12" Graph Mount that is easily moved between 2 positions and won't creep

[Deephaven]

I’d like some dual purpose mounts.  Currently I have Ram mounts, but with the 12“ graphs you need to tighten them so hard they are functionally not useable if you ever want to change their position....which defeats the whole purpose of having an adjustable mount.

 

There are 2 positions I’d like my graphs in.

 

Normal bass fishing mode, ie super vertical to get the graphs high so they are easy to see while driving around:

 

 

Trailering & Walleye/backtrolling mode, ie low and under my rod as I will fish right over the top of them:

 

I don’t walleye fish all that often, but it is literally impossible to switch between the two modes right now.  To make things worse, I have to go to either remove the graphs to trailer or at least lower them down.  With the ball mounts I am afraid they will get damaged towing as they ALWAYS slip.  Yes, I am using the big ram balls.  They aren’t enough.

 

Wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these mounts and good/bad things to say about them.  Here they are with some commentary.  If you have other options please let me know and I will include them in the thread for future reference.  

 

Balzout $235 – seems like the defacto recommendation.  I wonder how hard the knurled knobs are to adjust and there are some complaints of the knobs loosening.

 

Cornfield fishing $215 – crappie focused company, but I like the allen key screws assuming they „lock“ in place well.  Totally ok having to have a tool onboard although a tool less would be more convenient

 

Geiger Tech $285 – expensive an no long arm option but looks robust

 

Nerka Sockeye $180 – Budget device, but sold at Scheel’s which gives me faith that it isn’t just budget but quality.  Perhaps I am biased since I grew up with the Scheel kids.

 

Precision LockJaw $140 – Most budget friendly solution, but the required tool looks like it won’t be a simple on the water change

 

Russell Marine $180 – Doesn’t really come with long enough arms, but thought it may work for others

 

Traxstech $230 – Looks like a great option although they haven’t been in stock in a long time.

 

Bluewater $235 – Being a ball and socket design it should be the most manuverable but I am concerned they will slip like the Ram mounts.

[A-Jay]

Seems you may have stumbled across one of the more challenging aspects

of having somewhat plus sized graphs.

Many mounts, and this might not be reflected by price,

are either,

Super secure but not easily adjustable

or

easily adjustable but not particularly secure.

Unfortunately I can not offer advice or an option.

After a fairly extensive search myself, looking for something, anything that might be acceptable middle ground,

I gave up and just flush mounted mine.

And that's not really a miracle cure either.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

[Deephaven]

21 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Seems you may have stumbled across one of the more challenging aspects

of having somewhat plus sized graphs.

Many mounts, and this might not be reflected by price,

are either,

Super secure but not easily adjustable

or

easily adjustable but not particularly secure.

Unfortunately I can not offer advice or an option.

After a fairly extensive search myself, looking for something, anything that might be acceptable middle ground,

I gave up and just flush mounted mine.

And that's not really a miracle cure either.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

I assumed I wasn't alone and also thought others could benefit from the info and discussion.  I've always flush mounted or just bolted the bracket to my boat as none of the adjustable ones in the past worked for me...but this boat has unique challenges in it's dual purpose although I see these challenges as the same for the front mount many use.  Obviously the closer to your eyes the better so getting it up easy but still being able to lower it has some value.

[gim]

@Deephaven, my folks have almost the exact same setup in their 2020 Warrior tiller that you do.

 

The boat itself was previously my Grandfather's (he died in 2012) and my parents bought the boat from him before he died.  I remember my Grandpa having the exact same problem with the biggest size ram mount you are using.  Eventually, he decided that mounting it directly to the elevated platform with a swivel mount was the most efficient and stable.  He had two 12 inch screens just like you do.  He mounted one in the area of your current graph location, and another one to the right in your second photo.  You can still turn and tilt the screen, you just can't move it vertically or closer to your face.

 

My parents current setup is two 9-inch screens (they upgraded to Lowrance Live units) next to each other, both mounted directly to the platform on a swivel mount.  Another item to keep in mind is that nowadays, my folks also do a fair amount of traveling.  Sometimes their boat sits out over night or at a weigh in unattended.  So they use e-locks on both of them.  They do not bass fish and this boat is almost exclusively used to walleye fish on big water, so the strategy is different even though the setup is very similar.

 

I have heard pretty good reviews on the balzout mount.  I don't personally know anyone who has one, but the reviews seem pretty good.

[Deephaven]

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

I remember my Grandpa having the exact same problem with the biggest size ram mount you are using.  Eventually, he decided that mounting it directly to the elevated platform with a swivel mount was the most efficient and stable.  He had two 12 inch screens just like you do.  He mounted one in the area of your current graph location, and another one to the right in your second photo.  You can still turn and tilt the screen, you just can't move it vertically or closer to your face.

 

I have heard pretty good reviews on the balzout mount.  I don't personally know anyone who has one, but the reviews seem pretty good.

I had thought about direct mount....but I want up and down.  Good to hear you've heard good things on the balzout as that one is currently high on my list.  As for the hotels, it will all come off anyways which is super unfun, but better than losing 4 modern graphs.

[WRB]

T-H Marine Kong mounts.

Tom

[slonezp]

Do you have the RAM wrench? https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-KNOB9HU

[Deephaven]

21 hours ago, WRB said:

T-H Marine Kong mounts.

Tom

Right, forgot to include that one.  $400 and not much motion, but looks tough!

17 hours ago, slonezp said:

Do you have the RAM wrench? https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-KNOB9HU

That is a necessity to get them tight.  On top of the wrench, I lined mine with skateboard grip tape.  If you tighten them and then retighten 20min later they won't drift...but it is a serious pain in the butt and I'd like more adjustment range.  This is a great help though for those that are close.  The front mounts with only 9's on them and the wrench/grip tape are totally fine.

[SC53]

I had the Ram Mount for my 12” but as you said, you really had to torque it down to get to stay. I changed to the Balz-out Mount and am very happy with it. Solid as a rock.
But moving from location to location would be harder with it. 
If you go with the Balz-out be very certain you have it level and positioned before mounting it. It does not move in infinite increments like the Ram does but moves in predetermined amounts based on the ball & socket design it uses. 

[Deephaven]

1 minute ago, SC53 said:

I had the Ram Mount for my 12” but as you said, you really had to torque it down to get to stay. I changed to the Balz-out Mount and am very happy with it. Solid as a rock.
But moving from location to location would be harder with it. 
If you go with the Balz-out be very certain you have it level and positioned before mounting it. It does not move in infinite increments like the Ram does but moves in predetermined amounts based on the ball & socket design it uses. 

What do you mean by harder from location to location?  Mine will be in one of two positions basically and I assumed that is a two knob per graph adjustment

[SC53]

Deep, I was under the impression you would be moving to different locations around the boat. My mistake. 
Yes it’s just a 2 knob adjustment to raise/lower and the 3rd knob to rotate. 
But it will be in the same increments as described. 

[Deephaven]

Ah, got it.  Thanks.  I have 2 12's in the back and 2 9's up front.  Moving is just for trailering and the occasionally walleye/lake trout trolling run.

 

Appreciate your input.  Down to balzout or the Nerka I think based on how they move and adjust.  Going to Scheels to peak at the Nerka early next week as it is the cheapest option