Bluetooth operation with Nav V and Uclear HBC200

[redsmartie]

My problem is with music streaming but I'll start with a description of my setup.

Prior to getting the Nav V I had my phone paired with the Uclear. This was all good and I could stream music, take phone calls and intercom with the group. In fact one of the other riders on an XR had a Nav V and I got the audio of his sat nav instructions which was handy.

When I set up my own I quickly realised that if I paired the Uclear and phone to the Nav V and then tried to connect the phone directly to Uclear the Nav's connection to the phone dropped. This being the case it looks like the Nav V wants to be the 'hub' and I have successfully taken a phone call from the phone via the Nav V using the Uclear.

Onto music.

I loaded some MP3s onto the memory card but when I tried to play them I got silence. After an hours trial and error I gave up. Later last evening I realised that I had a Bluetooth speaker which I then paired with the Nav V rather than the Uclear. I got music!

I get all other sounds from the Uclear. I've mentioned the phone and I do get all navigation instructions.

Anyone else had issues like this?

I'm off for another play. I'll probably start with clearing down the Bluetooth connection to the Uclear and re-pairing.

 

[DC]

You seem to be on the right lines here . Your correct in using the Nav as the hub.

Go back to basics ....pair the nav to the uclear....music ? Then pair the phone to the nav , and then the nav to the uclear .

Hope that works , good luck

 

[redsmartie]

Still no luck. I've tried every conceivable scenario having paired and unpaired and reset devices. The Uclear will just not accept music audio even though the Nav V says its paired for media audio.

Unless anyone has ideas or a magic bullet it's time for a support email to Garmin and Uclear

 

[Arrrrrh]

Hello,
See the copied email answer below. I had a similar issue with my setup. This is the response from uclear, hope it helps.

"Thank you for your support request.

BMW has recently made some changes within their firmware interface which causes troubles streaming music to Bluetooth devices. In most cases this can be solved by switching off "Music Sharing" in the UCLEAR HUB app.
You can download the app in the Google PlayStore.

If this does not solve the issue, than I would like to ask you to install firmware version 2.07 on your UCLEAR units. This version is still able to stream music from any BWM Navigator V.
You can download this version by following the below link:
http://67.20.119.204/Firmware/HBC100Plus_Updater_RC207.zip

Trust to have informed you accordingly,"

If you have an android phone you can get the uclear app, it's not yet ready for the iPhones yet but assured it was on its way......

How do you find the kit otherwise?

 

[ymfb]

I had a lot of problems with Navigator IV and numerous other BT devices including iPhones and UClear units. In the end I stopped trying to resolve it and paired the UClear to the iPhone and its worked a treat ever since.

 

[redsmartie]

How do you find the kit otherwise?

Thanks for that although I'm not going to go back to that earlier firmware in case it upsets the group communication. Music isn't a priority, its just annoying when stuff doesn't work.

In general I'm really pleased. It does look like they are on the case and the latest firmware notes acknowledge that they are aware of the problem which is always half the battle.

I'm an iPhone user but I can dig out an Android device somewhere at work.

 

[redsmartie]

The latest firmware notes acknowledge the problem http://www.uclear-digital.eu/sawtooth-2-37/

"Fixed BMW navigator music streaming problem, by disable the music sharing feature through UCLEAR Hub" Although not for me it has to be said.

I had the following response from Uclear

Problem - My unit won't pair, or pairs and and I don't get sound.

Possible Cause - The firmware is incompatible.

Solution - Music Share disabled our ability to directly connect to the BMW system. You have to put an older firmware on the unit. Anything 2.07f or before should have no issue pairing with the BMW system.

When asked about a possible fix I got this response

We are not notified in advance from our engineers as to what they will be fixing on future firmware updates. They are aware of this issue and have notified us that a possible fix is being looked into.

Looking at the firmware archive I can see that the music sharing was introduced in version 2.15 dated September 3rd, 2014. The notes also mention the Uclear Hub Android app that existed at this point. Given that this was 2014 I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the iOS version which is frustrating given that, if only for the battery level indication, its seems an essential companion app. Certainly if the use of the app is required to even attempt a workaround on the latest firmware.