Mounting Zumo 660 / Bel STI & interface - Advice Needed

[bankerjra]

Just purchased my first FJR (2007)and would greatly appreciate some advice on mounting a new Zumo 660 and a Beltronics STI Radar Detector. I have two main questions:

1) What is a good mounting hardware set up for both units that is also good price / value...

2) I "assume" I want to be able to use my Etymotic earphones / plugs (not wireless) to listen to the zummo 660's MP3, then get overridden for voice directions, which then gets overriden by radar alerts. Want to do this as cheaply as possible and open to suggestions if I should scrap the Etymotic earphones and go a different direction...

There are so many options it is starting to boggle my mind not to mention the dollars seem to be adding up pretty fast... Have been to Cycle Gadgets and Legal Speeding but really just need some advice from somebody who has "BEEN THERE DONE THAT". Thanks in advance for your advice!!

 

[08FJR4ME]

Just purchased my first FJR (2007)and would greatly appreciate some advice on mounting a new Zumo 660 and a Beltronics STI Radar Detector. I have two main questions:

1) What is a good mounting hardware set up for both units that is also good price / value...

2) I "assume" I want to be able to use my Etymotic earphones / plugs (not wireless) to listen to the zummo 660's MP3, then get overridden for voice directions, which then gets overriden by radar alerts. Want to do this as cheaply as possible and open to suggestions if I should scrap the Etymotic earphones and go a different direction...

There are so many options it is starting to boggle my mind not to mention the dollars seem to be adding up pretty fast... Have been to Cycle Gadgets and Legal Speeding but really just need some advice from somebody who has "BEEN THERE DONE THAT". Thanks in advance for your advice!!

My setup, Let me know if your interested.



Also this unit

https://rides.webshots.com/photo/2401362770105030702wusuqY

[/URL]

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

2) I "assume" I want to be able to use my Etymotic earphones / plugs (not wireless) to listen to the zummo 660's MP3, then get overridden for voice directions, which then gets overriden by radar alerts. Want to do this as cheaply as possible and open to suggestions if I should scrap the Etymotic earphones and go a different direction...

<Link>

 

[yamafitter]

2) I "assume" I want to be able to use my Etymotic earphones / plugs (not wireless) to listen to the zummo 660's MP3, then get overridden for voice directions, which then gets overriden by radar alerts. Want to do this as cheaply as possible and open to suggestions if I should scrap the Etymotic earphones and go a different direction...

<Link>

If you want your GPS to last you need to isolate it from the high frequency vibration of the bike. This is why I use a Tourtech locking mount for my Garmin 665. If you want to have the radar dectector override the Zumo then you will need to feed the Zumo and the radar detector through a multiplexer. I use the Starcom system since this also gives my bike to bike communication. I'll warn you right now none of this is cheap but then it is also not cheap to replace the electronic farkles when vibration causes an untimely demise.

 

[Fred W]

08FJR4ME's RamBone GPS mount provides all the vibration isolation you will ever need. Plus it is cheap and ultra tidy.JMHO. It was the bottom picture in his post above:

 

[BIODSL]

I "assume" I want to be able to use my Etymotic earphones / plugs (not wireless) to listen to the zummo 660's MP3, then get overridden for voice directions, which then gets overriden by radar alerts. Want to do this as cheaply as possible and open to suggestions if I should scrap the Etymotic earphones and go a different direction...

A RAM mount should be sufficent isolation from vibration. Regarding audio mixing/integration, on a budget I'd recommend the Amplirider. Gary's customer service is great and the price is right. Not the most rain resistant going, but if you want inexpensive you have to make some sacrifices. Chose from a built in or remote volume control https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html

 

[Fred W]

For the connection to the helmet, since you'll be using a Zumo 6XX GPS you can go bluetooth and still get stereo music as well as the GPS directions and cell phone connectivity, as well as full duplex intercom to a passenger or other rider if they also have a bluetooth headset. This is NOT the cheapest way out, but having no wires to your helmet would be very nice at stops.

