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Kevin-
I use RAM mounts routinely, they have the following benefits:
1) They are reasonably general purpose and can be used to mount many different components. I use them for an XM radio set-up on both of my bikes.
2) They allow a full range of adjustments for viewing angles, can be moved out of line-of-sight of instruments, and can be mounted in many different places on the bike.
As far as what they are; picture a ball attached to the mounting point (usually the handlebars), a ball attached to the back of the compnoent to be mounted, and a single arm with two sockets at either end. The double ended socket bar fits around the balls and is spring loaded with a wing nut to tighten it around the balls. When you loosen the wing nut, the spring pushes the sockets apart so you can adjust how the position of the mount-end ball and the position of the component ball attachment giving you two points of articiculation in adjusting where your component is placed. I hope that makes sense.
In addition to the basic RAM mount as described, there are many options...different length socket bars, multiple ball mounts for mounting two components to one attachment, different attachment points to the bike/boat/snow-mobile etc.
As far as most handle bar mounts go, they are usually designed to mount the specific component for which they are an accessory. They very rarely have the two point adjustment system that you get with a RAM mount. They can only be mounted on handlebars (as the name suggests). They are usually a bit cheaper than all the RAM mount components you might need for a specific mounting solution.
Does that answer your question?
Fred
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No such thing as cold weather, just inappropriate clothing.
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