K1600 Compatible Intercom

[marcel.rollmops]

Hi all,
THE QUESTION : I would like to know if someone on this Forum knows a 3rd party Intercom system that is compatible with the K1600 Audio system and can be mounted on any helmet
THE PROBLEM :
Since 2 weeks I am a happy K1600 GTL owner. But I am facing a real issue when it comes to listen the radio. I cannot find a third party intercom that is compatible with the originally mounted audio device.
THE TESTS :
I tried with 2 models :
- Scala rider team set Pro
- Scala rider Q2 Pro
Both should be compatible with the requirements written in the BMW manual :
- Bluetooth 2.0 or higher
- A2DP
THE TEST RESULTS :
The Bluetooth pairing of the intercoms woks fine with the GPS, and my mobile phone , but not with the embedded K1600 Radio system.
The Scala rider team set Pro is not recognized at all by the radio system.
The Scala rider Q2 Pro is recognized, the pairing is "apparently" successful but finaly does not work.
No sound in the intercom and not possible to pair the 2nd intercom for the 2nd helmet.
This last issue is the proof that the pairing with the first intercom failed as the BMW system does not allow to pair the 2nd helmet is the first one is not paired.
CONCLUSION :
It seems that the only intercom that works with the K1600 Audio system is the genuine BMW intercom.
The issue is the BMW Intercom cannot be mounted on other helmets than genuine BMW helmets !
Finally , before I buy 2 new BMW helmets + 2 BMW Intercoms , I would like to know if someone on this Forum knows a 3rd party Intercom system that is compatible with the K1600 Audio system and can be mounted on any Helmet
Regards, Marcel

[marcel.rollmops]

Dear all,
Apparently this question seams to be quite silly as no one answered it.
For those that are still looking for a solution, here...
THE ANSWER :
I found a link that lists the Intercom models that are "more or less" compatible:
http://schuberth.com/fileadmin/user_upload/_temp_/BMW_Comm_worksheet.pdf
RESUME:
There is no "fully compatible" third party Intercom model available.
With "fully compatible I mean getting all wireless audio sources (Radio, GPS, Cellphone and 2nd headset ) in both helmets.
Only the genuine BMW Intercom system can do it...
... as a consequence you need a BMW (or Schuberth) helmet (the BMW intercom is only for BMW helmets)
btw, I sent the same question to Cardo System... I will post the answer as soon I get it.
Marcel... the lost Puppy !!!!

[SHIVA]

hi, all members go through the lost puppy status. it will pass the more you post.

[marcel.rollmops]

Dear all,
As metionned in my previous post, I got an answer from Cardo Systems.
I copy here the
ANSWER:
...The scala rider TeamSet Pro does not have an A2DP Bluetooth Profile and the BMW systems will only allow one after market Bluetooth headset to pair with the device at a time. If you want two headsets paired with the BMW system you must have two BMw systems only.
We have not tested the scala rider products with the BMW Audio Systems, but we have worked with customers who use these systems and have not created a solid connection that responds properly when system is interrupted with a higher priority connection...
FINAL SENTENCE:
Buying BMW helmets and BMW intercom is the only solution that works with the K1600 audio system
Regards,

PS: Thanks Shiva for your warm words
Marcel...the lost Pit Bull

[Bankerjq]

About to feel your pain. You mentioned the Team Set Pro from Scala, what about their G4 new model? It has A2DP and is what the BMW dealer is selling. I would hope I don't have to spend $1,100 to get the system to work through a new over priced helmet. I only need it to work with one helmet as I rarely have a passenger. I guess I can contact Scala and see what they say.

Thanks!

[marcel.rollmops]

Hi Bankerjq,
Sorry for the delay in this reply.
Last time I discussed with Cardo systems via email, with my Cardo reseller shop, with a Cardo representative and with BMW reseller, beginning of this year (Feb 2012) , there were no solution from Cardo at all.
Nevertheless I cannot swear that the G4 does not work because I did not tested it personally (I believe only what I test by myself ...on paper everything works fine!)
So if you have the chance to test G4 thanks for posting the result here.

In the meantime I bought the "super expensive" BMW helmets with the "even more expensive" BMW intercom...in my case x2 because the K16 bike is designed for 2, and my girlfriend is, as well, my banker !

