Kangaroo (Rookie)

Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:04 pm

Bluetooth Helmet Help

With basic GPS units getting so cheap, where they're almost disposable, I decided to try and mod my old TomTom to make it more bike friendly. My goal is to get my TomTom One to interface with my Cardo Scala helmet system, so I can hear the directions. Here are the components:

Cardo Scala Rider FM (http://www.cardowireless.com/US/scala_rider_fm)
TomTom One
Jabra A210 (http://www.jabra.com/sites/Jabra/GNImages/Products/Adapter/A210/Documents/A210_DS_AP_EN_678.pdf)

Note that I have the older Rider FM model that doesn't specifically state that it can accept bluetooth audio from a GPS device. I'm assuming that doesn't matter (which may be my fatal mistake) since I'm using the Jabra A210, which is made for phones.

1.) Open TomTom


2.) Drill hole, mount 2.5 mm audio jack, solder auxiliary leads from speaker wires to 2.5 mm audio jack (green wires are aux leads, audio jack is covered in electrical tape to keep it from shorting against the main circuit board)

(Note: not recommended as your first soldering project)

3.) Connect everything up, test, and ride...oh wait, failed, no audio via bluetooth to Scala FM


Here's what I tested:
Is the TomTom audio jack broken? No, I plugged in regular earphones and the audio is loud and clear.
Is the Rider FM broken? Not likely, everything else on it seems to be working, like the bluetooth connection to my Iphone, FM radio, etc.
Is the Jabra A210 broken? Not sure, after following the instructions to pair it to the Rider FM, it just sits there and blinks like it's suppose to. Anyone know how these old cell phone bluetooth adapters work? How does it know when to connect to headsets with just an audio jack input?

I think my fatal flaw is either the Jabra A210 or the older Rider FM. Is the older Rider FM not capable of "quick" bluetooth audio, like helmet to helmet audio and GPS audio?

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• Bluetooth Helmet Help — Kangaroo, Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:04 pm

  • Re: Bluetooth Helmet Help — Wes, Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:59 am

    • Re: Bluetooth Helmet Help — Kangaroo, Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:16 am

  • Re: Bluetooth Helmet Help — djrussell, Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:38 pm

    • Re: Bluetooth Helmet Help — Kangaroo, Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:09 am

      • If you see yourself coming up to a turn then why would you need to hear it? (n/t) — ithaca00, Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:07 pm

        • Re: If you see yourself coming up to a turn then why would you need to hear — Kangaroo, Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:24 pm