 

[AVGeek]

I'll second the Ampli-rider. I've had it on both of my FJRs, and it outlasted the much more expensive Autocom. Since both units should have a volume control, balancing the level between the two should be easy. Just keep in mind that the Ampli-rider doesn't change the volume of one input over the other (so the music will stay play at the same volume when the detector alerts).

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Regarding audio mixing/integration, on a budget I'd recommend the Amplirider. Gary's customer service is great and the price is right. Not the most rain resistant going, but if you want inexpensive you have to make some sacrifices. Chose from a built in or remote volume control https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html

It would be nice if the individual volumes could be adjusted. The Beltronics signal will make your ears bleed if the volume from a nüvi is set to a comfortable level.

edit: even when the volume of the detector is all the way down

 

[Fred W]

Just keep in mind that the Ampli-rider doesn't change the volume of one input over the other (so the music will stay play at the same volume when the detector alerts).

FWIW, my Starcom1 has the opposite situation where, when the RD beeps, it cuts the audio from the GPS. I would consider the Ampl-irider's functionality as an enhancement.

The audio over-riding has turned out to be a problem if you are trying to conduct a phone conversation thru the Zumo or else are listening to GPS directions when a LEO drives by with his Radar blasting, or if you happen to ride (or park) near an RF operated door opener like they have on many store fronts.

It would be nice if the individual volumes could be adjusted. The Beltronics signal will make your ears bleed if the volume from a nüvi is set to a comfortable level.

edit: even when the volume of the detector is all the way down

It's not hard to make an attenuating cable for the RD audio. Both the RD and Zumo have audio output volume controls so once you get the RD audio attenuated some you can adjust them for a comfortable balance. BTW - It's the same with the Starcom1. You have to attenuate the RD audio with a special cable or it will blow out your ears.

 

[bankerjra]

Thank you all for your much needed advice! I see a Rambone 5" GPS mount and a Gerauld Radar / resevoir mount in my future. If I can't hear my radar detector's external speaker on highest setting over my music, then will be looking into the Amplirider for sure. Thanks again!!

 

[HaulinAshe]

Whatever solution you use, make sure to use an isolated audio cable from the RD. Many/most RD units will not tolerate direct connection to an audio system that shares the same 12v supply. It will positively fry an Escort to hook it directly to a Starcom/Autocom and most other audio amp units.

 

[AVGeek]

Just keep in mind that the Ampli-rider doesn't change the volume of one input over the other (so the music will stay play at the same volume when the detector alerts).

FWIW, my Starcom1 has the opposite situation where, when the RD beeps, it cuts the audio from the GPS. I would consider the Ampl-irider's functionality as an enhancement.

The audio over-riding has turned out to be a problem if you are trying to conduct a phone conversation thru the Zumo or else are listening to GPS directions when a LEO drives by with his Radar blasting, or if you happen to ride (or park) near an RF operated door opener like they have on many store fronts.

It would be nice if the individual volumes could be adjusted. The Beltronics signal will make your ears bleed if the volume from a nüvi is set to a comfortable level.

edit: even when the volume of the detector is all the way down

It's not hard to make an attenuating cable for the RD audio. Both the RD and Zumo have audio output volume controls so once you get the RD audio attenuated some you can adjust them for a comfortable balance. BTW - It's the same with the Starcom1. You have to attenuate the RD audio with a special cable or it will blow out your ears.

Simple solution is to use an inline volume control. I got one at Radio Shack (https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102975) to use on the output of my iPod (I'm using a Kenwood car stereo dock connector cable I found at BestBuy for $20) to balance against the cheap GPS unit I had on the bike. I went to look for the link, and found this unit (https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3268770), with appropriate adapters, this one should allow for balancing the two sources into one set of headphones (if its a passive unit).

 

[bankerjra]

I am in process of buying the AmpliRider 12volt amplifier to integrate the Beltronics STI radar and the Zumo 660 GPS/MP3. Please advise exactly what type of isolated audio cable is needed for radar detector so i don't fry it. Is this the same as the attenuating cable discussed above. Thanks again for all the advice!!