The BMW system works but not as I expected... here my experience:
- Driver helmet:
GPS messaged reception: OK
My cell phone: talk and reception OK
Intercom with passenger Helmet OK but....( see limitations below)
Radio reception OK but... (See big limitations below)
- Passenger helmet:
Passenger Cell phone OK
Intercom with Driver Helmet OK but.... ( see limitations below)
Radio reception OK but... (See big limitations below)

LIMITATIONS with BMW INTERCOM SYSTEM
- The Intercom is a mode: this means you have to manually switch from Radio to Intercom (and back) . I would have expected an automatic switch when one of the passengers starts to talk. This is not the case and the DRIVER has to switch the mode to intercom to start the discussion (your girlfriend in the back can be a bit frustrated is she wants to speak and you are listening music ...but may be this feature can arrange some of us ? ... from my point of view it is not optimal for such a high value system.
- The Radio: here it is even worst: The radio can only be listened by 1 helmet at a time: This is completely crazy!!! Depending on the first helmet turned on, either the passenger or driver's helmet “gets the right” to listen music! Apparently the Bluetooth system does not have enough channels to send the music/radio stream on both helmets? (so the explanations of my BMW reseller!)
What is the reason not install an additional emitter? Here as well if you drive most of the time alone it could be acceptable…
But as said, I bought this high end bike to drive with my girlfriend.
Not be able to share good music while driving in the rising sun with the glittering stream along the road , kills any potential of romantic mood !
Regards,
Marcel , the romantic Puppy

[Mirage_ZA]

2 BT radios, controller to feed them with audio and whatever else...too complicated. It's a motorbike after all, not a mobile disco

[marcel.rollmops]

Hi Mirage_ZA,
2BT too complicated? For whom? not for BMW… I hope so.
I just say it is not logic to provide music only for 1 helmet on a system that allows connecting 2 cell phones : each passenger can have its own private phone communication.

Regarding disco… no comments.

[Mirage_ZA]

Marcel, to feed music is not the same as feeding voice only, there is not enoigh bandwidth for decent music reproduction.
I don't see why motorcycle manufacturer should bother with all that and add R & D and production cost on their already expensive bikes. That's why you have aftermarket people.
I would like magnesium front and rear suspension parts on KS but BMW is not listening. And I live with it.

[Fatman]

I use Interphone F5 it does everything! I can listen to the music from the bike, i have my iphone 4 connected and i can also talk to a pillion and vice-versa plus it can connect to five other bikes of the same brand.

[Major_Trouble]

I read up on the K1600 bluetooth limitations before I stumped up the money for the BMW helmets and was shocked by the fact I have to switch from music to intercom mode. Whoever designed the system want shooting. Suffice to say I installed my Autocom (wired) sytem that I had on my previous K1200S. Unfortunately it's just a pro-duo model and I can't adjust individual input volumes to get a good ballance across all the inputs but the system is reliable and no batteries to keep charging up.

You could just forget the BMW bluetooth on the stereo and add your own with an Autocom one.

[mjh767]

Having just flicked through this post, there seems to a bit of confusion. Although I had a 2010 RT with the audio system (Bluetooth enabled). I'm making the assumption the audio systems is similar to the k1600.
I had a system 5 and the wife had a system 6 helmet both with the BMW communications system. I had not problem at all. If all paired correctly both the rider and pillion could listen to the radio/mp3 music. The riders volume adjusted at the control wheel on the handgrip, whilst the pillion controlled the volume from the helmet.
The rider could activate the intercom mode by pressing the mute button, the pillion could also activate intercom mode by double pressing the round button on the helmet.
Each helmet could pair their own mobile phone, and the GPS instructions were routed through the audio system.
I Have recently chopped the RT in for a K1300S and have changed my system 5 helmet for the Sport helmet, and also swapped the BMW bluetooth kit to the sport helmet. (Don't let BMW dealers confuse you because it all fits in keypad on the side). If need be I can post pictures!
With the k1300s I have 2 options of music, either via my old iPhone or through the sat/nav. (16 GB SD card).
My wife has retained her System 6, so we still have intercom, but she can play her own music via her own phone.
I hope this creates a bit of clarity in relation the the BMW Bluetooth communications system, I find it a great bit of kit, plus it'll go 12 hours between charge.

[Major_Trouble]

Thanks for the info. I found the BMW bluetooth system as you describe. However neither my pillion or I don't have to push any buttons to communicate, we just speak, and the music is automatically muted using my Autocom. That's how the BMW one should work as well.

[tisaac]

I am new to the forum.
I am using the Sena SMH10 and it has no problem connecting to my K1600 system. I used it last year with little problem and after a recent firmware update to the SMH10 I had no problems what so ever. SMH10 even has direction on how to pair it with the k1600 specifically.

[Bernardo]

Hi tisaac, welcome to the forum

Can you post a couple of pics of your system fitted?