Garmin XT for GL1800 using the bikes intercom system

Auburn

Premier Member
#1
My goal is to upgrade both Garmin 595 to XTs. The issue is the XT is Bluetooth only and my 06 Wing does not have bluetooth. I don't want to chase bluetooth headsets because of battery life.

Currently I use a Kennedy Electronics cell sets to connect both 595s, and radar detector to the intercom system. I pair the iPhone to the primary GPS and everything is happy.

I've checked with Jonathan at Kennedy Electronics and he does not have any Bluetooth devices. I checked with J&M and they only have this Blu Hub which they confirmed only will Bluetooth with headsets. It does allow you to use corded head sets too. But that doesn't help if they won't pair with the XT.

Reaching out to see if anyone has ideas how to solve.
 

EricV

Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#2
I believe a Sena SM10 would solve your problem. Making the Wing a BT device and accepting input from both XTs.

We use one to pair an old zumo 550 non BT unit to the Sena 20S Evo headsets, but you would just be doing the reverse. Read up at the link, maybe fire an email to Sena asking about it.
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#4
Great info Eric and Shawn. Thank you!

I'm gonna try the Electrical Connections BT first and see if that solves the problem.
 
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EricV

Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#5
I like the plug and play aspect, and the price, of the Electrical Connections device, but I wonder aloud about it connecting to GPS units, never mind TWO of them.

From what I remember, phones typically use Hands-Free Profile (HFP), whereas GPS units use Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). The Electrical Connections device is specifically designed to connect ONE phone. The Sena is designed to connect up to TWO A2DP devices, which makes me think that it's a lot more likely to handle your two XTs.

I would call Electrical Connections or email them and ask if their device will:

A - Allow multiple pairings at the same time, and how does it prioritize them?
B - Will it pair with Garmin GPS units?

I can't see how you'd connect two of the Electrical Connection devices to the bike at the same time, (if they can only handle one device). The Sena is designed to take multiple inputs from the get go.
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#7
Just talked with Electric Connections. They said their unit will pair with a Zumo XT. The output use the 3 wire input to the auxiliary system (eliminating the 3.5mm audio jack). It won't pair two units at the same time.

As a side note, they have a nifty switch panel. You need to call them for the switches, as they will custom build it up for you.
 

kwthom

=o&o>
Premier Member
IBA Member
#8
Two differently named BT devices are what's needed. Feed outputs to a mixer/amp (AmpliRider, Mix_It2, or equivalent) and output from amp then goes to Aux in on bike.

Unfortunately, with Aux on, you have only what's there. Similar configuration I have on my 'Wing, zero GPS, one cell phone, one radar detector, one spare channel for wired GPS if needed.
 

Shawn K

Professional Cat Confuser
Premier Member
#9
I like the plug and play aspect, and the price, of the Electrical Connections device, but I wonder aloud about it connecting to GPS units, never mind TWO of them.

From what I remember, phones typically use Hands-Free Profile (HFP), whereas GPS units use Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). The Electrical Connections device is specifically designed to connect ONE phone. The Sena is designed to connect up to TWO A2DP devices, which makes me think that it's a lot more likely to handle your two XTs.

I would call Electrical Connections or email them and ask if their device will:

A - Allow multiple pairings at the same time, and how does it prioritize them?
B - Will it pair with Garmin GPS units?

I can't see how you'd connect two of the Electrical Connection devices to the bike at the same time, (if they can only handle one device). The Sena is designed to take multiple inputs from the get go.
I figured you'd know more about it. You're the brains, I'm more of a pretty face. ;)
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#10
I have a couple of ideas in the works.
First, the EC BT unit will only do one GPS at a time.

Second thing, was I scored a SM10 on the Gold Wing forum at a really good price.

Gives me some options to play with and see pluses and minuses for both. Once everything gets here I'll post up what I found out as I think there are others with similar issues trying to upgrade to BT GPS units.
 
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EricV

Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#11
I figured you'd know more about it. You're the brains, I'm more of a pretty face. ;)
Not sure where you got THAT idea... :D either for me or for you! ;) now where did I leave my beer?

@Auburn - Choices are good. I don't think you're the only one that will find that info useful. I look forward to reading about your first hand experience getting the 2 XTs to play nice with the Wing.
 

igurv

Active Member
#13
I have the following setup...
Replaced the 3.5 aux pin with Bluetooth setup... wired into power turns on with ignition.
Have zumo... powered on with ignition...
Bluetooth connects with zumo for music and calls.
Headset connected to zumo via bluetooth
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#14
I have the following setup...
Replaced the 3.5 aux pin with Bluetooth setup... wired into power turns on with ignition.
Have zumo... powered on with ignition...
Bluetooth connects with zumo for music and calls.
Headset connected to zumo via bluetooth
I am trying to avoid the battery limitations of the bluetooth headset. I understand that many of the bluetooth headsets can be charges while riding, but the connection is not waterproof, so kind of defeats the purpose when on a long ride. I am working on a solution for the corded system on the Goldwing.

