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GPS Cradle Phone Adapter
#1
Since I'm still new to this world, I'm still finding useful vids over on YTube, including this pretty basic (VERY basic to most of you) "walk-around" tour of this owner's new RS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ioSm89Lxg&t=194s

At around the 25:45 mark, he talks about and demonstrates the adapter he bought that acts as an interface/connector between the GPS cradle and his cell phone; he got it on Amazon for about $32:

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Charge...merReviews

Since I may not be a "GPS guy," this seems more my speed (regardless of where the cradle is mounted).

Do any of you have any experience with this specific unit, or something similar? It's clearly a low cost solution, but is it worth a look, or is there something a little more sturdy that does the same thing?

Another example of 'I don't know what I don't know,' but at least I'm good at admitting it!
KC Area
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#2
(11-11-2021, 05:55 PM)ESquared Wrote: Since I'm still new to this world, I'm still finding useful vids over on YTube, including this pretty basic (VERY basic to most of you) "walk-around" tour of this owner's new RS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ioSm89Lxg&t=194s


Do any of you have any experience with this specific unit, or something similar? It's clearly a low cost solution, but is it worth a look, or is there something a little more sturdy that does the same thing?

I have one and it works great when I want to have the phone in the GPS mount (e.g. when running Waze). The only caveat could be the size of your phone. I have an S20FE that, in its case, measures about 8 cm in width. Any wider than that would probably not work.
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#3
(11-12-2021, 07:10 AM)TriangleRider Wrote:
(11-11-2021, 05:55 PM)ESquared Wrote: Since I'm still new to this world, I'm still finding useful vids over on YTube, including this pretty basic (VERY basic to most of you) "walk-around" tour of this owner's new RS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ioSm89Lxg&t=194s


Do any of you have any experience with this specific unit, or something similar? It's clearly a low cost solution, but is it worth a look, or is there something a little more sturdy that does the same thing?

I have one and it works great when I want to have the phone in the GPS mount (e.g. when running Waze). The only caveat could be the size of your phone. I have an S20FE that, in its case, measures about 8 cm in width. Any wider than that would probably not work.

Waze. You guys are killin' me. Thanks for the testimonial on the hardware. I'm on an iPhone XR, and will measure to make sure of fit.

Appreciate the feedback!
KC Area
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#4
(11-12-2021, 07:24 AM)ESquared Wrote: I'm on an iPhone XR, and will measure to make sure of fit.
Appreciate the feedback!

Do a little research on using your iPhone on the bike, or maybe someone here can chime in.
I've read a few posts that some of newer iPhones can not stand the engine and road vibrations when mounted on a motorcycle.
I think it damages the camera.
Lee
Iowa, USA
2022 R1250RS White Sport

Past BMWs: 2016 R1200RS x 2,  2011 K1300S x 2,  2003 K1200RS x 2,  1991 K75S x 2,  1987 K75T x 2, 1984 R100RT
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#5
(11-12-2021, 07:24 AM)ESquared Wrote: Waze. You guys are killin' me. Thanks for the testimonial on the hardware. I'm on an iPhone XR, and will measure to make sure of fit.

Appreciate the feedback!

I also use an iPhone XR and would strongly recommend against using any mount that is not properly vibration damped, such as this one. It will kill your camera's autofocus and make the camera unusable. Happened to me twice and is a known thing with iPhones. Check out my video (and other videos) on the Quadlock Vibration Dampener..
Regards,
Grumpy Goat
2016 BMW R1200RS
2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
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#6
(11-12-2021, 08:15 AM)Lee Wrote:
(11-12-2021, 07:24 AM)ESquared Wrote: I'm on an iPhone XR, and will measure to make sure of fit.
Appreciate the feedback!

Do a little research on using your iPhone on the bike, or maybe someone here can chime in.
I've read a few posts that some of newer iPhones can not stand the engine and road vibrations when mounted on a motorcycle.
I think it damages the camera.
Yes, I've read posts here and there about vibration concerns, but they seem to come up more on ADV/GS threads. I use one of those clear gel-like cases, which has saved me SEVERAL times, and it's well within the measurement parameters.
More digging to do, and time to do it!
KC Area
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#7
(11-12-2021, 08:22 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:
(11-12-2021, 07:24 AM)ESquared Wrote: Waze. You guys are killin' me. Thanks for the testimonial on the hardware. I'm on an iPhone XR, and will measure to make sure of fit.

Appreciate the feedback!

I also use an iPhone XR and would strongly recommend against using any mount that is not properly vibration damped, such as this one. It will kill your camera's autofocus and make the camera unusable. Happened to me twice and is a known thing with iPhones. Check out my video (and other videos) on the Quadlock Vibration Dampener..
Hmmm. Isn't the cradle itself vibration-damped in the way it attaches to the bike? Seems like there would be something engineered into the design of something they call a "cradle" to protect a very expensive SatNav unit, but I'm new here...
KC Area
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#8
(11-12-2021, 08:35 AM)ESquared Wrote: Yes, I've read posts here and there about vibration concerns, but they seem to come up more on ADV/GS threads. I use one of those clear gel-like cases, which has saved me SEVERAL times, and it's well within the measurement parameters.
More digging to do, and time to do it!

Suit yourself. I have ridden 1 hour on my previous S1000R testing a new phone holder and when I got back home the camera on the iPhone was ruined. It was fine before the ride, and that was on the smooth roads around where I live. I suspect it is not the low frequency bouncing / jarring that does it, but rather the higher frequency engine vibrations through the handlebars.
Regards,
Grumpy Goat
2016 BMW R1200RS
2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
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#9
(11-12-2021, 09:12 AM)ESquared Wrote: Hmmm. Isn't the cradle itself vibration-damped in the way it attaches to the bike? Seems like there would be something engineered into the design of something they call a "cradle" to protect a very expensive SatNav unit, but I'm new here...

The SatNav itself is internally made differently (more robust) than the autofocus mechanism that is on the iPhone cameras, because it is built for that purpose. Cell phones are not build to be mounted on motorcycle handlebars, and some appear to be able to tolerate it better (e.g. I have not heard of / experienced this failure using Samsung Android phones).
Regards,
Grumpy Goat
2016 BMW R1200RS
2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
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#10
Nobody said this was going to be easy, huh? Valid points all around. I'm just not eager to introduce another hanger/mount into the cockpit. More mulling.
KC Area
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#11
Sat down with the dealer yesterday, went thru all the options, pros, cons, rumors and facts, then just decided to leave the cradle as-is, ride it for a season and decide a year from now what to do. Who knows, by then I might be a full-blown GPS guy and ready to take the plunge. Until then, there's plenty to learn and enjoy.
KC Area
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#12
(11-14-2021, 08:14 AM)ESquared Wrote: Sat down with the dealer yesterday, went thru all the options, pros, cons, rumors and facts, then just decided to leave the cradle as-is, ride it for a season and decide a year from now what to do. Who knows, by then I might be a full-blown GPS guy and ready to take the plunge. Until then, there's plenty to learn and enjoy.

Sounds like a good plan.

When I first wanted a GPS for the bike I bought a cheap Nuvi Garmin and used it in the car for awhile to get used to it and learn how it worked.
Lee
Iowa, USA
2022 R1250RS White Sport

Past BMWs: 2016 R1200RS x 2,  2011 K1300S x 2,  2003 K1200RS x 2,  1991 K75S x 2,  1987 K75T x 2, 1984 R100RT
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