Gave up on BRP connect

[OverHillAndDale]

My 2014 didn’t have BRP connect, and I really was looking forward to it on my 2020. I like the idea of an uncluttered handlebar area, and using those apps from the phone made sense ... but...

Both Genius and Sygic have real weaknesses, at least in the areas I use them in.

Genius has literally sent me in full loops on the way to my destination more than once. Even with “avoid unpaved roads” checked, it still likes dead ends and dirt roads.

I like the Sygic interface, but it hasn’t been able to find several small towns within an hour or two of my home. It couldn’t even find my home (address is over 35 years old).

The entire BRP Connect system often locks up, requiring me to shut down the bike, wait until all residual electronics shut off, and then restart the bike. It seems to do this most often if I take a phone call. Yes, I have the most recent software updates.

My phone is an iPhone X, not a new phone nor a weird, one-off brand.

I went back to a Garmin (just installed a Garmin XT). Much better interface, and my phone doesn’t lock up without the other background apps.

 

[MONK]

I'm on my 1st Spyder, a 2018. I specifically wanted a 2018 or newer for the new style dash and the BRP Connect. I used it for about a month before realizing that it's not ready for prime time. Now, I use my phone (Samsung S10+) and just bought a gently used Garmin 660. I'd prefer an uncluttered dash and the ability to change stations, volume, music tracks and work the GPS w/old skool gloves on but I'll get by. I'm hoping BRP will have figured out BRP Connect by the time I'm ready for another Spyder.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I like the Sygic interface, but it hasn’t been able to find several small towns within an hour or two of my home. It couldn’t even find my home (address is over 35 years old).

What towns doesn't it find? PM me your home address and I'll see what my tablet version of Sygic does. I know their search function can be a bit squirrely at times so I'd like to see if I can duplicate your issue.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

We are on a trip and I thought I would use Genius Maps, I hadn’t heard about it locking up so I was surprised when it did. So the last few days I have put my route in my IPhone so I get voice directions from that and I open Genius Maps do I have something to look at. I will be putting on a phone mount when I get home. Too bad it doesn’t work, the dash is easy to see and it would be nice to use it.

 

[triplethreat]

I gave up on mine too....it's too convuluted and the dash screen is too small. I now have a Garmin XT center-mounted using the LAMonster mount. I don't normally listen to music while riding anyway, so the XT is linked up to the Sena 20's that we have for intercom and the XT provides voice instructions through my headset. Phone calls (I rarely get or answer any of them, especially while riding), comes through the XT also. To me, this is a much easier way of doing things.

 

[PMK]

We are on a trip and I thought I would use Genius Maps, I hadn’t heard about it locking up so I was surprised when it did. So the last few days I have put my route in my IPhone so I get voice directions from that and I open Genius Maps do I have something to look at. I will be putting on a phone mount when I get home. Too bad it doesn’t work, the dash is easy to see and it would be nice to use it.

Kind of a shame the instrument panel could not be modified / retrofitted to have options of various (phone, gps, etc) plug in modules to accept the device securely while looking like it was made as part of the instrument panel.

 

[bikerbillone]

Found my BRP Connect far too complicated so I just ignore it, use my iPhone or my Garman, sometimes both. :>) When I'm driving/riding the less distractions the better.

 

[ThreeWheels]

I use the BRP Connect bike controls for the music. The music is paired to two helmets, mine and my passengers.
I have the Zumo XT for navigation paired to my helmet.
The only downside is that you can't get the GPS instructions through the bike speakers without Lamonsters' Dongle, but if you use the dongle, then you lose control of the music through the joystick.
This would all be so simple if BRP Connect supported the Zumo instead of a only a smart phone. Even bluetooth pairing to BRP connect would be adequate.
I don't know if that's a limitation of the hardware, or potentially a future firmware upgrade may provide it.

 

[OverHillAndDale]

What towns doesn't it find? PM me your home address and I'll see what my tablet version of Sygic does. I know their search function can be a bit squirrely at times so I'd like to see if I can duplicate your issue.

One town it can’t find is Waldo, AL, where I was too meet up with some friends by an old covered bridge. I’ll send you my address via PM.

 

[robhowen]

Yep, I really tried to make it work for me as well. I spent the time to know what it does and doesn't do. In the end it is too limited for me and I don't like the small display area for maps. I too purchased a Zumo XT and am very pleased with its function, Fobo for TPM, and my integrated iPhone. I also have a Bluetooth adapter for the Aux port so I may get audio output from my GPS through the bike's audio system.

Rob

 

[EdMat]

Sometimes I begin to wonder if the connectivity problems with BRP Connect and many apps and accessories is the other folks won't provide any kickback to BRP.
As in, you want to play in our sandbox, lets see the cash.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Sometimes I begin to wonder if the connectivity problems with BRP Connect and many apps and accessories is the other folks won't provide any kickback to BRP.
As in, you want to play in our sandbox, lets see the cash.