Currently waiting on a couple more cables to arrive (today or tomorrow hopefully) then I can do some testing.
 

Greg Rice

Premier Member
IBR Finisher
#15
On the back of the Garmin XT there are more than the positive and negative connectors and I spoke to Garmin about these and asked if the other 3 connectors where possibly for audio out and they where kind of like a no comment.

I have not tested mine yet.
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#16
On the back of the Garmin XT there are more than the positive and negative connectors and I spoke to Garmin about these and asked if the other 3 connectors where possibly for audio out and they where kind of like a no comment.

I have not tested mine yet.
I saw that too. Not sure why Garmin didn’t elect to give audio and mic cables with the power. I would be interested in what you find out.
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#17
Finally have some resolution. Not exactly what I wanted, but it will get the job done. This is specific to pre-2018 Goldwings.

I ended up with a Kennedy Electronics 95541 cellset connected to the GL1800 audio system. I got their radar detector cable for Escort 360 Max (you don't need attenuation - he custom made this cable for me about $50). You do need the single set to connect the radar detector through. Jonathon can set you up with what you need to do. I also got the cables to connect a 595 to the cell set.

To connect the Garmin XT, I got a GPS connection from Cyclemax ($60). It feeds the GPS output ONLY to the intercom system. It has a volume adjustment and uses a 3.5mm input jack.

I got a bluetooth device for the aux system from Electrical Connections ($35). I did not need the ground loop isolation for my bike. more common to need on 12-17 models. I had to solder a female 3 pole (stereo) jack in place of the aux connector (they used to have them with 3.5mm female jack - I don't l know if they still offer that or not.)

I connected Cyclemax unit both upstream of the 95441 and down stream. Made no difference. I could clearly hear the XT on the intercom system.

The 95441 allows you to choose where you have the sound play via a switch. I am set up with the 595 as the primary GPS because the sound is louder via the audio system (music, radio, CD system) and is in stereo. The XT only comes in on the intercom system and is not as loud and is in mono only. I don't know if that is due to the Electrical Connections unit being mono or the Cyclemax unit only supports mono.

The main thing is now I can hear the XT. I can use the master volume on it to turn down so I don't have them trying to talk over each other. But the XT allows me to clearly see it in bright sunlight where the 595 does not. I pair my phone with the 595 and can make phone calls using the 595 or dialing on the phone and both the passenger and I can hear and talk on the phone through the audio system. The Cyclemax unit is sound only and can be heard by both myself and the passenger.

The key is getting your speakers in the right location, as it really does affect sound quality and loudness. I had to move the ear pockets on both my and my wife's helmets to get them in the right place. The difference, volume levels at 8-12 on the intercom and10-12 on the main audio channel. Before I was pushing 15+ on the intercom and 20-25 on the audio. These are with Earpeace filtered earplugs. I use the Music version with the max 24 db filters. They offer a moto version that goes to 26 db if you prefer. Very comfortable plugs. I am using the J&M 801 elite headset with the Aero IV boom mic and their speakers. It is still a wired system.

I was never able to get everything working with the SENA 50s units with either the Freewire or the SM10. The units are great, but just not quite there yet.

I am still testing and view this as an interim set up as I still want to end up with both XT in use and eliminate the 595. The bluetooth only interface on the XT is the weak link right now. Hopefully the bluetooth will get better and support talking to the XT for phone calls as well a stereo sound.
 

Auburn

Premier Member
#18
I did one more test. I had the Kennedy Electronics set up to support a Garmin 595 and a Garmin 665 with XM radio originally. I had later updated that to 2 Garmin 595s and sold the 665.

KE doesn't offer a Bluetooth option to communicate with the GPS units. In talking with them, they don't want to rely on someone else's technology to make their system work. My solution is a work around given this limitation.

I found a Bluetooth 5.0 3.5mm stereo output at Sierra Electronics. I used the KE cable for the 665 which has a 3.5 mm stereo input (male end) to plug into the SE Bluetooth dongle and into the KE module. The difference is the sound from the XT is in stereo and inputs into the intercom system instead of the mono input with the Aux system input by Cyclemax / Electrical Connections set up. I installed a UBS power unit for the Bluetooth device to get power.

This allows you to use the Goldwing's audio system for radio, CB, and CD while still being able to hear the both the 595 and the XT in stereo by both the passenger and driver. It also gives better volume controls. There is a slight delay in the XT due to the Bluetooth interface and you have to adjust the volume of the 595 down with it's master control so they are both at similar levels when heard in the helmet.

This set up allows the 595 to pair and control your phone, both to play music and give directions to be heard clearly.

Next test will be to use the XT as primary routing directions since it is much faster than the 595, and use the 595 mainly for making/receiving phone calls and as a backup to the XT.