News
Two Mounts for Garmin Nuvi GPS
Leader now offers two styles of mounts for the Garmin Nuvi 65 / 66 / 67 / 68 series GPS units!
eCaddy Diamond Mount
The eCaddy Diamond Mount is the most secure, most versatile way to mount a Nuvi on a motorcycle. The mount includes a form-fitted cradle specifically designed for the Nuvi GPS unit. The cradle is four-sided, so the GPS will never fall out (it even has cut-outs for buttons and plug-ins).
The Ultra-Swivel feature provides unlimited positioning ability but is so slim and unobtrusive, you’ll hardly know it’s there. Prices start at $59.99. See options.
eCaddy Ball Mount
The eCaddyBall Mount might just be the cleanest-looking, most classy way to mount a Nuvi on a motorcycle. Here’s how it works: Nuvi kits contain a cradle that has a ball receiver hole in it. Simply attach the cradle to the GPS and pop it onto the eCaddy Mount. The GPS can be angled anywhere, and tightened with the holding ring. Prices start at $44.99. See options.
Both the eCaddy Diamond and eCaddy Ball are available for handlebar, brake/clutch/controls, mirror, windshield, and specialty applications such as the Can-Am Spyder. All parts are stainless steel and aluminum.
Check out this video to see it live!
- Tracey Cramer
Hydra Waterproof Mount = Wire Friendly!
The Hydra Waterproof Mount was designed to protect your Phone or GPS from rain when you ride.
The case includes an opening so that you can run a wire out of it. This opening has always been a soft ‘T’ design that closes in around the wire to keep rain out.
Previously, that wire opening was on the side of the case. But now, by popular request, that opening has been relocated to the bottom of the case on all 6” size cases.
With so many people using smart phones, the new opening location makes it easier to plug a phone in (as most power plug-ins are on the bottom of the phone) while riding!
Additional features:
- Available in two sizes to accommodate a variety of shapes/sizes of Phone/GPS (or any other device)
- Heavy-duty zipper edge
- Foam pads to use as cushioning if needed
- Ball connection on the back for a clean, streamlined look that allows you to adjust angle “on the fly”
Prices start at $69.99. See them now!
- Tracey Cramer
Phone Mount Style Guide Has ALL Sizing in ONE Place
Let me just state the obvious: We make a lot of phone mounts!
Why?
Because the sheer number of phones out there (not to mention cases/covers for them) - all sized and shaped differently - means that what works for one person may not work for another. And people have different wants/needs from a motorcycle phone mount.
But it can create some confusion - which mount is right for YOU?
We have several tools to help get you to a phone mount you'll love:
- Our video overview "Which Phone Mount"
- The brand-new Style Guide gives you the min/max/depth dims for all our products at one glance (click here for PDF)
- Check out our Blog for more!
Also, many of our products have a Demo Video tab so you can see just how it all goes together. When you're ready, you can see all phone mounts here!
- Tracey Cramer
Indian Desert Dawgs Now in Vintage Tan
A bike as classy and iconic as the Indian Motorcycle deserves accessories that look as good as the bike does. Fortunately, the Desert Dawgs Rain Guards/Wind Deflectors fit that bill!
Due to popular demand, we are now manufacturing the Desert Dawgs in “Indian Tan” to match the seats and saddlebags on the ‘vintage’ Indian models.
Desert Dawgs keep feet and legs warm and dry in rainy or cold weather – without the hassle of a bulky fairing. Made of top-quality material by American craftsmen, Desert Dawgs are easy-on, easy-off. They require NO special tools or maintenance, and can be rolled/folded and stored in a saddlebag when not in use. Every pair of Desert Dawgs includes Ultra-Pockets on both sides for extra space (garage door opener, sunglasses, camera case, etc.)!
WHY DESERT DAWGS?
- minimize cold updrafts
- repel road spray from front wheel and flared front fender
- keep bug juice off motorcycle chrome (and legs!)
- allow engine cooling - NO temperature restriction!
