Interior / Dash Mounts for Hardware

[cray54]

[Although this question applies, I'm not sure this is the best subforum for the topic. Please move if preferred.]

I'm looking at various mounting solutions for a variety of hardware including 2-way radios, microphones, cell phones, auxiliary displays, etc.

It seems to me that the ball-and-socket solutions are versatile: they offer a lot of flexibility and adjustment for organization,j ergonomics, and visibility. I'm imaging it makes sense to choose a specific ball and socket size so it is easy to swap mounts and move hardware if desired. The manufacturers I've found tend to have differing ball sizes, though. Is there a ball size that stands out?

Company	Standard Size
Ram Mounts	25.4 mm (B - 1")
Quad Lock	22 mm
Bullet Point	20 mm

There are many other companies, but these seem to be the most common sizes I've found. For those of you considering this, what size have you found to be the most common or have the most flexibility with options?

Thank you, Chris

 

[plh]

I went with 25.4mm (1") as there are generics readily available on Amazon (as well as from RAM)

 

[deserteagle56]

That will depend on the weight/size of what you are trying to mount. The bigger the ball size the more stable the mount. Sizes you mention are for small stuff like phones and small GPS units. I believe the big Garmins like the 10" Tread models require a 1-1/2" ball size. RAM mounts offers up to a 2-1/4" ball for heavy stuff like radios.

Biggest/heaviest unit I have to mount is a Garmin Montana 750i. I find the 1" RAM ball works OK with it but it does have to be tightened down securely. The length of the arm matters also - the longer the arm the more leverage on that ball.

Mounts

A listing of the Mounts and Holders available for sale at GPS City.

www.gpscity.com

 

[PNWDad]

I recently acquired a foot of a solar panel mounting rail. New, 8ft of extruded aluminum rail is dirt cheap. The mounting rail has more mounting points than anything I've seen offered by RAM etc. However, the kind I acquired uses odd, metric, one sided t nuts. I'm currently looking at other installs I see and trying to acquire more options.

I have tried ball mounts but most of the mounts I have used wobble or vibrate. This style of mounting bracket gave me an idea to still use the ball system but use 2 or 3 points of contact to remove the wobble and vibration.

Here are just a few of the hundreds of designs:

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[ober27]

For my 2023 Ford F-150 i installed a Bullet Point dash bracket, but I use RAM 1" balls and RAM arms. I've used RAM products for many years so I have lots of parts and pieces.
I really like the Bullet Point dash bracket.

 

[Shawn686]

Bullet point makes adapters for RAM balls. I have used both and bullet point is 100% more secure and easier to use. Also it is more compact. With the adapters I didnt need to buy all new balls/cases for stuff. It works well, and like ober27 said the dash mounts are top notch.

Shawn

 

[Shawn686]

Biggest/heaviest unit I have to mount is a Garmin Montana 750i. I find the 1" RAM ball works OK with it but it does have to be tightened down securely. The length of the arm matters also - the longer the arm the more leverage on that ball.

I also use the 700i and run it on the bullet point long arm with the Garmin RAM mount and there is no movement or vibration what so ever. It is mounted to the bullet point dash mount for my truck.

Shawn

 

[cray54]

Bullet point makes adapters for RAM balls. I have used both and bullet point is 100% more secure and easier to use. Also it is more compact. With the adapters I didnt need to buy all new balls/cases for stuff. It works well, and like ober27 said the dash mounts are top notch.

Shawn

I just wanted to clarify your experience. Were you saying the Bulletpoint 20mm balls and arms are more secure than the RAM 1" balls and arms, or that the Bulletpoint 1" balls and arms are more secure than the RAM ones?

 

[PNWDad]

I also use the 700i and run it on the bullet point long arm with the Garmin RAM mount and there is no movement or vibration what so ever. It is mounted to the bullet point dash mount for my truck.

Shawn

That's good to know. I have looked allot at their products but haven't purchased anything. Thank you that helps my wobbly fears and hopefully gets me out of jury rigging unistrut

 

[cray54]

Sounds like unistrut would be overkill, the redeeming grace is that there are dozens of bolts, nuts and connectors, many in stock in commercial electric supply sources locally. Box lumberyard stores have it in a lot of locations...

I'm planning to attach the ball mounts to a track of sorts. I'm likely to use 3030 T-Slot, but am considering canoe tracks and l-track as options.

I've thought about making a roof rack with unistrut, but I prefer the idea of various slot extrusions for interior work.

 

[Shawn686]

I just wanted to clarify your experience. Were you saying the Bulletpoint 20mm balls and arms are more secure than the RAM 1" balls and arms, or that the Bulletpoint 1" balls and arms are more secure than the RAM ones?

I have found the Bulletpoint more secure. With them using a wing nut at each connection point to secure the mount, where the ram uses one in the middle. That being said ball size does matter, the larger the ball / the more surface area, the more it will be able to hold before it moves.

Over the years, no matter how tight I have gotten ram mounts there have been times when they have moved with heavier things, large GPS, tablet etc.

I also find the bulletpoint system more modular and easier to use. With the two changeable ball ends you can run two different size balls to accommodate different mounts. You can also adjust the item you have mounted, ie move a screen to avoid glare, by only loosening the mount side and not have the whole arm becoming loose. Which means you don't have to readjust the whole thing to get to your favorite spot every time you adjust the mounted item.

They are also just more slim, less bulky and I think look better. Hope that helps

Shawn

 

[cray54]

@Shawn686 , that does help. I appreciate the feedback.

I ended up buying a collection of parts and sizes from several manufacturers to try out.

 

[craig333]

Bullet point makes adapters for RAM balls. I have used both and bullet point is 100% more secure and easier to use. Also it is more compact. With the adapters I didnt need to buy all new balls/cases for stuff. It works well, and like ober27 said the dash mounts are top notch.

Shawn

My buddy made me an adapter out of a piece of heater hose. Works perfectly and didn't cost me a dime.

 

[Ozarker]

My buddy made me an adapter out of a piece of heater hose. Works perfectly and didn't cost me a dime.

What keeps your hose from moving side to side while keeping your balls in place, you don't want things flopping around !