Cheap National Products RAM-B-201 Ram Marine Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball

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List Price: $15.25
Sale Price: $12.21
Today's Bonus: 20% Off

I purchased this along with the RAM Square 2-inch x 1.7-inch base with 1-inch ball, and the Universal X-Grip Holder. As I am using this as a part of a system, I will comment on the overall package as the parts are all of the same high quality and would be useless alone.

Although I've only had it installed for a day, I could not be any more pleased. For reference, this is mounted on the dash of my 2003 Jeep Wrangler.

After going through countless cheap (under $5) car holders, mounts, etc., I finally had enough after purchasing an iOttie mount for around $15 only to have it break after 6 months of usage. Sure, it is plastic, and $15 isn't a lot of money in the big picture, but I need more than 6 months from a product.

I looked into several different mounting options including custom mounts, and fortunately came across RAM products. I read the reviews, looked into the company itself, and quickly ordered a solution that seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. I am happy to say so far, I made the right decision.

I mounted the base to the center area of my Wrangler's dash, in a place that is covered by a removable rubber mat, and the screw holes can easily be covered up if someone decided to remove the mount for some reason (likely me, in order to keep it for my next vehicle!). This lets me angle the rest of the mount above the radio and vent, which I find to be the best location for navigation and music control.

The X-Grip connects to the socket arm and can be adjusted to almost any position. The X-Grip, if centered, does hit the volume/power buttons of my Nexus 4 if centered, but I find that positioning it to either side still provides an extremely secure grip and avoids hitting the buttons.

I obviously cannot speak to durability, but all 3 of the parts that I ordered appear to use high quality metals and plastics. The points that would be prone to failure due to sun/heat are sturdy enough that I will be amazed if it breaks, and considering RAM Mount's reputation I have a feeling I shouldn't worry. I will certainly come back and edit my review should that happen, but I trust RAM would take care of me even in the event

All said, I spent around $40 for the 3 pieces. I have probably spent that much in cheap plastic mounts in the past 3 years. I have no doubt that I could easily be using this 15 years down the road. Past the 15 year point, we will probably have all of our gadgets implanted in our brains, but I bet the plastic in this mount will still be solid!

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So my next reviews of the RAM mount and pieces are going to be a cut and paste job. Not sure what else I can say and really these parts aren't the sexiest. They however are solid and long lasting. I wouldn't say that I "abused" the system this summer, but I certainly put it through its "paces". The system did not buckle and is waiting to be used again.

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hello,

i can now change the stock long arm on my ram gps mount to adapt my digital camera and camcorder when needed. the original long arm is great for the gps, but the long arm stuck out too far to balance the cameras. the shorter 3 inch model makes it closer to the car, boat, table, surface, etc. i also bought the rubber ball base for the camera mounts. RAM Mounting Systems RAM-B-202AU 1" Rubber Ball Base with 1/4"-20 Stud For Camera. It works well and makes it less obtrusive when mounting both to a specific surface. great product and great delivery by gps city.

Honest reviews on National Products RAM-B-201 Ram Marine Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball

I use RAM mounts to hold the GPS in my pickup, and a phone and a helmet cam on my motorcycle. All of them perform perfectly, and I recommend them wholeheartedly. By the way, don't overtighten the socket arms. It's not necessary, and will make the 1" ball misshapened, which then limits your ability to adjust the mount.

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The product and delivery were exactly as expected. I got it very quickly and the RAM product performs perfectly. I've used RAM products on my motorcycles and liked them. This one is being used on the sailboat. Should be more than adequate. Need to watch for corrosion but that's true of everything we use on the boat that's not marine grade stainless.

Review of Avid Elixir 3 Rear Disc Brake with Right Lever

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $120.00
Sale Price: $105.58
Today's Bonus: 12% Off

These brakes came standard on my new bike. Their major flaw is that they lack pad clearance adjustment. This translates to impossible to correct squealing, rubbing, and tick-tick-tick noises to ruin your ride. No amount of alignment, adjustment, bleeding, or fluid add/removal is going to completely correct this problem. These brakes just don't cut it. Honestly, I have had better results from V-Brakes. If you must have hydro's step up to a model that has pad clearance adjust or you will regret it I promise. I am switching to BB7 mechanical disc brakes which can be more effectively tuned and don't require freaking syringes to maintain.

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These also came standard on my bike and I have had endless binding issues in the back caliper. I have adjusted the mounting, the caliper bled, etc.... but to no long term benefit. I am certain it is the materials used in the piston seals which are inherently faulty.

First the concept of hydraulic brakes on bicycles is questionable. As a motorbike mechanic, given the relative mass of a motorcycle compared with the rider, it makes sense to have hydraulic disc brakes for weight savings and the amount of braking forces which are frequently necessary to come to a stop from, let say, 100kph with a average mass of 350kg. However, with a bicycle, it is MUCH less noticeable. In actuality, there is more of a tendency for the brakes to work too well and your wheel then skids or worse, you fly over your handlebars. Even in bicycle competition, one wants to minimize braking to take advantage of momentum. Whereas, in motorcycling, the engine will often be the first method of braking.

Second, let's assume that hydraulic disc braking is needed. I have read several posts where the solution to the binding issues are to bleed often and to lubricate the caliper piston seals with silicone often. Imagine if a motorcycle or even your typical automobile owner had to do this every time they went for a long ride or once a week. Most would turn to a more reliable vehicle. So other than being a bicycle enthusiast, I do not know why the bicycle industry and all its customers have not made a claim against Avid for their caliper as faulty and a serial defect? Intermittent binding of calipers are unsafe. This tends to heat up the hydraulic system which only causes the fluid behind the caliper to boil, degrade, and expand adding more braking forces on the piston. It is a cascading effect. If this happened in the motorcycle or auto industry, these would have been recalled the first year they were used. However, bicycle manufacturers continue to experiment on their customers without any liability or safety regulation.

I recommend mechanical disc brakes as a compromise until this braking technology matures to become maintenance free.

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I rated these 4 stars and that's because the oem pads squealed on the front wheel of my bike. The rears were silent since I purchased the bike in Jan 2013. Ironically, I kept the front pads and transitioned them to the rear when the original rears wore out, and they did NOT squeal.When I got the bike I knew to bed these brakes in per the OEM specifications, and so I did. I have bled one due to a re-routing of a break cable and they have worked well, although the one that was bled has become a bit spongy recently. Nothing serious, but I like my brakes to feel crisp and close without too much lever drift or throw. Guess I'll have to bleed them again soon.

I ride aggressive AM trail and these brakes have not disappointed. Stopping power is good but I did change the front pads to another brand and they went silent. Would I buy Avid brakes aftermarket? You bet.

Honest reviews on Avid Elixir 3 Rear Disc Brake with Right Lever

I put these on my hybrid bike for commuting. Some would say you don't need discs for the road. Some would say that mechanical discs are fine for the road. However I commute through the steep hills and traffic of Seattle and I want brakes that work. Rim brakes suck and after my experience with mechanical disc brakes I'd say they suck too. Once these are adjusted they are good. I had to realign my mechanical every few weeks. Then after they failed the first time i decided to go Hydraulic.

There are better brakes for mountain biking but if you want overkill for the road these will work great.

I did blow through the back pad quicker than the front but that might just be my crazy overuse of the back brake.