New bike, and a simple question - I hope

[sprangw]

Hi all, I am new to the K1200LT owners group, and realtively new to this forum. I just picked up my new 06LT-Magensium black last weekend and love it! I have read what seem like thousands of meesages on this forum to learn from the collective experience out here, and for that thanks to all.

One item, I am still confused on though is the whole Ice-Link/VOICE II thing. I purchased my bike with VOICE II, CB Radio installed. I have a new Ice-link Plus setup in a box that I had purchased for my M3 and never installed. My question is, am I better plugging my MP3 player into the VOICE II jack or am I better off trying to install the Ice/Link into the back of the radio head? Are there advantages/disadvantages to each? Is it truly possible to get the "text" to scroll across the Radio display in one of these configurations?

I really have read all that I can find out here on the Icelink but I did not see this issue discussed. Any help/advice would be appreciated!

Thanks all.

[meese]

Hi sprangw, and welcome.

The simplest option is to plug the iPod into the Voice II aux input. That will give you music into the headsets or the external speakers using the Voice II controls, and the handlebar mounted volume control. You will not be able to control the iPod (select songs, go forward or back, etc.).

That standard ice>Link+ is designed to plug into the CD changer wires in the right saddlebag. The ice>Link+ converts the CD changer control signals into a format that the iPod understands. What that gives you is the ability to control the iPod using the handlebar radio controls. So if you want to skip a song, you just push the handlebar control button to the right and the iPod responds. Unfortunately, the scrolling text does not work with the LCD display on the '05 and '06 bikes.

Another downside of the ice>link+ is that several people are experiencing lockups and other problems. These may be related to heat and/or vibration, but we don't have a definitive cause, or proven solution yet. What seems to work best is to get the ice>Link+ that directly connects to the back of the radio (instead of the CD changer wires), and to get the unit with the cable connector (instead of the dock connector). One guy has done this, and put the ice>Link+ control electronics up near the radio stingray on top of the gas tank and the iPod in the oddments box with reasonable success.

Another option for iPod control is to use the Voice II aux input, and get an RF remote for the iPod. The iJet (http://www.abtech2.com/ourProducts.php) is a popular version.

Hope that helps, and feel free to ask anything else that comes up.

[Dezrae]

So if you want to skip a song, you just push the handlebar control button to the right and the iPod responds. Unfortunately, the scrolling text does not work with the LCD display on the '05 and '06 bikes.




Out of interest, does the scrolling text work with any LT other then the '05 and '06???

[meese]

Out of interest, does the scrolling text work with any LT other then the '05 and '06???
Yes. I've seen it work on '02 bikes and on an '00. But it should be the same on any '99-'04 bike that has the radio display window just above the radio control buttons. It does not work on the newer LTs with the LCD radio display built in to the dash near the gauges.

[Dezrae]

Interesting. Thanks

[sprangw]

If I use the VOICE II aux input, I would not have power to the unit for chargin I believe. Does anyone know of an easy way to get power to the storage compartment with the VOICE II system in it (and the IPOD).

Also, does anyone make a cable that will simply plug from the IPOD or other audio device into the back of my radio - seems like that would be the easiest way to get everything interlinked. With all of the IceLink posts and after my call with their tech-line today, it seems as though they could not care less about making anything that works for the BMW bikes - IMO.

[meese]

There is an AUX port on the back of the '05 (and presumably '06) radios, but I'm not sure if the Voice II uses this port already.

Assuming the iPod plays fine when plugged into the Aux input on the Voice II, what happens when you switch the radio itself past AM, FM, CD, etc. and get to Aux?

Theoretically you could use an ice>Link or similar item and plug directly into the CD changer port on the back of the radio. Dension does make an ice>Link Lite version that should accomplish this, but I don't know if anyone has done this yet on an LT.

[sprangw]

Thank you Ken, I may have to pull everything apart to see what is actually going on. How do people charge their phones and IPODs located in the tank compartment? Is there a way to get power there aside from running a cable along the outside of the bike from one of the receptacles?

Also, what does the term "stingray" refer to that I see in some of the installation posts here.

Thanks to all for your help.

[munson]

Thank you Ken, I may have to pull everything apart to see what is actually going on. How do people charge their phones and IPODs located in the tank compartment? Is there a way to get power there aside from running a cable along the outside of the bike from one of the receptacles?

Also, what does the term "stingray" refer to that I see in some of the installation posts here.

Thanks to all for your help.

Hi,
I'll jump in to assist Mr. Meese on this one. To get access to my little compartment, I removed the left side cover and drilled a hole into the compartment side. I keep my Sirius radio in there. For power I went to the map light above the guages that will be on until the ignition is locked.

The Stingray refers to the complete black plastic radio housing that sits on top of the tank, named for its resemblance to the odd shaped sea critter.

Having fun yet? :)