[paul65k]

Hi Guys,

I've looked and looked but couldn't find anything on this topic in the forum so here goes:

I would like to link a Garmin GPS to my factory Bluetooth system and was wondering if anyone has had any experience or luck. Here's what I do know so far.

I own the following Garmin units: Nuvi 360, Zumo 550 and Streetpilot 2820. All of these units have Bluetooth "Capability", although they are a bit different.

The Nuvi has what I will called "Limited" capability as it is ONLY designed to link to a phone and display the address book and provide microphone and speaker capability, but will NOT link to a bluetooth headset as confirmed by Garmin tech support......basically only one channel for bluetooth.

Both the Streetpilot and the Zumo can support multiple Bluetooth connections simultaneously, in application I can link both the headset and the phone at the same time. This is nice because you can get the turn by turn (TBT) directions through the headset but if the phone rings it displays who is calling and when answered you talk through the headset and the GPS TBT directions are muted although you do hear a small "Ding" in the background when there is an event (like a turn) coming up on the GPS which reminds you to look at the display....pretty cool actually.

So here is what I was wondering if anyone has done; With one of the multiple channel GPS' link it to the Mini's Bluetooth system and get TBT directions through the radio just like a factory (Permanent) system, muting of the radio on not only calls but for TBT as well again just like the factory system.

Chances are I'll be the trail blazer here and plan to do so later this week when I take delivery of the new (2nd one for us) MCS at Long Beach Mini.

I'm thinking I'll use the Zumo as it is actually a little more user friendly and is smaller than the Streetpilot. It was actually designed for motorcycle use (Which it does quite well actually) and you can buy a factory hardwire kit which includes the wiring loom as well as a recepticle for the unit and is only a 2 wire connection so could easily be installed with a proclip mount.

It's a bummer that the Nuvi360 (Garmin dealer installed) unit only has the limited Bluetooth capability.....on the other hand if my theory actually works (not proven yet) then it might be understandable that BMW/Mini would choose the 360 as a dealer offering, as a more sophisticated unit could actually provide many (possibly too many) of the same features of the factory $2000+ system for about a 1/3 the price.

I'm interested to see if anyone has any experience here....in any case I'll report back shortly when I have the car and have had a chance to experiment a bit.

Regards,
Paul

[paul65k]

Well I hooked the unit up with the auto mount that came with it and confirmed that the Zumo was functioning. I was able to get voice commands to work through my bluetooth headset......so I knew the unit was working (bluetooth wise anyhow).

I WAS able to pair the Zumo with the Mini through the Pairing procedure and the unit was displayed as connected. The issue is that the commands and volume from the Zumo do not seem to trigger the switchover through the radio.....all the settings on the Unit are correct and the Mini seems to be paired but no volume through the car.....I am perplexed.

I'd really like to make this work but now I seem stuck and would certainly appreciate any suggestions.

Regards,
Paul