Hi Everyone,
I recently received Dennis's well designed GPS mount plate, and am planning to install a power cable and mount arm, etc. for my GPS. I have a Garmin Nuvi, and was wondering which mount arm and other parts people were using. I was thinking about getting the 3" standard plastic arm and plastic diamond plate mount, but found a couple of things confusing while looking around for the mount hardware.

1-Does anyone have the plastic versions of the diamond mount plate and standard length (3") arm? If so, is the plastic sturdy enough, or should I shell out the extra $ for the aluminum versions?

2-Does the standard 3" arm put the GPS in a good position to see, and not block much of the instrument panel?

3- Is there a combo offer anywhere for just the arm and the diamond plate?

4- When using the RAM mount plate system, do you still attach the standard Garmin mount w/power cord etc. to the GPS, or are you just running it off battery power? (I'm still trying to figure out which power cord/option to use.)

Any other advice from people who've built out a mount would be appreciated.

Thanks for your replies!
Bill

I've got the Garmin Zumo 660 so the mounts, cradle and cords are probably different but.......
I have Dennis's mount with a 5" metal RAM arm which enables me to raise the unit without blocking my view of the dials and warning lights on the dash.
I use the power cord plugged into my 12V socket on the LH cubby-lid.
When I've sorted it, I will run the voice through my Starcom - at the moment I'm just on 'Visual'.

I have Garmin Zumo 660 which I believe has an aluminum arm

Yes, mine came with the standard one.

Hi Bill,

I would go with the Aluminum diamond 1" ball mount and the 3" arm. I believe RAM offers a life time guarenty with their stuff.

Power to the GPS. What I use is a Hardwire cable off ebay. These cables reduce the 12Vdc down to 5Vdc. I get my power connection off the large White head light wire on the scooter side of the front light connector. That small amount of power for the GPS is switchable, otherwise the GPS turns off with the scooter.

These Hardware power cables are only $17.00 to $19.00 and work well. You can remove the windshield and the right glove box to get it installed. I velcrod the powercable box to the back of the speedo.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=hardwire+gps+cable&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Hey Bill (Sweeney),

The plastic arms and mounts are VERY sturdy. No need to shell out extra for aluminum ones. At least 3" length will be fine. I don't know if the short 2" arm would be able to clear the handlebars.

I use a regular 12v cigarette lighter Garmin cable and run that out under the lid (not the best way to do it obviously but I'm too lazy to take tupperware off). I also run a wire out to my helmet to power my bluetooth and speakers, and a wire out to my phone.

I buy all my RAM Mount stuff from gpscity.com -- maybe one of us might have a 10% off coupon you could use...

I am looking at buying a Garmin 2460 or 3790. Does anybody know if they can be plugged into power and still operate in navigation mode? Where does the power cable plug in on the unit? Thanks!