TFT screen and Bluetooth

[Andrew 789]

Just used the bike to get home from work.
TFT connected to phone but Sena failed to connect.
The system is a long way from 100% reliable at the moment.

 

[Rollmops]

Maybe I will try a different phone as the dealership think its the phone at fault!! LOL!!!!

It's NOT your phone! I have had a whole host of issues with 3 different iPhones, and the problems were consistent, in spite of phones being different models and os versions. There are MAJOR issues with the bluetooth stack on the TFT Kombi itself that no amount of peripheral harware swapping can fix.

Now, I have the latest BMW Communication system fitted in System 7 BMW helmet and I still have some random connection issues. I am still completely unable to have the Nav 6 connected at the same time, but at least now I can hear people on the phone and they can hear me too.

 

[Devil]

The TFT connectivity, is let's be honest a bit of a joke, I just rang BMW customer service who said, they have never heard of any problems, and we must be connecting it wrong... etc etc.

How should we report these faults to BMW.. so they will actually sit up and take notice.

 

[yans]

It's NOT your phone! I have had a whole host of issues with 3 different iPhones, and the problems were consistent, in spite of phones being different models and os versions. There are MAJOR issues with the bluetooth stack on the TFT Kombi itself that no amount of peripheral harware swapping can fix.

Now, I have the latest BMW Communication system fitted in System 7 BMW helmet and I still have some random connection issues. I am still completely unable to have the Nav 6 connected at the same time, but at least now I can hear people on the phone and they can hear me too.

Thanks fort he heads-up Rollmops

 

[yans]

The TFT connectivity, is let's be honest a bit of a joke, I just rang BMW customer service who said, they have never heard of any problems, and we must be connecting it wrong... etc etc.

How should we report these faults to BMW.. so they will actually sit up and take notice.

My dealer said that BMW are working on a software update!!!!! Should we believe them?!

 

[Rollmops]

I sent a message to BMW support via their official website, to ask for precise directions to pair everything(Kombi, Nav6, Comm and iPhone) and they have not even acknoledged my request(like they said they would on the form), let alone answered it.

The TFT is brilliant but they really need to up their game in supporting their early adopters and ironing out the last kinks. I know it's difficult for any company to admit fault but in the Barbara Streissand Effect era, with all the competitors eager to eat some market shares, it's a risky game to play. Yes they have a captive audience and faithful adepts that will buy their new bikes no mater what for now... but every manufacturer that got lazy, arrogant or simply complacent paid dearly in the end.

Not sure what the law is everywhere but I wouldn't be surprised if BMW liability could be invoked in case of speeding and or crash while the display is malfunctionning... Just saying...

 

[yans]

Another chat with my bmw dealer saying that it's a worldwide problem and bmw are working on the problem....hope to have some form or update Saturday


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rollmops]

It is well known that BMW dealers usually are the last informed about what does the mothership. Not the first time one is caught spewing reassuring bullshit regarding an imminent update or a magical fix coming straight from Bavaria...

Looks like the great 2018 TFT snafu is hot on the heels of the 2017 Stanchion gate...

 

[Dartanion]

Just a heads up for anyone interested, I picked up my GSA Rallye in late December and have been having the same BT connection issues as others have mentioned - after reading many comments on this and other forums and many discussions with my dealer, I've decided that it's an issue with my Scala Rider Q1 only being BT3.0 and the new BMW TFT display requiring BT4.1 or above to work fully.

I have therefore bit the bullet and purchased a Sena 20s and can now confirm that this all works fine with all functions of the TFT with my iPhone (with the exception that the thumb wheel does not operate the volume). I know it's not exactly a solution for everyone with their devices that still don't work but at least its a way forward for those that want to have full connectivity.

In summary the devices that I can confirm it works with:
iPhone 7+
Sena 20s
Both units paired only to the TFT and not to each other.
So far the units connect automatically to the TFT when in proximity and all are turned on of course.

Definitely can confirm that at present it will not work with the Sena SMH5 or the Scala Rider Q1.

BTW -I don't have the BMW Nav so not sure how that works in with any of the above.

Hope this helps.

 

[yans]

Thanks Dartanion for the clear description and confirmation. Very helpful indeed.

I think my issue is similar in that the Sena SMH10 is only bluetooth 3 and therefore suffering the issues.

I have read others with Sena 20s and that it works just fine. Which you have now also proven.

Great stuff and thanks for the helpful info

 

[Rollmops]

I've decided that it's an issue with my Scala Rider Q1 only being BT3.0 and the new BMW TFT display requiring BT4.1 or above to work fully.

Well, it depends on what issue you are speaking about...

I own a BMW Communication System 2.0, which is "only" bluetooth v.2.1, and pairing issues still pop up fairly regularly, but otherwise, phone calls are working as intended and volume can be modulated via the wonder wheel(as far as I know the BMW headset is the only one that offers this functionnality by design and most certainly commercial greed). Besides, I'm pretty certain I've read accounts from other people with Sena 20x having issues so I'm not really sure that's our silver bullet sadly...

