Phone mount arm comparisons RAM vs 67D vs Bulletpoint

[Mx5red]

I went further down the rabbit hole of comparing device mounting arms.
RAM by far has the most extensive variety of mounting solutions across different vehicles and devices, including motorcycle, wheelchair, kayak, etc. they mostly use a 1” ball system, though 9/16” and 1.5” and 2.25” balls are available.

almost all other manufacturers seem to focus on 20mm balls, some offer 1” arms or conversion 1” ends to fit on their arms. So pay attention what brands/sizes you’re mixing.

RAM arms are cheaper but can not swivel the ends, as where I think all the comparable 20mm style arms can, giving you more adjustment. Upon doing more research, RAM does sell swivel arms for a couple more dollars but I’ve never seen anyone mention them, so I thought it would be helpful to show them.

couple things of note. I’ll compare ~4” arms with 1” balls as that’s what I’ve used for my grab bar and dash mounts.
67D claims to be only USA majority brand. They seem to be most expensive, prototypical style.

Mini (4.9”)matte arm $29 composite/CF
Nano (3.5”) Pro arm $32 aluminum/carbon fiber

Bulletpoint very similar design
Fewer 1” ball options but sell clamp ends you can swap into their arms for 8.99
4 inch aluminum arm $20.99

Vector Off-Road - no 1” stuff
3.5” arm 20mm ball $27.99 aluminum

Tackform mostly 20mm stuff, but they offer a cheaper 1” elbow arm

7.5” elbow joint

RAM is probably the cheapest option, outside of Amazon 20mm options.I had already started with a RAM mount for my phone years ago so have stuck with it, though used a Bulletpoint mount and that was good as well.
I have had no issues with my x-grip phone mounts but I don’t think they’re as highly regarded as these other options.
I have a couple composite medium arms that are 3.73” and $12.99.

Those extend far enough from the dash mount that they clear the front of the dash/radio. I do wish the grab bar mount was a little longer so my arm could reach it without lifting off the armrest. I just don’t like how the ends limit the ball placement since there is no swivel.

Come to find out they make arms that do.

6.25” double socket arm $25.99
Also shorter swivel arm

3.69” swivel arm $17.49

im going to try a couple of these other arms to see if any aren’t worth using. At this point I bet they all do the job, though I would like a little more adjustment than the straight RAM arms provide.

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[Sublime]

67D is more expensive due to being American-made and R&D.
Bulletpoint got to skip R&D by ordering 67D parts to copy and they're NOT American-made.

RAM is a good product but I like my 67D much better.

 

[Fonzilla85]

I’ve been running the 67 Designs set up for approximately 4(plus) years now. Zero issues, I can definitely say it’s a quality product.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have used BP for quite some time and never had issues

 

[Mx5red]

Soo following up here.
Ordered the 67D mini pro arm 4.9”, the Bulletpoint 4” aluminum arm,
And the Tackform 7.5” elbow arm. Already had a ram medium 3.73” arm.

they do all have their pros and cons besides price.
The Ram arm is less adjustable because you can’t rotate the ball mount, so there is less lateral adjustment. This can be a big issue, like on a dash mount you have to align the slot vertically so you can angle the arm down level, but then you can’t horizontally angle your device very far.
Ram does sell that 3.69” swivel arm that’d probably do the trick.
I was actually surprised the Ram arm can adjust to a little more extreme angle than the 67D arm.

Though they are similar/copies, there is a little functional difference between the BP and 67D arms due to the length of the slots and length of the adjustment screws.
Note: the 1” sockets for the BP arms appear different than their 20mm sockets, so I don’t know if the same would be true for them.
But, the 1” Bulletpoint arms are more adjustable than the 67D ones.
The slots are longer so you can angle the arms more if necessary.
And, as I learned while trying to mount/adjust the 67D arm while driving in a group, the adjustment screw is pretty short so you have to completely unscrew the socket to get the ball inside, which is nigh impossible to do with two hands while trying to drive down a trail!
The bulletpoint 1” sockets have longer screws, so you can fit a ball inside without having to completely unscrew the socket and send parts flying all over the dashboard. I did this once with the spring loaded Ram arm so this is something to consider.

67D top, BP middle, Ram bottom. Knobs are unscrewed as far as possible without coming off. See how much narrower the 67D socket is.

As you can see the 67D arm can’t even get to horizontal, while the BP arm can go past. Ram is about level.

Out of morbid curiosity I think I’m gonna order the Ram swivel to see how that compares.

Oh, and I love that cheap Tackform elbow arm. Perfect length and adjustment for my grab bar phone mount.

 

[dragoneggs]

As you can see the 67D arm can’t even get to horizontal, while the BP arm can go past. Ram is about level.

Hmmm… I have no problem getting my 67 arm 'past' horizontal. I have various 67Designs arms, holders for phone, clamp and magnetic, and a 3D printed holder of iPad Pro Mounted on Series 55 rail.

 

[Ratbert]

Soo following up here.
Ordered the 67D mini pro arm 4.9”, the Bulletpoint 4” aluminum arm,
And the Tackform 7.5” elbow arm. Already had a ram medium 3.73” arm.

they do all have their pros and cons besides price.
The Ram arm is less adjustable because you can’t rotate the ball mount, so there is less lateral adjustment. This can be a big issue, like on a dash mount you have to align the slot vertically so you can angle the arm down level, but then you can’t horizontally angle your device very far.
Ram does sell that 3.69” swivel arm that’d probably do the trick.
I was actually surprised the Ram arm can adjust to a little more extreme angle than the 67D arm.

Though they are similar/copies, there is a little functional difference between the BP and 67D arms due to the length of the slots and length of the adjustment screws.
Note: the 1” sockets for the BP arms appear different than their 20mm sockets, so I don’t know if the same would be true for them.
But, the 1” Bulletpoint arms are more adjustable than the 67D ones.
The slots are longer so you can angle the arms more if necessary.
And, as I learned while trying to mount/adjust the 67D arm while driving in a group, the adjustment screw is pretty short so you have to completely unscrew the socket to get the ball inside, which is nigh impossible to do with two hands while trying to drive down a trail!
The bulletpoint 1” sockets have longer screws, so you can fit a ball inside without having to completely unscrew the socket and send parts flying all over the dashboard. I did this once with the spring loaded Ram arm so this is something to consider.

67D top, BP middle, Ram bottom. Knobs are unscrewed as far as possible without coming off. See how much narrower the 67D socket is.

As you can see the 67D arm can’t even get to horizontal, while the BP arm can go past. Ram is about level.

Out of morbid curiosity I think I’m gonna order the Ram swivel to see how that compares.

Oh, and I love that cheap Tackform elbow arm. Perfect length and adjustment for my grab bar phone mount.

My 67D arms lay flat on the dash. It's unexpected that yours don't.

 

[dpike]

I think the connectors he's using might have a thicker neck, looks like he's using Rams.

 

[dragoneggs]

I think the connectors he's using might have a thicker neck, looks like he's using Rams.

Ah, maybe compatibility issue.

 

[Mx5red]

I suspect that and/or the 1” makes a difference.
The bulletpoint arms look different in 20mm.

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