No Quick Release Bracket for the Force = Garmin fail

[Chris9702l]

Before I ordered my Force I had a lengthy discussion with Garmin about a quick release bracket for the Force. I currently have an XI5 and they seemed to indicate that bracket would work. Well I finally got the Force and it doesn't. I watched a the Russell Marine install video and they said the Force uses the same mounting holes as the Fortrex/Ultrex. Ok, so I got the MKA-23 Quick Release Bracket for the Ultrex/Foretrex, it doesn't work either. . I called up Garmin and they said they have no quick release bracket and have not heard of one coming. A big Garmin fail. My boat is not normally kept inside and I want to be able to take a 3K unit off my boat to store it inside. I also plan on getting a second boat and want to be able to switch the motor between the two. Luckily I have easy access to the mounting area of the front of my boat so I can keep tightening and retightening to move the motor but a quick pull handle would be alot easier.

Chris

[fishin couillon]

How is that a "Failure" if there was never an intention to have QR bracket??? You buying a bracket made for particular brand product and want to use it for another brand and complain it dont work.

[Chris9702l]

Garmin said it would work the first time I contacted them.

[Phoenix919]

"They seemed to indicate it would work" is not much of an endorsement to me. Just saying it's not their fault it does not work

[Champ187elite]

So your saying you couldn't trill new holes for the garmin to make it work??

[TOUCH OF CLASS]

New holes problem solved?

[bmwnc2]

Garmin failed to think of creating a quick release bracket. They are handy is all

[LWINCHESTER2]

Before I ordered my Force I had a lengthy discussion with Garmin about a quick release bracket for the Force. I currently have an XI5 and they seemed to indicate that bracket would work. Well I finally got the Force and it doesn't. I watched a the Russell Marine install video and they said the Force uses the same mounting holes as the Fortrex/Ultrex. Ok, so I got the MKA-23 Quick Release Bracket for the Ultrex/Foretrex, it doesn't work either.

You say "doesn't work". Why? Do the holes not line up? The MKA-23 specs say it's compatible with Ultrex, Fortrex, Maxxum and Edge. I had a Maxxum. Pulled it off and put on and Edge. Used same holes. Pulled the Edge off and put on a Force. Used same holes. Take a pic and show us the problem.

[Chris9702l]

I can’t get pictures to load. The holes definitely don’t line up. I get that the hole patterns for the ultrex and the force are the same but the Mka-23 quick release bracket is different/off. The box says that it definitely works with the ultrex (does the ultrex base have more than 6 mounting holes?). I don’t think a puck/top quick release bracket will work for either the ultrex or force because 6 mounting holes are to narrow (on the inside of the unit).
My next step is to try the MKA-52/62 (again made for the ultrex/foretrex). This design looks a lot better. Has two sliding plates (one mounted to the motor and one plate mounted to the boat) that interlock. And from the picture of it it has 6 holes that seams to match the skinny rectangle pattern of the force).

[Kansas Bound]

Bumping this to see if any quick mount works with the Garmin Force??

[Big C]

In for comments.

[Astrochris]

Apparently this bracket works well.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoo...acket-mka-5262

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1026211

C//

[Kansas Bound]

Thank you

[coachallen]

I have MK-47 that I use for my fortrex so That i can switch it easy. If you can find one good. I love mine and will use it when I can afford the force

[Salty4Life]

I had one custom
made for my force TM. It lasted 2 months then a gator grabbed the TM and broke the bracket. Now working on version 2.0

[sra61]

I have that one (MK52/62), on my boat and the holes matched perfectly!