Phone holder to follow maps

[rjs987]

I use a RAM Quick-Grip phone holder mounted on a short RAM arm to a RAM ball mounted on the handlebar. RAM makes ball mounts for the steering stem and/or bar clamp bolts. I've been using this set up for several years now on more than one bike and have no issues with vibration... but then, I have a Pixel 6 which doesn't seem to have the vibration issues that the iPhone has. The rubber ball mounts at each end of the short arm dampen much of the little bit of vibration from the bike.

 

[ST1100Y]

I use a RAM Quick-Grip phone holder mounted on a short RAM arm to a RAM ball mounted on the handlebar. RAM makes ball mounts for the steering stem and/or bar clamp bolts. I've been using this set up for several years now on more than one bike and have no issues with vibration... but then, I have a Pixel 6 which doesn't seem to have the vibration issues that the iPhone has. The rubber ball mounts at each end of the short arm dampen much of the little bit of vibration from the bike.

So out of interest:
what are you doing in a downpour?
that 12/5V converter & USB socket, the USB-C line, your Pixel 6... everything exposed to the elements...
(I've a CAT S61 rated to submerging depths up to 5m/16ft, and wouldn't expose that openly mounted on the bike...)

 

[rjs987]

So out of interest:
what are you doing in a downpour?
that 12/5V converter & USB socket, the USB-C line, your Pixel 6... everything exposed to the elements...
(I've a CAT S61 rated to submerging depths up to 5m/16ft, and wouldn't expose that openly mounted on the bike...)

BTDT. The Pixel 6 phone is IP68 rated so rain is a non-issue as far as keeping the phone safe and working. But rain drops running down the screen do tend to mimic random finger taps on the screen so I unplug the phone and put it in a quart Ziplock bag, fold the zipper part behind the phone to prevent rain intrusion into the bag, and then put all that in the Quick-Grip. I did that on my way to MNSTOC and the phone battery lasted for almost 5 hours of navigating. The rain typically doesn't last longer than that and then I can plug it back in. That USB port/volt meter module has a rain proof cover proven during some very heavy severe rain storms. I have a touch screen stylus that sometimes works better than the finger tip pads on my gloves, even through the Ziplock bag. But rain drops don't affect anything that way. This pic shows a glare on the screen that is NOT present while riding but has to do with the angle my wife was taking the picture from and the sun shining outside the garage which would not be happening when set up this way. IOW- I don't get any glare like this while actually riding. The stylus is on a lanyard attached to my tank bag so it doesn't take a different trip than I am on. Also, you can see in the picture that I've moved my USB/volt meter module under the phone (between the RAM ball mount and the mirror clamp) so I can see the volt meter display easier. The elements do not impact any of these things set up like this. Of course the phone is not in the bag and is connected to a short USB cable plugged into the USB port when there is no wet weather.

 

[Larry Fine]

I have Apple Maps and Google Maps on my iPhone SE. Would one of those screens serve me well?

I can answer calls on my Sena now. Would one of these allow me to make and add incoming calls?

Are there certain features or functional differences that make some models preferable over others?

Also, if they can have video cameras built in, at least forward-facing, why not? Any disadvantages?

In other words, what's the best cheap one, or the the cheapest good one, that works well for bikes?

Is there a thorough discussion thread? I looked in the technical forum lists, but no topics stood out.

 

[rjs987]

Yes. At least with my Pixel 6 I can send/receive calls through my Cardo while also navigating in Google Maps at the same time. I can see when a text message pops in but I don't respond to those while riding but wait until I stop for a break. I've told my wife DO NOT TEXT ME WHILE I'M RIDING but to do a phone call instead... unless she's fine with waiting until my ride is done for a reply.

Forward facing camera depends on the phone holder. The RAM X-Grip might allow it. I had one of those for a while and was able to take pictures while under way. But they weren't great photos since there is very little stabilization with my camera (There is a little but not a lot) so it's a crap shoot if the picture comes out clear. Most times it's OK but sometimes rather blurry. I could take video with my camera while riding with the X-Grip but that turned out with a lot of bounce and harmonic motion off and on (no damage to the camera though). Better if you use something like a Go-Pro that is designed for it.

I cannot say about the best cheap one or cheapest good ones for bikes. I simply have tested using what I have to see what I can do with that.

 

[Hvymax]

Ram X. Been using for over a decade without issue.