Garmin Zumo 550 Audio Setup

[DeanFJR]

I recently purchased a Zumo 550 :clapping: . I did a search on google and found some great information on expensive audio setups - starcom1, J&M, etc. For now, I am looking for the cheapest way to transmit the sound (mp3 files) and the gps directions to my ear. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks, Dean

 

[DesignFlaw06]

I recently purchased a Zumo 550 :clapping: . I did a search on google and found some great information on expensive audio setups - starcom1, J&M, etc. For now, I am looking for the cheapest way to transmit the sound (mp3 files) and the gps directions to my ear. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks, Dean

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1185267960408

Buy a set of these. Clip the headband off carefully and the wires pull out easier. I did this in my helmet and it works great. I even went a step further and wired a set of buttons to the outside of my helmet so I could pause or change tracks. I don't have the Zumo, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work with any Bluetooth device. It works with a few cell phones I've tried. Don't bother with the microphone though, it's worthless at any speed.

I can help you with more direction if you're interested. And if you watch, Best Buy occasionally has these on sale for $30.

 

[squeezer]

Plug earbuds into the audio jack and go ride. That's what it's designed for.

You don't need any of the fancy stuff unless you want to mix audio from more than one source (like adding a radar detector or CB radio).

My personal preference for earbuds on the bike are the Etymotic ER6i's, but if you're trying to keep the cost down, any $10 set from the nearest off-price store will work just dandy.

 

[JamesK]

For about $65 you can get a simple 3-way mixer with a 200mW amp built-in from https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html

 

[DeanFJR]

Thanks for the information. I will definately explore all avenues to see which one works the best.

 

[johnny80s]

All you need is the headphones. You don't need an amplifier of anything else. A cheap set of ear buds will work fine.

 

[Patriot]

For about $65 you can get a simple 3-way mixer with a 200mW amp built-in from <a href="https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html" target="_blank">https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html</a>

I wanted to put all my sound traffic through my J&M CB unit without any of the 3 units having "priority" or canceling out one of the others...after corresponding with Gary the seller/inventer/producer, I ordered a unit...I explained what I wanted to do and he said it would do the job...MP3 music, Zumo GPS, and Adaptiv TPX radar detector. He advised to purchase in addition from him an isolator cable for the mono output radar detector. Of course, the MP3 and Zumo are sterio.

$65 for Amplirider and $15 for the isolation cable...it is shipped from Canada, so give it 10 business days to arrive.

It wires into 12v switched, and provides 3 in to 1 out connection, along with a remote volume control with a cable connecting it to the unit, ignition filtering, and amplification.

I set the volume of each item (radar detector warning slightly louder than GPS slightly louder than music)...

Lots of wires to deal with and for now, it's stored in a small camera case with the volume control (black with white stripe knob) cable tied to the bars.

LIKEE !!!

 

[tcfjr]

I needed something to mix my Zumo and my radar detector audio, and used the details in this old post from the Forum to build my own:

AB headphone switch - make sure you wind up at post #7, by jekirby
It's unpowered, and only provides an electrically safe way to combine two audio inputs into one audio output, which is exactly what I wanted. It takes a trip to Radio Shack for about $7 worth of parts, and an hour of work with a drill and a soldering iron. I've been using my unit without a problem for a few years now.

 

[Knifemaker]

Plug earbuds into the audio jack and go ride. That's what it's designed for.

You don't need any of the fancy stuff unless you want to mix audio from more than one source (like adding a radar detector or CB radio).

My personal preference for earbuds on the bike are the Etymotic ER6i's, but if you're trying to keep the cost down, any $10 set from the nearest off-price store will work just dandy.

+1 on all that.

I picked up a 4 foot shielded headphone extention cord at Radio Shack and routed it under the tank panel so it the jack comes up between the seat and the tank. I can then feed the earphone cord down under my jacket and plug into the jack there. No flapping wires.

 

[AVGeek]

For about $65 you can get a simple 3-way mixer with a 200mW amp built-in from <a href="https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html" target="_blank">https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html</a>

<a href="https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider/ar1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

+2 on the Ampli-Rider. I have an earlier version, and used it extensively until I upgraded to a Sena Bluetooth setup. It works like a charm, although I did need to use an inline passive volume control from Radio Shack when I had a cheap GPS on the bike (the line out from my iPod was much stronger than the GPS audio out!)