Different GPS Mount

red mnm · 07-03-2009, 09:38 AM

My wife and I were not satisfied with any of the GPS mounts shown in the forums, so she did a little shopping research and found a gimbled mount for a boat. It is made by RAM and comes in 2 pieces. The first is the base and the second is holder specific to the GPS unit you have. The base unit number is RAM-B-138U, and the holder for a 4.3" Garmin is RAM-HOL-GS25U. I mounted it just below the button bank of the console. We found the unit at RIE but they did not have the Garmin holder so we had to order it online from National Products, Inc in Seattle, WA. You may be more fortunate with your outfitter and GPS unit.

Here is the DIY.

I removed the button bank, I didn't find anything behind the bank that caused me concern. The area appears to be filled with some form of energy absorbing foam. It moves so I was not concerned about disturbing something critical. First I disassembled the unit and attached the base to the console about 1" below the button bank.

I then reassembled the mount on the gimble that was attached now to the console.

A couple of cable ties make the extra wire from the power cord very tidy. Best of all we just have to loosen the wing nut and flip the gps out of the way when we park.

It only took about about 30 minutes to install. The button bank is easy to access behind the GPS, it flips out of sight very easily, and we do not loose the use of the cup holders when the GPS is out.

smark · 07-03-2009, 09:50 AM

That's nice. Is it in the way of the cup holders?

**jwight** · 07-03-2009, 10:01 AM

At the risk of stating the obvious, this setup (while a neat alternative) requires the driver to take his or her eyes off the road to read the GPS.

Dave777 · 07-03-2009, 10:16 AM

Is the base plate mounted with bolts and nuts on the back, or screws?

How's the reception down there?

red mnm · 07-03-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smark

That's nice. Is it in the way of the cup holders?

No problem using cup holders. Just have to remove any item in them to swing in or out of position.

red mnm · 07-03-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave777

Is the base plate mounted with bolts and nuts on the back, or screws?

How's the reception down there?

The base is mounted with screws. I used a speed nut on the top screw for some extra reinforcement, but fat fingers got in the way for the 2 on the sides.

Reception is as good as on the dash...we have a cabriot so no much interference from the roof.

red mnm · 07-03-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

At the risk of stating the obvious, this setup (while a neat alternative) requires the driver to take his or her eyes off the road to read the GPS.

The Garmin 265 has voice directions which are pretty good in MN so we really dont look at the GPS much to begin with. It is not really a problem unless we are in heavy traffic and then I would not be monitoring the GPS anyway.