 

[Geezer]

I am in process of buying the AmpliRider 12volt amplifier to integrate the Beltronics STI radar and the Zumo 660 GPS/MP3. Please advise exactly what type of isolated audio cable is needed for radar detector so i don't fry it. Is this the same as the attenuating cable discussed above. Thanks again for all the advice!!

I suggest you ask the guy at Amplirider. He was able to provide isolation cables for both my GPS and radar detector at a very reasonable price a couple years ago when I bought my Amplirider.

 

[Colin24]

Just purchased my first FJR (2007)and would greatly appreciate some advice on mounting a new Zumo 660 and a Beltronics STI Radar Detector. I have two main questions:

1) What is a good mounting hardware set up for both units that is also good price / value...

2) I "assume" I want to be able to use my Etymotic earphones / plugs (not wireless) to listen to the zummo 660's MP3, then get overridden for voice directions, which then gets overriden by radar alerts. Want to do this as cheaply as possible and open to suggestions if I should scrap the Etymotic earphones and go a different direction...

There are so many options it is starting to boggle my mind not to mention the dollars seem to be adding up pretty fast... Have been to Cycle Gadgets and Legal Speeding but really just need some advice from somebody who has "BEEN THERE DONE THAT". Thanks in advance for your advice!!

I'm running a whole collection of stuff harwired to the bike

- Zumo 550

- Beltronics STI

- FM Radio

All of these items feed into a Mixit2. The mixit 2 is hardwired for power into the bike.

Nice thing about the Mixit2 is that there are 4 input plugs. 2 Stereo and 2 mono.

One mono plug mixes the sound with the other 2 stereo plugs. So when the RD goes off you hear beeping and the music playing.

The other mono plug is an override. When the mixit2 hears beeping it turns all the other audio off and you just hear the beeping.

The output of all this is fed into the aux-input line on a J&M CB. This gives me the 2-way comms when riding with my dad and feeds everything into speakers in the helmet. Once you set the squelch it works great. Music plays untill the CB comes on which temporarly turns off music. The other nice thing about this is that the master volume control for all the music ends up being the volume knob on the J&M. When I am riding and I dont want to get distracted a quick swipe of my thumb on the volume wheel turns all the (distracting) audio off.

For your situation I would recomend just the MixIt2. The unit has a master volume knob on top and the output jack (as are all the plugs on it) is the standard mini-headphone jack.

- Colin

Edit. One more thing. The Mixit2 is designed so that you dont need special cables. Everything I have feeding into it just uses the standard mini-headphone plug cables. Nothing fancy.

Edit 2: I've never had problems with the various volume levels. The volume of all devices, including the RD, can be adjusted. The trick is to get them all adjusted to levels that are equal to each other, then use the master volume control to turn things up and down. On the Beltronics the volume can be adjusted by pushing and holding the MUTE button. When you do this you hear a beeping noise that gets louder then quieter. Just let go of the mute when you get the volume to where you want it. I've got the wired remote for the RD and use the mute button when I need to fine tune the volume on the RD (allows me to adjust the volume while riding even though the RD is sealed in a waterproof case.)

 

[bankerjra]

Sean at Cycle Gadgets advised the Kennedy Radar Overide ($70) would meet my needs since I only need two audio inputs (GPS & Radar) and would not need an isolated audio cable since their unit runs off a 9volt battery. Said the Mixit2 was a great product but maybe more than I needed. Anyone agree / have experience with the Radar Overide product? Just trying to decide between Amplirider ($65), Mixit2($180), and Kennedy Overide ($70) and not spending more than necessary but ensuring it will get the job done. Thanks!

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Just trying to decide between Amplirider ($65), Mixit2($180), and Kennedy Overide ($70) and not spending more than necessary but ensuring it will get the job done. Thanks!

Why not the motorcycle-ed solution? <Link>

All we need to do is update this drawing to include the two resistors and you can make your own!

Make a few! You aren't the only one needing them. It's the middle of Winter. What else have you got to do?

 

[bankerjra]

Because I am an electrical idiot and would likely end up kicking the dog to death if I attempted making myself... Appreciate the vote of confidence though!