RAM mount size advice

Hi Anglers… and everyone else!
I have a new Sonar with 9″ screen and i have a B (1″ ball) size, 3″ RAM mount. Will this be sufficiently strong enough for this sonar, or is their actually a chance it might fail?? Thank you for reading!

TJay

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I am not a huge fan of ram mounts for this purpose as the one I have has allowed my helix to move several times and it has actually gouged and cracked the dash where it came down. The mount doesn’t break, it just moves when trailering on bumpy roads or in rough water.

The one inch ball is perfect. Mine is solid as a rock and haven’t seen anything better.

FYI, These balls are not to be greased.

I have the 2.25” ones on my helix 9 and they still move when I’m in bigger waves

2.25 on my garmin and it’ll move on rough water.

1″ seems small to me (no innuendo implied).

Agreed to small for a 9 inch, go to Capra’s or somewhere people actually know and ask before you purchase.

I would not want my expensive chartplotter on an undersized mount.  I have a RAM-D-115 (Large Marine Electronic Mount) for my Garmin 93’s – D size ball.  It is overkill in my opinion, but I would rather have it that way. 

Both of my screens (12 ” and 9″ ) are on D mounts ( 2.25″ ball size) – NO problems in any water to date.
My rod holders are on C ( 1.5″ size balls)

Umy wrote:

Both of my screens (12 ” and 9″ ) are on D mounts ( 2.25″ ball size) – NO problems in any water to date.
My rod holders are on C ( 1.5″ size balls)

To elaborate, I don’t just turn the handle til it feels tight – I turn it til it’s TIGHT.
Never moves while trailering or on the water. I will re-adjust on the water and re-tighten and it doesn’t move ( my 12′ Humminbird on the dash)
My 9″rides in the bow and I loosen it down on top of a portable throwing boat cushion to soften the ride, lift it up and tighten into place and no problems. So I am loosening and tightening mine frequently – D Size Ram ball mounts – (probably 4-5 years old on the 12″ screen)

D Size with the short arm works well. (Lowrance Elite 9)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F0MFXY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-J.

CORRECTION-I use 1-1/2″, not 1″.

You can also buy the “Ram Wrench” that helps you crank it down so it doesn’t move.

https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-KNOB9HU

I don’t even like the 1.5″ for my helix 7. I’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on the RAM large electronics mount but not ready to pay the price they want for it

If you have issues with the Ram mounts moving clean the balls and sockets with rubbing alcohol. There is likely oil residue on them.

Also the rubber on them indents and loosens the clamp after a few minutes. So tighten them and a few minutes later tighten them again. Should then stay put in most all conditions.

I’m in the habit of checking the knob every time I sit at the console. At the end of some days it can be so tight I almost need a wrench to loosen it.

D

Got one of these RAM mounts for my 9″ Garmin and it’s solid as a rock so far. Through-bolted. They make a vertical mount as well. For the price I couldn’t find a comparably solid mount for a 9″ at the time. With 2 different 360 degree pivot points, plus the tilt on the gimbal, it’s pretty versatile.

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I actually called Ram and asked about a Helix 5, and they told me a C mount for that. I’d definitely go bigger than a B.

Get a Cisco and be done with it…I’ve got both in my boat and the Cisco is hands down the way to go.

https://www.ciscofishingsystemsltd.com/shop/silver-cfs-sure-lok-electronics-mount-27061

I’m done messing around with ram mounts. When I’m in rough water the last thing I want to do is mess around with my graph so I can see where the rocks are.

I use Johnny Ray mounts on everything I’ve owned the last 10 years. Solid as a rock no loosening tightening just rotate whenever you want to rotate it. The only downside is if you have an exact position you need your graph turned, the Johnny Ray is not as versatile. In my applications they have worked perfectly though. And they’re cheap.

I don’t own one, but the balzout mount seem to be super sturdy with good reviews. They aren’t cheap though.

https://www.balzoutllc.com/

But that raises the question of whether you run with your balzout greased or ungreased!

The 1″ is only really good for handhelds or something about the size a phone.

Check out the Ram swing arm style, really solid if it fits your boat.
RAM-109HU & RAM-109H-1U

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

But that raises the question of whether you run with your balzout greased or ungreased!

bahahahah

tswoboda wrote:

The 1″ is only really good for handhelds or something about the size a phone.

Check out the Ram swing arm style, really solid if it fits your boat.
RAM-109HU & RAM-109H-1U

<div class=”ido-oembed-wrap”><iframe loading=”lazy” title=”RAM MOUNTS Horizontal 6" Swing Arm Mount for Fishfinders & Plotters” type=”text/html” width=”850″ height=”550″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”” style=”max-width:100%” src=”https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_qYpHz8Ts1jj6iK&asin=B001GLLF3I&tag=kpembed-20″></iframe></div&gt;

I have this on a garmin 9 and it works really well…like well enough to also use as a hand hold in rough water.

I have a swing arm on my 12 inch Helix. Works fine.

Look into Fingear mounts. Just put one on my boat, rock solid and toolless adjustment