I know it may seem stupid but I have to tell you when I’m with someone who I’m constantly waiting for every time we start up it does become annoying. But then again I’m not a very patient person.You don't have to, what matters is what works for you. I, personally, am happy with the built in system using a dedicated Android phone to run it, but I am a techie and can handle it. I can also see why people need more sophisticated GPS and the fruit that goes with them (way points, POI etc.) I don't need those so for me the simple system is enough. Don't think though that the XT is perfect. I had one on my old RT and while it was good, it came with its own set of problems, especially early on. I had one of the first XTs sold in Australia. They improved it though but to keep it in context, Garmin's motorcycle GPS business is minuscule so they spend commensurate amount of development and bug fixing times on it.
Maybe you need new friendsI do ride in a group from time to time. That kinda behaviour is not on.
So what did you do about the TFT and BMW App?
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I've found about 3 advantages of the Android over the iPhone.
1) BMW Connected auto launches on the Android but not on the iPhone
2) My Samsung Galaxy S22 actually charges wirelessly in the compartment - my iPhone 13 starts then almost immediately stops charging wirelessly
3) Generally I've had less issues with the Connected App overall with the Android version - suspect that most of the development is done / internally tested on the Android platform first in BMW and that Apple is a secondary platform / port of the Android code. (Just my suspicions)
The auto launch capability certainly sounds advantageous.
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I think there's something off with the iPhone 13. I have used an earlier iPhone and it charges wirelessly in the bike first time and every time. The iPhone 13 has some peculiarity with it getting started on the charger. If I bump the phone right after putting it into the cubby, it stops charging. If I close the cover without disturbing the phone, it stays charging for the duration. I was thinking this may be something with the bike, then I discovered the exact same thing happens when I put the iPhone on its wireless charger at nighttime. If I bump the phone after it's been put on the charger, it stops charging.
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I walk up to the bike, boot it up...and by the time I'm sitting and ready to start..im all connected.
What am I missing here in the challenge with the TFT functions?
I have a 2nd iphine I COULD leave in the bike pocket, but..I cant work out why I would need to...
My larger challenge is just learning to use the TFT menus/functions efficiently for now.
I love the TFT.
I leave it in one setup, right side of screen is the trip computer and automatically resets some time after midnight.
I was used to other bikes and having to reset the trip computer (onboard computer on the RT) at every gas stop.
But, found out the miles to empty number is very accurate and when I get the low-fuel warning, it means I have 30-40 miles 'til I get to the reserve so effectively another 70 to 80 miles at that point. My display usually shows in the 230 ish range when I fill up. I tend to get gas at 200 miles, just an easy number.. and I know I can push it a few more if I prefer.
I stop and fill up and don't tough any buttons..
They have been listed above, but the real answer is this: Apple has a much tighter control over their system. Often, to get advanced functions, you need to buy their chip and include it in your own hardware in order to do everything you want to. Android is almost like open source, developers have an almost complete freedom to do what and how they want.
Those restrictions make life with an Android phone connected to the bike easier. I ran an iPhone first, then gone and bought an Android phone and the only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner.
Connection wise, and this is VERY important, you have to make sure there are no parallel connection options. You pair the phone to the bike and your headset/intercom to the bike, but NOT headset to phone. Otherwise when the phone will try to communicate to your headset, it could do via the bike or direct to headset, gets confused, creates problems that manifests by functions not working.
For example, I have two phones (dual SIM iPhone - work and personal- and a Huawei in the bike), a Cardo headset and the bike of course. So my iPhone is paired to the headset as a mobile phone, the Huawei is paired only to the bike and the bike is paired to the headset as a GPS. I don't use the Huawei for calls, it has no SIM. I hotspot it to the iPhone for data and it also connects to my home wifi network so I can easily transfer routes planned elsewhere (in my case MyRouteApp) that I can navigate on the TFT. All works, no conflicts and since the latest TFT software update, there are no disconnections either.
Thanks for the explanation!!!
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So I could keep my phone paired to the bike and answer my phone calls thru the bike, plus the bike would continue to record my rides thru the connect app. My xt would only pair with my headset, not my phone, to give me instructions when navigating. Or I could pair my phone to the xt and not the bike. Then phone calls would come through my xt. Do I need to pair my phone to the xt in order to get traffic and weather on the xt through the garmin app?
Sorry about all the questions but it can be confusing. That’s why I have another bike with none of this technology!
I don't seem to have a problem with my Iphone SE... if we are talking about the same thing.
No problem
You can always hit the "like" link at the bottom of the post window Yes, that would work but that would give you no data for the GPS (via the Garmin app for the XT).
Yes, but then no Connected app goodies.
Yes.
You have two issues. How to get the phone calls routed and how to get data to the XT. A (potentially) simpler way to put it is that you would be trying to run two GPS units at once.
So, I would decide which phone function I like more: the XT version or the TFT version. My money is on TFT simply because you can run it via the wunder wheel, no need to touch the screen. To achieve that you would then disable the phone function on the XT. You could still get data to it (the XT) via the Garmin app and having the phone function disabled there is no conflict when calls are routed. You get the best of both with an added benefit: run two GPS routes and compare. Plenty of screen real-estate on the bike to have Connected navigate as well and check against the XT. Connected runs Tom Tom maps, so it would be like having the only two dedicated bike GPS units in existence compete on the same route against one another on the same bike
Unless they changed something, the BMW Connected app won’t launch itself under iOS. Sure the phone will connect to the bike but you still have to manually tell your iPhone to run the app.
On my Samsung S22, android OS understands that this bluetooth connection (the bike) is associated with the BMW Connected app and then launches it.
Thanks. That’s how I’m setting it up. Phone calls on TFT. No calls on xt, just the garmin app.No problem
Yes, that would work but that would give you no data for the GPS (via the Garmin app for the XT).
Yes, but then no Connected app goodies.
Yes.
You have two issues. How to get the phone calls routed and how to get data to the XT. A (potentially) simpler way to put it is that you would be trying to run two GPS units at once.
So, I would decide which phone function I like more: the XT version or the TFT version. My money is on TFT simply because you can run it via the wunder wheel, no need to touch the screen. To achieve that you would then disable the phone function on the XT. You could still get data to it (the XT) via the Garmin app and having the phone function disabled there is no conflict when calls are routed. You get the best of both with an added benefit: run two GPS routes and compare. Plenty of screen real-estate on the bike to have Connected navigate as well and check against the XT. Connected runs Tom Tom maps, so it would be like having the only two dedicated bike GPS units in existence compete on the same route against one another on the same bike
I'll try it again in a few days after it warms up and report back. Last I remember (back in Oct, 22) it connected automatically without touching anything on my Iphone SE.
Another question, before I search the manual, if you use a phone without a sim card/data plan for the TFT, what will you be missing? This is assuming you have downloaded the required maps on the cell phone without a data plan in advance.
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Why do you kill the app anyways?
When not in use I dont see it consuming any appreciable battery on my Iphone...its just "there" and connects when the bike comes on because I never kill it.
I just tried my iPhone SE and it did not automatically launch the app.
I think the only thing you would be missing without a sim is the traffic indications on the map and the rerouting because of it if you have selected that option.
I am using Google Fi for my plan and use data only sims in my 2 dedicated phones (Pixel 3 and iPhone SE) at no additional charge.
One other benefit is you can use the XT on other bikes without learning a new interface/ui for each make, model, and year variation in manufacturer ui design.
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