On my I/S trike, want to be able to hear my GPS.

[John Schmidt]

It's not a new unit(Garmin) but serves the purpose. I paired it up with earbuds, but the batter runs down on those before very long so I'm back to watching the screen which isn't the best practice while riding. I'm open to suggestions/ideas from anyone that's tackled this project with success. I recently bought a dual USB port dooda I intend to install in the panel, with a long enough cord I'd be able to keep the earbuds charged up. Also debating about installing a cigarette lighter socket on the other side of the panel, no decision on that as yet.

[-mike-]

Just a few ideas:
How about Bluetooth earphones with a bigger battery, built into the cord. I have a set of in ear ones that easily has a 10 hour play time.

Another thought: a Bluetooth helm com. At least 12h run time on a Vimoto V8 I use, connected to the cell phone listening music.

Last, but not tested myself: a Bluetooth FM transmitter plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. It routes the Nav sound to the Valk FM radio.
No run time limitation. No radio listening when connected, either.

-mike-

[Bagger John - #3785]

Why not connect a cable from the Garmin's speaker (line) output to the I/S radio's Aux Input and then use the built-in sound system?

[-mike-]

Why not connect a cable from the Garmin's speaker (line) output to the I/S radio's Aux Input and then use the built-in sound system?

I'd say that would be the best solution indeed if the Garmin has this 3.5mm audio out connector.

[John Schmidt]

Why not connect a cable from the Garmin's speaker (line) output to the I/S radio's Aux Input and then use the built-in sound system?

Sounds like a good idea, just looked and the GPS has an audio out jack...appears to be the 3.5mm type. Next question...where's the bike's aux input jack? I'm assuming it's under the right side cover along with a multitude of other unused connections.

[Valkorado]

Sounds like if your new Garmin is "paired" with earbuds it's Bluetooth ebabled.  In that case here's another option.

I use one of these.  I like it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254734739281

It receives Bluetooth from any b.t. enabled device and sends it to your stereo.  It works anytime your AUX mode is set, no FM tuning or radio interference.  You'll need a RCA to 3.5mm adapter so it'll plug into the unit and a short cable adapter to connect to your bike's auxiliary plug under the right panel.  Of course, you'll have to decide how to rig the power, the wiring under the sheath is standard + red, - black, I'd recommend running it thru a fuse box.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174350606733

https://www.ebay.com/itm/312690940881

I make it all fit with heavy zip ties under the panel.

I like that it'll work with anything Bluetooth -- phone, GPS,  mp3 player, etc.

[Jess from VA]

[Mooskee]

I use a  Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Headset. Mine is paired to my phone which is my GPS, but if I was using my Garmin, I could pair it to it.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sena-smh-10-bluetooth-headset?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=PLA-Sena-Products&utm_id=bing_73551500_1238050258595836_77378225448453_pla-4580977764456499_c&utm_term=4580977764456499&msclkid=4743bbe1bbca1422f64edb12dbc81278&sku_id=836072

[Slyk Willy]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mini-Bluetooth-Receiver-For-ZTE-Axon-7-Wireless-To-3-5mm-Jack-Hands-Free-Car-Kit-Audio-w-LED-Button-Indicator-Stereo-System-Headphone-Speaker/804540955?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101057660&&adid=22222222227447381280&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=523645974163&wl4=pla-1282048358565&wl5=9017126&wl6=&wl7=9017090&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=328099432&wl11=online&wl12=804540955&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjwos-HBhB3EiwAe4xM95sXwwDB2uyj3LlRx7xByrbBVmgOhfP2V8-BGe--qZNhw6fd1aM6ORoCG_QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I used one of these to pair, used my AUX jack, used a bit of dbl sticky to hold the receiver to the side cover. worked good for my fone.

[John Schmidt]

I used one of these to pair, used my AUX jack, used a bit of dbl sticky to hold the receiver to the side cover. worked good for my fone.

Willy, did you have to order it or is it available locally, I have a Walmart just down the road so wanted to try there first. I see it has a USB port, is it necessary to power it or is that for a different application? Something like that I can plug into my GPS and bluetooth it to my earbuds or possibly to the I/S speaker system...if it will do that. Guess it would also work on my phone.

[Bone]

Walmart
Here is something I learned that can be used as a time saver. Go to Walmart.com
and open an account. I used a credit card as method of Payment.
My WM had several TV's to chose from but not what i wanted. I went to WM.com
giving them my WM location. They have so many items that they don't offer in a
local store. I was getting a new TV service installed and wanted a new TV. I decided on
a smaller TV for my upstairs bedroom. 2 big TV's that my store didn't have. That's not
a problem they told me we ship them from their warehouse to my store. Wait a minute
I then have to get a vehicle to haul them they said we will deliver them to your front
porch and put them next to your front door.
They did that 2 days after the order was place and payment verified.
Here's where the part you require comes in got to WM.com. When you open the site it wants your location
and store. I tried to order something to save a winter drive to my store. They said no your store has it in stock.
That was an easy way to find out if my store has an item in stock. If not they will get you an item to you.
I've paid for an item at home and when picked up at the store you get it in a bag with a paid receipt stapled on.
Walk out of the store no need to go to a register.
 

