Audio connections / headset for SP III

[markie_wales]

OK I'm sold on getting an SP III now, and trying to work out the best audio stuff for them. I've seen the Autocom "headphone speakers" which look good for use inside my Shoei helmet, but wondered what you guys use. BTW, I don't have an Autocom set, just like the look of there speakers.

I do ride with ear plugs, but as long as I can tell that the GPS is telling me "something" I can alwys look down to see what, so although clarity is nice, my long term hearing is more important!

Also, what's everyone using to power the SPIII? I'm looking to put a cig lighter socket on the Fazer, and the SPIII from the lighter adapter that comes with it - does this sound OK?


Cheers

Mark (FAzer 1000, until the 1200GS comes out)

 

[gazza]

More Money

Hi Mark, few of us have gone down the moulded earplug with integral speakers route. Not cheap but absolutely perfect. Because they are earplugs you can swop helmets and don't need the autocom setup. They also plug into your minidisk, walkman etc and link to an autocom if you decide you need one. Others will say they can hear perfectly well with the autocom speakers, fraid that was not the so in my case. As I always wear earplugs I found that the volume needed to be on maximum to hear the GPS and at high speed I just could not hear it. However you pays your money and takes your choice. To find out more about the integrated speakers/earplugs have a look here ULTIMATE mention the club or Andy Hobdell and get a good discount. Dave Marshall top man.

 

[Banjaxed]

Low tech but versatile

I made up a lead with 2.5mm plug on one end (plugs into SPIII), 3.5mm socket on t'other. Lead comes from SPIII, under tankbag. Took a pair of cheap but SMALL in-ear headphones, chopped off one side and routed the lead down through my jacket and plugged into flylead. Only thing was to remember to unplug when getting off bike, or painful reminder in left ear!
I use Max lite earplugs (the green ones) and this provided PLENTY of volume for me to hear the instructions. Used it for two weeks last summer - no problem and cheap!

 

[Keith Davies]

I use Autocom speakers (BMW System 4 helmet) linked via 2.5 mm jack to SPIII. The original 5 pin DIN supplied with the SPIII lead was replaced with 7 pin DIN socket for Autocom set.

Works well but as I wear glasses the combination of earplugs Autocom speakers and earplugs was painful after a couple of hours. I've ended up fiting the Autocom speakers using a small piece of velcro to hold them in place low down in the helmet. Seems to work OK now.

Can supply the wiring diagram for the 7 pin DIN plug if you need it.

Keith

 

[notadrop]

Also, what's everyone using to power the SPIII? I'm looking to put a cig lighter socket on the Fazer, and the SPIII from the lighter adapter that comes with it - does this sound OK?


Yup thats what I did though I bought cig lighter from Maplins [£2.99?] came with a metre of coiled lead. Hard wired to power supply and positioned inside fuse box where there was room. Ran SP111 cig lighter power supply lead [NOT the one supplied as that has a big speaker attached] obtained from GPS Warehouse [£17?] under the tank to near the handle bars, I have a plastic cap I found that pushes onto the end to protect it when not in use. Then just plug cig power lead into cig lighter socket when I'm going to be using the SP111 and end inot SP111.
Cheers
Paul


Mark (FAzer 1000, until the 1200GS comes out)

 

[markie_wales]

I use Autocom speakers (BMW System 4 helmet) linked via 2.5 mm jack to SPIII. The original 5 pin DIN supplied with the SPIII lead was replaced with 7 pin DIN socket for Autocom set.

Works well but as I wear glasses the combination of earplugs Autocom speakers and earplugs was painful after a couple of hours. I've ended up fiting the Autocom speakers using a small piece of velcro to hold them in place low down in the helmet. Seems to work OK now.

Can supply the wiring diagram for the 7 pin DIN plug if you need it.

Keith

Yes, if you could supply a wiring diagram I'd be extremely grateful. If you want to mail the diagram (rather than post it) then markie_wales at hotmail dot com is the place.

So, your set up puts the speakers slightly away from the ear "opening"? Can you still hear the instructions OK with ear plugs in? I am also a specy-four-eyes, so appricate your experience, altough I'll probably look to put the speakers inside of the helmet lining.

Cheers

Mark

 

[Jimb]

Attached is the wiring diagram for the 7 pin Autocom speakers, make a lead up with a 2.5mm mono jack on one end and a 7pin Din on the other, the placement of the speakers in the lid is important, I use filtered ear plugs and the volume is fine, with solid ones it probably will be too low but it will not be any better with an Autocom, it would with the XMA3 amp though.

You don't need a special cable like the one from Autocom as the this is only needed if you are powering the SP3 and The Autocom from the same 12v supply i.e. your bike battery, make the cable long enough to exit under the front of the seat and leave it there, then use an autocom extension cable to connect the helmet pigtail to the SP3 cable, because the pigtail is easily damaged when plugging in at the side of your head.

If you go down the speakers in plugs route be aware that the cable must be kept within the clothing or it will transmit wind noise directly into your ear.

Autocom speakers are £40, extension cable £15, SP3 Cable £5.

 

[Mick_rw]

Re: More Money

Hi Mark, few of us have gone down the moulded earplug with integral speakers route. Not cheap but absolutely perfect. Because they are earplugs you can swop helmets and don't need the autocom setup. They also plug into your minidisk, walkman etc and link to an autocom if you decide you need one. Others will say they can hear perfectly well with the autocom speakers, fraid that was not the so in my case. As I always wear earplugs I found that the volume needed to be on maximum to hear the GPS and at high speed I just could not hear it. However you pays your money and takes your choice. To find out more about the integrated speakers/earplugs have a look here ULTIMATE mention the club or Andy Hobdell and get a good discount. Dave Marshall top man.

Hi Gazza, ref your earplugs with speakrs, do they plug directly into your GPS, is it a SP3 with a 2.5mm mono socket. At the moment I have speakers in my helmet and they are a pain in the a**e, was looking to buy autocom, but if these ear plugs are good do I need autocom.....

Cheers

Mick.

 

[judge]

Re: Re: More Money

Hi Gazza, ref your earplugs with speakrs, do they plug directly into your GPS, is it a SP3 with a 2.5mm mono socket. At the moment I have speakers in my helmet and they are a pain in the a**e, was looking to buy autocom, but if these ear plugs are good do I need autocom.....

Cheers

Mick.

Mick as I have some too and am online allow me to answer for Gazza. The moulded plugs are terminated in a 3.5mm stereo jack. You can go direct into the SPIII by buying a 3.5mm-2.5mm adaptor, from Maplins £2

If you only intend to connect to one source at a time, be it SPIII, Phone, or music and don't require rider/pillion or bike2bike comms then no you don't need an Autocom system.

 

[Mick_rw]

Re: Re: Re: More Money

Mick as I have some too and am online allow me to answer for Gazza. The moulded plugs are terminated in a 3.5mm stereo jack. You can go direct into the SPIII by buying a 3.5mm-2.5mm adaptor, from Maplins £2

If you only intend to connect to one source at a time, be it SPIII, Phone, or music and don't require rider/pillion or bike2bike comms then no you don't need an Autocom system.

Judge,

Many thanks for that, will make some enquiries..

cheers

Mick