GPS and audio oddity

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I don't recall seeing this mentioned before, but if it has been then take this as a reminder.

I just discovered for certain today a bit of a seemingly odd behavior of the GPS and audio system. As we all know the GPS has highest priority in the audio hierarchy and can be heard over all other audio streams. Even when the main audio is turned off, i.e., hold the volume down button until the audio shuts off, the GPS audio still plays. That is UNLESS, the audio has been turned off before the GPS is turned on. In that case the GPS audio doesn't come through. You have to turn the audio volume on, and then when you turn it off again the GPS audio can still be heard.

I wonder if this anomaly is why once in awhile someone complains they can't hear their GPS audio.

My GPS is a tablet that is powered via a USB connection unlike the BRP unit which is powered from the radio. The audio is connected to the radio via the GPS input just like the BRP unit. Maybe the power source makes a difference but I don't know why it would.

 

[Bfromla]

If the gps is running thru the usb the system will consider it another audio not a dedicated GPS like the Garmin mounted units.
May only get reported once in a while as most do not use tablet gps.
(Just a thought)


I wasn't there but I still care! POW /MIA VETS

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

If the gps is running thru the usb the system will consider it another audio not a dedicated GPS like the Garmin mounted units.
May only get reported once in a while as most do not use tablet gps.
(Just a thought)


I wasn't there but I still care! POW /MIA VETS

I should have made it clear. The USB connection for my tablet is charging power only. The audio is via audio cable into the GPS input of the radio.

 

[ThreeWheels]

I should have made it clear. The USB connection for my tablet is charging power only. The audio is via audio cable into the GPS input of the radio.

You were very clear in your initial post. Thank You.

 

[Purple Guy]

I don't recall seeing this mentioned before, but if it has been then take this as a reminder.

I just discovered for certain today a bit of a seemingly odd behavior of the GPS and audio system. As we all know the GPS has highest priority in the audio hierarchy and can be heard over all other audio streams. Even when the main audio is turned off, i.e., hold the volume down button until the audio shuts off, the GPS audio still plays. That is UNLESS, the audio has been turned off before the GPS is turned on. In that case the GPS audio doesn't come through. You have to turn the audio volume on, and then when you turn it off again the GPS audio can still be heard.

I wonder if this anomaly is why once in awhile someone complains they can't hear their GPS audio.

That's interesting.
This might explain my problem, been on a few rides lately and GPS comes through just fine and then audio output just stops???
I'll pay a little more attention to having the audio on the stereo on before hooking / turning on the GPS and see if that solves my problem.
Thanks for the tip! :thumbup:

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

You're absolutely right. That's the way it works. I spent an hour in the garage one day awhile back sorting that whole odd behavior out. Since then, I keep one little music clip on the GPS (Garmin 660) and play it via the GPS's media player, in order to make sure the GPS audio is coming through before we set out.

 

[billybovine]

Well now I have to go out and try that and see what happens.

In regards to losing the gps output to radio while riding. I have had that a couple times. Pop the gps off the cradle and give the contacts a quick wipe and everything works again. Don't know if the wipe does anything or the act of remove/replace does.

 

[Gray Ghost]

Well now I have to go out and try that and see what happens.

In regards to losing the gps output to radio while riding. I have had that a couple times. Pop the gps off the cradle and give the contacts a quick wipe and everything works again. Don't know if the wipe does anything or the act of remove/replace does.

Mine has a distressing habit of every now and then having the audio cut in and out. Sometimes I could press on the GPS and it would come back, sometimes not. Tried cleaning the contacts which worked sometimes. The last time it happened cleaning the contacts wasn't working at all. Finally tried actually pressing down the contacts on the mount slightly (they must be spring loaded) a few times. That cured the issue, YMMV.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Mine has a distressing habit of every now and then having the audio cut in and out. Sometimes I could press on the GPS and it would come back, sometimes not. Tried cleaning the contacts which worked sometimes. The last time it happened cleaning the contacts wasn't working at all. Finally tried actually pressing down the contacts on the mount slightly (they must be spring loaded) a few times. That cured the issue, YMMV.

I use a Samsung tablet for my GPS. With both the Tab II I used on my 2013 RT and the Tab A I now use on my 2014 RTS the audio stereo plug starting giving me fits because of the vibration of the tablet. I solved it quite nicely by getting a Bluetooth receiver for stereo audio and plugging it to bike GPS audio input. I then connect the tablet via BT to the receiver. Solved the audio signal problem completely. I power the BT receiver with a USB charger wired into the bike power.

You should be able to do the same thing with your Garmin. Disconnect the audio part of the harness from the bike audio input and replace it with a BT receiver. Then set your GPS to transmit via BT. You do have to come up with a power source for the BT receiver.