Not having a Nav unit I found the typical GPS units to be a bit small in the truck and too far away to safely reach. Ordered a RAM Mount for my iPad, loaded CoPilot on it and now I have an awesome GPS unit that is more than large enough. Combined with the 3G card I can now do emails, surf, and use the GPS all from the drivers seat. Heck I could even watch a movie.

RAM Mount Parts;

RAMB224-1
RAMB201C (5.25" Long Length Arm)
RAMB202
RAMHOLAPS

Total Cost: $55 CDN

 

Sounds pretty cool! Any pics?

 

I will post some pics tomorrow. The iPad uses the main dash USB and I have an iPod in the 2nd USB. Both work great but Sync won't see the iPad. Guess it is not on the Sync approved devices. That being said you can play iTunes via the iPad but you have to control it via the screen instead of Sync. Or seeing as my iPad and iPod share the sames music content I can still use Sync for music from the iPod.

Just a thought but I am 2nd thinking changing out the audio system. I am sure I can get the iPad to do everything it would have done and be better off instead of getting an expensive Pioneer or Kenwood.

The CoPilot GPS in the iPad uses loaded maps so it is not talking on the 3G all the time. Only talks to get traffic reports once every 5 or 10 mins. I am really liking this.

 

great idea, definitely must see pictures

 

Great idea!!!! Seems like sync would recognize the device. I will try it with mine and see what I come up with..

 

Here's my pad in the truck! i lost a DVD/Nav unit i had installed in my 2002 F250 so i had to figure something out to watch crap on slack time.

[IMG]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15252404@N07/5764805326/" title="IPAD n 2011 F250 by psycojuana, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/5764805326_2567c4f4c4.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="IPAD n 2011 F250"></a>[/IMG]

I use the line in cord as teh blue tooth and video lag too much.

 

Wow that takes up a lot of windshield and you might get some hassle from the cops. Great while stopped but I would be careful if you drive with it setting there... Just saying

 

Ok, here are the pics. This is my first attempt at posting pics on the forum so I hope it works out. I cannot add attachements for some reason so had to go with image shack.

On the comment on obstructing view .... in the low position the iPad does not visually exceed the hood itself meaning there is no obstruction at all. For myself at 6'2" even in the high position it does not exceed the limits of the hood but for someone shorter it might. In the low position it does block the CD slot but I dont use it anyways so no diff.

The key when ordering the RAM Mount is to get the longer arm and not the short one that comes with the standard packaged version. Order the parts separately to get it right.


RAM Mount Bracket Installed


Mounted in high position



Mounted in low position



Side View

 

No i dont drive with it! lol not much worse then dbc's though. mine is for break time or slack time while i wait on jobs.

 

Ok, the pictures worked but I noticed you have to turn your head sideways on a couple. Oh well ..... we will improve next time. Now registered as a supporter so I can post attachments and include pics much easier.

 

An update ..... I used this setup on a long trip over the past 3 days. Works great .... GPS, Email, Surfing, and all other iPad toys. One small problem encountered. The USB port on the dash does not have enough power on it to operate and charge the iPad. I will be picking up an adaapter to charge it off the Accesory Outlet.

 

You might want to make sure everything was plugged all the way in. USB slot all have the same power output on them. So if you can charge your iPod with it you can charge you iPad with it. Try it in the house on the home adapter, they are both the same and the same plug into each device.

Also, the truck must be running for there to be power to the USB port.

 

TKS Kmonty2 ...... after trying to sectionalize the issue, (because it just didnt make sense) we found an article on the Apple forum about the iPad and it's larger power draw. Some PC's and Laptops wont charge them either. Depends on the avaible power on the USB Adapter. I have an iPod in the truck on the 2nd USB Port and it always works fine, i.e. charges and runs at same time. Even tried swapping out the iPod and the iPad but same result ..... seems the iPad runs off battery and then the USB charges the battery. It cant keep up and eventually goes to zero battery power available. On the iPad screen you can see the battery level and the AC plug symbol showing htat it detects the power adfapter. Weird ...... but it's an Apple

Also figured out the indash USB port is not related to the box with the 2nd USB on it. The box beside the glovebox has 2 USB ports on it with one cable already in place. For the 2nd USB port you simply plug into the free port. If you remove the cable already in place, (no cables in the box) the dash USB continues to work fine with the iPod.

Learning experience ......

 

I hope others don't duplicate this. Last thing I need to deal with on the road is drivers with a big ipad induced blind spot maker stuck to their winshield. I'm just sick and tired of people loading their vehicles with crap like this and pay no attention to actual driving. Maybe try actually planning a route. I have a GPS with a 4" or 5" screen and sit high in the truck and it still creates a blind spot. I use it as little as possible for that reason and try to use the cupholder mount and audio only directions when possible. Even then I don't solely rely on GPS units because they are often wrong.

 

It would be nice to see a cup holder mount for the iPad. I have a iPhone and would like a cup holder mount for it. That screen is plenty big enough for me to use the GPS. I don't like things up in the windshield area, just lets thieves know you have something they want.
Plus I have 4 cup holders up front so losing one won't bother me at all.

Sorry didn't know about the bigger power draw on the iPad. I am surprised it won't even just maintain the battery.