 

[yans]

oh for pitty's sake!! we can't seem to find a common pattern or fault here.

My other thought is that the bikes are leaving the factory with different software versions too, depending on when the bike was built.... which is why we are seeing different results depending on what hardware owners are using

 

[Rollmops]

oh for pitty's sake!! we can't seem to find a common pattern or fault here.

My other thought is that the bikes are leaving the factory with different software versions too, depending on when the bike was built.... which is why we are seeing different results depending on what hardware owners are using

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade Yans, just trying to prevent you or anyone reading this from buying new phones and/or headsets only to be left with the same issue. As far as Bluetooth 4.x is concerned, there is on this very thread a couple people stating they experienced spotty connections issues (20s and 30k). I asked my delaership to check if any update was available for my bike and there was none yet last time they connected it to the diagnostic computer.

There IS a common pattern tho...

BMW TFT KOMBI.

Issues are pretty consistent across the board, with a good mix of phones and headsets. The issues lie 100% on the only common component we all share.

So, to summarrize here's what I call the "standard" issues :

-TFT randomly failing to pair with headset at times (Phone connects but BT icon flashing endlessly while headset is not).
-Phone calls being devoid of sound, essentially preventing accepting or placing phone calls
-TFT display randomly not displaying any image, but otherwise working fine in headless mode.
-Connection with the Connectivity app randomly not working, preventing music control via TFT or Navigation (essentially fixed since a couple app updates)
-Album art randomly not refreshing / syncing with tracks or displaying totally different cover

If you experience any of that, DO NOT scrambly to upgrade your phone or headset, it won't fix the issues.

BMW need to acknoledge and fix this mess!!! At this point I acquired the conviction no amount of user fiddling can fix these issues. My only hope is it's something that can be fixed with a new firmware or a software patch.

 

[yans]

Thanks for the clarification Rollmops

Fully take on board and appreciate what you're saying. Hence I have given up pairing phone with screen. I will continue with sena to phone and be happy with that for now! and just at the glorious screen, which looked great this morning in the dark, so will enjoy it on the way home shortly in the..... wait for it....... sunshine!!! yep, sunshine is upon us!!!!

 

[Rollmops]

Thanks for the clarification Rollmops

Fully take on board and appreciate what you're saying. Hence I have given up pairing phone with screen. I will continue with sena to phone and be happy with that for now! and just at the glorious screen, which looked great this morning in the dark, so will enjoy it on the way home shortly in the..... wait for it....... sunshine!!! yep, sunshine is upon us!!!!

I may be pretty p*ssed about this whole bluetooth mess, but it doesn't prevent me to massively enjoy my bike and its glorious TFT display, night or day, rain or shine. All in all it's only a minor inconvenience but I guess that given the overall quality of the package, those problems stick out like sore thumbs...

 

[yans]

Again, totally agree... Its a great step forward from the analogue dials, and everything is so easy to read. A MUST for me personally. Until the issues are sorted my Sena will stay connected to my phone and thats it. It would be nice to initiate calls from the bike, but happy to wait for that luxury..... and anyway, I am far too much enjoying the bike to make phone calls!! Went out on Sunday for a blast, in a mere 4 degrees Celsius, LOVED every second

 

[Andrew 789]

Just had a thought!
I only have trouble connecting the TFT to my phone on leaving my house.
Coming home from work it connects with no problems.
Could this have something to do with the phone losing my home WIFI and having to connect to 4G hence causing a delay in connecting.
I don't think the TFT continuously searches for connections and stops after a minute or so, which would explain why the TFT fails to connect.
Just an idea but I'm no tech wizard.

 

[Tractors are go]

Just had a thought!
I only have trouble connecting the TFT to my phone on leaving my house.
Coming home from work it connects with no problems.
Could this have something to do with the phone losing my home WIFI and having to connect to 4G hence causing a delay in connecting.
I don't think the TFT continuously searches for connections and stops after a minute or so, which would explain why the TFT fails to connect.
Just an idea but I'm no tech wizard.

No, but your phone could be.

Swmbo new car causes problems with my Samsung, which we subsequently found out was the other way around.

Always worth checking with the phone manufacturer's technical department.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[yans]

"Could this have something to do with the phone losing my home WIFI and having to connect to 4G hence causing a delay in connecting."

I would say thats not the case mate. However, its an interesting issue...? Does it actually fail or just take a moment or two longer?

That's curious.

 

[Rollmops]

Just had a thought!
I only have trouble connecting the TFT to my phone on leaving my house.
Coming home from work it connects with no problems.
Could this have something to do with the phone losing my home WIFI and having to connect to 4G hence causing a delay in connecting.
I don't think the TFT continuously searches for connections and stops after a minute or so, which would explain why the TFT fails to connect.
Just an idea but I'm no tech wizard.

I don't think... The TFT connects to the phone via Bluetooth and the pairing doesn't require an active Internet connection to happen.

That said, you could always try to switch wi-fi off on your phone and test both at work and home to see if it changes anything, might be linked in some weird way, or the Connected app might act up and cause issues when it's not fed data from the phone?