- does not affect bike handling
- accommodates all standard foot peg settings (6-inch opening)
Desert Dawgs for the Indian can be purchased here. See all Desert Dawgs fitments here.
- Tracey Cramer
Sport Action Camera: Which One is Right for YOU?
Action sports cameras are all the rage right now, with riders everywhere recording their motorcycle riding memories in video. On this blog, we’ve covered what you should consider before buying and tips for making awesome videos.
Now I’m about to tackle the question of: which camera?
An article like this is almost guaranteed to be out of date almost as soon as I post it, but I thought I’d take a stab at it anyway. Because there is more to life than the GoPro, which, as the primary initiator of the “action sports camera,” has rightly gotten a lot of coverage.
But there are other options, and one might be right for you. Here they are, in no particular order. Oh, and one more caveat: I’m not a huge techie, and you can find specs on these cameras everywhere, so I tried to just hit the highlights and stand-out features (if there were any) of each camera.
Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that we have an awesome mount (Swivel-CAM) that works with all these cameras (and any camera that has the tripod hole or tripod adaptor). Details here.
Garmin
Garmin, the 600 lb. gorilla in the world of GPS devices, recently entered the action camera market with the VIRB. The VIRB is waterproof, integrates a 1.4-inch chroma display as a built-in viewfinder, offers automatic image stabilization and includes a 2000mAh battery for 3-plus hours of shoot time without having to resort to battery backpacks or similar options. The hardy cradle mount design is robust under stress.
What’s different: Being a Garmin product, GPS functionality comes standard (in the Virb Elite model, anyway). When activated, the system integrates route data, velocity and altitude into the video output, easily accessible with Garmin’s software.
Footage: 1080P / 16MP sensor
TomTom
Not to be outdone by Garmin, TomTom’s new Bandit Action Camera offers some unique features. It has GPS functionality (which you’d expect from a GPS satellite navigation company). And it’s waterproof.
What’s different: the “batt-stick” integrated battery/USB/Micro SD card. After shooting footage, simply pop out the entire module and stick it into your computer, where it’ll mount like a USB stick and charge the battery at the same time. According to TomTom you can get up to three hours of recording time. Clever! (No more juggling cards and batteries.)
Footage: 1920 x 1080 footage at 60 frames per second, and 1280 x 720 at 120 fps.
Sena Prism
To break into the action sports camera market, Sena created the new Prism Bluetooth Audio camera and, as a well-known player in the Bluetooth world, it makes full use of the device-to-device communications technology.
What’s different: Voice commands can be used to control the camera and check on its status. Real-time voiceover functionality. Plus Sena includes a large range of standard mounting accessories in the box, which adds convenience and value. Includes waterproof dive case.
Footage: 1080P/30 FPS
Sony
Sony's Action Cam lineup hits all the key markers including standard SteadyShot image stabilization, multiple camera control with an accessory remote and paired stereo sound microphones.
What’s different: The unique “Camcorder”-style cradle with integrated LCD viewfinder and the LiveView remote, which mounts the LCD remote directly on your wrist.
Footage: 1080P video at 60 FPS with up to 240 FPs for slow-motion shots
WaspCam
The top-tier Gideon kit includes a 16MP sensor and offers 1080P video at 60 FPS, and WiFi connectivity for a companion smartphone app.
What’s different: A wristwatch viewfinder. Using the Live Viewing Display (LVD) allows the user to set up and control the shot easily from a distance. Includes fully waterproof covers.
Drift Innovation
Drift is best known for the Ghost and Ghost-S action cameras, each of which offers a beefy 3-plus-hour battery life, WiFi connectivity to smartphone apps, and a rotating lens.
What’s different: Compared to most action cameras, which offer a single orientation for recording video (perhaps with a selection to flip video to mount the unit upside down), the Drift units can rotate the lens 300 degrees, easing mounting options for a level shot, every time (very useful on a motorcycle).
