GS Bloke
Registered user
I have now been using my AC 300 with a Zumo 550 and SE W850i phone (connected via Zumo) for a few months and this what I went through:
These are three stages I went through to get it to work.
1: I was advised by a well know AC distributor that all I needed to connect my AC to my Zumo was the AC BT module - no cables needed.
I tried this and it was rubbish, music quality poor, delay in sounds and the BT kept dropping.
Called AC and they said that won't work and I should have a cable from my Zumo to the AC and use the BT dongle for comm's from the AC to the Zumo (phone calls) i.e. Zumo sounds output via cable and voice input via BT module.
2: Added cable (more expense) as suggested above and perfect sound quality and no more breakdowns between AC and Zumo.
Still had problems with the BT dropping out and the only way to reset it was to turn the bike off, wait for the Canbus to power down and then back on again (did this 3 times in a row once
). It once lost the paring and I couldn't remember how to do it, so had to ride 500miles with no BT at all.
3. I have now decided that BT has to go so I went to my local BMW dealer who had the AC twin cable 'Y' piece (has been discontinued by AC. Even more expense).
I removed the BT AC dongle and single cable and fitted the Y cable (5 min job).
This set-up is perfect - no problems at all - note to AC "Do not discontinue the Y cable, BT is too unreliable"
Still have the occasional problem with the BT to my phone, but there is bugger all I can do about that and seems very common after reading the Zumo Forums.
Conclusion: Bluetooth is sh#te - avoid as much as you can.
I was very surprised when using ear plugs last weekend, that the sound quality of the AC is much better with them in, I could hear the lyrics to songs at 90mph.
These are three stages I went through to get it to work.
1: I was advised by a well know AC distributor that all I needed to connect my AC to my Zumo was the AC BT module - no cables needed.
I tried this and it was rubbish, music quality poor, delay in sounds and the BT kept dropping.
Called AC and they said that won't work and I should have a cable from my Zumo to the AC and use the BT dongle for comm's from the AC to the Zumo (phone calls) i.e. Zumo sounds output via cable and voice input via BT module.
2: Added cable (more expense) as suggested above and perfect sound quality and no more breakdowns between AC and Zumo.
Still had problems with the BT dropping out and the only way to reset it was to turn the bike off, wait for the Canbus to power down and then back on again (did this 3 times in a row once
). It once lost the paring and I couldn't remember how to do it, so had to ride 500miles with no BT at all.3. I have now decided that BT has to go so I went to my local BMW dealer who had the AC twin cable 'Y' piece (has been discontinued by AC. Even more expense).
I removed the BT AC dongle and single cable and fitted the Y cable (5 min job).
This set-up is perfect - no problems at all - note to AC "Do not discontinue the Y cable, BT is too unreliable"
Still have the occasional problem with the BT to my phone, but there is bugger all I can do about that and seems very common after reading the Zumo Forums.
Conclusion: Bluetooth is sh#te - avoid as much as you can.
I was very surprised when using ear plugs last weekend, that the sound quality of the AC is much better with them in, I could hear the lyrics to songs at 90mph.
