Mounting Ipod?

[sugardoo]

Hello,

I have been searching for the best way to mount my (40 gig) Ipod. I really like the RAM mount options. If I do go with the RAM I would like it to be placed in a "centered" location just to have a astetically "balanced" look on the bike (also so if I remove the pod, the mounting hardware is still centered). Not sure this is possible as all the pics I have seen have the mount "off-centered" (ie brake/clutch reservoir plate). If I could place the U clamp they offer in the center of the handlebars (between the handle bar clamps) that would be good but I saw a post where they said it wouldn't work- darn!
This is the only mount I am looking to place on my bike and just want a simplistic, minimal and sleek look. I ride with my pod about half the time.
Thanks for your advice.

[GypsyRR]

Do you have wireless earphones? If not, then you are going to have the wire slapping against the tank. Have you considered keeping the ipod in a tank bag? A remote control (under $30.00) would allow you to keep the iPod in a tank bag or pocket and still be able to forward, reverse, play and stop, control volume. If you are wanting to charge it while you ride, there are tank bags that allow for that capability as well.

I use to have my iPod with me all the time too, and I would use the remote control. It was very handy. HOWEVER.... recently I bought the iPod Shuffle and that is even better. It will hold about 250 songs and is so small that I just clip it on my sleeve and run the earphone wire down my sleeve to the Shuffle. I don't rip the earphones out of my ears now, since the shuffle is attached to me and NOT to the bike anymore. That's a big plus!

[taosports]

Sugardoo,

The safest place for your iPod is in a jacket pocket. No worries with weather or vibrations and it's out of sight - out of mind for sticky fingers when you're away from the bike. Your music is always with you.

Like Gypsy, I use a wireless remote for the iPod or have the Shuffle clipped to my sleeve. I run the earphone wires inside the jacket, attached to the jacket neck loop. The small remote is velcroed on top of my tank bag. Works great and there is no clutter on the handlebars.

The remote I use is called the AirClick. Works great with gloves on.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/airclick/

My earphones are by Etymotic Research - the ER6-i model. They work better than my custom made earplugs.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx

Both the above products have worked flawlessly for over two years now.

[rdsmith3]

I can confirm that a RAM U-bolt will not fit in that space in the middle of the handle bars, between the two clamps. There is not enough clearance.

I also highly recommend the Etymotic er6i ear phones. You can get them in ipod-matching white, or fashionable black.

[DJ Downunder]

I agree with Michael...Air Click is the way to go..no wires..easy to mute or adjust volume..even with gloves on..

Here's a pic of mine.. http://tkfiles.storage.msn.com/x1pN1mp8 ... tB5y59-5Es

DJ

[sjbmw]

Cyclegadgets.com has pretty much what you need.
They sell Ipod stuff.

I have 2 RAM-STRAP ball mounts on my lower handlebars for my XM radio and GPS. They are at the bottom of this page. Take the stuff off and you hardly notice them.

http://cyclegadgets.com/Products/RAM/ra ... d=RAM-IPOD

Add the Arm, and the Mount for your Ipod model, and you should have a center handle bar mount done.

[sugardoo]

I am so glad I asked the question about mounting the Ipod at the center with that u clamp. The tech guy(s) at cycle gadgets has told me several times that it will work and I felt suspicious about it. Great to have instant "accurate" info like this.
Ok, so SJBMW's idea is the next best thing I guess.
Yes, I do have the Eytmotic 6I's and love them. Now what is this about wireless???? sounds interesting as the wires dangling and twirling about isn't ideal.
Tank bag idea is ok IF I could find a tank bag I really like (with a map window so I can see whats playing on the pod) Even the newest tank bags I have seen online with other-than-square shapes still seem bulky and unsightly. The R has such interesting lines that I like to have the least amount or the smallests stuff on the tank.
I have placed my pod in my jacket but as I mentioned, its nice to see the the pod's display window when I want to find different songs/artists to listen too.
Its a bit odd to me that there aren't more options for a simplistic mount.

[Jonny_L]

Great info about the Airclick, I'm gonna have to get myself one of those.

I usually have my Ipod in the clear window of my oxford tank bag, works well. I can adjust the volume through the clear plastic without gloves on, but not with gloves. It's not ideal, as when you get some MP3's that are much louder than others, volume control is a must!

DJ, that looks really smart mounted on the bars. What mount have you used there? And is that rain on your tank I can see? Just wondering if these things are waterproof.

Edit: Ah just thought, can you still charge the Ipod with the airclick plugged in?

[Dr. Strangelove]

little bit off topic, but maybe germaine...

I have my Sirius radio Duo Locked--the industrial velcro-- to the handlebar clamps. It is very secure , yet removes easily. I run the ET6i wires along the top of my SW Moto Engage tank bag (whose lines match the RR's tank very well) using the small clip to prevent wire-slap. Works well.

Putting the IPOD there would turn the display 90 degrees, but may be readable??

Or, the engage bag has a clear cell phone window on the top of the bag that an IPOD would fit, or...putting it the map pocket.

hope this helps

John

[DJ Downunder]

is that rain on your tank I can see?

Yes

just thought, can you still charge the Ipod with the air click plugged in?

Yes

It may depend on the model of iPod that you have..mine is a mini..I think the nano's are a little different..I have the Air click thingie attached to the top of my mini..and can also have a power supply or extra battery attachment like I have plugged into the bottom of it.

