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Radar Detc. Via Bluetooth Via Zumo?


didit

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Over the last few years, I've farkled out the Vfr with an ampli-rider, radar and Sally the GPS. With the option of an MP3 in the mix.

Sally passed away last year due to electrical / battery complications. The whole system running through the ampli-rider works quite well.

But, still tethered with the ear buds to a 3mm receiver plug.

Updating the helmet last fall came with the opportunity to pick up a slightly used Scala G9 for Bluetooth speakers for a great $$.

Picked up a bluetooth transmitter, thinking I could bounce that into the helmet. It works, but only for 1 source.

Alas, the Scala only takes 1 bluetooth at a time (mp3 or radar with BT transmitter).

So then it was back to the Ampli-rider system - plugging the bluetooth transmitter into the 3mm receiver plug and wala! Everything pumps through the scala.

Now, finding a new Zumo 660LM for $100 off ended up hitting my little savings stash to put GPS back on the bike.

The 660 has MP3 built in, bluetooth and connects perfectly with the Scala, but . . .

I'm stuck again without the radar detector as the Zumo won't connect to the BT transmitter.

The only final option is to again, rely on the ampli-rider system, plug the Zumo & radar into their 3mm ports and the BT transmitter into the final output port.

So, the only little thing I can't quite figure, is a safe, semi protected place to velcro mount the BT transmitter, for easy access.

Need to turn it off / on each time after the scala helmet system boots up to connect, and remove for charging each evening at stops.

I 'could' just stuff it under the seat, but it's a PITA having to take the seat on / off 4-8 times during a full day ride.

If this all makes sense to you and you have a suggestion or experience, I'm open.

The ultimate final outcome would be to have the BT transmitter plugged into the radar, with the Zumo and radar coming into the helmet sans wires.

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Are you running with a tank bag? That seems like a logical place for it if you plan on utilizing one. How resistant to moisture is the BT transmitter, and what are the dimensions (in US please, as I still haven't memorized the conversion) of the BT transmitter?

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I do run with a tank bag during longer trips. I started thinking about this location, although on local, shorter / weekend trips I tend not to use the tank bag.

The unit seems fairly resilient, but I wouldn't put it through a rain session. My mind has been thinking of a location under the permanent trunk mount, perhaps with a little plastic pouch.

Just need to figure out routing of the wire.

The unit is approx. 2.25" long, .5" thick and .75" wide with a 5-6" line plug. Smooth black plastic, no buttons / top piece flexes a little for on/pair/off.

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I too just picked up a Scala Rider Q2 and upgraded my Zumo 450 to the bluetooth 550 gps.

Hoping to get away from all cords and take advantage of bluetooth devices I was trying to find something to make the Radar BT. Not a lot out there and worrying about anything battery powered dropping out in the middle of a ride is Not something I want to deal with. My avg ride is 4-8 hrs and thinking I've got Radar and don't is not a good thought for me!!! :unsure:

The HARD system looks ok, But I'm thinking I would prefer audio warning??? Is the HARD battery powered? How long will it last?

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I have to change the battery out of the receiver maybe once a summer but that is the old model. The newer model sips juice so it should last longer.

sounds great, thanks!

BR

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I've been running my Escort 8500 X50 detector plus the BT adapter to my Chatterbox XBi2 for years. Wireless is the way to go. I used the earpiece prior to that and the dangling wire and the slapping of it in the wind annoyed the crap out of me. Plus, I always ended up getting off the bike and taking two steps while still attached to the detector and it eventually tore those earplugs off!

From my experience, the Chatterbox wireless attached to my helmet was ALWAYS the first unit to run out of battery power. It is consistently at 8 hours of life. No more and no less. The BT Adapter always lasted longer than the Chatterbox Xbi2. So I learned how to conserve the XBi2's battery by turning it off when I stop riding. On longer trips I always bring the charger units for both the Chatterbox XBi2 and the BT Adapter.

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What I ended up doing is:

- Running the radar and the Zumo through my existing Ampli-Rider system. (Zumo has a 3mm out)

- ran the output (female) end from the Ampli-rider up to the front under the right side, below the fork top

- hooked up my BT transmitter to the Ampli-rider

For now, while using the tank bag, I just tuck the cable in the top corner. Carry a zip lock baggie just in case of bad rain.

