[hskanner]

Greetings:
I am a newbie owner of a 2012 R1200RT with the built-in audio system (and soon to be BMW Nav IV GPS). I have been researching all the comments on Bluetooth sets with the BMW Audio System.

I want to get Bluetooth that works, but cannot drop the $2300 for 2 helmets and BMW's Bluetooth systems., but I am willing to accept reduced functionality.

What is a good system to get for the following? (Sena, Cardo ScalaRider, Chatterbox, etc)

Driver: to Passenger; to GPS; to iPhone​

Passenger: to Driver; to Built-In Audio System; to Android Phone​

(yes, I do not mind not hearing the radio when I am driving, but having the GPS would be nice for me).

Thank you.

 

[jeffkyle]

I have a 2012 RT. I added a $15 bluetooth dongle from ebay, connected to the rear speaker wires on the system. I have the Nav IV. Cell phone connects to the Nav IV. Then I have both the Cardo G4 and the Sena SH10. I pair either headset to the bluetooth dongle and the Nav IV. Get full functionality to the radio (Sat, am/FM, music on thumb drive, etc...) Plus if phone rings, caller id flashes on NAV IV, with answer/ignore. Or to make a call it can be done thru Nav IV.

I ride single, so do not have passenger to co-connect, but do connect intercom with other riders.

For either unit in ear speakers are needed to hear anything about 60 mph. Yes you can hear it thru the in helmet speakers, but can't really understand it. I bought some custom ear phones and it sounds great at all speeds and is very clear.

 

[bmwjoe]

Jeff,

What dongle did you purchase?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[jeffkyle]

Here... One like this....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Wireless-Bluetooth-A2DP-3-5mm-Stereo-HiFi-Audio-Dongle-Adapter-Transmitter-/180878952260?pt=US_USB_Bluetooth_Adapters[/IMG]_Dongles&hash=item2a1d39c744

 

[bmwjoe]

Thanks Jeff!

 

[Kornholio]

Where is this rear speaker connection?

FWIW, I have the Scala G9 and it works perfectly fine with my 2011 RT's stereo.

 

[jeffkyle]

Let me try to describe what i have a little further. There are several posts that already describe it.. I just stole shamelessly...

Search on Bluetooth Dongle... but here is the one that best describes howto...

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53007

Under the handle bars in the front (tie wrapped to the front forks) are a couple connectors that are not used. One of them is where the Nav iv connects (it has 2 wires). The other has 4 wires. It is the rear speaker connector. There is a thread on here that describes the wires and what they do.... that thread also lists the connector plug part number from BMW. One wire is the left speaker, one is the right speaker and one is the ground. The 4th wires is not used... I connected a Radio Shack 3.5 mm female jack to those wires, using the BMW connector...(ordered from BMW dealer). (I actually drilled small hole and ran that plug into the little compartment where the AUX plugs reside.... ) Then plugged this bluetooth dongle into that plug.... paired the headset to that dongle, and to my Nav IV. By putting it in the little compartment there the dongle can be powered by the AUX plug.

For listing thru speakers... turn the fade all the way front. For listening thru headset, all the way to rear. You can run both (speakers and headset), but the bluetooth causes a few second delay, so that gets confusing if you can hear both... make sure the LINE OUT is ON.

All controlls on the bike's system work...ie., channel selection, base, trebel, volume, mode (SAT, AM/FM, AUX, etc...).. I usually have my headset on.... then turn on the bike, the NAV IV automatically turns on and it links to phone, and to headset. Then I manually turn on the dongle and it automatically connects, and sound is really good...

If you have questions, ask, and I will be glad to help.

 

[MattWhite]

I went through the earlier thread you mentioned and post #68
said that he ran his to the glove compartment. Is that the compartment your
referring to? Seems you 'd have to be able to get to it because of the
on/off switch. That is assuming you have to turn it on every time you ride....
Or, maybe your referring to the left fairing where the powerelet and radio
controls are?

Would be nice if you could stash it in the fairing and not clog up the already small
glove box.

Jeff, you mentioned power from aux plug.
Wiring?

 

[jeffkyle]

Mine is inside the small glove compartment... It is powered from the small usb plug...yes I do have to turn it on everytime.

 

[hskanner]

Wow, great information. It sounds like the best way to connect my passenger to the BMW Audio System is through the rear speaker connection via a USB dongle that would allow them full capability, while I could pair my headset directly to the Audio System. The BMW Nav IV GPS would pair with the Audio System as well, and my phone could pair with the GPS. Connecting a stereo plug does not seem to difficult, and running it into the glove box with the dongle located there sounds fine.