Using the air click you can have your iPod tucked away safe and sound in your pocket, backpack, tank bag, maybe even in a pannier although I have not tryed that..in really wet weather you could also have it wrapped in a waterproof plastic bag on you pocket..there's no need to get to it.

I would not mount my iPod on the handle bars..the air click controller seems very waterproof..it comes with a mount that can be clipped to your jacket or glove cuff..and it also comes with a velcro strap that can be used on handlebars.

I've been caught in a few showers without a problem..but constant heavy rain may be a problem..you could put the controller on a small waterproof plastic bag to be safe..and still mount it to the bars..I'm sure that would work.

The controller has rubber buttons..it has a small battery inside that should last for the life of the unit..but can be changed if need be..so there is little screws on the back so you could open it up and check just how waterproof it is..and maybe run some silicon around the join to make sure it cant leak.

I've been using mine for years now without any battery problem...btw...there is another brand that does the same thing..but the buttons are not spaced as good so using it with gloves is much harder.

One other thing...I ride with a friend that also uses one..the controller works up to about ten feet or so..so sometimes while we are riding and when we pull over to talk to each other I would hit the mute button..he would ride alongside of me and he would hit his mute button..and my music would suddenly start up again..it is funny and we sometimes do it deliberately to each other just for a laugh..but it can be annoying.

I can post a few more pics of mine if you like?

DJ

..

[GypsyRR]

One other thing...I ride with a friend that also uses one..the controller works up to about ten feet or so..so sometimes while we are riding and when we pull over to talk to each other I would hit the mute button..he would ride alongside of me and he would hit his mute button..and my music would suddenly start up again..it is funny and we sometimes do it deliberately to each other just for a laugh..but it can be annoying.

I can post a few more pics of mine if you like?

DJ

There is a way to the change the frequency on them so that you don't interfere with someone else who may have one. But - I don't have mine anymore, so I can't tell you how. I just remember reading it in the instructions.

[DJ Downunder]

You read instructions???...that must be a female thing... .....thanks..

DJ

[GypsyRR]

You read instructions???...that must be a female thing... .....thanks..

DJ

I have to. Intelligence does not come naturally to me. It seems to visit infrequently as well.

[triggerfish]

You read instructions???...that must be a female thing... .....thanks..

DJ

I have to. Intelligence does not come naturally to me. It seems to visit infrequently as well.

I have the same problem GypsyRR. But trying to understand instructions is getting more difficult for me as well.

@smt03, at least for the airlink, this is how you pair your device so it doesn't send/receive unwanted signals.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/suppor ... ?artnum=88

I have a 4G Nano. The link says it can be used with 4G, but no mention of compatibility with Nano. Will it work with Nano you think? Thanks.

[GypsyRR]

I have a 4G Nano. The link says it can be used with 4G, but no mention of compatibility with Nano. Will it work with Nano you think? Thanks.

There are different kinds of wireless remotes. Not all of them work with the Nano, or the video iPod. You have to check the fine print carefully when you look at them on websites. There are all kinds of options. Some even have a LCD screen on the remote so you can see what song is playing, and some allow you to receive FM as well. You just have to shop around online.

This one does work with the Nano:

http://www.theistore.com/ijetnano.html

[wncbmw]

Some good info here! Thanks! I bought a used Mini at a great price from someone at work who upgraded to a 40G model. I have loaded a bunch of music and am making playlists now. Looking forward to trying it soon but sounds like the Airclick remote will be a must! I plan to carry it in the waterproof pocket in my Olympia jacket. Mounting the remote on the bars looks perfect!

But I am still looking for earphones. The ER6-i models look great but no way I can justify spending 3 times what I spent on the iPod! One thing for sure, the stock ones suck!

[GypsyRR]

But I am still looking for earphones. The ER6-i models look great but no way I can justify spending 3 times what I spent on the iPod! One thing for sure, the stock ones suck!

Vann:
I couldn't justify spending that much for those either. I've tried them and I've used a lot of others. I needed something smaller so it would fit inside my helmet better. These are the best that I have found. They claim to be noise cancelling as well. As far as I can tell, they are. They can sit pretty deep in the ear too, so that they don't get knocked loose when putting on the helmet - a real frustration for me. Here is a link to a place where you can get them. I think you can get them in white or black.

http://www.ipodstyle.com/product.php?xP ... bf65c4f17e

[DJ Downunder]

Thanks Triggerfish for that link.. ...btw I'm pretty sure they now make them for the Nano's.

Here's my AirClick controler...I just used some sponge tube and it works perfect...just took a pic while taking some balance tube pics for the other thread..

DJ

[NHighCotton]

But I am still looking for earphones. The ER6-i models look great but no way I can justify spending 3 times what I spent on the iPod! One thing for sure, the stock ones suck!

Vann:
I couldn't justify spending that much for those either. I've tried them and I've used a lot of others. I needed something smaller so it would fit inside my helmet better. These are the best that I have found. They claim to be noise cancelling as well. As far as I can tell, they are. They can sit pretty deep in the ear too, so that they don't get knocked loose when putting on the helmet - a real frustration for me. Here is a link to a place where you can get them. I think you can get them in white or black.

http://www.ipodstyle.com/product.php?xP ... bf65c4f17e

Shur (sp?) makes some like that as well for about that same price that I found at Sears of all places.

and don't forget the Boostaroo

[wncbmw]

Thanks folks - I'll check them out!