Ram Mounting Locations For Your Garmin 26xx/27xx

[avigar]

For those that have the Garmin 26xx/27xx series, how did you mount your system on the FJR? I've recently acquired the 2720 and am looking for mounting suggestions utilizing the RAM mounting system. I saw that Garmin makes a motorcyle kit (cradle + wiring w/audio out) for the 26xx series. Will this fit the 2720? This seems to be the most economical way to go. I also intend to install a Powerlet to supply power to the GPS.

 

[Toynut]

The 26xx series and 27xx series are almost identical save the 27xx series uses a microdrive for map storage (not good for a motorcycle environment), and the 26xx uses a CF card. I own both and the accessories will fit either one.

 

[Woodstock]

For those that have the Garmin 26xx/27xx series, how did you mount your system on the FJR? I've recently acquired the 2720 and am looking for mounting suggestions utilizing the RAM mounting system. I saw that Garmin makes a motorcyle kit (cradle + wiring w/audio out) for the 26xx series. Will this fit the 2720? This seems to be the most economical way to go. I also intend to install a Powerlet to supply power to the GPS.

If you buy the motorcycle kit (I did), you don't need a powerlet, just wire the kit directly from the bike battery, it's much cleaner and the motorcycle kit just stays on the bike even if you take the GPS off. (I didn't want switched power for the GPS so that the counters would still count when stopped for gas, etc).

I used the RAM-HB2 on the clutch side resouviour with a medium (IIRC) arm connecting to one of those round unversal plates. The bracket that comes with the garmin motorcycle kit bolts nicely to that round plate.

A lot of people use stemstands, though for their GPS, they look nicer, but are more expensive. In that position, I also wasn't sure that I'd be able to see the GPS with a tankbag (unless the GPS was high enough to be blocking the view of the gauges)

 

[avigar]

The 26xx series and 27xx series are almost identical save the 27xx series uses a microdrive for map storage (not good for a motorcycle environment), and the 26xx uses a CF card.  I own both and the accessories will fit either one.

Actually, Garmin's website states that the 2720 does not use a drive. I called their tech support to confirm this and was told that a 2GB flash media is used to hold the entire North American map. This is one of the main reasons why I purchased it. It's also considered waterproof. James from AutoNav2000 confirmed this from a previous post.

 

[avigar]

If you buy the motorcycle kit (I did), you don't need a powerlet, just wire the kit directly from the bike battery, it's much cleaner and the motorcycle kit just stays on the bike even if you take the GPS off. (I didn't want switched power for the GPS so that the counters would still count when stopped for gas, etc).

Do you then use some sort of quick-disconnect connector when it's not in use? If not, how do you keep the Garmin connector from grounding itself on the bike?

 

[Rogue]

If you buy the motorcycle kit (I did), you don't need a powerlet, just wire the kit directly from the bike battery, it's much cleaner and the motorcycle kit just stays on the bike even if you take the GPS off.  (I didn't want switched power for the GPS so that the counters would still count when stopped for gas, etc).

Do you then use some sort of quick-disconnect connector when it's not in use? If not, how do you keep the Garmin connector from grounding itself on the bike?

It has a plug. The live part can't touch anything when its unplugged.

 

[Woodstock]

If you buy the motorcycle kit (I did), you don't need a powerlet, just wire the kit directly from the bike battery, it's much cleaner and the motorcycle kit just stays on the bike even if you take the GPS off.  (I didn't want switched power for the GPS so that the counters would still count when stopped for gas, etc).

Do you then use some sort of quick-disconnect connector when it's not in use? If not, how do you keep the Garmin connector from grounding itself on the bike?

Garmin provides little snap-on covers for the "foot". They don't seem to stay on very well, though, I just wrap something around it.

 

[Toynut]

https://www.gadgetguy.net/

I used one of these on my 05. It's an expensive housing, but it is very secure and the Garmin power and audio cable are kept in the housing quite securely. It holds all of the 26XX and 27XX units, and comes in brushed aluminum or black anodized finish. Bling, Bling

 

[Woodstock]

https://www.gadgetguy.net/
I used one of these on my 05. It's an expensive housing, but it is very secure and the Garmin power and audio cable are kept in the housing quite securely. It holds all of the 26XX and 27XX units, and comes in brushed aluminum or black anodized finish. Bling, Bling

Which bracket kit did you get?

