Bluetooth options?

[Cushtie]

Hello all, I'm a newbie to the forum.
Had a quick look to see if my predicament has been answered previously, and couldn't find an exact answer (may have been my search pattern).
My predicament is this;
I have R1200RT 90th with audio system.
I have BMW Navigator 5.
I have an iPhone 5.
I don't have a bluetooth helmet set yet.

Today I visited a BMW dealership to check out the audio adapter cable at £49 which will allow me to control playback/music selection from my phone. At present, the music plays back through Audio (not USB) which makes the multi-controller wheel redundant. With the adapter cable, the multi-controller comes into play.
I also plan to buy a bluetooth headset for my helmet.

I'm told by the dealer today that to get full functionality with bluetooth, i.e;
1. To hear music via bluetooth (and not via the speakers)
2. To hear Sat Nav instructions via bluetooth
3. To be able to make/take phone calls via bluetooth
4. To be able to control music with the multi-controller wheel
that the only option available is to buy a BMW System 6 helmet with bluetooth fitted, for around £700.

Is this fact, or was I just being primed to spend another £700 which I can't afford for a long while?
Bit frustrated as I have a great bike, but unable at present to take advantage of all the functions.

I'd really appreciate any advice/opinions/experiences to solving this jigsaw puzzle.
Cheers
Cushtie

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Loads of other cheaper options such as Scala Rider or the Sena System I think the BMW system is made by the same people who make the Scala Riders

 

[Puggy]

No they are telling you nonsense. I use a Scala rider 9 and it works fine. Look on amazon for some good value deals, especially if just buying one rather than a pair. Also, when fitting to your helmet, use the glue plate rather than the clamp as it works much better - this will make sense if you buy one and are looking at the box of bits for fitting,

You do need the criminally expensive connector lead from BMW to connect your iPhone into the Audio system, then you can pair the scala with the audio system and should all works. It gets more complicated if you want to receive phone calls. A bit of a black art that one. I have an email from scala support which explains the complex pairing procedure that makes this happen.

Puggy

 

[iand46]

You should find your answers here....http://www.bmw-motorrad.se/com/en/i..._bluetooth_general.html&prm_action=&notrack=1

QUOTE "The volume control of the MMC controller requires that the Bluetooth helmet permits remote control of the volume. The remote control function of the MMC controller is only supported by the BMW Motorrad communication system"

[4. To be able to control music with the multi-controller wheel ?]

 

[Puggy]

You should find your answers here....http://www.bmw-motorrad.se/com/en/i..._bluetooth_general.html&prm_action=&notrack=1

QUOTE "The volume control of the MMC controller requires that the Bluetooth helmet permits remote control of the volume. The remote control function of the MMC controller is only supported by the BMW Motorrad communication system"

[4. To be able to control music with the multi-controller wheel ?]

Yes - and it should add "and this feature is not available on almost all third party Bluetooth kit so you have to spend the £400 on the bmw system that means you can only communicate with Other BMW BT kits and none of the scala or inter phone units more commonly found..."

 

[paul08]

I cannot speak for the R1200RT as I have a R1200GS LC. However, I connect my iPhone 5, and my Nav V using a Sena SMH10R bluetooth headset and have no problems whatsoever.

The iPhone is paired to the Nav V and so is controlled by the Nav V and the lefthand wheel thing (so, if you wish, you can receive and make calls on the move using the headset in your helmet).

Music is loaded on the Nav V and plays back through to the headset. You can change music/tracks etc using the lefthand wheel. Music volume is adjusted via the headset on your helmet. In practice I rarely have to adjust the volume.

Rider to pillion is via the headset

Rider to other riders is also via the headset

And the pillion can even listen to the music that the rider is listening to. In reality, our musical tastes re too dissimilar and so we do not use that function!

Sena support is good and they regularly update their firmware and add features etc. I would recommend one of the available Sena systems with no qualms

 

[Soft Lad]

I bought the Scala rider G3 last year at the NEC show. This one had 2 in the box for me and the missus. I installed it all in about an hour in a hotel room whilst charging it up overnight for use the next day. It comes in a fab case with bucket loads of accessories for different types of helmet. I used the clamps rather than the glue and its works fine. There are 4 buttons on it, 2 for volume, one on and off and one to cycle through 3 options, press it once and it starts to play your iphone music, press it twice and it plays the radio. Once on a station, if you press a volume button, it searches the next strongest station. If you'd plugged the headset in to your PC whilst charging, you can also preset 6 radio stations. Press the button and it calls a select number that you pre-programme in again whilst plugged into your PC.

It connects to my missus within about 30 seconds once both are turned on. It also connects to BT devices such as sat nav which once you get an instruction from the satnav, it cuts your speech out. I would deffo recommend this product but I don't know how it connects to the wheel on the new BMW's.

 

[Deleted account 260111001]

I have the same bike (not 90th) but same year and BMW audio etc.

I have sold my house and all it's contents and have a BMW Evo 6 with BT and it works well, left speaker isn't brilliant at music, but will ask dealer when next in.

It's the third helmet I've had, with BT, Nolan and Schuberth C3 being predecessors, the BMW helmet is great and a good fit for me, and the BT works well.

I won't ever buy another Schuberth as their BT and customer service was for me rubbish.

Depends on how long you have had your current lid and if you can take advantage of BMW finance on kit.

 

[DC]

I have the same bike (not 90th) but same year and BMW audio etc.

I have sold my house and all it's contents and have a BMW Evo 6 with BT and it works well, left speaker isn't brilliant at music, but will ask dealer when next in.

It's the third helmet I've had, with BT, Nolan and Schuberth C3 being predecessors, the BMW helmet is great and a good fit for me, and the BT works well.

I won't ever buy another Schuberth as their BT and customer service was for me rubbish.

Depends on how long you have had your current lid and if you can take advantage of BMW finance on kit.

Did you feel the house to buy the bike with audio ? just curious as to why you mention selling your house ?

I have an Autocom air fitted to a shoei neotec and connect it to the sat nav and iPhone works great .. there is always complications when trying to connect to the BMW audio system from what I've read ,,,look it up under the K1600 forum ..loads of issues…

BT is the way forward but i feel they have a fair way to go yet to match the reliable auto com wired system

 

[Soft Lad]

Did you feel the house to buy the bike with audio ? just curious as to why you mention selling your house ?

Mmmmm, i think it was with regard to how much the helmet cost.

 

[Deleted account 260111001]

And a quote from Not the Nine O'clock news, in relation to the BBC licence fee...

 

[Cushtie]

Cheers Steve, looks like I can widen my search now.

 

[Cushtie]

Thanks everyone for the advice and opinions. Glad to hear there's other options out there and it looks like I've some more checking to do....
Will let you know the results later next month (my missus will be contributing to the cost by way of my birthday pressie).
Cheers
Cushtie