Migsel RAM mount on a GSA?

[B-Road Explorer]

I've got a standard GS (2008) at the moment, and I'm thinking of changing for a GSA. I mount my Zumo 550 on a Migsel RAM-type mount. I can see from their web site that this works OK on a GSA too, but I'm curious how well it works compared to the alternative mount that fits on the screen cross-brace higher up.

Has anyone compared them? Does the cross-brace mount make the nav unit sit very much higher? I like the position of the RAM mount but it could be a bit higher - the Zumo 550 obscures the rev counter a bit.

 

[red1]

The standard BMW mount on the GSA screen cross-brace is the best position and a good mount.

 

[B-Road Explorer]

Thanks red1, I'd better talk to my dealer.

 

[B-Road Explorer]

Spoke to my dealer, and very pleased that I did. The BMW part is only £35 compared to the Migsel part at 109 Euros. The Migsel part is a lovely looking chunk of metal, but the BMW part looks like it weighs far less, and (maybe) can be adjusted without tools too.

Really glad I asked this question!

 

[Doberman]

I am after a GPS mount too.
Is the BMW part black in colour?
I believe the silver Migsel matches the silver bar behind the screen nicely.
I do not mind paying £50 more for the silver look, especially on a £13k bike

 

[B-Road Explorer]

I only had a brief look at it, but I'm pretty sure the BMW part was silver - shiny silver.

The thing is, the BMW part is nothing like the Migsel one. Where the Migsel is a machined lump of solid aluminium, the BMW part is a few thin shaped and curved pieces of metal bolted together. There is very little to the BMW part at all. I think it has a little arm you can push/pull to flick it between full tension and loose enough to rotate, too, where I believe the Migsel you set and forget (and get the spanners out when it vibrates loose).

I think the Migsel part really does look cool, but the BMW part is smaller, cheaper and more sophisticated.

If you are not desperate to buy a mount, I'll post a photo of the BMW part when I get my new bike next weekend?

 

[Doberman]

I am looking forward to your photos

 

[Doberman]

I was planning on using the Migsel mount, screw the following item onto it: http://www.buybits.com/product/sku_3606.aspx

and just snap my TomTom 930. There is a video on youtube and it seems to hold it quite tight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6id23oJk80w

In regards to charging the device I was gonna use this one here:
http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php

I will get the bike next week, because I am waiting for some cash to come my way. In the meantime, I believe there is a GPS-charger socket on the GSA. Where about is it located? I have seen some threads with some fancy connectors that need to be bought from BMW, and I also believe people use a Hella adaptor?

 

[andyclift]

Go for the BMW mount.

It comes close to matching the screen supports, it's simple, it works and the satnav is in the perfect position. The cam locking lever makes it easy to adjust the angle for easy viewing and low reflections.

Seems daft to spend more.

BMW socket is under oil cooler. Needs a special plug from BMW but on my last bike I did a "temporary" installation by running a bit of solder over the GPS cable ends to make them stiff, pushing them in the socket holes and taping in place. Four years later it sill worked perfectly!

Why would you want a USB charging socket for the satnav when it runs off he bikes 12 volt power?

 

[Doberman]

The TomTom is usb powered, so I am going to need 5V instead. The same would apply for my iPhone.
I would still need something inline to convert the 12V to 5V, correct?

 

[andyclift]

Sorry, misunderstood. With the chat about BMW mount I assumed you had a satnav that would fit it.

The BMW mount uses a gps mounting hole pattern designed for Garmin gps and works with 2610, 2720, 550, 660 and I guess a lot of others + anything that uses the US standard "Amps" hole layout. As far as I know the Tomtom Rider Mark Two is the only Tomtom that can use AMPS. I have now seen the adapter for the 930 and I very much doubt that would fit the BMW mount. Although it is a RAM adapter and the BMW has RAM hole spacing, the BMW is four hole and the adapter two. I think this would fit the diagonal holes.

Tomtom Riders use 12v leads not USB. As far as the IPhone goes I have rarely found the need to charge a phone while riding but for USB powered stuff I just use a normal car to USB adapter with a cheap BMW plug to car socket converter and charge from the fitted BMW accessory socket.

Basically anything you do with the 930 is going to be a compromise. It's not made for bikes and my experience of three Tomtoms is I would only ever use them as door stops anyway.

 

[Doberman]

You are right, I have been told that it fits diagonally. I can always drill a hole...the guys from Migsel said that they would make the horizontal holes no problem
However, I can't find anywhere a picture of the BMW mount

 

[RAM-man]

Sorry, misunderstood. With the chat about BMW mount I assumed you had a satnav that would fit it.