That is likely why they don’t have Apple Car Play

 

[carbonation]

BRP Connect (Bluetooth Really Pitiful) is just a bad execution on a good idea.
When you can buy an econobox car for under 20k that has Apple Car Play and/or Android Auto, there is zero reason this should not be a function of the hardware on the Spyder.
Center GPS mount on LaMonster's offering, bluetooth iPhone and Garmin to Sena headset here.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

That is likely why they don’t have Apple Car Play

If they had used Apple Carplay they also would have had to have Android Auto in addition. As I understand it two separate programs. Honda Goldwing started using CarPlay in MY 2018. I just read where Android Auto will be made available this month, finally. BRP Connect is a version of Bosch's mySpin, which has iOS and Android support built into one program. And since BRP has a relationship with Bosch, and mySpin is used in a lot of premium cars, and was the first connectivity program modified to work with motocycles, it makes sense BRP would go with it. Why go through the hassle of establishing a relationship with two new suppliers when you already have a good one with a long time partner?

Here's a link to a white paper about the business possibilities by using mySpin W2. http://www.bosch-softtec.com/downloads/whitepaper_mySPIN2wheeler_20161214.pdf. IMO a lot of the issues related to BRP Connect are problems caused by BRP working with the software vendors to customize the software to run on Connect. Add to that mix variations of iOS and Android operating systems and individual smartphone hardware variations, and you can have a huge mess. You all may be lucky that Connect works as well as it does.

 

[Papa103]

BRP should be embarrased at how bad there radio reception and the map programs suck. My reception is so bad that I don't even try to use the radio anymore. I use the blue tooth to stream my music to the BRP radio. I use Pandora and my own downloaded music. This works well unless I plug my phone into the usb in my frunk to try to use the map connect thru the dash. The map program again sucks. If they were going to link the GPS feature to a phone app why would they not use Google and or Apple maps. Instead they pick an off the wall map app that isn't up to todays technology. AND when you plug the phone into the frunk USB you can no longer use bluetooth, thus eliminating any music app. So I tried to use just my downloaded music, but the volume doesn't go up high enough to hear it good. The only thing they got right was the bluetooth and the instrument cluster. I give them 1 1/2 stars. Next time BRP why don't you actually try using your technology before you put it on your product.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

why would they not use Google and or Apple maps.

I don't know about Apple maps, but Google maps isn't convenient for stand alone use, i.e. use it when you have no data connection. Plus, it consumes a lot of data. That is a real deal killer or handicap for many users. Sygic and Genius apps, and I'm sure others, download maps to your phone which you then use for routing without needing a data connection.

My experience with the radio is that it is OK, but a long way from being great. It is particularly poor at pulling in weak FM signals. I can't comment on AM since I never listen to AM.

 

[Jetfixer]

I don't know about Apple maps, but Google maps isn't convenient for stand alone use, i.e. use it when you have no data connection. Plus, it consumes a lot of data. That is a real deal killer or handicap for many users. Sygic and Genius apps, and I'm sure others, download maps to your phone which you then use for routing without needing a data connection.

My experience with the radio is that it is OK, but a long way from being great. It is particularly poor at pulling in weak FM signals. I can't comment on AM since I never listen to AM.

Google maps will let you download a region for offline use so you don't use data while traveling. It will stay on your phone for 30 days...

 

[Frostbyte]

I run a Pixel with Google Drive loaded on it and have it on a custom 3D printed holder with a Ram Ball 3" arm screwed to a Lamonster Bar Cuff. I use the BRP radio in town with ok reception, but on the road, I run either Pandora for my music lists or I Heart Radio for stations through the Bluetooth. As for my headsets, my wife have Cardo Packtalk Bold units with Cardo Connect for intercom, phone and route instructions...The downside is that even using the Bluetooth, the BRP system is glitchy and doesn't always want to turn off the music when I get a phonecall or get route instructions.:gaah:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Google maps will let you download a region for offline use so you don't use data while traveling. It will stay on your phone for 30 days...

How great a region? I'm under the impression it will download only what's needed to show your route. And then there's the 30 day limit. Still not as convenient as having a map stay permanently on your phone. Sygic lets you download state by state just what you need with 3 free updates per year and every month for a subscription fee.

 

[billybovine]

I tried Genius Maps. Hated it. Constantly giving verbal notices. I know I am speeding so shut up. You can turn them off, but that had to be done everytime you used it. Also hated that the phone screen was locked when plugged into the usb. So can't use my phone for apps not supported by BRP connect, without unplugging it first. Sometimes it would reconnect fine after being plugged back in, other times not. So I gave up plugging it in at all. My phone is BT paired to the dash. The telephony functions work great. The BT music player functions also work very well. My phone is now mounted on the handlebars. I use it as my gps. I use waze or google maps. Waze needs data but google maps does not as long as I have offline maps downloaded. Turn by turn directions will come out the Spyder speakers as long as I am using the phone as a music player. I have had stand alone gps on my Spyders for years. Since i started using my phone as a gps. I would never go back to using a stand alone unit again.

There are a couple bugs I wish brp would fix. From time to time. The music will stop. The dash shows it is still playing, but my phone will show it is paused. Advancing to the next track will fix it. Second is similar but worse. After about 45 minutes to an hour of riding. The music will stop. But advancing to the next track will not fix it. The music function seem locked up. Turning the Spyder off then 30 seconds later turning the Spyder back on. The music screen will go back to FM. Change it back to BT and drive on. Pain in the butt to pull over and stop. I have now found out that I don't have to stop. Just keep driving and after about 5 minutes. I will go back to FM on it's own. Just switch to BT and turn up the volume again.