Add non-BMW GPS to a CamHead R1200RT?

[Deek]

I am considering getting a 2012/2013 R1200RT. This would be my third R1200RT. The one I'm looking at has all the options, but it does not have GPS. I do no want to play about $1000 for BMW's GPS, and would rather install an other Garmin GPS....maybe a Zumo, but more likely one of my StreetPilot 27xx, or maybe a Nuvi. I don't absolutely have to have GPS audio, but it sure would be nice.

 

So...anyone here add a GPS to their R12000RT? Is it possible to have the sound routed through the bike's audio system? I don't need or plan to use Bluetooth, and I always wear a helmet with a J&M headset it in.

 

Another question - I have no experience with the "wheel-thing" that controls the audio system.....does it work okay with an iPod TOuch? I mean, does the dask show what the iPad Touch shows on its screen?

[azokie]

I can answer part of your question. I have a 2012 RT with the audio package and BMW Nav with power wired to the BMW nav power plug and the audio plug with audio output from radio (AM, FM, XM and GPS) hardwired to my J&M Integrator up to my J&M helmet set. However, Before I got the BME Nav (Came with the purchase deal in 2012) I had a Garmin 276C hooked up which is more to your question. I mounted the GPS using a Ram ball mount that screws into one of the bar clamp mounts. I used a Ram extension arm to connect to the ram ball on the back of the 276C mount. I ran the audio/power cable of the 276C to the J&M Integrator and 12v power from the Integrator. It worked just fine. That's my set up before the BMW Nav which did include the J&M Integrator. That set up gave me the audio from the GPS.

 

Currently, with the BMW Nav, I have all audio including the GPS routed through the integrator to my helmet headset, including CB or GMRS and radar audio.

 

The wheel adjuster on the left bar took a bit of time to get used to it but now I think it works pretty slick. I can't answer question as to Ipod or any connection to the dongle in the right fairing pocket. But, my guess is that it would show the disk on the screen since it is integrated with the audio system but I do not know for a fact.

[12R12RT]

Deek -

 

I have a 2012 with the audio system.

 

My GPS is a ZUMO 660, which gets it's power from the GPS connector down on the steering head.

 

I also have a Sena SMH10 doing the audio work, which is hooked in via the audio system's BlueTooth.

 

For the GPS, I have the ZUMO cradle's audio out plugged into the audio system's Aux port, which is located in the glove box. To listen to the ZUMO's directions or mp3, I select the Aux function.

 

Of course, what that means is that I cannot hear the ZUMO directions while listening to the bike's AM/FM/XM. Since I usually don't pay attention to directions anyway, it's not a problem...

 

Tom

[Deek]

Heck, I use an integratr now with my non-audio RT. I use it for the GPS (as you do) and for playing my MP3 player. But I thought there was a way to plug the GPS audio output into the BMW's audio system? That was what I figured I'd need.....of course, also have to figure out some way to get the audio to my helmet's J&M speakers instead of the bike's dash speakers.

 

Hmmmm....that's an issue!

 

[Deek]

"....For the GPS, I have the ZUMO cradle's audio out plugged into the audio system's Aux port, which is located in the glove box. To listen to the ZUMO's directions or mp3, I select the Aux function.

 

Of course, what that means is that I cannot hear the ZUMO directions while listening to the bike's AM/FM/XM. Since I usually don't pay attention to directions anyway, it's not a problem...

"

 

Rats, that would be a problem for me....I like both my MP3 player's audio and the GPS audio at the same time....the GPS blanking out the MP3 when it "speaks" is okay of course. And that doesn't sound like how it works?

 

I want to option of listening to anything (FM, MP3, etc) while also hearing the GPS directions. Maybe that's why the first responder uses an Integratr?

 

[Deek]

I can answer part of your question. I have a 2012 RT with the audio package and BMW Nav with power wired to the BMW nav power plug and the audio plug with audio output from radio (AM, FM, XM and GPS) hardwired to my J&M Integrator up to my J&M helmet set. However... Before .....I had a Garmin 276C hooked up which is more to your question. .....I ran the audio/power cable of the 276C to the J&M Integrator and 12v power from the Integrator.....

....