The BMW mount uses a gps mounting hole pattern designed for Garmin gps and works with 2610, 2720, 550, 660 and I guess a lot of others + anything that uses the US standard "Amps" hole layout. As far as I know the Tomtom Rider Mark Two is the only Tomtom that can use AMPS. I have now seen the adapter for the 930 and I very much doubt that would fit the BMW mount. Although it is a RAM adapter and the BMW has RAM hole spacing, the BMW is four hole and the adapter two. I think this would fit the diagonal holes.

Andy is correct, the four fix pattern is AMPS (4 holes approx 30mm x 40mm pattern) adopted by Garmin and TomTom for Rider 2 only (*not* Rider 1).

To attach a 930 without a ball joint, then use RAM-HOL-TO6 cradle for Go 930 and a diagonal two hole fix pattern does pick up on AMPS pattern.

 

[Nico]

So that means I can order the BMW part 71 60 7 713 903 (Garmin Zumo mount) and put a TTR2 on it? Just wanted to make sure as I was not able to find any picture. I have got a new GSA on the way and will need to fit the TTR2. The BMW mount seems the cheapest and most reasonable option if it works!

Thanks
Nico

 

[andyclift]

I think you should double check that the BMW mount will suit a Tomtom Rider 2. The hole centres in the mount are Ok but I have a feeling that it would mean your Tomtom is sideways.

BMW have very sensibly made their mount to use Garmin satnavs and I must admit that after some VERY bad experiences of Tomtom service and some great experience of Garmin service I agree with them (and I think the Zumos are better satnavs than the Tomtoms anyway).

 

[Nico]

I think you should double check that the BMW mount will suit a Tomtom Rider 2. The hole centres in the mount are Ok but I have a feeling that it would mean your Tomtom is sideways.

That's a very good point as the Garmin in fact goes vertically whereas the Tomtom goes horizontally. I will check with the dealer maybe the mount can be rotated. Holes should be the same, AMPS standard as per picture below.

Regarding Tomtom vs Garmin, I've had the TTR2 for more than two years and never had a problem in more than 30,000 miles between car and bike. I guess experiences are subjective, as usual. Definitely for off-road and remote places Garmin are better (or should be better, never used one!!! )

 

[andyclift]

I've had the TTR2 for more than two years and never had a problem

My Experience.

Garmin 2720 - I scratched the screen badly and asked Garmin for a repair estimate. They sent me a new one by courier free of charge one day after I sent mine back for an estimate.

Garmin 660 - Last week I phoned Garmin to ask how I could free a sticky on/off switch on an out of warranty satnav. Send it back and we will send you a new one was the reply. Got a new one free of charge within three days.

Tomtom Rider One. Original failed and it took EIGHT WEEKS and many letters and phone calls to get a replacement which did not work as it took another two weeks to get a working unlock code. Wrote to CEO complaining about their repair times and was sent a Tomtom Rider Two free in compensation. The replacement Version One failed a few weeks later followed by Version Two. Not even heavy enough to make a decent door stop.

 

[RSavage]

Go for the BMW mount.

It comes close to matching the screen supports, it's simple, it works and the satnav is in the perfect position. The cam locking lever makes it easy to adjust the angle for easy viewing and low reflections.

Seems daft to spend more.

Andy

Which GPS do you have on the BMW mount? I have a Zumo 550 + TT locking mount and previously located it next to the clutch lever on my 1150 GS. It's not the best position on the 1200GSA and I was wondering about mounting it on the top rail using the BMW mount. However, that location seems to be a long reach from a riding position, making volume adjustments and repeat instruction 'presses' difficult. Do you find this the case? I was wondering about the GPS screen adaptor from Nippy Norman (sorry, URL doesn't seem to work. It's item TAT-044-0770). However, that looks as though the Zumo will be waving in the breeze and more than usually susceptible to vibration. Any opinions on that item?

TIA

Richard

 

[andyclift]

Originally had a 550, now have a 660. It is a bit of a stretch but for the amount I need to adjust on the move it is possible. I used to have the satnav on the left bar but for an old git like me the screen mount has the advantage of being further away I can focus on it while riding and dont need reading glasses.

 

[RSavage]

Originally had a 550, now have a 660. It is a bit of a stretch but for the amount I need to adjust on the move it is possible. I used to have the satnav on the left bar but for an old git like me the screen mount has the advantage of being further away I can focus on it while riding and dont need reading glasses.

Thanks Andy

I know it gets close to riding without due care and attention but I do like to be be able to fiddle with the Zumo in flight. I know what you mean about eyesight - I wear contact lenses when riding to give me distance vision, but this makes close up work less than perfect.

Cheers

Richard