year, inside an Otterbox Defender, mounted using a Ram ball mount between the handlebars.. Works ok...to a certain point.
Here's a couple of things I discovered, and why I ditched it and went to a 7" Garmin Nuvi instead;

Regardless of which gps software I loaded, there were drawbacks. Old/inaccurate maps, buggy software, and...here was the biggest problem- does not work in areas with no clear sky or cell signal.
I went to NC last year trying this, and was sorely disappointed.

The Garmin Nuvi 2747 7" used w/ a Ram mount is a better and cheaper way. It works- everywhere.
Now, the challenge is how to waterproof it for trips...

I also moved it to the RS handlebars, with my Iphone 5s mounted below it. (Using a dual ball Ram mount.)

It's much more solidly mounted there, higher... which really helps me see it at an easier glance, which means I don't have to look down. Love the big 7" screen!

I can also plug in the coordinates in my Iphone's "Maps" gps, and get turn by turn via bluetooth.

I think it's the Nuvi 2797 model that has an "out" audio jack that you can plug a cable into and then plug into your G9X input jack to hear turn by turn that way. My model does not have that jack.

Oh, and Ram makes a great mount for these two Nuvi's. Very pleased with it. It allows for quick, easy install/removal of the unit. The electrical pinned base mounts inside the Ram mount. Sorta reminds me of the way the Zumo attaches/ detaches, except does not have a screw. I've got $230 total invested in this, and love it.

Just some things I discovered... the hard way.
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Offline katata1100

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Re: Thinking of adding a phone or 7 inch tab to use as a GPS, which way is best?
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2015, 07:49:52 AM »
I got a ram mount attached to a lifeprood case holder. My iphone 5s has a lifeproof case (waterproof). I snap it into the holder, turn the blutooth on in my oneil helment (I think it is still the only helmet with built in blutooth) and off I go. Someone calls, I give a little tap to turn off Pandora and I do the call.
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