Making all my devices play nice...

[k9gromit]

Going to pick up my 2011 r1200rt in a couple of weeks. It has the stock sound system (I know...). I already have a SENA SMH10, an old iPod Touch, a VX-150 2 meter amateur radio, an HTC Thunderbolt smart phone and a 'disposable' GPS with no audio out jack. I'll probably be replacing that one. Will probably also be adding a radar detector to avoid as many roadside chats as possible.

 

I need an electronics/bluetooth guru to guide me. I can't justify the Zumo 665 at this point (which looks like it might be the ultimate answer) but I want to integrate as many of my devices in as logical a configuration as possible without spending too much more money. The Sena SR10 looks like it might help. I have NO bluetooth experience and don't want to re-invent the wheel if I can help it.

 

Anyone with a similar setup? What works, what doesn't?

[PhilipJCaputo]

I've been eyeing the smh10 as well. I've read up all of the reviews over at web bike world, and I think you've answered your question with the SR10.

 

the SR10 seems to be able to integrate any older wired devices.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/sena-sr10/

[Autocom Matt]

First advise is ditch the Bluetooth headset. You have too many inputs.

 

Before some smart ass points out that I sell Autocom, a wired product, I'm disclosing it. I'v also owned 2 of them and they don't work well with multiple devices. I'd encourage anyone that's used both a decent wired intercom and Bluetooth headsets to comment.

 

The 660 may save some coin if you don't want XM. There are usually a couple of specials during the year. It will handle your music, nav and phone. Add a decent radar detector and you're golden.

 

Autocom or Starcom can make it all work properly.

 

There is a Wire3a adapter but it adds a lot of money and still has the troubles of BT except for multiple devices are now handled properly. That said, at least you shed the wire.

[Bernie]

Your best bet will be a wired intercom, like Autocom or Starcom, you will have more options to expand and grow your system. You will also not need to rely on battery charge and replacement. My Autocom has been in constant use for over 190 K miles.

[twilmotte]

I use a wired Baehr system for GPS, music, cell phone, B2B GMRS radio, and radar detector. I tried using my cell phone thru the BT dongled into the headset. It worked, but sounded absolutely terrible. I haven't heard many compliments from BT users who are using multiple inputs like you and who have switched from reliable wired systems like Autocom, StarCom, or Baehr. FWIW.

[k9gromit]

Thanks to all. Really wanted to lose the wires but it looks like consensus is that Bluetooth isn't quite up to the task yet...

[RedMac]

Thanks to all. Really wanted to lose the wires but it looks like consensus is that Bluetooth isn't quite up to the task yet...

 

It's not.. I've been fiddling with it for years trying to make it all work. If you only have say a Garmin and want just GPS in your helmet, it works ok (but you have to have a way to charge the bluetooth device, which you *CAN* do on the bike, but it's another thing to consider.

 

Add in music, radar detector/CB or GMRS Radio and a phone and it starts to break down. I buddy of mine bought the SR-10 and informed me that it's fine for NON-music, but terrible if you want to add music. I was all excited about the possibilities of the whole thing.

 

I'm on my second bluetooth receiver now and still it just isn't up for the task. And while the Garmin 665 would help (I have a 660) it also doesn't do it all. My experience with the phone connection to the Garmin then to the helmet is that it's poor at best. If I take the phone out the equation, the whole thing actually works pretty well.

 

My current setup is as follows:

Radar detector, Garmin 660, RT radio/ipod. All outputs going to a mixit2 then using a sony bluetooth transmitter to stream to the helmet (Schuberth SRC). That works fine until I added the phone to the mix. There are a couple of ways to do it from there (pair the phone to the garmin, then garmin to the helmet, pair the phone directly to the helmet). But it never is completely seamless and issue free.

