The Garmin DriveSmart 86 represents one of the largest automotive GPS devices we have seen in quite some time. The eight‑inch screen puts this very close to an Apple iPad Mini in overall footprint, which is great for visibility but creates some mounting challenges. The key is finding a way to place the device so it is easy to read without blocking any of the driver’s view of the road or important instruments.
A New Ball Size for the Garmin DriveSmart 86
The Garmin DriveSmart 86 deviates from practically every automotive GPS released by Garmin over the past decade. Most Nuvi, Drive, DriveSmart, and many dezl models use a cradle with a 17 mm (G‑ball) socket on the back. The DriveSmart 86 (and Garmin’s larger RV / OTR units) introduce a larger, roughly 22 mm ball system instead.
The 22 mm socket means all those legacy Garmin Nuvi and Garmin Drive mounts out there, and even some older DriveSmart mounts, will not fit this device. A mount featuring a 22 mm ball is needed.
Our Guide to 22mm versus 17mm Mounts tells you the whole story.
Garmin seems to be heading in this direction for their larger GPS devices. It looks like the bigger ball size kicks in once you get above a 7‑inch diagonal screen. We have seen this same interface on mounts for the Garmin RV 890 and RV 1090, and on several of the newer OTR truck models as well.
Included in the Box with the Garmin DriveSmart 86
Garmin includes a suction cup mount with this GPS. It is very similar to practically every other Garmin suction cup mount except it uses the larger 22 mm ball. Deploying a vacuum lever to improve the suction attachment, these mounts attach to almost anything smooth and flat. Most owners will put it on the windshield, but it can also be used on a smooth, flat dash surface or on top of a suitable friction base.
The mount includes a cradle that attaches to the back of the GPS. A 22 mm socket is part of the cradle and snaps onto the mount ball. For light‑duty use and standard passenger cars, the included mount is usually adequate, but the size and weight of the DriveSmart 86 can make you want something longer, sturdier, or more specialized.
Alternative Mounts for the Garmin DriveSmart 86
A variety of mounts for this GPS are not as easy to find as they are for the smaller 17 mm Garmin models. The mass market still primarily supports the smaller automotive GPS devices like the Nuvi, Drive, DriveSmart, and many dezl units, and those all use a 17 mm ball. None of those mounts will fit the Garmin DriveSmart 86 directly.
It is still not easy to find 22 mm ball mounts in 2026, but there are some good options.
The photo shows an AMPS to 22 mm Ball Flat Surface Mount. These mounts feature the 22 mm ball your DriveSmart 86 cradle requires. The bottom uses the industry‑standard 4‑hole AMPS pattern. This mounting pattern is typically used for attaching to Vehicle Specific Mounts (VSM) and a lot of professional‑grade bases and brackets.
Screws and nuts are not supplied, but it is a solid mount that works great on flat surfaces or for attaching to a VSM mount. The mount can also be attached directly to a dashboard, to a metal plate, or to any AMPS‑compatible base from RAM, ProClip, or other manufacturers.
Lastly, a unique mount to consider is this Extra Long Suction Cup Mount for the Garmin DriveSmart 86. It extends from 14 to 18 inches and has a metal rod in the middle for added rigidity. This is a great choice for SUVs and trucks where the windshield is farther away and you need the screen closer to your natural line of sight. The suction cup has a lever that, when pressed, creates a strong vacuum lock on glass or a smooth dash disk.
As previously stated, there are not many native 22 mm ball options yet, but the mounts mentioned here cover most use cases. This article will be updated as more become available.
Using an Old Garmin Mount
If none of these suit you, there is a way to keep using many of the 17 mm ball mounts already on the market.
The older Garmin mounts use a 17 mm ball. Fortunately, there are 22 mm to 17 mm adapters that can be attached to an existing 17 mm mount to make it compatible with this GPS. Just attach the adapter to the 17 mm ball on your current mount, tighten it down, and you have effectively converted that mount to the larger ball size your DriveSmart 86 cradle expects.
This is a handy conversion adapter for attaching the DriveSmart 86 to other locations like an air vent, cup holder, friction dash mount, or motorcycle / ATV bracket that was originally designed for a 17 mm Garmin ball. There are plenty of 17 mm ball mounts out there. Just attach this adapter to one of those mounts and you should be in fine shape without having to replace your entire mounting setup.
