Sena SM10 Dongle

[Fatcycledaddy]

I installed a SM10 Dongle about a month ago, been having problems getting it to work right with my set up.
In the past I used the Garmin 590 as the main link between the Sena 20s headsets, the Garmin, and the phone. It worked well, but I couldn't listen tot he radio of the bike through the headset.
After installing the SM10, I set the headsets back to factory settings, then paired the headsets together. Next I paired the phone to the headset as per the factory instructions. Then I paired the dongle to each headset with the phone 2 setting on the 20S as the factory manual said.
When I try to listen to music from MP3 player in the Garmin it comes through like it is skipping, never have a smooth flow of music. I try to listen to Pandora from my phone and it won't come through at all.


I need help, what am I doing wrong?

 

[PaladinLV]

This is the step you messed up.

Use the A2DP Stereo Music Only setup as described on page 19 paragraph 6.1

AJ

Then I paired the dongle to each headset with the phone 2 setting on the 20S as the factory manual said.

I need help, what am I doing wrong?

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

This is the step you messed up.

Use the A2DP Stereo Music Only setup as described on page 19 paragraph 6.1

AJ

Thanks, I will try that tonight.

 

[finless]

So to explain this more.
Most headsets can only work consecutively with up to TWO HFP+A2DP devices at a time.
You can pair as many as you like but only two will work at a time when on.
HFP is hand free profile for smart phones
A2DP is for one way music streaming.

By default your phone pairs as HFP+A2DP
By default a GPS pairs as HFP+A2DP
By default the SM10 pairs as HFP+A2DP.

As you see 3 pairs and if all 3 are on something is not going to work right.

But there is an option in pairing with a headset called "Selective pairing" where you can decide to pair as ONLY HFP or as ONLY A2DP.

Since the SM10 is a music streaming device it really does not need HFP. So selective pair the SM10 as A2DP only and all should be good.

Bob

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

So to explain this more.
Most headsets can only work consecutively with up to TWO HFP+A2DP devices at a time.
You can pair as many as you like but only two will work at a time when on.
HFP is hand free profile for smart phones
A2DP is for one way music streaming.

By default your phone pairs as HFP+A2DP
By default a GPS pairs as HFP+A2DP
By default the SM10 pairs as HFP+A2DP.

As you see 3 pairs and if all 3 are on something is not going to work right.

But there is an option in pairing with a headset called "Selective pairing" where you can decide to pair as ONLY HFP or as ONLY A2DP.

Since the SM10 is a music streaming device it really does not need HFP. So selective pair the SM10 as A2DP only and all should be good.

Bob

No sir, only two things paired, (three if you count the second 20s headset)
I ran the GPS in Bluetooth mode until I installed the SM10, then I shut off the Bluetooth and let it play through the Can Am System. Directions from GPS come through clear, music from GPS does not, and nothing but phone calls come through on phone.

So both headsets paired together, then paired to the phone, last to the sm10.
I followed the instructions on the 20s manual section 5 through 5.2.

 

[billybovine]

The problem you are having is that you can't use the Garmin as mp3 player, through the radio on 2015 and older models. From what have read it has been fixed in 2016 and later models with a GPS screen for this purpose on the command center. The connection of the GPS to the radio is special that it can mute any other output that radio may happen to be playing at the time. But that's a problem when using as a mp3 player. What sounds like cutting out is the radio switching back and forth to the other source. That's even if the is nothing on the other source. Another problem also is the radio is connected to the gps in stereo but only outputs mono. so the sound will suck anyway. I hate to tell you this but you need to find another way to play your mp3's. or maybe trade for a 2017 model.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

The problem you are having is that you can't use the Garmin as mp3 player, through the radio on 2015 and older models. From what have read it has been fixed in 2016 and later models with a GPS screen for this purpose on the command center. The connection of the GPS to the radio is special that it can mute any other output that radio may happen to be playing at the time. But that's a problem when using as a mp3 player. What sounds like cutting out is the radio switching back and forth to the other source. That's even if the is nothing on the other source. Another problem also is the radio is connected to the gps in stereo but only outputs mono. so the sound will suck anyway. I hate to tell you this but you need to find another way to play your mp3's. or maybe trade for a 2017 model.

Thanks, I have never tried to play the Garmin MP3 through the speakers on the bike, so yo might have a point. I will try it and see what happens.
The Garmin Zumo 590 is definitely not mono however. When having the Sena 20s hooked directly to it the sound was stereo, the pandora app playing through it was stereo also. see attached.
I understand what you said about the radio trying to take over.

Looks like some more experimenting is in order.

 

[billybovine]

Thanks, I have never tried to play the Garmin MP3 through the speakers on the bike, so yo might have a point. I will try it and see what happens.
The Garmin Zumo 590 is definitely not mono however. When having the Sena 20s hooked directly to it the sound was stereo, the pandora app playing through it was stereo also. see attached.View attachment 148486
I understand what you said about the radio trying to take over.

Looks like some more experimenting is in order.

Your right the gps is stereo. It is even connected to the radio in stereo. But only mono comes out the radio.:dontknow: Even worse it does not combine the left and right channel. It uses only one channel and put it out both left and right speakers. You can test this for yourself. Get a stereo test mp3 and try it out.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

Your right the gps is stereo. It is even connected to the radio in stereo. But only mono comes out the radio.:dontknow: Even worse it does not combine the left and right channel. It uses only one channel and put it out both left and right speakers. You can test this for yourself. Get a stereo test mp3 and try it out.

Okay, I understand a little more. I have never played it through the Spyders speakers, just the headsets, it is stereo in them so I assumed (shame on me) that it was the same on the speakers.

The Sena 20s have FM radio capabilities built in, but with the little antennas they have the reception sucks. That is whi I got the Dongle, to try and listen to the FM through the headsets. I am finding out the the reception on the Spyder radio sucks also. :banghead::banghead::banghead: I might be better just going back to the original setup with the Zumo 590 being the command center or hub for all the Bluetooth connections.

Looks like the dongle was a waste of $200.00!

 

[billybovine]

The audio system is designed to use an ipod and it actual works very well. I broke down and got one. Put all my mp3's on it.

Possible cause of poor radio reception maybe too much locktite on the antenna threads. It's a compromise. you need enough not to lose the antenna and not too much that it still works.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

The audio system is designed to use an ipod and it actual works very well. I broke down and got one. Put all my mp3's on it.

Possible cause of poor radio reception maybe too much locktite on the antenna threads. It's a compromise. you need enough not to lose the antenna and not too much that it still works.

Hmmm. didn't think of that. I had the first antenna fall off with less than 3,000 miles, so BRP sent me a new one with lots of locktight on it. Never thought about it being too much. Thanks for the info, I will change that too.