Nav 5 & Autocom Active 7 smart

[dave hendy]

Sorry if I am asking a stupid question but I want to be sure before making any purchase and I am not very familiar with Bluetooth!

At present I have a Zumo 550 wired to an Autocom Active 7 Smart, as I have an LC GS I am considering upgrading after 7 years with my Zumo to a Nav 5. I understand I can't use my wired connection between the 2 units and will have to use a Bluetooth dongle wired to the Autocom? Is this right? At present we listen to music from an Sd card in the Zumo, do I do the same with the nav 5 or can I link my wife's iPhone 4 to listen to her music?

Also any suggestions on a Bluetooth dongle that will meet my needs?

I was speaking to Duncan at Vines today and he spoke to the parts guy and they said I could get a 10% discount on the Nav5, is this a good deal?

Hope someone can give me some good advice although my Zumo 550 is still working fine so I could keep it a bit longer if necessary.

Cheers
Dave

 

[trebor]

If you want to continue using the Autocom you will need a Bluetooth dongle as the Nav V doesn't have a hard wire connection. The Dongle you'll need is the Autocom BTM-02A. Unfortunately, reading the link I've provided it looks like with your version of the Autocom you will only get Mono music, not stereo. Therefore, if you wish to continue using an Autocom you may wish to upgrade to the newer SPA unit.

I had a similar set up to you using a Zumo 550 but with the Autocom SuperPro AVI providing hard wired sound for music/sat nav instructions, and an older BT dongle for telephone comms. I found when I switched to the Nav V and used a BTM-02A instead of hardwire for music/directions that, although with my Autocom I do get stereo, the audio level was a bit quiter than before. It is usable but I would like it a bit louder. I believe switching to an Autocom SPA will solve this by allowing me to up the volume a bit (but I need to confirm this).

To use the BTM-02A with your set up you will need to snip of the plug on the 12 volt power lead and connect the wire direct to a 12 volt source (this plug is for the SPA unit which has a socket to feed the module).

You could listen to the music on the iPhone, but I believe you can not do this via the Zumo, this would have to be done by either hard wiring your phone to the Autocom, or making a bluetooth connection from the phone direct to a bluetooth unit connected to the Autocom (I think the BTM-02A could be used for this). I'm not 100% sure about this though.

The Nav V uses a micro SD card of up to 64GB.

Hope that helps.

 

[dave hendy]

If you want to continue using the Autocom you will need a Bluetooth dongle as the Nav V doesn't have a hard wire connection. The Dongle you'll need is the Autocom BTM-02A. Unfortunately, reading the link I've provided it looks like with your version of the Autocom you will only get Mono music, not stereo. Therefore, if you wish to continue using an Autocom you may wish to upgrade to the newer SPA unit.

I had a similar set up to you using a Zumo 550 but with the Autocom SuperPro AVI providing hard wired sound for music/sat nav instructions, and an older BT dongle for telephone comms. I found when I switched to the Nav V and used a BTM-02A instead of hardwire for music/directions that, although with my Autocom I do get stereo, the audio level was a bit quiter than before. It is usable but I would like it a bit louder. I believe switching to an Autocom SPA will solve this by allowing me to up the volume a bit (but I need to confirm this).

To use the BTM-02A with your set up you will need to snip of the plug on the 12 volt power lead and connect the wire direct to a 12 volt source (this plug is for the SPA unit which has a socket to feed the module).

You could listen to the music on the iPhone, but I believe you can not do this via the Zumo, this would have to be done by either hard wiring your phone to the Autocom, or making a bluetooth connection from the phone direct to a bluetooth unit connected to the Autocom (I think the BTM-02A could be used for this). I'm not 100% sure about this though.

The Nav V uses a micro SD card of up to 64GB.

Hope that helps.

Hi, thanks for getting back to me I find the music sound level is already quite low on my 550 set-up so I wouldn't want it any lower. The Nav 5 being able to use a larger SD card would be useful. I didn't want the extra expense of changing the Autocom unit especially as it works OK. I had looked at the Autocom dongle but did not understand all the technical talk!

 

[Bumpkin]

I find the music sound level is already quite low on my 550 set-up so I wouldn't want it any lower.

You may find that the Bluetooth connection is as loud as, or louder than, your current set-up, depending on the cable you're using to connect the Zumo to your Autocom. Autocom were continually improving the isolated leads as the earlier ones reduced volume quite a bit, the subsequent versions were progressively better in this respect. If you have an earlier isolated lead then you might even notice an improvement.

