Blue Tooth Pairing?

[Chris216]

Hey guys, I have a question on the pairing sequence to get all my devices to talk to each other at the same time. Here's what I've got:

2020 R1250RS TFT
Nav VI
Sena SMH10R Com unit
Sena SM10 BT transmitter for radar detector
Samsung Galaxy S4 (ancient I know, but does what I want in a phone)

I've only been able to get the nav direction audio through the 10R once and I'm not sure exactly how I did that (black asphalt parking lot 95 degree ambient, full riding gear ). I like the functionality of the phone through the TFT so I'd like to be be able to run the phone through the TFT. Can someone tell me the sequence of pairing devices to get this to work (assuming unpairing all devices first). Also does this require repairing all devices every time I restart the bike? TIA I really appreciate any help you guys can give me.

Chris

[MrVvrroomm]

You issue is most likely your antique phone. Seriously, how does it still work?

[MrVvrroomm]

Before you start connecting anything do the following:
Factory reset your Sena (refer to your documentation)
Delete all TFT connections on bike.
Delete all Nav VI pairings.
Delete all pairings on your phone involving Nav VI, TFT, Sena.

Do these in this exact order:
1) Pair helmet (Sena in your case) to TFT.
2) Pair helmet to Nav VI
3) Pair phone to TFT (you'll have problems with your S4)
4) Pair Nav VI to phone (don't sync Contacts or Favs) on Nav VI deselect phone symbol, select Smartphone Link (if installed on phone)
Nav VI is not directly paired to TFT. TFT is used as hub.
You should only have to go through this pairing once.

Here's my startup procedure:
1) Make sure helmet is OFF
2) Press keyless button to power up bike. This will start up your Nav VI as well.
3) TFT will grab your phone, wait. Don't start turn on helmet yet. You will see Bluetooth symbol flashing on TFT next to your phone connection.
4) Wait until Bluetooth symbol stops flashing.
5) Start helmet.

This is what works for ME, every time. Your results will vary. Your phone is the weak link. I use S8.

I don't believe your radar detector Bluetooth connection needs to connect to TFT. It is connected for audio to your helmet. I don't do radar detectors.

BMW's latest software version is: 021-104-020 as of June 7, 2020.

I've been able to replicate this procedure with old ver. 001-019-180

Newer software is better.

[MrVvrroomm]

Additional info for original poster: you'll need to update firmware in your Sena prior to factory reset of unit. Great idea to update your Nav VI via Garmin Express before you start.

<standing up on soapbox>
You have 2020 BMW R1250RS (leading edge)
You have current BMW Nav VI
You're using communication system from 2013
You're using phone from 2015
You spent a bunch of $$ for your new bike & Nav.
Spend some more and update your coms & phone.
<off soapbox>

It's a thing of beauty when it all works. You'll hate it when it doesn't. Enjoy the new bike.

[Chris216]

Mr Vvrroomm, thanks for the sequence I'll give it a try. I've already updated the Sena and NAV VI firmware and will do same for all other devices. I may have to break down and get a newer phone in the end, but I'll try to make it work with this one first.

Chris

[Grumpy Goat]

Mr Vvrroomm, thanks for the sequence I'll give it a try. I've already updated the Sena and NAV VI firmware and will do same for all other devices. I may have to break down and get a newer phone in the end, but I'll try to make it work with this one first.

Chris

I think that getting a newer phone is a good start, and Bruce is absolutely right when he points out that all your tech in this setup is up to date except for the phone which is the weak link.

Bruce - great post on the sequence. I may do that as well for my bikes, but instead of course I will omit the step with the TFT since I don't have one on either bike. But I always start up with the comm unit on before staring anything on the bike. Worked well until I got 2 Navigators, then my life got complicated.

[mojoguzzi]

I've had the pairings "self delete," but I will try this exact order. As an aside, as a user experience professional, I'm irked when software requires us to conform to it, rather than the other way around.

Usually I pair to my iPhone 8+ from my Sena SMH10 (or the Sena Neotec II). Listen to music, calls, turn-by-turn from gMaps or Apple Maps. Use the Navigator for speed, mapping, and routing. Sadly, I continue to fall for Garmin's punking me on gas station or restaurant locations ("Hahaha! You fell for that again! Silly you--that restaurant I sent you to has been closed for 10 years!").

[Grumpy Goat]

I've had the pairings "self delete," but I will try this exact order. As an aside, as a user experience professional, I'm irked when software requires us to conform to it, rather than the other way around.

Me too ... especially when the people in the IMS Dept try and get me to do the same ...