Connect iPod to a BMW motorcycle
Has anyone tried this. I have two choices.
1. Connect to the factory fitted BMW Radio/CD
2. Connect to an aftermarket "Autocom" unit. UK Company.
Option 1. is by far the best as it has the potential to power the iPod and allow use of the handlebar controls for volume, mute and perhaps even skip BUT I do not know how to source the necesary cables. The Radio has an AUX setting and there are complex 12 pin male connectors at the rear of the radio. Does anyone know what the power requirement is for the iPod so I can ask BMW if a cable is available. Bike is a one year old R1200RT?
Option 2. is much easier BUT means the iPod is kept in a pocket and no on-board control is posible. The iPod is connected to the Autocom unit from a 3.5mm 4 pole socket to the headphone socket on the iPod, the fit does not seem that secure for use in a pocket! The BMW Radio/CD is connected to the Autocom by splicing into the factory fitted speaker connections of the Radio/CD then to one of the 3.5 mm Auxillary sockets on the Autocom. Currently there is a mobile phone, Bike to Bike radio, Pillion comms and Sat Nav connected to the unit.
The Autocom unit has 4 auxillary 3.5mm 4 pole sockets and one DIN 5 pin radio connection. The Auxillaries can be prioitised and adjusted to take up to two pieces of equipment each and each socket can be adjusted to 50% or 100% mute another as well as supply 9V current. There is a secondary sensor to detect background noise and auto adjust volume to speed. The radio also has auto volume and seems to work very well through the Autocom although the iPod seems quite quiet(I need to play with the manual volume setting on the Autocom some more before writting off the iPod though).
The iPod is not powered from the bike and the battery (recently replaced by Apple) does not seem to last all that long. I would prefer to use the dock point and power the iPod from the bike.
Any ideas?
1. Connect to the factory fitted BMW Radio/CD
2. Connect to an aftermarket "Autocom" unit. UK Company.
Option 1. is by far the best as it has the potential to power the iPod and allow use of the handlebar controls for volume, mute and perhaps even skip BUT I do not know how to source the necesary cables. The Radio has an AUX setting and there are complex 12 pin male connectors at the rear of the radio. Does anyone know what the power requirement is for the iPod so I can ask BMW if a cable is available. Bike is a one year old R1200RT?
Option 2. is much easier BUT means the iPod is kept in a pocket and no on-board control is posible. The iPod is connected to the Autocom unit from a 3.5mm 4 pole socket to the headphone socket on the iPod, the fit does not seem that secure for use in a pocket! The BMW Radio/CD is connected to the Autocom by splicing into the factory fitted speaker connections of the Radio/CD then to one of the 3.5 mm Auxillary sockets on the Autocom. Currently there is a mobile phone, Bike to Bike radio, Pillion comms and Sat Nav connected to the unit.
The Autocom unit has 4 auxillary 3.5mm 4 pole sockets and one DIN 5 pin radio connection. The Auxillaries can be prioitised and adjusted to take up to two pieces of equipment each and each socket can be adjusted to 50% or 100% mute another as well as supply 9V current. There is a secondary sensor to detect background noise and auto adjust volume to speed. The radio also has auto volume and seems to work very well through the Autocom although the iPod seems quite quiet(I need to play with the manual volume setting on the Autocom some more before writting off the iPod though).
The iPod is not powered from the bike and the battery (recently replaced by Apple) does not seem to last all that long. I would prefer to use the dock point and power the iPod from the bike.
Any ideas?
iPod Mini, Windows XP Pro, Dell Laptop