[Slyk Willy]

It was on the shelf, but not in the electronics. It was in automotive area. It's charged via USB port. Yup, I use it for my phone, it should work with any BT device. Just go to AUX on your I/S radio controls and it'll access the little guy.

[Jims99]

I have a bt on mine hooked into aux. works great for playing music off my phone. Question is, will they pair to more than one device at a time? Otherwise you couldn’t play music if it was hooked to the gps.

[signart]

I use a  Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Headset. Mine is paired to my phone which is my GPS, but if I was using my Garmin, I could pair it to it.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sena-smh-10-bluetooth-headset?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=PLA-Sena-Products&utm_id=bing_73551500_1238050258595836_77378225448453_pla-4580977764456499_c&utm_term=4580977764456499&msclkid=4743bbe1bbca1422f64edb12dbc81278&sku_id=836072

I have a brand new Sena SMH10 just like this mounted on a fantastic Kabuto Kamui helmet (new in box & papers) size large in aluminum silver color. It is too small for my punkin haid. Buck and a half plus the ride steals it all.

[John Schmidt]

I use a  Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Headset. Mine is paired to my phone which is my GPS, but if I was using my Garmin, I could pair it to it.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sena-smh-10-bluetooth-headset?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=PLA-Sena-Products&utm_id=bing_73551500_1238050258595836_77378225448453_pla-4580977764456499_c&utm_term=4580977764456499&msclkid=4743bbe1bbca1422f64edb12dbc81278&sku_id=836072

I have a brand new Sena SMH10 just like this mounted on a fantastic Kabuto Kamui helmet (new in box & papers) size large in aluminum silver color. It is too small for my punkin haid. Buck and a half plus the ride steals it all.

For most helmets a large is also too small for me.

[John Schmidt]

Today I picked up one of those bluetooth doodads for $30 that's supposed to plug into the GPS and BT the info to my earbuds. It appears it won't "pair" with the GPS, it will pair with my earbuds though. The GPS isn't new but it pairs with my fairly new smart phone and the BT transmitter pairs with the buds also. I just can't get the BT thingy to pair with the GPS. I can pick up a small headset and it will plug into the "audio out" on the GPS but I wanted to get away from having cables hanging from my chin like so much Bulldog drool. If I plug the BT device into the audio out on the GPS I get nothing, I do have some old headsets I never unpacked that I could try in the GPS, it's just that I really don't know which box they might be in. Maybe it's time to go through some of those boxes and toss stuff...not looking forward to that, was planning that as a winter project, but....

Guess I'll keep playing with this mess in front of me, just noticed the GPS recognized the buds I had on a few minutes ago but won't add them to the list. Maybe if I drop it from 6' onto a cement floor...hmm. Been a good unit the half dozen times I've used it over the last 10 yrs. or so.  

UPDATE: Now I'm really confused. The GPS is off, the BT doodad is off, all my earbuds are off(3 sets), the BT on my phone is off...nothing is running. So I'm sitting here listening to music while doing my monthly bills Excel spreadsheet and suddenly over the computer speakers I hear GPS directions associated to a test I had entered earlier. Think I'll go have a glass of wine and some crackers, maybe the Nueriva I take has given me super mental powers. 

[MarkT]

John, I found I can't trust BT to stay connected.  Hardwire doesn't have that problem (generally - until the male/female connectors get crud in them; then need cleaning).  I have run Garmins since before the govt shut down Selective Availability - May 1990.  Most were GPS players as well.  Presently a Zumo 665.  I installed a 300w bluetooth Lanzar Crossover / mixer between the player devices and the 400w Kenwood amp, to pair with my phone (and Garmin) using sound aps like Pandora (Garmin, the MP3 player and turn directions), when consistently within cell tower range (like when playing music stopped at Motel parking lots, spinning Markaritas etc.).  BTW the Samsung phone has a 128GB SD micro card so it can play a HUGE MP3 library w/o cell connection - just under 10,000 tunes. The Zumo is "magic number" limited to 2,000 MP3's per card.  Found bluetooth unreliably connected so hardwired it to the phone instead (already had the GPS hardwired).  My bikes are set up with amps to play through speakers.  If I were you I'd abandon the BT method; hardwire instead.  This will solve the battery problem as well.  Of course that's another wire to plug in if you use earbuds.  

In this shot, wires not as curently connected - now all 6 plugs, left side are connected, "front output" wires top right moved to "mixed output"; the phone inputs go into "rear input".

[John Schmidt]

Mark, that's quite a panel you have there. For me, I'm just going to find a long enough cord to go from the GPS on the handlebar mount back to the aux plug near the battery. Over the years I've seldom listened to a radio while traveling so having the GPS output come over the speakers is of no concern. Locally, pretty much the same feeling...partly because I find bikers with their volume cranked way up so they can hear it and it's a bit obnoxious. I agree re. BT dropping out, happened all the time using earbuds and my phone. I'd suddenly realize there's nothing coming out and I'd check...only to find the buds have shutdown due to no input and the maps on the phone has stalled. Can't tell you the number of times that sent me down a wrong road because I didn't get any input, so I'm going with a solid connection soon as I can find a long enough cord with the 3.5 male on both ends.