I started using a small (7" screen) tablet as a navigational aid and would like to mount it somehow so it isn't bouncing around the console. Has anyone here come up with a way of doing this?

I have the full console in my truck. I have been looking at the pockets on the side, maybe putting a block of wood down inside with a RAM mount attached to it. There are the gooseneck style mounts I have seen also, but I don't think they will hold up well bouncing down the road. The theory of them bolting to the passenger seat frame may be a good place to start also.

Does anyone have experience with 1" RAM *****? That is what I use on my bike for my iphone, but the arm is short and the phone is small. I am not sure that size would stay rigid/in place with a long arm and tablet? Or does it?

On another thought, if I can find a suitable rigid mount I'd like to put radio face plates and accessories there also.

 

Steve, you should be able to find any style, size, length, you want from RAM.
I use RAM mounts on Farm equipment monitors that weigh 14-15 pounds and get a lot more abuse, "I would hope", than your truck is going to provide.
They hold up great.
BTW I don't sell them. Just have used them.
Good luck.

 

I know what you're saying. I've seen FMX, FM1000, Integra displays and Raven consoles, among others, hanging from RAM's before - though, those are 1.5-2" *****. Those appear to be a lot more robust than a 1".

 

Steve, I have the smaller ones too. I just don't expect them to hold as much.
I have found the 1 inch mount will handle " I pads" and the such just as well.
I have an I-Pad on the PP-system.

 

I am using an iPhone 6+ to run ForScan, not quite as big as a 7" tablet but getting there. I use a 1" Ram ball with the short arm (there are a number of lengths), the base is screwed to a plug that fits tightly in one of the drink cup holders. It is very stable. I 3D printed the plug to fit the hole, but you could turn or whittle one.

 

I used the 1" Ram ***** with no problem. NOTE: The 1" ***** come in plastic or steel. I used steel, just because I had them already. I also bought the Ram Tablet mount.

I SACRIFICED one of my SIX cup holders for this project. I pulled the forward holder out, drilled it for the ball, and nut & bolted the ball in.

The only problem I have now, is I can't find anyplace the sells a 5 pack! So I always have one leftover! J/K

 

Thanks for the info All. I ordered a few RAM parts to try and see what happens. The only thing I don't like with the smaller x grip on the bike is it seems a bit weak for much else than the phone. I have tried holding one of my radios in it and that is well beyond the capacity of it. I suppose if the dimensions of the device are where the sides are inside the grip of the rubber stopper things on the ends then it is a lot more stable. I would hope the larger x grip is much stronger than the small one.

I'd rather do the install without drilling holes. I got an 18" pole mount (rigid with ball/socket) and an 18" seat frame alum rod mount (bendable with a ball socket at the top) to try. I am not sure how accessible the front left passenger side seat frame bolt will be to use. My thoughts are to use some kind of base in the side pocket.

The radio face plate I have (Kenwood TM-V71A) has a 1/4"x20 threaded insert, like a camera. So I got a camera ball for the RAM set and a ToughClaw base. My thoughts are I can clamp the ToughClaw to either the pole or the rod mount that the tablet sits on.

 

I did not like the x grip's (returned them) and went with the Tab Mount shown in Pic 2.
Very sturdy. That is a 7in tablet in Pic 3. The right side of the tab mount slides for insert or removal of the tablet. It's spring loaded.

The only holes I drilled were two #8 in the bottom of the cup holder. (you can see one in Pic 1). I figure, if I ever take it out, I'll just put the rubber cup holder back in and cover it up.

 

I bought this one It works great

 

I'm using the mount linked below with my Nexus 7 for navigation and Torque Pro. The mount is very solid and sturdy. The picture angle showing the tablet is actually not very representative of your line of sight while driving. The tablet does not block any view of the road as it's low enough to the dash.

 

I googled ram ***** and I got was this: (what are they as I don't see how this mounts a tablet)

 

Holy... ram? Wow. Thanks for the laugh.

Thanks for the ideas doczenith. Good stuff.

 

RAM use to make a cup holder attachment. It just simply shoves down into the cup holder and you attach the rest of the RAM mount to it. In my work car I used a piece of flat metal, bent at 90 degrees and used velcro to hold it down for my suction cup mount RAM for my smart phone.

 

I ordered this one from Amazon. It works pretty good, fairly sturdy and didn't have to drill any holes.

 

I got some of my parts in and did some work this afternoon to see how this will work out.

I ordered the and some other parts trying to make something work. The aluminum rod is easily moldable. However, the set up is very flimsy. The tablet by itself is even wobbly. The theory is pretty good though. I will try to replace the aluminum rod with a steel one to keep everything stronger. I am a bit leery of the base bolted to the seat frame. It flexes a bit also. It looks like cast steel. It may not hold up very well. I will try it for a while and see what happens though. If it breaks I will figure something else out - custom bracket welded up, attached to the top of the seat mount instead of sandwiched underneath. I had to go under because I was afraid that if I tried to bend the bracket I would weaken it too much, or even break it in bending.

When I get the rest of my parts in I should be able to get the tablet up higher and further over the console. I am not sure if I want the radio face plate under or over. Right now over is the only way I can go.

The upper Ram attachment is held on by a . This is a really neat universal mount clamp. I may get some more of these for the bike, boats, etc. Good stuff.