RAM suction mounts

[MattKaskavitch]

Does anyone have pictures of a RAM suction cup mount installed and would be kind enough to share? I think RAM might be my best option for a quality, yet decently priced mount for this season.

Thanks everyone!


-Matt-

[J Kinkaid]

are you trying to mount a dash cam ?

[MattKaskavitch]

are you trying to mount a dash cam ?

Indeed. I am search of a decent mount for my dash. I don't want a large contraption. Simple and does the job that I can remove in minutes.

[Joey Ketcham]

Matt, this might be along the lines of something you want...

http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-in-car-windshield-camera-mount.html

[John Erwin]

The suction base that RAM sells is not strong enough to support a camera in my opinion.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/johnnylinux/ramb166c1_b.jpg

I have one of these mounts however I use it for supporting a GPS unit. If you look at that link that Joey provided above however there is a Woods/Manfrotto vacuum unit that might fit the bill. Elsewhere on that site they also sell a Woods/RAM combo mount that you can use if you want to use other RAM stuff with the mount. Virtually every vacuum-based unit I have seen used for camera is at least that kind of size (4-5 inches on the base). You really don't want that expensive camera falling off the window...

[Brian Emfinger]

Matt, this might be along the lines of something you want...

http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-in-car-windshield-camera-mount.html

That looks much nicer than what I currently use. Is it wide enough to comfortably fit a digital slr on there?

[Joey Ketcham]

That looks much nicer than what I currently use. Is it wide enough to comfortably fit a digital slr on there?

I would think so, but I can't say 100%. Another chaser I know has one that he uses, I plan on buying one here fairly soon. It is very durable and in my opinion the best i've seen yet.

[John Wetter]

I used the StickyPod Dashcam mount (http://www.stickypod.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=e73ad0a3145a9966c0e54e8ec1860e4a) this last year with good success. It doesn't stick to my dash really well, but with the suction cup that goes up to the window, the whole setup is very well positioned and stays in place once you get all the angles figured out. I had a little trouble the first few days I used it, but once I had it all figured out, it stayed in place very well the rest of the year.

[L.B. LaForce]

im gonna have to go with that filmtools vacuum mount, looks solid, strong, and I have seen chasers use it. I will be getting it, when i get the cash

[Nathan Edwards]

I used an almost identical Suction mount to the filmtools one (probably the same model but marketed under license in the UK).

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/camera_suction_pads_vacuum_mounts.htm

It was very sturdy and could accomodate my Camcorder and my Canon 40D with a modest sized lens attached with no problems. My only issue was removing the blasted thing at the end of the trip as it was firmly stuck to windscreen with the fiddly release tab almost impossible to grip on to (I do have fat fingers though :)).

There's a video on the above link showing it in use if you want an idea of what it looks like in action!

[Christine Hudnall]

I used the StickyPod Dashcam mount (http://www.stickypod.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=e73ad0a3145a9966c0e54e8ec1860e4a) this last year with good success. It doesn't stick to my dash really well, but with the suction cup that goes up to the window, the whole setup is very well positioned and stays in place once you get all the angles figured out. I had a little trouble the first few days I used it, but once I had it all figured out, it stayed in place very well the rest of the year.

Good to hear! I'll be bugging you when mine arrives, it is one of my Christmas presents. :D

I love when I actually get asked "What do you want for Christmas? Order it!" :p

[Jason Boggs]

Suction mounts! Come on...just drill holes in your floorboard and install a monopod like I did! :rolleyes:

[Bill Doms]

Word of advice on using a window mounted suction device...keep the rubber on the cup well conditioned and use one (I know the Bogen mounts do) which uses the little vacuum pump with the warning indicator line if it the suction is getting weak. It's amazing how much abuse a Sony A1-U will take by coming loose.

[Jason Boggs]

I hate to rehash an old thread, but I need a little advice on these two camcorder mounting systems. I got a new vehicle not long ago and need a new way to hold my camcorder.

I'm looking at the sticky pod and the gripper 115 from filmtools. Does anyone have experience with these, and if so, how did you like it? I'm leaning to the sticky pod mount, but I'm not sure yet. Here are the links to the 2 mounts.

STICKYPOD (http://www.stickypod.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=32&osCsid=e73ad0a3145a9966c0e54e8ec1860e4a)

FILMTOOLS (http://www.filmtools.com/filmtools-in-car-windshield-camera-mount.html)

[Steve Polley]

This is the one that I use. Works great. Its a very strong suction pump mount.

http://www.powrgrip.com/cgi-bin/powrgrip/buycleat.html?vacuummounts=1

[Jason Boggs]

This is the one that I use. Works great. Its a very strong suction pump mount.

http://www.powrgrip.com/cgi-bin/powrgrip/buycleat.html?vacuummounts=1

Thanks Steve! I think this may be the one I get. It looks practical and it's not too expensive. I shoot 90% still shots when chasing, but I do occasionally shoot video and this seems like the perfect fit.

[Jason Boggs]

Well, I went ahead and bought the powrgrip mount. Well see how it works in a few days.

[Adam Lucio]

Does anyone have trouble when it comes to suction cup dash mounts? I dont mean to thread-jack but my question is along the lines of this topic.

I Havent yet purchased a mount, id rather not used a windshield mount [technically its illegal here in IL] but my dash surface is a hard plastic in which the suction cup that came with my GPS wont grip to. I dont know if thats because its a weaker design or if the hard and somewhat glossy surface is preventing it from gripping.

I was also leaning towards the film tools mount but wasnt sure if it could hold my older sony 8mm camera which is what I will use to stream. Im not worried about the weight but rather the camera width.

[Walt VanRheen]

I have the film tools with the 4.5 wood suction cup posted earlier. Very nice unit, in fact, I am very tempted to leave the tripod at home and just use the unit off the hood of the chase vehicle, then I will not need to steady the tripod in heavy winds like I did last year.