The other plan is to again, put it in the baggie and tuck it under the tank.

I was looking at some easy locations to velcro the BT transimtter below the dash for easy on/off/removal but this negates the waterproof safety.

Thinking of potentially a small plastic box to put everything in for protection.

Performance wise, everything comes through the Scala perfect. Radar overrides everything, music is trumped by GPS instructions.

The only caveat is the intercom between riders trumps all - including radar. So if we're talking about lunch or a discharge stop - gotta pay attention.

As for battery life, only testing will tell. Now that the system works, the ride to, through and beyond TMac will tell the tale.

I've heard about he HARD system, but still like the audio warning. Besides, I'm waiting till Google glass starts making replacement visors for helmets.

That would be the shizzle! Full, heads up GPS display - think IRON man. Of course you'd need a Jarvis just to keep your attention on the road.

BTW, I picked up the BT transmitter from Monoprice.

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didit, just last Saturday I'm out in the twisties on my Yamaha for a shake down run...we just did the last round of work to it so it's finally 100% modded and finished (but my front tire will need changing soon, damnit). I'm cooking it approaching a turn, get a LED flash in the helmet from the HARD unit, chop the throttle, and put through the corner. As I'm coming out of the apex (where I'd normally whack it) there he is, a county LEO in his marked SUV. I know he heard me coming. As soon I was out of his line of sight I put the #1 in the air :)

I won't ride a bike without it.

Having used it so long I'm addicted. V1 also now has a Bluetooth app for the phone so I will send mine in at the end of the season for the upgrade. The App works as a remote display. The LED/HUD leaves your audio alone, which I quite like as half the time I pipe music into the helmet. Whatever works though, for each person, tickets suck!

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Q:

My Schuberth C3 has only one BT channel in. so it allows me either the Garmin BT (unit has no audio out jack) or the BT HTC phone to pair.

Are there any devices out there which would accept both BT signals, sneds out the Garmin one and if the phone (either a incoming call or a signal from the speedcamera app) comes alive, switches to that one and once stopped switches the Garmin signal agian?

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Having used it so long I'm addicted. V1 also now has a Bluetooth app for the phone so I will send mine in at the end of the season for the upgrade. The App works as a remote display. The LED/HUD leaves your audio alone, which I quite like as half the time I pipe music into the helmet. Whatever works though, for each person, tickets suck!

I called and asked them about the their app a couple of months ago. It works as a remote display like you stated. I was hoping I could continue to use my iPhone for music and have the V1 app alert me by sound when it goes off. No such luck, it is visual only. :mad: I can see the V1 lights if I look at it, so I'm not sure what the benefit of having the phone do the same thing is.

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Having used it so long I'm addicted. V1 also now has a Bluetooth app for the phone so I will send mine in at the end of the season for the upgrade. The App works as a remote display. The LED/HUD leaves your audio alone, which I quite like as half the time I pipe music into the helmet. Whatever works though, for each person, tickets suck!

I called and asked them about the their app a couple of months ago. It works as a remote display like you stated. I was hoping I could continue to use my iPhone for music and have the V1 app alert me by sound when it goes off. No such luck, it is visual only. :mad: I can see the V1 lights if I look at it, so I'm not sure what the benefit of having the phone do the same thing is.

For me, my V1 is mounted horizontally on the bike, via the brake res. So viewing it is not ideal. My phone mount is placed where I can view the phone, easily, for GPS. Since I'm using the HARD unit for radar notification, the app is awesome for me. LED light goes off in helmet, I can quickly glance at the phone to see which arrow indicator is pointing towards the po-po. I like that it isn't audible, only visual, that works great for me as it won't interfere with my music. Different strokes.

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For me, my V1 is mounted horizontally on the bike, via the brake res. So viewing it is not ideal. My phone mount is placed where I can view the phone, easily, for GPS. Since I'm using the HARD unit for radar notification, the app is awesome for me. LED light goes off in helmet, I can quickly glance at the phone to see which arrow indicator is pointing towards the po-po. I like that it isn't audible, only visual, that works great for me as it won't interfere with my music. Different strokes.

