Autocom Air Kit with BMW Nav 5

[bumble beemer]

I have been using autocom wired systems for many years and have found them to be ultra reliable and excellent sound quality for music, rider to pillion and for receiving navigation instructions.

I have recently purchased a BMW Nav 5 so the time has come to go Bluetooth. There are many systems out there with write ups on Sena /Scala etc but I have not been able to find much on the Autocom Air. The autocom looks a neater fit and with the previous excellent experience I am inclined to go for that one however does anyone here have experience of this unit in comparison to wired Autocom solutions ?

I am particularly concerned with battery life as some days whilst touring could be as long as 14 hours and sound quality at 80+mph (European riding of course !)

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[richardbd]

I have been using autocom wired systems for many years and have found them to be ultra reliable and excellent sound quality for music, rider to pillion and for receiving navigation instructions.

I have recently purchased a BMW Nav 5 so the time has come to go Bluetooth. There are many systems out there with write ups on Sena /Scala etc but I have not been able to find much on the Autocom Air. The autocom looks a neater fit and with the previous excellent experience I am inclined to go for that one however does anyone here have experience of this unit in comparison to wired Autocom solutions ?

I am particularly concerned with battery life as some days whilst touring could be as long as 14 hours and sound quality at 80+mph (European riding of course !)

Any advice would be appreciated.

My advice is a very strong "don't do it". Even a good Autocom dealer will tell you there is not substitute for wires. I have tried just about every version of bluetooth kit there is and have eventually concluded that the full Autocom, wired system is not only vastly superior for sound quality but way more convenient because you don't have to keep worrying about charging stuff up...

 

[wheelnut]

My advice is a very strong "don't do it". Even a good Autocom dealer will tell you there is not substitute for wires. I have tried just about every version of bluetooth kit there is and have eventually concluded that the full Autocom, wired system is not only vastly superior for sound quality but way more convenient because you don't have to keep worrying about charging stuff up...

Agreed. BT is a pita. Problem is how to we wire it up to the nav5. Think I'm going to stick with the 660 - shame because it will make the rotary control on the bar redundant.

 

[bumble beemer]

I note your comments. Thank you.

I would still like to hear from an Autocom airkit owner of their experiences.

 

[Bliff]

Not a whole lotta experience myself yet, but after my own research for options with the NAV5 I concluded that a single Bluetooth link to the satnav (from the autocom) was the optimum solution. This leaves me hard-wired for all rider & pillion comms, including bike to bike. I heard that sometimes BT connections can struggle to handle the switching / preferences as you speak, listen to music, transmit/ receive. With a single BT connection to the NAV 5 it's only handling your voice directions and music.
Hope this helps...

 

[Elephant]

I have the Bluetooth module on my autocom logic which connects to my Nav IV and haven't had any problems. Audio quality is good.

 

[Outsider]

Not a whole lotta experience myself yet, but after my own research for options with the NAV5 I concluded that a single Bluetooth link to the satnav (from the autocom) was the optimum solution. This leaves me hard-wired for all rider & pillion comms, including bike to bike. I heard that sometimes BT connections can struggle to handle the switching / preferences as you speak, listen to music, transmit/ receive. With a single BT connection to the NAV 5 it's only handling your voice directions and music.
Hope this helps...

I had similar experiences with BT dropping a few words as it switches connections. They seem fine with one, maybe two connections. Most common is to miss the start of the Nav instructions while the BT connection is established. So agree that a single BT connection may be the way to go.
Stock headset with Starcom1 gives awful music quality (no bass whatsoever) and I'm surprised people say it's good. Can't just be me? It has nothing to do with being wired or BT just size of speaker and electronics driving it.


- Paul C
Via Tapatalk on iPhone.

 

[DC]

i purchased the Air from Autocom back in April , since then I've done around 5000 miles in all weather using it

My system consists of a Sena SR Blue tooth hub .to this i connect the navigator , A Kenwood Radio system via a PTT switch . the Phone is also linked to the Hub so I can take calls….these all link to the Air headset which is hidden in the lining of my neotech,

It takes a while to get use to the system ,but once you have paired them up , they seem to link together easy enough. I had some probs initially with the IPhone ,but when new upgraded software was fitted ( to the phone) none since. can't recall it dropping any links and its as clear as a normal phone call at over 70 mph. The music i play through the nav or a bluetooth iPhone in my pocket . all very clear.

With the system hidden in the helmet this keeps it out of the wind and rain .

During the first few weeks i got frustrated wondering why i had gone down this route from wired auto com but when i got used to it …no issues at all .Id recommend

 

[Giles]

I wouldn't go back to a wired system nowadays. It's a breath of fresh air to not have to plug in every time i get on and off the bike. Music quality is good, connection to sat nav is easy and clear and battery life is good. Worst case scenario I could charge the Bluetooth kit (sena) on the move whilst still using it ....

 

[Bobbin-Man]

i purchased the Air from Autocom back in April , since then I've done around 5000 miles in all weather using it

My system consists of a Sena SR Blue tooth hub .to this i connect the navigator , A Kenwood Radio system via a PTT switch . the Phone is also linked to the Hub so I can take calls….these all link to the Air headset which is hidden in the lining of my neotech,

It takes a while to get use to the system ,but once you have paired them up , they seem to link together easy enough. I had some probs initially with the IPhone ,but when new upgraded software was fitted ( to the phone) none since. can't recall it dropping any links and its as clear as a normal phone call at over 70 mph. The music i play through the nav or a bluetooth iPhone in my pocket . all very clear.

With the system hidden in the helmet this keeps it out of the wind and rain .

During the first few weeks i got frustrated wondering why i had gone down this route from wired auto com but when i got used to it …no issues at all .Id recommend

Dave, your setup sounds similar to what I'm planning ... currently using an Autocom SPA (wired) with a Zumo 550, Kenwood PMR and an iPhone. I'm considering swapping to a 1200 LC / Nav 5 so going to be stuck with Bluetooth, but trying to work out my options. I had been thinking a Sena 20S would be best, combined with a Sena SR10 to link to my Kenwood radio, however I hadn't considered the Air. One big question is, when using the SR10, do you get full phone functionality via the Nav 5? My wired setup allows full phone control via my Zumo which would be a shame to lose, also the Sena 20S is feature packed but does seem a little bulky, the Air would be a really tidy install.

Stu.

 

[Pukmeister]

Bumble Beemer,

I went from Autocom a Super Pro Avi with a Bluetooth module to a Sena 20S and agree with Giles. I've gotten 11 hours continuous music out of mine on a single charge, plus it can be recharged as you ride if need be.

Why not just add a BTM-02 Bluetooth module to your existing Autocom setup for using your Satnav wirelessly if you are happy with it ?? About £70 IIRC.

 

[DC]

hi Stu ,sorry late reply ! I'm not an everyday visitor

Yes the IPHONE 5 .i now have the 6, links to the Nav 5 and shows all the contacts on the screen .if you get a call, it shows the caller id of the person .If you want to make a call ,scroll through the list and push call on the name of the person …not tried to speak the name of the caller or speed dial , but I'm told the new Sena bluetooth headset ,20s , does this. I opted for the Air so it looks tidy and is out of the way .. hope your up and running now