Adding Bluetooth to an Autocom/Zumo setup ...?

[Bobbin-Man]

I need some advice about how to extend my Autocom setup to link to my iPhone via BT.
Current rider/pillion setup is ....

Autocom Active-PLUS
Garmin Zumo 550 (connected via a small red/black Autocom box using Aux 3 of the Autocom)
Autocom PTT lead
Kenwood TK-3301

It's been configured quite nicely to give music, bike to bike, and navigation instructions, with B2B over-riding all other sound sources which has worked well.

However .... I've now attempted to add a Bluetooth "dongle" adapter, Part 1273 and all is not well! To get any output from the Zumo into the Autocom I've had to remove the red/black box, I can get the dongle to link to my phone, and phone to Zumo, but cannot get the dongle to link to the Zumo at each start-up without re-configuring it. Any clues on what needs connecting to what to get everything to work properly?

I like the idea of the convenience of BT but I like the better sound quality that I get from the hard-wired setup I had before. I'd like at some stage to go wireless at the helmet end and I'm led to believe there's a BT helmet set imminent, but loathed to invest too much more if I'm going in the wrong direction.

Also I'm keen to keep the Autocom because I have another Active-PLUS that I'm installing in my Caterham utilising the same radio and Zumo and enabling me to use either helmets or a pit headset. The BT adapter came with this second Autocom unit.

Any thoughts?

Stu.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

You can bluetooth directly to the zumo, that's how I do my setup.

I have an autocom which the zumo is plugged into and which, like you, gives me rider/passenger and bike to bike with an old kenwood radio plugged into the autocom.

I then have my iphone paired to the zumo, it automagically pairs everytime I turn the bike on and any calls are displayed on the zumo where I can answer them with a screen button push. I can also make calls and access the phone book via the zumo too by pushing the 'phone' buttton on the home screen.

Works reliably and is easier, and cheaper, than using the autocom bluetooth adapter.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Your setup sounds similar to the install I tried some time ago ..... before trying to fit the BT module. Phone paired to Zumo, Zumo hardwired to the Autocom.
However, the communication from the Zumo to the Autocom is one-way and although I had caller-display, could answer the calls using the Zumo and could hear the other person speaking, I could not get voice transmission.
I believe this is because the headset-mic inputs into the Autocom are fine for rider/pillion and bike to bike, but cannot transmit to the Zumo, hence the reason for needing a BT adapter? Maybe I've missed something basic though?

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Ah, you might need a different cable between the zumo and the autocom. I think it needs to be 4 pin at the autocom end otherwise it can't send voice to the zumo. Originally I just used this for music and comms and think I had the same problem until I changed the cable.

Call Chainspeed and talk to them, they'll tell you what cable you need.

http://www.chainspeed.co.uk/

 

[denny]

I think you need part 1299. I've got something that looks similar in my set up, just can't remember exactly what though.

http://uat.autocom.co.uk/Parts/160/1299-Garmin-Zumo-interface-lead.aspx

 

[beemerboy9]

I do not know why your Zumo need re-configuring at each start-up - ring Sam at Chainspeed. Maybe a firmware upgrade is required on the Zumo. You could alos search Zumoforums.

The AUX1 socket is powered since the 1273 is working and connecting to your phone.

To get the most out of your system (e.g. stereo MP3 music on the Zumo) you will need to get the set the Bluetooth on the Zumo to phone only) and run a separate isolated stereo wire to the music input on the Autocom.