Instead of buying a new SPA how about a used SuperPro AVi unit combined with a BTM02 Bluetooth dongle, these should work well with the Nav5. This is what I now use in conjunction with my Zumo 660 and everything works including the phone through the GPS. Though as trebor says; the phone to GPS connection is mono/not A2DP. I just have music on the SD card. Volume is as good as it was previously with the Autocom isolated lead that I purchased off of eBay. This could have been an early model, I'm not sure, so the volume was maybe somewhat suppressed by that.

 

[trebor]

It may be that the speakers in your helmet need repositioning if you find it a bit quiet already. It took a lot of trial and error before I got mine in the right place.

 

[dave hendy]

It may be that the speakers in your helmet need repositioning if you find it a bit quiet already. It took a lot of trial and error before I got mine in the right place.

We both use Arai helmets and the speakers went into the void provided so I take it they are OK?

 

[dave hendy]

You may find that the Bluetooth connection is as loud as, or louder than, your current set-up, depending on the cable you're using to connect the Zumo to your Autocom. Autocom were continually improving the isolated leads as the earlier ones reduced volume quite a bit, the subsequent versions were progressively better in this respect. If you have an earlier isolated lead then you might even notice an improvement.

Instead of buying a new SPA how about a used SuperPro AVi unit combined with a BTM02 Bluetooth dongle, these should work well with the Nav5. This is what I now use in conjunction with my Zumo 660 and everything works including the phone through the GPS. Though as trebor says; the phone to GPS connection is mono/not A2DP. I just have music on the SD card. Volume is as good as it was previously with the Autocom isolated lead that I purchased off of eBay. This could have been an early model, I'm not sure, so the volume was maybe somewhat suppressed by that.

Upgrading to the SuperPro Avi might be a good option if I can get one for a reasonable price!

 

[trebor]

We both use Arai helmets and the speakers went into the void provided so I take it they are OK?

Its hard to say, I know it can be hard to locate the autocom speakers because of the size and shape of the plastic enclosures. If yours are located in a void it may be worth seeing if you can move them around to improve the volume level. Alternatively you can try taking the plastic covers off the speakers to see if allows you to position them better.
When I installed my speakers I placed foam ear plugs in my lugs, slightly protruding, with coloured chalk on the outside surface. I then put my helmet on and moved it from side to side to get the chalk to leave marks on the inner lining. I then tried to line the centre of the speakers up to these chalk marks. Difficult, but it worked for me.

Bob

 

[dave hendy]

Its hard to say, I know it can be hard to locate the autocom speakers because of the size and shape of the plastic enclosures. If yours are located in a void it may be worth seeing if you can move them around to improve the volume level. Alternatively you can try taking the plastic covers off the speakers to see if allows you to position them better.
When I installed my speakers I placed foam ear plugs in my lugs, slightly protruding, with coloured chalk on the outside surface. I then put my helmet on and moved it from side to side to get the chalk to leave marks on the inner lining. I then tried to line the centre of the speakers up to these chalk marks. Difficult, but it worked for me.

Bob

Ok I will have a look and see what I can do

 

[dave hendy]

You may find that the Bluetooth connection is as loud as, or louder than, your current set-up, depending on the cable you're using to connect the Zumo to your Autocom. Autocom were continually improving the isolated leads as the earlier ones reduced volume quite a bit, the subsequent versions were progressively better in this respect. If you have an earlier isolated lead then you might even notice an improvement.

Instead of buying a new SPA how about a used SuperPro AVi unit combined with a BTM02 Bluetooth dongle, these should work well with the Nav5. This is what I now use in conjunction with my Zumo 660 and everything works including the phone through the GPS. Though as trebor says; the phone to GPS connection is mono/not A2DP. I just have music on the SD card. Volume is as good as it was previously with the Autocom isolated lead that I purchased off of eBay. This could have been an early model, I'm not sure, so the volume was maybe somewhat suppressed by that.

I have been looking around in the garage and I have a Autocom kit 200 which is an Active plus that was fitted to my wife's bike, this says it's 4 pole like the SuperPro AVi, only problem is the riders lead has the outer sleeve damaged although it doesn't look like it has damaged the main wire! Not sure if a bit of insulating tape round it will be good enough??

 

[trebor]

The Active Plus will give you stereo sound. If the riders lead looks OK a bit of nsulating tape should sort it, but it would be better to wrap it with self amalgamating tape. If the lead is damaged replacement leads are available here.

