Quest mount to 1200

[Alphason]

Does anyone have any thoughts / experience / pics of a Quest mounted onto a 1200? I've just got the quest with standard 149Z RAM mount and Garmin cradle. The RAM arm seems a bit too long for any position on the bars for my riding position(I have NN risers fitted) so would the short version be better or has anyone fitted this set up to the bar over the instrument cluster?

 

[swebb]

My Setup....

this is my setup, i've used nothing but the items included in the GPS Warehouse bundle.....

I haven't gone for the (IMO overpriced) bike power lead, and all the riding i've done to date, actually i'm not sure i'm going to bother either. I've found the battery lasts plenty long enough and i actually don't find i'm missing the voice prompts either......

heres a pic of mine mounted....

 

[Alphason]

Thanks Swebb.

I've now fitted the quest as described and it's just about right. The only niggle is that there's a lot of vibration at idle, standing still. Has anyone found a way round this or is handlebar mounting with the short RAM arm a better option? (the standard arm is too intrusive IMO for handlebar fixing).

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Twotter]

Thanks Swebb.

I've now fitted the quest as described and it's just about right. The only niggle is that there's a lot of vibration at idle, standing still. Has anyone found a way round this or is handlebar mounting with the short RAM arm a better option? (the standard arm is too intrusive IMO for handlebar fixing).

Thanks in advance for any help

Get an 1150

 

[RAM-man]

there's a lot of vibration at idle !!

Alphason,

The RAM-B-149Z has a standard 3" arm whilst the RAM-B-149ZA has a short 1.75" arm, so there's a choice. The short arm is a RAM-B-201-A.

I was tempted to pun-off about.. there's a lot of vibration at idle but have resisted as its nearly beer time.

RAM-man

 

[Dave Price]

Put the U clamp just left of the left hand bar clamp. This allows the Quest to be central and mine is vibration free. BTW you have to slightly increase the OD of the U clamp.

 

[Alphason]

Thanks for that Dave, I'll give it a go.

 

[IanC]

Did mine using the Garmin bike cradle (live power and audio), and the BMW base which fits to the handlebar clamps.

I like it because it is nice and stable (rubber-bushed BMW bit), and also close enough to easily read. I previously had an Etrex "handlebar"-mounted tight behind the screen but it was a bit far away and I had to have the screen most-vertical (luckily how I like it).

The Quest easily slides out of the cradle after releasing a safety catch.

Here's what it looks like:

Looks a little tall in the picture, but doesn't feel so in use. Also is visible with the BMW tank-bag.

 

[Mouse]

Does the Garmin powered cradle come with the wiring required? Does it contain the voltage regulator or is that seperate, like with the RAM cable?

Also, can you mount the Garmin cradle on a RAM mount?

Cheers

 

[Alphason]

Does the Garmin powered cradle come with the wiring required? Does it contain the voltage regulator or is that seperate, like with the RAM cable?

Also, can you mount the Garmin cradle on a RAM mount?

Cheers

The Garmin cradle comes with bared wires for power and a 3.5mm jack for audio. The voltage regulator is integrated and looks tidy. The cradle will mount onto a RAM mount, but uses only two of the four mounting holes, as the RAM mount has a diamond shaped two hole base.

Ian, do you have a part number for that BMW base? So far my local dealer can't trace it.

 

[IanC]

I didn't actually think there was a voltage regulator, as the unit accepted a straight 12v OK? I stand to be corrected though.

The Garmin cradle came with two bared wires, with an in-line fuse. I dispensed with the fuse and fitted a standard BMW-type accessory-plug, as I understand the sockets are protected by a circuit-breaker. I like to be able to unplug/isolate _all_ accessories just in case the bike's electrics start malfunctioning.

The BMW parts are:

4 x new handlebar-clamp bolts MC32.71.7.652.161 @ £3.62 ea. (!)
and the bracket MC71.60.7.682.427 @ £25.54.

I also bought an isolating audio lead from Autocom to connect the audio, but I'm not sure I'd bother again. I find it very annoying now the novelty's worn off!

All in all very pleased with the setup though, although I have had occasional loose connections.

The interface between the BMW bracket and Garmin cradle is a "standard" rectangular pattern of 4 holes - I think 1.2" vertically and 1.5" horizontally.

Not sure I should really be praising this setup as RAM are a site sponsor!

 

[Alphason]

Thanks Ian.

The Quest takes a 5v supply. The Garmin cradle transforms the 12v input to the required 5v via the integrated voltage regulator.

Thanks for the part numbers. I'm still experimenting with RAM mounts at the moment but it's good to have an alternative.

I'd be cautious about dispensing with the fuse unless you're sure that the bikes on board protection circuit is rated correctly for the Garmin. I doubt it will be as you can connect fairly hefty loads such as heated jackets etc without tripping the circuit. Personally I'd refit the in line fuse.

 

[RAM-man]

keith. bits are on the way.

The Quest takes a 5v supply. The Garmin cradle transforms the 12v input to the required 5v via the integrated voltage regulator.

>> read other threads in this forum Quest power lead as the Vreg chip is in the G mount and is high temp rated.

I'd be cautious about dispensing with the fuse unless you're sure that the bikes on board protection circuit is rated correctly for the Garmin.

>>I suggest you keep an in-line fuse, Recent test results by the QPAC engineer reveals, if the Quest internal battery is discharged, the initial 20 to 30 seconds from power on will draw a just over 1amp until some life appears in the unit, then stabilises at around 700mA. The Vreg chip is likely to draw 200mA when parked up and Quest is in the mount.

RAM-man

 

[Mouse]

Thanks for the info.

I wonder what the cut out current of the 1200's dedicated GPS power socket is? I'll try and find out

 

[RAM-man]

Mouse,

QPAC02 & QPAC03 with BMW plug has a 1.5 amp fuse, then again, the QPAC series shall be 1.5 amp fuse rated.

RAM-man