[RiceToy]

Matt is right. I fooled around with Bluetooth for years and various models, each lead only to frustration. I can't tell you how many times our riding group would be ready to leave, while my wife and I were frantically trying to get the BT connected before. If you just want to connect a cellphone or mp3 player, they work ok. As soon as you want to connect multiple channels of bluetooth or add intercom, they fail. I wanted wireless very badly, and stuck with it as new BT versions evolved, but it never worked well. #1 problem with Bluetooth is the difficulty re-connecting of paired units at typical stopping places like gas station, hotel, rest stop, restaurant, due to the abundance of BT devices present in the area (I think). Successful use of BT went like this... establish connection of cell phone and headset in the driveway before takeoff in the morning then leave it on (active connection) the entire day - or else. This means you cannot talk normally on the cellphone during lunch to tell your wife you're headed back. After years of struggling with a few different BT units, finding myself stopped and trying and get the units to connect so my wife and I could intercom while riding the Snake Road in TN, I found myself so angry at the darn things, I probably shouldn't have been riding. I promised myself that was the last time I would attempt to use BT - I would spend the money and go wired. We now have two Starcom1 Digital units, and they are very good. The feature I appreciate the most about the Starcom1 digital, is you can configure them not to interrupt the music when your intercom partner speaks (or you start a sing-along inside your own helmet). The music just keeps playing while rider and pillion have conversation over the top of it - just like you would in a car. Now that my wife is riding her own bike, we have added 5watt GRMS radios for bike-to-bike with push-to-talk. Here's the device list: Starcom1 Digital (with digital remote, PTT, radio cable, Zumo cable, radar cable), Zumo 550 with XM, cellphone connects to Zumo (so address list is displayed and incomming call notification, etc), Escort 9500ix, Midland GXT1000 (for bike-to-bike). Everything is connected to the Starcom and works great for the past 2 years. Here's what I like best about the wired system: plug the cord into the helmet and ride - its that easy! No worrying about charging the BT units at the end of each riding day, no struggling to get them connected, no "I can hear you, but you can't hear me", no holding-up the rest of the group, no BT dongles for things that don't have built-in BT, no hassles.

Do yourself a favor and go wired from the beginning is my advice.

[Bernie]

Works for me the same way with Autocom, I don't know what is the big deal.

It is easier to plug up then to put your gloves on.

Some folks act like the wire will keep you from separating from the bike during a crash. I t won't it is only a thin wire, not a seat belt or a tie down nylon strap.

[orangewingnut]

Ricetoy,

 

how do you like your escort 9500ix?? im on the fence between that unit and the escourt redline, as i have seen demonstrations on youtube that show the redline picks up radar a few seconds earlier when compared side by side with the 9500ix. I would appreciated any feedback you can give.

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[Autocom Matt]

Chiming in on the Escort differences. Both are great units. I have a Redline on the motorcycle and a 9500ix in the sedan.

 

The Redline is a bare bones, highly sensitive detector. If you ride a lot of wide open terrain this is important. Also, with instant on sets you may catch scatter from a vehicle ahead of you at a greater distance.

 

The 9500ix has the GPS functionality with the location based muting memory. It works very well and someone commuting will likely prefer this one.

[allikanbe]

I have an older autocom superpro avi or something like that. I run a Zumo 550 GPS with XM radio, Bel STi radar detector, bluetoothed cell phone with charger, Kenwood bike2bike radio (with battery eliminator), and comms with a passenger and the ONLY wires that bug me are the wires to my in-ear earphones. Other than that, once you put the other gizmos in place there is really no need to touch them. Every once in a while my gloved hand hits or pulls an earphone wire and annoys me. Other than that, wireless anything is unimportant to me. I also have heated gear running through my tankbag.

[Ken H.]

Echoing the others, there’s a reason why quality audio systems, in a home or on a bike, are still connected together with wires.

[k9gromit]

So it seems wired is the way to go...is there a way to port the audio from the bike (it has the factory stereo with xm) *into* the wired system? I feel like I've invested the $ in the factory system and would rather not just ignore it unless I have to...and I have free xm for a year...

[twilmotte]

I think the BMW audio system has rear channels you can wire into a Starcom or Autocom comm system. There is a BMW connector plug tucked up under the front side upper fairing (on the right side I think). Someone has posted the location either on this forum or the BMWMOA forum showing where it is and what it looks like.

[k9gromit]

Thanks Tom...I called Matt (Autocom Matt) last night and was VERY impressed with both him and his product. Just as you said, there is a relatively easy way to do what I want using the plug and the front/rear fader. Just need to convince SWMBO that I 'need' one and it's mine!