Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories iphone, gps handlebar mount

Got my new iPhone!

Ever it came out I wanted to get my hands on one, and since my old sony died recently, and there was a sweet deal from our local carrier (HTC is pushing hard here) I couldn't resist.

I would love to bring it on the bike. Anybody got experience with handlebar mounts, good or bad? Wouldn't want to see it flying off while riding!

Thanks for the input.

Jeff, I'm a bit busy at the moment but in a couple of days I'll take a pic or 2 I've what I bought off eBay, which has worked really well for my IPhone. A picture will help describe it easier I think. Hopefully between now and then others will chime in with their's also but I'm very happy with mine. Stay tuned mate.

staffo

Just ride brother .. staying alive is hard enough these days..

Just bought a mount from these guys for my MIO GPS

http://www.mountguys.com/

+1 on http://www.mountguys.com/
bought my TomTom ram mount from them.they got an ebay store too.

+1 on the www.mountguys.com

I used a Kuryakyn universal bar mount and a Monaco aluminum case. Took a tiny bit of fitting to mount the aluminum case to the Kury mount plate but works great. Snaps shut so not too worried about it opening up and dropping the phone but sometimes add a band/strap to keep it from opening just in case.
Mine is for a Blackberry but they make the case for iPhones as well.

http://newpdacases.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=148_165&products_id=938

Just wondering why you would need to mount your phone. The only way you could use it while riding would be blue tooth and that would work from you pocket.

What is the benefit of having it mounted?

Not true. Recharging as you go requires wires and not bluetooth. Anyway, hard to see the gps as I'm listening to music. And if I here the "it's too dangerous or just ride tangent again (remember, Don't mention the war) then I'll do my kruit. Lol

Now getting back to the Question, I had a look at the links and it turns out I bought one of these.http://www.MountGuys.com/product_p/sm227-iphone.htm.

Initially i thought I might have to secure the phone further with something but I have a rubber protector around my phone which in unison with the grippy and spongy mount, I've found I can tighten the sides to the point that even with the harshest road conditions the phone hasn't moved at all.

Foe what it's worth, I use a small tank bag as a hub but a couple of pics will save me tapping to much on my iPhone now.

The same reason people put maps in the see through part of their tank bags or use map pouches. If you are using it for GPS you do need to be able to see it once in a while. When the phone rings you can glance at it and tell if you want to pull over somewhere and talk or just ignore it.

Actually, the main reason I want a handlebar mount is because I would like to do some time lapse movies, I was looking at most mounts and they seem to cover the camera.

Staffo, yours look like it might be able to take pictures while mounted to the cradle. And don't worry, I won't be tapping the screen every 3 seconds! ha ha ! There's an app for that, as they say!

The GPS thing is cool, but since I basically have 2 main roads here, it's hard to get lost. Now, if I were to go to the big city, it would come in handy, but that would be by car.

Thanks for the options, all.

I will see what's available, already had a look, the RAM mounts are well over 100us$ here, kinda pricey for plastic parts! I am sure they cost like 5 bucks to produce!

I've been very happy with the RAM mounts that I've used. I'm positive they've got an iPhone cradle. The basic U-bolt base connects to the bars just fine, and I'm sure you can put together a base/arm/cradle combo that will put the iPhone right where you want it.

That's no worries there Jim. I also wasn't aware there were still some out there that hadn't jumped on the mobile phone bandwagon yet.

Fwiw, I too took ages to get my first mobile phone, saying I never needed one before etc and so forth but eventually I got one to keep my missus in touch when I went away and in case of emergencies, that type of thing. Now look at me. You'd think I'd lost the plot

You see, we have had previous discussions on here about using GPS's etc but that's fine cos we're lucky enough where we can express our opinion and no one should really get offended. After all, difference is in these days isn't it.

My main problem was some piping up with posts that had nothing to do with the question and for some reason just wanted to bag the sh#t out of someone cos they chose to use a gps.

My point was and continues to be, create your own thread about it if you want but don't hijack a legitimate thread when someone just wants answers to questions they've posted.

Anyway, enough of that. I do appreciate you're clarifying though. We have had and will continue to have misunderstandings on here using this type of media, as tapping away on a puter keyboard doesn't always get the message out as intended does it? That's just sometimes the way it goes I guess.

cheers
staffo

Jeff, I don't remember paying that much for my mount. In fact I can't remember where I bought mine from. It more than likely was on Ebay somewhere from Hong Kong or something. I'll see tomorrow if I can find a receit or link or something to track it down cos I wouldn't be paying $100USD that's for sure.

As far as the GPS function, I love it but I haven't yet taken pics. The main problem if you (or anyone else reading here) aren't aware (I wasn't the first time) was, the IPhone being a touch screen will only work with skin contact. That's what I've found anyway and gloved fingers won't work.

So depending on your settings etc, or if someone does want to tap on it as they are riding, gloved hands are sort of a problem.

Of course if there is an app (I'm not aware of the app myself) where there is a big button to push on and off for the movie stuff, then fine. It'll just need to maybe cut a fingertip off a glove or something. Depends on the individual and whether they wear them I guess.

Maybe someone out there has come up with an answer to this, I dunno.

Staffo,

just check out GorillaCam. they have a free version that gives you a self timer, a time-lapse where you can take pictures without touching the screen at a set interval, an anti-shake, grid, a press anywhere on the screen shutter and 3 shot burst.

Not bad for a free app...

Like I said, I wouldn't be distracted as to always trying to take a picture every few seconds looking at the phone and not paying attention to the road. Not being totally aware of what's happening around me (for a taste of that, check out my "One of those days" in the Lounge) is not an option here.

My use would be pretty much limited to hop on the bike, start the engine, start the time-lapse picture taking, and drive off. Arrive at destination, stop the time-lapse.

Simple, and I'll see if it turns out nice.

Glad this thread came up.. never considered the use of my Droid on the bike other then for music...I like the fact that now I mite be able to use the GPS if needed....use the GPS with the truck all the time, but didn't even think of it for the bike as an option....good thread Perceval...good info for the times (the smart phone times)

This
http://www.kuryakyn.com/documents/installation/1474-22HD-1109.pdf

Plus This
http://newpdacases.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=148_165&products_id=938

Makes a really well mounted, adjustable and secure holder for your BB, iPhone, etc.
Takes four really small countersunk screws and washers/nuts to mount the case securely to the bar mount.

Just for interest, this is my setup.

carry my smartphone in my pocket .. enjoying the music of my machine..and watching all the drivers around . the great majority of wich are not watching . txting .. talkin ... everything but driving safely .. now and again .. i pull over .. take a smoke break ..and check the map.. gps.. and seem to get where im going .. most of the time..

And your point on the topic is..........???