We have information that previous generations never had, likely never imagined having. We know with insane precision where we are, where we are going, how fast we are going, and when we will arrive.
We can record with the same exacting precision where we have been, with images, sound, and motion.
We are able instantly to know more about our surroundings, the people we meet, the weather we have, the weather to come, events that are shaping our lives and communities, where our loved ones are, and even the state of the homes we left behind, than any of the countless humans who came before.
If we choose, we can share that information about us in what we have come to call 'real time'. We are able to call anyone, anywhere, speak to them, leave messages for them, and in turn be reached by anyone, anywhere. Our friends and family can see where we are to within a few feet and a handful of minutes, no matter where we are on the planet, even how fast we are moving.
If we stay in one place for more than a few minutes, there is virtually no limit to the information at our disposal. When did Vivaldi write the Four Seasons? How far is the moon? What portion of the universe is above us at this moment? How many movies did Humphrey Bogart appear in? How many elements are in the periodic table now? How many were there when we were in high school?
Almost nothing is unknowable about our known universe, in this very moment.
It blows my mind.
I can have virtually all of that at my beck and call on my Vespa if I choose.
Gasp!
Gasp!
Yes, yes, yes, I know. Why?
Why would you want all that clutter when you're riding?
Well, mostly I don't. But...
The thing is, that there are times when it's really, really useful.
I spend a lot of time in the saddle. There are many speed traps on my route. My speedometer is inaccurate and I want to go through them as fast as possible without triggering the camera, or giving the officer a reason to pull me over. Sometimes it's nice to be reachable and be able to be able to reach others. Sometimes I need help getting where I want to go.
And then, for me, personally, geekily, it's just friggin cool that I can, if I want to.
And I can, and I do, because the world has RAM mounts.
Any gadget you can own, can be mounted on any bike, in precisely the perfect spot, with a RAM mount. That goes for global positioning satellite receivers (it's much more fun to say that than 'GPS unit'. Satellites, a constellation of them, inform, guide me, and even speak to me. Wow!), so-called smart phones like my iPhone, point-of-view cameras like my GoPro, and satellite transponder position beacons, like SPOT Messengers.
RAM mounts are precision, no-nonsense, military-grade instruments. But they aren't perfect.
I found that out last weekend when the retaining clip on my iPhone mount snapped. Fortunately the phone was plugged into the charging cable and it landed in my lap when it sprang free.
I had noticed that it had become easier to snap the phone in and that was good. In fact, it was a harbinger of imminent failure. There was no way of knowing.
The place for RAM mounts in Canada is Calgary. But not just anywhere in Calgary. In a little store in a strip mall in the suburbs. I used my Garmin GPS unit to get me there.
Luckily for Canadians, a trip to the store in Calgary is a fun thing to do, if you happen to be in Calgary, but it's completely unnecessary. That's because they have a kick-ass website at gpscity.ca where you can get anything RAM makes, and they ship instantly.
It didn't take long to go there to replace the $8 iPhone mount.
But wait, GPS City folks are as honest as good'ole cowpokes on the prairie. They post product reviews for all products, including ones that prove to have defects. Like the mount for the iPhone series 5, for instance. Be warned those of you who have this mount. It will break and set your $800 iPhone free. Those of you who have the RAM mount for the series 4 iPhones needn't worry, those are fine.
Oh! Did I mention that RAM mounts have lifetime warranties?
GPS City also have real-time chat on their website. In no time at all I had received expert advice and I had a universal smartphone 'X' mount (and a GoPro 1" RAM ball for good measure) winging their way to me. As soon as they come in I'll post pics here.
As for my broken mount, GPS City honors the RAM warranty with a picture of the broken mount and the original order number. In this case they gave a discount off the new purchase on the spot. How cool is that?
And that's life in the 21st century. No floating cars yet, but still tons of cool stuff that this 1962 ten year-old never even dreamed would be possible.
Ciao!
And that's life in the 21st century. No floating cars yet, but still tons of cool stuff that this 1962 ten year-old never even dreamed would be possible.
Ciao!
---------------------------
I'm back.
Well that didn't take long, I'm back and the iPhone is back on its perch, in a brand new universal mount. It's been ride-tested and it's fine.
The instructions, in keeping with K2's comment below, suggest tethering the phone. I'm not sure how that is going to happen.
The only thing that comes to mind is a GoPro tether. I don't know if that will work. What will work is this product, a little pricy though. I think I can come up with something sufficiently secure by exploiting the two connectors on the phone. I already have an idea, but it's going to involve some shopping and hopefully a tiny amount of money. Stay tuned.