Happen to have any pictures of your set-up? I looked in your gallery but didn't see anything. My V1 is mounted right above the clutch reservoir and my GPS is off the 2 tank bolts, so it is actually lower and further down to look at, although maybe it is an angle thing? The GPS angle is much better than the V1. With the GPS mounted, I don't have the phone mounted anywhere.

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For me, my V1 is mounted horizontally on the bike, via the brake res. So viewing it is not ideal. My phone mount is placed where I can view the phone, easily, for GPS. Since I'm using the HARD unit for radar notification, the app is awesome for me. LED light goes off in helmet, I can quickly glance at the phone to see which arrow indicator is pointing towards the po-po. I like that it isn't audible, only visual, that works great for me as it won't interfere with my music. Different strokes.

Happen to have any pictures of your set-up? I looked in your gallery but didn't see anything. My V1 is mounted right above the clutch reservoir and my GPS is off the 2 tank bolts, so it is actually lower and further down to look at, although maybe it is an angle thing? The GPS angle is much better than the V1. With the GPS mounted, I don't have the phone mounted anywhere.

Sure. Only difference between when this was taken is I added the x-grip adapter to the center to hold my phone. I use a velcro strap around the V1 for the HARD transmitter. I'm telling you guys, once you start using it you won't want to ride a bike without it.

8B9590A5-215E-4908-A5CF-0CC38E8D1F64-667

if you zoom in on this one you'll see the x-grip.

96F17DFD-14A7-41DC-ADB3-85F45F7F8BBB_zps

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A topical thread for me as I am about to jump in the countermeasures pool. Initially most likely I will use my amplirider for wired alarms to my helmet speakers. My first field exercise is next month. V1 seems like a capable system as well as the Redline.

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Keep in mind that the V1 is permanently upgrade-able. They come with new software or hardware, and you pay a simple upgrade fee.

Other detectors you'd be looking at full replacement

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Keep in mind that the V1 is permanently upgrade-able. They come with new software or hardware, and you pay a simple upgrade fee.

Other detectors you'd be looking at full replacement

Yeah, just a simple $199 update fee! :wacko:

I've been meaning to upgrade mine which is the Original model V1, maybe some day.

BR

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Q:

Are there any devices out there which would accept both BT signals, sneds out the Garmin one and if the phone (either a incoming call or a signal from the speedcamera app) comes alive, switches to that one and once stopped switches the Garmin signal agian?

So far, from my search, the only resolution was utilizing the wired system, then outing the final signal through the BT transmitter.

As for priority overriding, I think you would need a designed system. As you Garmin has no 3mm out, wondering if a BT receiver could pipe in to a wired splitter, then out via BT transmitter.

Other than upgrading all components to a matched, priority order, BT/wired package, it's a matter of plug this try ... plug that try . . . plug this "ZAP" opps not that . . . plug here - nothing . . . . .

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Just found this on Kickstarter. It'll be interesting to watch the progress.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nuviz/the-first-head-up-display-for-motorcycle-helmets#

Disclaimer: Not a promotion for Kickstarter. I backed another project and never received delivery. Buyer beware.

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Keep in mind that the V1 is permanently upgrade-able. They come with new software or hardware, and you pay a simple upgrade fee.

Other detectors you'd be looking at full replacement

Thanks I did not know about the V1 upgrade option. I am going to pull the trigger in a week or so. Eventually I will go BT but for now I will stick with wires and focus on the use of the RD on my first tour.

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Keep in mind that the V1 is permanently upgrade-able. They come with new software or hardware, and you pay a simple upgrade fee.

Other detectors you'd be looking at full replacement

Yeah, just a simple $199 update fee! :wacko:

I've been meaning to upgrade mine which is the Original model V1, maybe some day.

BR

It's usually $99 upgrade fee for software/hardware (which is much cheaper than a whole new unit) but you've got the old clunker where the chassis is HUGE. That's why it's $199 for you, and btw, that's cheaper than a new unit ;)

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