It also sounds like the Scale G4 and G9 work fine, as well as a Sena SH10 - which are $150 cheaper than the BMW system (per unit, saving over $300). I would guess the Scale Q2Pro would also work, limited only by range as an intercom compared with the G4/G9, and a bit cheaper still.

Any recommended helmets with sun-visors? I have seen good comments towards Shoei Multitec, and the Neotec is the next-gen with sun visor (under $600 each online).

Thanks again.

 

[jeffkyle]

HSK - only problem with that is that when you turn on the bike's bluetooth, it turns off the speakers... so your scenario does not work.... dangit.... good try..... keep thinking.

 

[Kornholio]

It also sounds like the Scale G4 and G9 work fine, as well as a Sena SH10 - which are $150 cheaper than the BMW system (per unit, saving over $300). I would guess the Scale Q2Pro would also work, limited only by range as an intercom compared with the G4/G9, and a bit cheaper still.

I'm currently using the G9 and it works fine with my 2011.

 

[todka32]

Ok just yo let you know that I have the 2012 as well and I did all sort of research buying returning etc... Sena is the only one out there that will work on a 2012 RT which you can connect to your radio gps (which you may not hear because of Garmins volume) and cell phone. No for the second passenger you are out of luck with the radio because passenger 2 will only work with the BMW BT. So I would get music on her phone. The G9 did not work on the 2012 and they are aware of this issue and they are working on an update. If they did I don't know. If you need any help let me know

 

[Kornholio]

Ok just yo let you know that I have the 2012 as well and I did all sort of research buying returning etc... Sena is the only one out there that will work on a 2012 RT which you can connect to your radio gps (which you may not hear because of Garmins volume) and cell phone. No for the second passenger you are out of luck with the radio because passenger 2 will only work with the BMW BT. So I would get music on her phone. The G9 did not work on the 2012 and they are aware of this issue and they are working on an update. If they did I don't know. If you need any help let me know

They who? I tested it in the store on a 2012 and it worked just fine.

 

[jeffkyle]

I have a G4 and a Sena. Both work equally on my 2012 RT. With Sena you can purchase ear phone adapter, G4 has to be modified to accept earphones. Speakers on both are about the same, can't hear very good above 60 mph... but with custom ear phones they are really good systems... never turn volume above 3... Both will connect directly to bike's bluetooth but sound is lousy on SAT radio but ok on FM radio.. But thru dongle wired into rear speakers SAT, FM, AM, all sound same.... good. So i basically don't use bike's bluetooth at all..... (can't figure out why they put a lousy bluetooth on there, but for about $17.50 you can buy a bluetooth dongle that fixes that....

 

[Kornholio]

I really need to get cracking on that speaker output upgrade.

Is it weird though that I can hear my G9's speakers just fine at higher speeds?

 

[japgen]

I have a G4 and a Sena. Both work equally on my 2012 RT. With Sena you can purchase ear phone adapter, G4 has to be modified to accept earphones. Speakers on both are about the same, can't hear very good above 60 mph... but with custom ear phones they are really good systems... never turn volume above 3... Both will connect directly to bike's bluetooth but sound is lousy on SAT radio but ok on FM radio.. But thru dongle wired into rear speakers SAT, FM, AM, all sound same.... good. So i basically don't use bike's bluetooth at all..... (can't figure out why they put a lousy bluetooth on there, but for about $17.50 you can buy a bluetooth dongle that fixes that....

Jeffkyle
Are you connecting the dongle thru the usb cable in the glove box? If so, you must be losing the thumb drive music option....unless there is a way to split the USB into 2 connections.

Which BT dongle do you have?

 

[Gregpinch]

When you say "custom earphone" do you mean in-ear speakers or have you replaced the helmet speakers.

I have a new Arai XC Ram 3/4 helmet with face-shield. I have a new RT.

I just bought a new Sena SMH 10, with the latest 4.1 software.
While playing XM from the Garmin Zumo 665 am I the only one that thinks the speakers sound like a bad am radio?

I have my iPhone 4 hooked through my Garmin 665 GPS and the phone sounds so bad the the person on the other end can hardly understand me.

So, I bought all the latest stuff and it is horrible.

So, now what.
I have looked into replacing the speakers with 55mm J&M speakers (cut and solder). Thoughts anyone ?

Checking with Sena about my options as far as phone hook-up.

BTW I also own the BMW System 6 helmet. For the record.....I find looking through 3 layers of shield to be not so great. It has the Pinlock visor and the drop down sun shield. That's 3 layers to look through. If you ride for a few hours with the face-shield up and just the sun visor down it gets dirty quickly. Dust seems to be attracted to the sun shield.

Sorry to hijack...