Having just spent the afternoon out on my bike I've decided the volume is loud enough on my set up and will probably not upgrade to an SPA. However, this is with the AVI which has a BackGround Noise Sensor (BGNS), so the volume is increased as the noise in the helmet increases with speed, looking at the manual I don't think the Active plus has one of these.

 

[dave hendy]

No it hasn't got the BGNS not sure I trust myself to change the lead! Might have to try tape, well that's saved some money!

Thanks again

 

[beemerboy9]

We both use Arai helmets and the speakers went into the void provided so I take it they are OK?

I would not assume they are OK. The voids in my Shoei Neotec were nowhere near my ears - the BMW helmets were much better for me in this regard.

 

[Bumpkin]

Previously had an Active Plus and upgraded to a SuperPro Avi. The BGNS is a worthwhile feature. Active Plus will work OK with BTM02 and give stereo sound though. It will need to be bike, rather than battery, powered though.

Fitting into my Arai Quantum required a modicum of cutting (of the soft foam in the removable cheek-pad) just to allow the speakers a few mm further forward. Your lug 'oles may vary. Positioning of the speakers is critical for best performance. Both centred on your ear canal and also as close to your ear as comfortably possible. Experiment, adjust, repeat until you get it spot on. At a stand-still it will only make a minute difference, at speed the difference will be significant.

 

[dave hendy]

The Active Plus will give you stereo sound. If the riders lead looks OK a bit of nsulating tape should sort it, but it would be better to wrap it with self amalgamating tape. If the lead is damaged replacement leads are available here.

Having just spent the afternoon out on my bike I've decided the volume is loud enough on my set up and will probably not upgrade to an SPA. However, this is with the AVI which has a BackGround Noise Sensor (BGNS), so the volume is increased as the noise in the helmet increases with speed, looking at the manual I don't think the Active plus has one of these.

self amalgamating tape ordered! never heard of it before I think this will work OK otherwise a new lead! Thanks

 

[trebor]

Self amalgamating tape is widely used in the telecoms industry, amongst others, we use it to seal connectors, repair damaged cables, etc. Over a short period of time it bonds to itself and you can't simply unwrap it (if applied properly), it has to be cut off. I've used it on antenna cables and connectors on deep sea ships, and more recently on production platforms out at sea. I have yet to open a sealed joint or connector, several years after applying the tape, that has let in water (and I'm not likely to now I've retired! ).

As you apply the tape stretch it until it is about half it's normal width (or to just before it snaps) and then wrap the damaged area, overlapping by about 50% (if the tape isn't stretched it won't stick to itself properly). Wrap the tape to about an inch either side of the damage, wrap it one way then back on itself, i.e. two layers, any more and it will be too thick and look unsightly.

Bob

 

[dave hendy]

Self amalgamating tape is widely used in the telecoms industry, amongst others, we use it to seal connectors, repair damaged cables, etc. Over a short period of time it bonds to itself and you can't simply unwrap it (if applied properly), it has to be cut off. I've used it on antenna cables and connectors on deep sea ships, and more recently on production platforms out at sea. I have yet to open a sealed joint or connector, several years after applying the tape, that has let in water (and I'm not likely to now I've retired! ).

As you apply the tape stretch it until it is about half it's normal width (or to just before it snaps) and then wrap the damaged area, overlapping by about 50% (if the tape isn't stretched it won't stick to itself properly). Wrap the tape to about an inch either side of the damage, wrap it one way then back on itself, i.e. two layers, any more and it will be too thick and look unsightly.

Bob

Hi Bob, thanks for the advice I'll see how I get on, it should be here by the weekend. I am biding on a Bluetooth dongle on eBay, I won't swop units now until after a trip to Normandy in September as all the routes etc are sorted!

The Autumn/Winter will be the time to change everything including changing from Mapsource to Basecamp, challenging times a head I feel!

 

[mcinlb]

My experience of what you are proposing -

Had a hard wired(from sat nav) Active Plus unit and the volume was excellent.

Changed the sat nav to a bluetooth type and an Autocom BTM-02 dongle and found the volume in helmet greatly reduced.

Bought a used Autocom SPA from ebay and tried that - volume much better, but then I also changed the helmet speakers to a much better quality pair.

All this was with earplugs worn and now happy with the results.

 

[trebor]

but then I also changed the helmet speakers to a much better quality pair.

Which speakers did you use?

Bob

 

[mcinlb]

I used XPRO speakers - bit expensive but a huge improvement over the Autocom ones.

http://www.torkworld.com/xpro.html/