In addition to the Ghost and Ghost-S units, which both include an integrated two-inch color LCD screen and standard waterproofing, Drift makes the Stealth 2m which is one of the smallest and lightest cameras on the market. Another clever feature found on the Ghost range is looping video with a tagging feature, which allows the user to record continuous playback, but only save wanted content as needed.
Footage: 1080P video at 60 FPS along with 720P/120 FPS slow-mo shooting (Ghost-S)
Contour
Contour was one of the first HD cameras on the powersports market, and the company is back with the new Roam3 camera, which claims to be the easiest-to-use camera on the market.
The Roam3 features a 270-degree rotating lens, rail and threaded screw mounts, standard waterproofing and a unique laser leveling system that fires a pair of red beams to check alignment at a glance. It is ruggedized to handle a good measure of abuse, and the internal battery claims a three hour life.
The Roam3 shoots the usual resolution and frame rate settings, up to 1080P at 30 FPS, and is built for powersports shocks. With the GPS enabled, Contour’s software is able to overlay a map of the video’s path in real time.
Replay
Shooting at up to 1080P and 60 FPS, the Prime X uses a high-end 16MP sensor with improved power consumption, further helped along with a high capacity 1700 mAh battery, to claim a shooting life of 3.5 hours. And thanks to its tubular shape, it’s one of the most compact and low profile cameras on the market.
What’s different: The CinePrime X lens. This patent-pending design promises professional levels of glare and color correction despite the compact half-inch format. And to check your shot, the small camera still has enough room for a WiFi antenna to communicate with Replay’s smartphone controller app.
GoPro
The Hero4 offers 4K recording at 30 frames per second, as well as 720P at 240 FPS for high-def slow motion. It can shoot time lapse videos automatically, excels in low-light conditions and can be paired with GoPro’s Protune software to unlock complete color, ISO limit, white balance, sharpness and exposure control. GoPro also claims to offer the best audio performance in the industry. For power users, GoPro’s high-level options make it a top choice.
- Tracey Cramer
New URBAN Mounts - a Slimmed-Down, Streamlined Look
Leader has earned a reputation for high quality, Made-in-the-USA mounts for phone, GPS, camera and more. The new URBAN line features a slimmed-down, streamlined look that many of today’s riders are looking for. The URBAN mounts are of interest to sport, dual-sport/adventure, adventure/touring and cruiser riders.
But it’s not just about looks; here’s a peek at the new ‘family members’:
URBAN Round-Bar (aka Handlebar) Mount
The hallmark of this new bracket is how slim it is. It will fit in a whole lot of places! It comes in two parts (‘front’ and ‘back’ clamps) so there’s no need to remove grips, cables or anything else to attach it to the bike. The connecting screws have been placed on the front/top for ease of installation – no trying to get your hand (or wrench!) in tight spots! See 'em.
URBAN Mirror Mount
This mount is so unobtrusive you’ll hardly notice it’s there when not carrying a device! It fits on any brand/model of motorcycle with ‘standard’ mirror stem (or other round bars) measuring 3/8 inch (9.5mm) to 1/2 inch (12.7mm). It can be mounted in any direction ('front' or 'back', 'left' or 'right'), and most of our mounting kits include a swivel capability. See 'em.
URBAN Universal Brake/Clutch/Reservoir Mount
This bracket mounts to a brake assembly, clutch assembly, or reservoir – basically anywhere you have two bolts (minimum screw spacing 25mm/1 inch; maximum screw spacing 40mm/1.5 inch). It was developed to fit all kinds of motorcycles: sport, dual-sport/adventure – it even works on cruisers, Harleys, Goldwings and more. This mount is built on the idea that ‘less is more’ – because sometimes, it truly is. See 'em.
What makes us different: MADE in the USA!
Leader products have a reputation for being the highest quality available, and the new URBAN line is no exception. These mounts join Leader’s LEGACY mounts (which will keep the eCaddy name), which are well-known for quality and have been an industry standard for over twelve years.
- Tracey Cramer