 

The wheel adjuster on the left bar took a bit of time to get used to it but now I think it works pretty slick. I can't answer question as to Ipod or any connection to the dongle in the right fairing pocket. But, my guess is that it would show the disk on the screen since it is integrated with the audio system but I do not know for a fact.

 

It sounds like without the BMW Nav, but with the Audio option, I'd STILL need an Integratr (which I use on my '09 RT) to listen to GPS? I'm thinking the BMW Audio option has an output cable (3.5mm) that plugs into the Integatr....like my MP3 player does now? So am I correct that the Integrator is there to allow us to use our wired headsets? Man, this is getting complicated! I was hoping getting a new RT with audio would allow me to drop the Integratr but still use my wired helmet.....my Royal Star Venture had that option....use dash speakers or wired helmet.

[12R12RT]

...

I want to option of listening to anything (FM, MP3, etc) while also hearing the GPS directions. Maybe that's why the first responder uses an Integratr?

 

I expect so. The Integrator solution is overly complicated for my needs, so if I need to hear the directions I either listen only to the directions, or I decide that the GPS mp3s are what I really wanted to listen to... 8^)

 

Tom

[azokie]

Deek. Warning. This is long.

 

The BMW repair plug has 4 wires as a pig tail but only three are used-normally. You will know what I mean by normally later. You can refer to diagrams referred to within other messages and on various forums.. Then, what may cause some confusion and some negative thoughts is that of the three useable wires coming out of the repair plug--left, right and ground--if going to the J&M Integratr, you use only the left and right wires. On the cable going to the integrator with the 3.5 mm male plug that cable will also have three conductors one is ground--usually wrapped in foil. Again, use just the left and right wires of the audio cable and the left and right wires of the repair plug connector. What I am describing is only applicable to connecting to the J&M Integrator, as far as I know. The reason is that the Integrator is already grounded and if you also use ground wires from the BMW radio you will know it because there will be a loud ground hum type noise that will be present. I know because I used all three initially and finally figured out why I was getting the hum noise. I think this is referred to as a ground loop.

 

As to your non BMW (Garmin) GPS with audio connection. Just do as you thought and run an audio cable from the GPS to your Integrator GPS port. Again, because most GPS units use a mono plug and for some reasons I forget at the moment, you may not get audio out of the GPS thru the Integrator into your helmet because of the ground loop issue. If not, all you need is a ground loop isolation cable or adapter. One of these: https://www.escortradar.com/store/motorcycle-adapter.html or http://www.amazon.com/PAC-SNI-1-3-5mm-Ground-Isolator/dp/B004E8YRS0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1358997039&sr=8-6&keywords=cable+ground+loop+isolator

 

The same isolation adaptor will likely be needed with any radar detector going through the J&M Itegratr.

 

The one thing I do not like about my BMW Nav system integrated with the radio/audio system is that the volume of the nav unit is controlled by the audio wheel on the left handle bar location—which also control the radio audio. So, if I am listening to XM, for example, with the Nav unit turned on and navigating to a location, the Nav unit audio instructions override the XM radio station but I think only one speaker cuts out the XM. So, the louder I attempt to make the Nan unit audio, the loader the XM radio is in the other headset speaker. I often just mute the XM if I think I am about to hear a Nav audible instruction. Having a separate GPS audio volume control would negate the integrated audio issue.

 

[Ed Y]

Hey Deek, Have you resolved your issue with adding the non-BMW GPS to your bike. I like you had purchased a new R1200Rt thinking I was going to be able to just plug in my Garmin GPS and be off to the races. I had always used an integrator with J&M headsets in the past. I have been able to connect my Garmin Zumo into the BMW audio system to hear all the voice prompts as well as the MP3 player thru both the bike speakers as well as thru the BT option. I fabricated a harness with a switch that allows me to switch between my ipod or GPS(MP3) for music and still hear my GPS voice prompts regardless of which audio source I am listening to be it FM radio, Ipod, or GPS(MP3). I eliminated the J&M integrator altogether and purchased the BMW BT headset. In this configuration you could still use your wired headset thru the 4-pole speaker jack under the dash. ( See other posts in this forum for info) My cost for the harness and switches and connectors was maybe $50. I can provide a wiring illustration with pictures if anyone is interested in how to hook up a non-BMW GPS to the new 2010-2013 RT audio system.