 

[smthng]

I'm gonna have to toss my two cents into the mix here... I don't agree with some of the other comments posted.

I have a ram mount ball on my brake lever mount. I use a medium arm which is then connected to the standard diamond mount with the Garmin bike kit bolted to that. I don't like it for a couple of reasons...

The Garmin bike kit is a cradle that the GPS 2610 (in my case) clips into and then a security screw is used to lock it down. What Garmin doesn't tell you is that the cable is locked into the cradle as well. This means that you have to unlock the security screw and remove the unit from the cradle in order to disconnect the cable. Why does this matter, you may ask? With my GPS V and a Ram cradle, I could loosen the ram arm, pull the cable and toss the whole thing in my Givi or a sidecase in order to lock it up. With the Garmin mount, I have to unscrew the security screw, unclip the GPS, pull the cable and then loosen the ram arm before I can toss the whole kit in the Givi. It's just a PIA when you plan on running in somewhere and don't want to leave a GPS sitting out in the open. I'll probably get the Ram cradle instead.

If I had it to do over again... I would have bought just the motorcycle cable from Garmin and then bought the cradle from Ram. As I said, just my two cents. But I'd either want something I can conveniently remove, or smthng a LOT more secure than the Garmin cradle (like a Touratech mount or smthng).

 

[Woodstock]

Yea, it's a little inconvenient, but the mount is supposed to be "secure" (however the fact that you can unscrew the arm makes it less so). I've seen folks replace that bit plastic wing-nut thing on the ram arm with a less-easy-to-turn nut to make it a bit more secure (so you can leave it on the bike).

I either put my jacket over the windsheld covering the cockpit area, so things are out of sight, or just remove the GPS, which, as you've pointed out, requires the silly security screw.

 

[Toynut]

Woodstock,

How do I add images to my reply post. Never done that before, would like to learn.

 

[Woodstock]

Woodstock,How do I add images to my reply post. Never done that before, would like to learn.

You have to upload the image to someplace accessable with a simple url. Photobucket is what many of us use, it's free for a moderate amount of picture storage.

Then click on the IMG button when you're adding an entry, and add the image url to the popup.

 

[Toynut]

Woodstock, this is the message I get when I copy and paste the photobucket URL to the IMG button pop up script line. Any idea what I'm doing wrong. I was trying to post a small sized file of four pics(I know about the file size limits), no dice yet.

Sorry, dynamic pages in the tags are not allowed

Would appreciate any help offered. :huh:

 

[twowheelnut]

Woodstock, this is the message I get when I copy and paste the photobucket URL to the IMG button pop up script line.  Any idea what I'm doing wrong.  I was trying to post a small sized file of four pics(I know about the file size limits), no dice yet.
Sorry, dynamic pages in the tags are not allowed

Would appreciate any help offered. :huh:

All you gotta do is copy the first line under the photos name. It's labeled 'URL'. Copy that then when you click on the IMG button on this site when you are making your post a box will pop up. Simply paste the entire copy from the photobucket URL line right in there and click OK. That's all there is to it...

 

[Toynut]

:blink:

Ok Woody, here goes<0

https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/Toynut/GPS%20Mount/Leftside.jpg[/img]https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/Toynut/GPS%20Mount/Rear.jpg[/img]

 

[twowheelnut]

Are these what you're trying to show?

PS, Glad you bought that Hummer? :haha:

 

[Toynut]

Yippy, I got it Ma!

I knew that parochial school wasn't a waste of time! :bleh:

As you can see there are several mounting options available depending on which pair of handlebar holes you use, as well as a couple of optional clamp lengths to furthur customize the location. I suppose you could swap the cap bolts for a couple of ant-tamper units as well. The unit is rugged, good looking, can easily be programmed on the go, while riding, (don't worry Ma, I'm a Professional) and has a visor hood to keep off most of the glare. This mounting location brings it closer to the center of rotation (and mass) of the steering assembly( no heavy bob-weight on one side to make steering efforts uneven).

P.S. Thanks for the help on posting, I had the originally had the URL display option unchecked. :arrowhead:

 

[twowheelnut]

Put some carriage returns between the pix, please. They should be vertically aligned.

-The Pix Police