ZUMO Coil Cord

[Effjay]

I've been frustrated with earbuds which seem to do their tangled "rats-nest" thing at every opportunity. Too frequently, I get settled on the bike with buds in place and helmet donned so as not to displace the buds only to have them jerked out of place by an unplanned motion. While riding home from DV Daze last weekend, I resolved to find a solution. Yep, a coiled extension cord with 3.5mm male/female connectors. Googling led to the Nexxtech product pictured available from Circuit City. No online specs so I couldn't determine length. A visit to a retail store revealed 20 feet long (yikes!) but in reality, the coiled length is less than 3 feet long (as pictured) and coiled wire gauge is sturdy to resist stretching in relaxed position. I compared sound volume and quality with and without coiled cord and noticed no difference. The included 3.5mm splitter might be useful for dual riders, although that likely would reduce audio volume. My plan is to route my earbuds (ER6i) under my shirt with the buds exiting at my neck then I will simply insert the male plug into the coil cord. No more unplugging at quick fuel stops unless desired. I think this will work well.

 

Jeff

Nexxtech coil cord from Circuit City

[Bullett]

Good luck with that. I'm curious to hear how your experiment works out.

 

I gave Jan my ear speakers after his disappeared. I had become so frustrated with the earbuds pulling loose when I turned my head that I reinstalled my helmet speakers.

[T__]

I've been frustrated with earbuds which seem to do their tangled "rats-nest" thing at every opportunity. Too frequently, I get settled on the bike with buds in place and helmet donned so as not to displace the buds only to have them jerked out of place by an unplanned motion. While riding home from DV Daze last weekend, I resolved to find a solution. Yep, a coiled extension cord with 3.5mm male/female connectors. Googling led to the Nexxtech product pictured available from Circuit City. No online specs so I couldn't determine length. A visit to a retail store revealed 20 feet long (yikes!) but in reality, the coiled length is less than 3 feet long (as pictured) and coiled wire gauge is sturdy to resist stretching in relaxed position. I compared sound volume and quality with and without coiled cord and noticed no difference. The included 3.5mm splitter might be useful for dual riders, although that likely would reduce audio volume. My plan is to route my earbuds (ER6i) under my shirt with the buds exiting at my neck then I will simply insert the male plug into the coil cord. No more unplugging at quick fuel stops unless desired. I think this will work well.

 

Jeff

[

 

Jeff, I’m using a 3’ coiled cord with a small finger wheel volume control in line that clips to my jacket.. A lot easier to adjust the volume with that finger wheel than the Zumo controls.. Cost about $9-10.00 on line.. I can’t remember where I ordered it from but will post the place when I find the place (or remember it).. I should be able to find it again as also ordered in-helmet speakers for the same place..

 

Twisty

[Effjay]

Twistie,

Your own cord set up sound like the length I really wanted plus that in-line volume control "sounds" perfect! Please do add a link to the seller when you can! I think my coil cord will be manageable but not really the ideal length.

 

Jeff

Jeff, I’m using a 3’ coiled cord with a small finger wheel volume control in line that clips to my jacket.. A lot easier to adjust the volume with that finger wheel than the Zumo controls.. Cost about $9-10.00 on line.. I can’t remember where I ordered it from but will post the place when I find the place (or remember it).. I should be able to find it again as also ordered in-helmet speakers for the same place..

 

Twisty

[T__]

Your own cord set up sound like the length I really wanted plus that in-line volume control "sounds" perfect! Please do add a link to the seller when you can! I think my coil cord will be manageable but not really the ideal length.

 

 

Jeff, I looked it up_ the cord came from clearercom.com.. I went to their site & don’t see the cord still listed.. You might E-Mail them or call them & ask if they still carry the cord with volume control..

 

 

 

 

clearercom

 

Twisty

[John Bentall]

Good luck with that. I'm curious to hear how your experiment works out.

 

I gave Jan my ear speakers after his disappeared. I had become so frustrated with the earbuds pulling loose when I turned my head that I reinstalled my helmet speakers.

Sharon, I use custom moulded in-ear speakers with a bespoke exit point so that the cord can more easily be wound over and behind my ears before dropping to the connector. This arrangement provides more friction surface for the cord to counter sudden head movement.

 

John

[Tizone]

Hey Jeff,

 

Your zumo setup looks great... i noticed you also have the factory stereo. How did you wire up the Zumo for power? Also, can the zumo be wired so that it can bea heard through the speakers if you don't want to wear a headset?

[Alan D]

For me, part of the answer is to have the ear bud wire run through a clip and the clip is attached to my jacket near the collar. I have enough slack to be able to move my head around without snagging the wire on anything. I think I took the clip off an old portable CD player. The coiled wire would be an improvement for when I stand up to stretch.

[Effjay]

I hard wired my Zumo to the BMW Nav connector you will find near the existing (RH) factory horn. Do a search here to see pics of that connector as well as the 3 wire (cut to 2 wire) pigtail connector spliced into the Zumo harness. Also view and join: Zumo Forums for a wealth of resource knowledge. My factory radio is not yet wired into an Autocom but that will come a few months from now. I doubt nav audio instructions would be audible clearly at speed through the fairing speakers - which an Autocom resolves either with earbuds or helmet speakers for a totally integrated package.

 

Jeff

 

Hey Jeff,

 

Your zumo setup looks great... i noticed you also have the factory stereo. How did you wire up the Zumo for power? Also, can the zumo be wired so that it can bea heard through the speakers if you don't want to wear a headset?

[jimwms]

Aerostich sells those coiled cords in much shorter lengths.

[hazard]

Aerostich sells those coiled cords in much shorter lengths.

 

Searching for something like this for the last few days, thanks just ordered.

[Bullett]

Good luck with that. I'm curious to hear how your experiment works out.

 

I gave Jan my ear speakers after his disappeared. I had become so frustrated with the earbuds pulling loose when I turned my head that I reinstalled my helmet speakers.

Sharon, I use custom moulded in-ear speakers with a bespoke exit point so that the cord can more easily be wound over and behind my ears before dropping to the connector. This arrangement provides more friction surface for the cord to counter sudden head movement.

 

John

 

Hmmm, this thread reappeared. I obtained custom molded ear plugs from AZ Al at Fall Torrey. They work great.