Garmin 2820 and headset compatability

[Whele]

I want to wire my Garmin 2820 to use headphones and a microphone fitted in my helmet.


AFAIK All aftermarket blue-tooth devices are mono only, also I not sure how to keep them recharged on an extended camping tour.

Therefore I have been looking for a suitable mic/headset which can be hard wired to the 2820. The best I have found so far is the Starcom SH004 full face Helmet Set and a 1.5m coiled extension cable. The end fittings are not correct and I will need to find someone to fit a 2.5mm mic plug and 3.5mm headphone plug if I can get the wiring diagram from Starcom.

Has anyone tried to use the phone/mp3/satnav features of the 2820 without an additional powered device such as Autocom or Starcom unit – I would be very interested how you have set it up.

 

[John Armstrong]

Have you thought of using a 12v inverter to charge the headset? Just have to make sure you don't flatten the battery too much. Or have a spare one that's charged up when the motor is running.

 

[Whele]

12v inverter ? I must say I had not considered that option maybe I'll look for a mini inverter.

 

[Dale]

Whele,

What you are trying to do is possible, but there is something you may want to check before spending lots of loot on a fancy headset .....

There was a problem with the output from the 3,5mm plug on some of the 2820 units. you can go have a look for a thread entitled "2820 earphone hum", but breifly the issue is /was like this ...

If you plug a set of headphones/earphones into the 3,5mm plug, you get an irritating hum produced by feedback from the screen ... turn the screen to maximum brightness and you will hear it. Folk who routed the sound from the 2820 through autocom/starcom or similar didn't have the problem, it's only if you use a set of headphones plugged directly into the 3,5mm plug.

Garmin have been aware of this problem for a few months now but have done nothing to fix the older units (we are (im)patiently waiting for a promised software fix for this problem). The newer units may not have the same problem - give yours a try with a cheap set of headphones before you spend a fortune on a fancy headset.

BTW: if your does not have the hum problem, can you please let me know so I can badger Garmin about a fix for the older units again.

Dale

 

[beemerboy9]

Whele,

What you are trying to do is possible, but there is something you may want to check before spending lots of loot on a fancy headset .....

There was a problem with the output from the 3,5mm plug on some of the 2820 units. you can go have a look for a thread entitled "2820 earphone hum", but breifly the issue is /was like this ...

If you plug a set of headphones/earphones into the 3,5mm plug, you get an irritating hum produced by feedback from the screen ... turn the screen to maximum brightness and you will hear it. Folk who routed the sound from the 2820 through autocom/starcom or similar didn't have the problem, it's only if you use a set of headphones plugged directly into the 3,5mm plug.

Garmin have been aware of this problem for a few months now but have done nothing to fix the older units (we are (im)patiently waiting for a promised software fix for this problem). The newer units may not have the same problem - give yours a try with a cheap set of headphones before you spend a fortune on a fancy headset.

BTW: if your does not have the hum problem, can you please let me know so I can badger Garmin about a fix for the older units again.

Dale

I have the same hum as Dale, but if you're happy with mono sound then you will have no problem tapping into the 2.5mm audio socket provided on the Garmin motorcycle mount power cord.

 

[Whele]

Hi Dale ( and other responses)

After reading some of the previous comments regarding the “ headpone hum” when using the 3.5mm line out socket, I tried some cheap headphones and the hum is detectable when stationary without the bike running. However, once moving with some (Arai) wind noise and the noise of the bike I found it almost undetectable, even during the quiet sections and between tracks. My Garmin is running the latest firmware v3.1 so not sure if that has helped reduce the problem.

Dale – can you let me know who you contacted at Garmin and I will also add my voice to the list of customers wanting a fix?

I certainly found it more of an advantage of having stereo output than the disadvantage of the faint hum.

I am undecided which route to go

1) Set of thin headphones, remove headband and install in the helmet, plus a Garmin microphone add a sponge cover to reduce wind noise and install in the helmet. Tape leads together and plug into unit.

Advantage…cheap £25 to £35, easy, no fuss, easy to replace.



2) Set of Sarcom helmet speakers and mic, add coiled extension cable and find someone to re-wire the end plug to fit the Garmin 2820 (2.5mm Mic/ 3.5mm stereo line out)

Advantage…easy separate motorcycle designed plug for when you forget to unplug at fuel stop!, probably better performance from motorcycle designed mic, no long lengths of wire hanging from the helmet when not in use.

I do have the wiring diagram for Starcom headset lead

I need to find a soldering king to try out option 2 – any offers???

 

[Dale]

Hi Dale ( and other responses)

After reading some of the previous comments regarding the “ headpone hum” when using the 3.5mm line out socket, I tried some cheap headphones and the hum is detectable when stationary without the bike running. However, once moving with some (Arai) wind noise and the noise of the bike I found it almost undetectable, even during the quiet sections and between tracks. ...
Dale – can you let me know who you contacted at Garmin and I will also add my voice to the list of customers wanting a fix?

I certainly found it more of an advantage of having stereo output than the disadvantage of the faint hum.

OK, seems I need to clarify a bit here ....

the hum I referred to will only be noticable / irritating to folk using in-ear speakers (ultimate / green leopard / etc). As you have already discovered, if you have a set of speakers mounted in the helmet like a typical autocom / starcom installation you will probably not hear it - there is too much ambient noise. The in-ear monitors supply the sound direct to your ear and cancel out all the ambient noise, hence the hum is noticable.

The 2,5mm plug is an option if mono sound is acceptable. I did find the volume from this plug a bit loud on the lowest setting, but that could be reasonably easily cured with a small volume controller in the line.

I originally logged a fault report with Garmin USA [email protected] , eventually recieved a reply from Phill Elliot ( [email protected] ) at Garmin Europe. You might want to give him a ring on UK 0808 2380000 (Free Phone). Last contact with them was 05 Sept, he promised that there would be a software fix for the problem but gave no indication of when Personally I think they are so busy getting the Zumo to market that everything else has been sidelined....

Regards,
Dale