Garmin Streetpilot & MP3 player common earphone question

[xcsp]

Is it possible to connect the audio out from the Garmin Streetpilot (for text to speech) and a stand-alone MP3 player to earphones and have the text to speach overide the music when necessary?

 

[pawtracks]

If you are using a GPS unit that does not have mp3 player capabilty built-in (which I would assume based on your question) then the answer would be no.

As long as I understand your scenario to be:

GPS ----->

(Dual headphone jack/spliter) ----> Headphones/helmet

iPod ----->

If the above diagragm is similar to what you are doing/trying to do there is nothing built into either device to tell one to override the other (i.e which device takes priority)

What model Streetpilot do you have? I have a 2730, which is also a MP3 player.

If music is playing and a turn or voice prompt is required by the route I have chosen it will interupt the music until the GPS unit is done talking, then back to music. (This is all controlled internally by the GPS unit itself) It works in the car using the power/speaker attachment or on the FJR using helmet speaker/headphones.

What I did learn in researching your question was so many of the Streetpilots do not do mp3 (Quick glance tells me the 2730 & 2820 are the only ones in that design range/style)

I always assumed the newer models 2610-2820 all did mp3. (I was way off)

Here are a bunch of links to compare features if anyone is thinking about getting a used one (only new one still in production is the 2820) 2610, 2620, 2650, 2660, 2720, 2730, 2820)

That should answer your question, then again if you picked up the Streetpilot off eBay (like many people do) and it came with no instructions you might not even know half the features built in. If you are still stuck, post up your model number and we can go from there.

 

[ejworthen]

Is it possible to connect the audio out from the Garmin Streetpilot (for text to speech) and a stand-alone MP3 player to earphones and have the text to speach overide the music when necessary?

There are a few products out there that will prioritize the signals going to your earphones.

The Mix-It is one although it's a bit pricey.

https://cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=MIXIT

A Radar OverRide might work.

https://cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=KT-ROR

or this

https://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/xma3-Mixer-p-16301.html

 

[xcsp]

Thanks for the information! I have a 2730 that does have a built-in MP3 player, but looking for the possibility to use a MP3 player with more storage capacity along with the GPS.

The Radar Override looks like it could be the answer.

 

[pawtracks]

Cool products, I learn something new everyday.

Since I know the 2730 very well, another option may be to make more space on your Garmin and save the $100's for something else.

The Garmin is not the best mp3 player by any means, but I have made it work better (space wise) (IMHO)

Here's a link to when this was discussed in the past.

Let me know if you have further questions.

 

[SkooterG]

I use a Mix-It and love it. I keep it in the side pocket of my tank bag with the volume knob showing so it's very easy to reach and turn down the volume when I need to talke to someone.

 

[vol210]

I use a Mix-It and love it. I keep it in the side pocket of my tank bag with the volume knob showing so it's very easy to reach and turn down the volume when I need to talke to someone.

Ditto, gunny, +1 whatever . I output the MixIt into a stereo bluetooth transmitter and wear the receiver around my neck with my favorite in ear plugs. No wires to the bike and volume on the MixIt still controls sound.

 

[SkooterG]

I output the MixIt into a stereo bluetooth transmitter and wear the receiver around my neck with my favorite in ear plugs. No wires to the bike and volume on the MixIt still controls sound.

Cool.

Name of product? Links?

I didn't even know they had stereo bluetooth. Not that I am very good at keeping up with that stuff.

 

[vol210]

This is the one I use Globalsat review. I took out the batteries of each of the units and power the transmitter from the bike and the receiver from a Ipod genI battery (good for about 40-50 hours). There's quite a few different models out there. The key is finding the ones you can use your own headsets with.

Edit; I found some on Ebay HERE, but the charger from this guy doesn't fit our sockets (I've purchased from him before for friends )

 

[pawtracks]

I took out the batteries of each of the units and power the transmitter from the bike and the receiver from a Ipod genI battery (good for about 40-50 hours)

Can you tell us more about the power modifications?

-How is the ipod battery wired in?

-Do you need a specific battery (voltage wise) or will any ipod battery work?

-Did you just cut the stock battery cable and solder it to the ipod battery?

and finally, how do you recharge the ipod battery?

This sounds like an awesome setup, all the audio inputs into the mixit and no wires to the rider.

Just what I have been looking for, I gave up after awhile and figured it (bluetooth) just wasn't ready yet.

 

[vol210]

Can you tell us more about the power modifications?-How is the ipod battery wired in?

-Do you need a specific battery (voltage wise) or will any ipod battery work?

-Did you just cut the stock battery cable and solder it to the ipod battery?

and finally, how do you recharge the ipod battery?

This sounds like an awesome setup, all the audio inputs into the mixit and no wires to the rider.

Just what I have been looking for, I gave up after awhile and figured it (bluetooth) just wasn't ready yet.

I opened both units and unplugged the existing batteries. They were lithium polymers at 250 mAh if I remember correctly. I cut the leads at the battery to use the connector. Soldered those leads to another small DC connector picked up from Mouser Electronics. I could get P/Ns if you need, but any connectors you want to use would be fine. Cut a small hole in the cases to allow the leads to the outside.

Picked up some Apple Ipod generation 1 L-Poly batteries at 2200 mAh and installed them in small Witz cases with some neoprene foam (old mouse pad ). Used opposite sex connector mounted in small hole on top of case attached to new battery.

Need to use a lithium poly battery (3.7 volt nominal, 3-4.2V range) to power these things. The supplied batteries supposedly last 4-5.5 hours. I just wanted much more than that. There is a charging control circuit in the Globalsat headset & audio gateway units with a micro USB connector for power. So to recharge the batteries all you do is plug into a USB port. Some cell phones use the same type of chargers. I’ll try and get a couple pictures tomorrow.

It works great. I have pretty good sound at anywhere from 10 – 40 feet from the bike when it’s on. Was inside a gas station a couple weeks ago almost 55’ from the bike when all of a sudden the music starts playin in my helmet and the volume control is in the tankbag.

 

[pawtracks]

Thanks for the info, sounds like a fun project.