BMW Connected App./ TFT Navigation

[blaser1234]

To all gurus. Question: On voice commands from Navigation TFT Display on bike I get nothing on Bluetooth earbuds. Am I to assume
that only Helmet installed BMW communication system (Or other System for helmets) will work with Navigation system for receiving audible turn directions? Please advise. Thank you. Andy

 

[r0ckrat]

I had to actually go into the settings and activate the audio directions in the connected app - don't have TFT or BMW nav unit. But when I installed, audio instructions was off by default.

 

[jandhumphreyme]

In addition to r0ckrat's suggestion about app settings, you will need volume up on high on phone and if you have volume setting on earbuds I'd suggest they get cranked up to high as well. Does the bike show paired to your earbuds?

 

[blaser1234]

Will try to activate audio instructions, again, because I thought I did. Volume on TFT set to high. No apparent bluetooth icon of earbuds on TFT. Will play around a bit more. Google remarks seemed pointed to helmet communicators only. Hard to believe blutooth not compatable with other headsets, helmet sets other than BMW or bluetooth earbuds. Will see. Thank you for replies. Appreciated.
Andy

 

[r0ckrat]

This might help explain a little.

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/engineering/detail/navigation-communication/connectivity/faq.html

It depends on the "BT Profiles" available with your earbuds, I think...

 

[jandhumphreyme]

I have a Sena SMH10r and its semi compatible. I can connect my headset to the motorcycle just fine and the only function which does not work is volume control through the wonder wheel, everything else works correctly and very well IMOP. In the TFT I believe under the settings there is a connections tab where you pair your headset to the bike, if your earbuds are not showing connected there then I believe you've found your problem.

 

[blaser1234]

Thank you all. Will try. BMW should try to simplify Nav. so bluetooth to bluetooth device connectivity is not restricted. Frankly helmet communicators have not worked for me with road noise interruptions; so earbuds used. Works fine with cellphone Waze or Google Maps with perfect clarity at speed. Appreciate all comments.
Andy

 

[blaser1234]

Ok, obvious now that more time has been expended the TFT Nav. App. with audio turn by turn instructions cannot be heard by standard bluetooth devices other than BMW Helmet Communicator and perhaps a Sena compatable communicator.

 

[jandhumphreyme]

Blaser1234, If I understand you correctly you cannot get your ear buds to pair with the TFT?

 

[blaser1234]

That is correct. Andy

 

[tsconver]

That is correct. Andy

That is because the TFT s designed to pair to a phone and to a helmet comm. The helmet comm has 2 way so the bluetooth protocol is different than the buds.

 

[r0ckrat]

I have heard that just about any communication device (sena, pactalk, etc.) can connect, but all functions with the wheel may not be available.

For what it's worth, BMW's communicators are *based on* Sena's 10-series devices, made for BMW by Sena.

 

[r0ckrat]

Also, if wind noise is the problem with using a communicator, try wearing earplugs and turning up the volume. I have no trouble hearing and speaking with others up to about 80 mph.

 

[blaser1234]

Well, thank you all for your knowledge contributions. My lack of success with helmet communicators and wind noise ís a given; so I will use cell phone for Navigation paired with ear buds as primary and for voice commands, and use BMW TFT Nav. as backup.
Thank you all again.

 

[jonas_abramson@yahoo.com]

Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Usually not. I use beat fits pro with my iphone and TFT. When it works I can't figure out what I did right or what order I did it in. Any suggestions?!

 

[BrianAMcPhail]

I've attached a short paper that usually helps- but admittedly- I'm doubting that buds will get the job done..

 

[jonas_abramson@yahoo.com]

Thanks so much.

 

[wlueders]

I've attached a short paper that usually helps- but admittedly- I'm doubting that buds will get the job done..

Thanks so much for this information. My question regards "Helmet 2/ Passenger Helmet". What functionality do I gain by pairing my passengers' helmet to the TFT/ Connected Ride? Is it better to go: Iphone 15 to TFT, Rider Helmet (SC2) "Phone 1" to "Rider Helmet" TFT, then passenger helmet "Intercom" to rider helmet "intercom", or have both helmets paired to the TFT as "Rider Helmet" and "Passenger Helmet"? My second helmet is a Nolan N-Com B601 (Sena) unit.

 

[BrianAMcPhail]

I have not tried pairing up the passenger to rider 2. Bouncing it around in my skull here real quick- what it might be good for is escaping me right now. Maybe both riders share the same music source? The bikes have no PTT buttons for intercoms or anything.. Perhaps the BMW branded comms have some unique feature built in to their firmware. Given how poorly the NAV portion of the TFT/Connected app has been executed- it would not surprise me if it was just some useless remnant software code from a decade ago.

 

[r0ckrat]

I know the BMW units are made by SENA, so my guess is that the "rider 2" is there so that a second pilot's helmet can be paired and stored - you know, so if your significant other also rides that bike, then they can also access the navigation without blowing your setup out.