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Incompatible Garmin 65 & Sena SMH10R


pgm

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Arggghhhh!... (as Charlie Brown would say)

 

I have a Sena SMH10R on my helmet - OK, but the volume seems a little weak.  It works OK with my riding budding (I bought a pair and gave him one). 

 

Then I bought a Garmin 65 GPS.  I was under the impression that BlueTooth is compatible thru all generations (3, 4, 4.1, 5 and so on).  Unfortunately, my Garmin says no dice.  I really would like the voice prompts from the garmin. 

 

Can anyone explain to me what is going on?

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PGM,

 

Not familiar with the newer "65", but I've have, and have thoroughly used, a slew of Garmins going back to the Nuvi 200.  I use a Nuvi 2599LMTHD or a 3590LM on the bikes because the screens will rotate and are hi-def.

 

I drive all over the South for business and use a big Nuvi 2797 next to my cell phone running Waze.  BOTH android and Garmin have good features and not-so-good shortcomings.  One thing about Garmin is the Customer Support, email or cell phone, you always get someone who knows their stuff.  They have always made me happy I called.  You might try that if you haven't already.

 

I looked at the reviews of the 65 on Amazon, specifically the "critical" reviews.  Looks like there are some problems with the unit, occasional crazy directions, long boot-up, power cable compatibility, overheating, lack of concise instructions, etc.   I'd avoid it.  Too late to return it??  Call Garmin.

 

As for Sena, I have (or HAD) the Sena SRL in a Neotec II.  Got it out last weekend, charged it up, and its dead. The battery is OK, the unit is dead.  It's been a little over two years since I bought it (warranty is 2 years, 0.000 months).  Good thing I also have a Cardo.  MUCH better hardware, software, technology, support, audio, you name it.  Good luck with Sena.

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On 3/18/2021 at 4:50 PM, pgm said:

Can anyone explain to me what is going on?

 

Seems like the 65 doesn't have "traditional" bluetooth ... the manual is a bit fuzzy ...in one place it mentions bluetooth to talk to smartphones, but in another section on how to pair the phone you need to load a Garmin app on your phone which then communicates via bluetooth to the garmin 65... wacky ... obviously the designers did not consider turn by turn audio as a feature needed for the smartphone .

 

 Garmin figures motorcycles should use use their new Zumo XT which looks like a pretty spiffy unit.

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12 minutes ago, chrisolson said:

Garmin figures motorcycles should use use their new Zumo XT which looks like a pretty spiffy unit.

 

If I was in the market for a Garmin ... the XT would be it ... really seems like they've put most everything they've learned from users into one unit... and on sale at $399 (normal $499) its quite a steal vs the older Zumos :18:

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8 hours ago, Chris K said:

Looks like the 65 has wi-fi connection but not bluetooth. 

It has both.  But for some reason, one mfr or the other does not do compatible bluetooth for Turn-by-Turn voice prompts

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On 3/22/2021 at 2:25 PM, chrisolson said:

 

If I was in the market for a Garmin ... the XT would be it ... really seems like they've put most everything they've learned from users into one unit... and on sale at $399 (normal $499) its quite a steal vs the older Zumos :18:

 

$399??   

 

Where??

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34 minutes ago, Lowndes said:

 

$399??   

 

Where??

 

It was a limited time offer on Garmins' site ... unfortunately now expired.

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Still showing at $399 from Sierra BMW right now. Several retailers had the XT at that price, but most of them are now back at the $499 level. I do think the limited time offer has expired, and some that ordered one have to wait a while for them to be back in stock.  

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Got it.

 

THANK YOU, Ikraus!!

 

Well, Paypal says it went thru, and Sierra said Thank You.  Hope I don't get a call or email Monday morning.  We'll see.

 

 

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John Bentall
On 3/18/2021 at 11:50 PM, pgm said:

Arggghhhh!... (as Charlie Brown would say)

 

I have a Sena SMH10R on my helmet - OK, but the volume seems a little weak.  It works OK with my riding budding (I bought a pair and gave him one). 

 

Then I bought a Garmin 65 GPS.  I was under the impression that BlueTooth is compatible thru all generations (3, 4, 4.1, 5 and so on).  Unfortunately, my Garmin says no dice.  I really would like the voice prompts from the garmin. 

 

Can anyone explain to me what is going on?

I do believe that you have purchased an automobile GPS. 

 

In an automobile you might need to connect to a smartphone so that you can see who is calling on the GPS screen and even dial out. 

 

One does not need a Sena SMH10R headset to hear the GPS in the cabin of an automobile - so the GPS has only a BT PHONE (HFP) profile built in. 

 

The GPS needs a HEADSET (HSP) profile to communicate with a Sena/Cardo headset. 

 

The last Garmin automobile GPS to feature both profiles was the Nuvi 765 of about a decade ago.

 

Ridermount in the UK do a suitable little gadget to provide BT from an automobile GPS

 

 

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John - Thank you for providing a clear explanation and insight. 

 

Yes, I should have known that bluetooth has implemented "profiles" as they went thru version numbers.  While "backward compatible", it is not forward compatible. 

 

The 65 was a refurbished unit that cost me little change.  I'll keep it in my Tacoma truck.  It works well for me there, as I can receive phone calls with good audio, both in & out. 

 

Mean while, this thread has focused me on an XT for my bike at a 20% discount... OK, I can't take my money to my grave (as "they" say). 

 

Thanks again for a great response.

 

cheers.

23 hours ago, John Bentall said:

I do believe that you have purchased an automobile GPS. 

 

In an automobile you might need to connect to a smartphone so that you can see who is calling on the GPS screen and even dial out. 

 

One does not need a Sena SMH10R headset to hear the GPS in the cabin of an automobile - so the GPS has only a BT PHONE (HFP) profile built in. 

 

The GPS needs a HEADSET (HSP) profile to communicate with a Sena/Cardo headset. 

 

The last Garmin automobile GPS to feature both profiles was the Nuvi 765 of about a decade ago.

 

Ridermount in the UK do a suitable little gadget to provide BT from an automobile GPS

 

 

 

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