1200 GSA 2720 Navigator mount

[Jon P]

Hi, does anyone know if the BMW Navigator mount (that clamps to the uper windscreen rail) will fit the Garmin motorcycle cradle?

I have just bought a 2720 and would like to mount the unit in the same place BMW does - I think it looks the neatest.

I have ordered the touratech and Ram mounts but don't really like the look of them - would much prefer a 'simple & neat' mounting solution.

Thanks for your help!

 

[John Armstrong]

Hi, does anyone know if the BMW Navigator mount (that clamps to the uper windscreen rail) will fit the Garmin motorcycle cradle?

I have just bought a 2720 and would like to mount the unit in the same place BMW does - I think it looks the neatest.

I would think so as the Nav 3 cradle just has the extension on for the extra buttons.

BTW I've used the same Nav 3 cradle on a ram mount as well as the 1200 GSA windscreen cross bar mount. The only thing I found is that you mustn't tighten up the four GPS mount bolts too much as I think it distorts the mount and allows the GPS to move around more than when it's not tightly bolted.

 

[andyclift]

Touratech mount works very well and is more secure than the Garmin/BMW one - and doesnt need a fiddly screw done up every time its fitted. I rarely use the lock on mine as its very secure

BUT

The Touratech mount for the GSA screen is aweful. It looks OK but the GPS vibrates so much, even on smooth tarmac, the gps is unuseable.

Also tried the Touratech bar across the instruements but it obscured the panel too much.

Best answer for me was a RAM mount on the left bar. The GPS is just left of the clocks so is easily in line of sight, it easy to reach the touch screen and it doesn't vibrate,

 

[Jon P]

The Touratech mount for the GSA screen is aweful. It looks OK but the GPS vibrates so much, even on smooth tarmac, the gps is unuseable.

Also tried the Touratech bar across the instruements but it obscured the panel too much.

,

I now have ALL the mounts in my hands! Don't like the Ram - sending it back, don't like the BMW / Garmin (does not seem too secure) - sending it back. I like the TT one the best and have it on the cross bar for the moment. I did not see the TT screen mount adaptor until the other day so have ordered that now.....but it seems (reading your comment above) that you find it vibrates too much! Damm - what TT mount do you have? I have the 'regular' one and not the MvG.

 

[Jon P]

All change - the TT top screen rail mount puts the gps over the rev counter. No matter how I tried adjustint it it just seems too big.............so, back to the BMW top screen rail mount. Oh and the TT mount scratched the rail (I was very carefull to avoid this).

So to sum up I now have the 2720 fitted using the Garmin motorcycle cradle bolted to th BMW adaptor (very nice bit of kit by the way) and powered by installing the BMW extra socket up front and fitting a plug to the Garmin lead that came with the Garmin motorcycle mount.

I will leave the GPS mounted to the bike most of the time anyway and have the little Garmin tork driver attached to my bike key wallet inside my pocket.

Conclusion - I now have fitted what is really a BMW type navigator III (yes, I know without bluetooth or MP3 or the extra buttons) fitted the same way as the BMW kit except for the power through the extra socket (that of course has other ueses) and I can fit the Garmin front cover to the unit - which you can't use with the other brackets.

Total cost in US dollars $598 (about 300 UK pounds)

 

[John Soones]

Does the Nav 3 cradle work with a Garmin 2720?

Can anyone confirm that a 2720 does work with the Nav 3 cradle?

I got my name down on the first day the new 1200GSA was announced, so I'm following this thread about mounting options with interest. My 2720 uses a RAM mount on my 1200GS. It's OK but it seems there are better options for the GSA.

I might trade the 2720 in for a Zumo 550! How good are they?

 

[andyclift]

I got my name down on the first day the new 1200GSA was announced, so I'm following this thread about mounting options with interest. My 2720 uses a RAM mount on my 1200GS. It's OK but it seems there are better options for the GSA.

The only real extra option on a GSA is the top screen bar and as noted in my post above, I found this vibrated and jumped about really badly. The weight of the GPS made the screen mount itself move and, in turn, the screen. Horrible.

For me the best solution for GS or GSA is left bar and here the different shape of the GSA screen is better as it's easier to find a good position without fouling the screen on full lock. On my GS I needed the screen fully upright but I can put the GSA screen anywhere without fouling.

RAM ball on left bar + the shortest RAM arm + a Touratech mount (not MVG). The GPS is easy to read, just to the left of the clocks. I can reach it easily to get to the buttons/screen and its not a fiddle to fit and remove.

Having tried everything else this is the best I have found.

Picture of mine on http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/clift/satnav.html

 

[Jon P]

Update - I have now used the BMW mount on the top rail of the screen with my 2720 for 9,000 miles now, I figure 20% of those miles have been off road in Maine - some at very high speed and with big bumps.....whoops!

The GPS is 100% stable - no wobbles - no vibration - does not come off etc. Very pleased, as in my opinion it is the neatest installation, keeps the GPS right out of the way (and protected superbly by the screen) and it is in the best position to view the screen.

So, to recap - I have a 2720 with the Garmin motorcycle mount. The Garmin motorcycle mount bolts directly to the BMW mount that attaches to the top screen bracket on the GSA. I made a power lead from the Garmin motorcycle lead and the BMW plug that connects down near the headstock (there is a thread on here somewhere about making up the lead using heat shrink etc for a top job).

As for swapping your 2720 for a ZUmo - sure if you like buying things but I don't really see any advantage.

I can confirm that your 2720 will not work with the NAV III cradle.......well, it will sort of work, it's just that the extra buttons won't function.

The NAV III cradle is the same as the Gamrin Motorcycle mount without the extra buttons.

If you would like further details please contact me!