Zumo and Autocom volume.

[Gipsy]

After years of managing without bike to bike coms, the wife and I have decided that to speak while on the move would be a good idea. Will choose the autocom system as it seems to be the best. I like the MP3 player on my Zumo while riding, and am a little concerned by the reports of low volume issues. Currently use a boosteroo amp with in helmet flat speakers, and have good listening up to about 100 mph. Would not want performance less than this with new set up, and don't want to keep using the boosteroo as it eats batteries.
Are all the autocom systems able to produce such volume levels or will I need to be choosey about my selected set up?

 

[Spikehammer]

I use the same setup with an iPod and can hear eveything iPod, sppech, sat nav, phone etc at 100mph with earplugs in.
Placement of the speakers is the key.

 

[Davy F]

Have to say that I had no problems with the volume on my 2610 volume, but the Zumo is really hard to hear. At speeds of 60+, I have to rely on it making a noise, so I then just look at the unit to see what's happening. I run it through an Autocom, I've my helmet speakers positioned correctly and it's still just too damn quiet.

Other than that..........

 

[Spikehammer]

Davy, have you got the latest software updates on the Zumo? Mine is very clear and loud enough to hear at speed.
Autocom can also tweak most units to increase the channel volume I believe.

 

[Davy F]

The Autocom is set to full blast and the Zumo is brand new outta the box. The Zumo audio is also set at the max.

Would there be a necessity to check for updates yet.......

 

[GSrich]

What we have found that not a lot of people know about the master volumes only being set to three quarters volume due to the lack of good instructions from Garmin. Most people only know about the seprerate volume controls for the music and GPS etc and are totally unaware that they can increase the master volumes up with a another 2-3 bars.

By changing the GPS voice to British English also helps increase the GPS levels as we have found it is louder than Emily or Daniel etc.

The Zumo upgrade we recommend all the way as it helps you gain an extra few MPH but at the end of the day the Zumo's do need to be redesigned offering a lot higher volume.

We have found from our testing on our ZZR1400 the Zumo limits out at around 100mph with which ever leads are being used. Modifications to our circuit boards will help squeeze another 20mph if that for the audio.

Or the overall results help with in-ear speakers but this will add even more money to everyones set up.

Rich

 

[talaris]

Volume

Rich

may be a silly question but how do you increase the "master volume"?

 

[Gipsy]

Thanks for all the replies evryone. Is there another booster amp that can be wired up to the output of the autocom unit and which is bike powered, to improve sound levels. Don't want to go down the route of in ear speakers.

 

[Spikehammer]

Try this guy. He really, really into customer service and his product is top notch.

http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html

 

[GSrich]

Rich

may be a silly question but how do you increase the "master volume"?

Once the Zumo is in the cradle bike powered press the bottom left button then the + or - button and this will then bring up a yellow volume bar towards the right hand side of the screen, press the + button to add the extra 2-3 volume bars. Then you can tweak the seperate MP3 and GPS volumes on the different controls.

Rich

 

[Jaws]

I was unlucky enough to cop one of the first Zumo's.. the ones that kept falling over and would not restart !
Whilst arranging to get it sorted out th every helpful chap told me of the master volume thing.. Once I got the unit back from Garmin ( super quick service as always ! ) I did the deed and have been listening to recorded MP3 stories as loud as you like ever since ( not keen on music for long journeys, prefer a good story )

As a matter of interest, if you are anything to do with Garmin Rich, do the world a favour and suggest they either get shot of the girl/girls on the help desk or at the very least retrain them ..
They are NOT helpful at all.. This is not only my findings but other folks too !

 

[GSrich]

Jaws, I work for Autocom mate but we are Garmin dealers hence why I also try and help the people on here with Zumo or other Garmin problems or questions etc. Helpdesk wise we do not really speak with them here just some of the techies from time to time, but I know that some of the telephone numbers that we have given out have sometimes not worked or been un-answered!!!

Rich

 

[Davy F]

do the world a favour and suggest they either get shot of the girl/girls on the help desk or at the very least retrain them ..
They are NOT helpful at all.. This is not only my findings but other folks too !

Not mine. I had to de-register my 2610 and phoned Garmin to do so. The lovely lady I spoke with did the deed AND said she would contact the new owner who needed it registered in his name.

Very happy with the service.