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Integration with BMW Motorrad Connect app
Hi again, Guido. Went out yesterday. Did a Scenic-planned route first. Sure enough, the BMW Connected app's tracking was NOT working... while the Scenic app's audio turn-by-turn instructions were working! After a little while, the Scenic app's audio stopped... and from that point on, the BMW Connected app tracked my ride, too. Thinking back, there are many times when the Scenic app's audio turn-by-turn just... stops talking. This could be a bug, no? And, apparently, it has something to do with the BMW Connected app's interference. On the way back, I closed the Scenic app, and rode home on routes I know, and the BMW Connected app (and TFT simple nav) worked perfectly.
It could be a bug in Scenic of course. Although I have not heard any other feedback regarding voice dropping out recently. Does this also happen when you’re not using the BMW connect app?
I suspect that the BMW connect app and Scenic are “fighting” for the Bluetooth connection to your bike and that this somehow is also related to he tracking feature of the BMW connect app. In other words that the BMW connect app only tracks when it “wins” the fight for the connection.
How is your connection setup now? I assume that you connect your phone to your bike TFT and also your headset to your bike (so sound and audio volume control and skipping next/prev track can be doen by the ‘wheel’), right?
I can investigate further but if this also happens with other navigation apps this is something that needs to be addressed by the BMW connect app I’m afraid.
I don’t know what headset you have but perhaps it’s possible to connect the phone directly through the headset (so not via the bike TFT)? You’ll loose the audio control features with the ‘wheel’ but perhaps your headset has some controls for it on your helmet (or even voice control?)?
Hi. The BMW Connected app isn't something I consciously use. It's always on, when the phone is connected to the TFT.
My set up is, phone is connected to TFT, and separately my Sena headset is connected to the TFT. Connecting the phone to the headset would, of course, bypass the TFT, but would also render the BMW Connected app useless, and I really like to check my rides on it (see lean angles, use of ABS/TC, max rpm, max speed, and other cool features).
I reached out to BMW and the app's product manager answered initially (then I never heard from him again). Their theory is that before starting the bike's engine, I should just hit the button for the electrical system to wake, and wait about 45 seconds-1 minute for all the TFT's systems to connect to the phone and the helmet, and THEN to start the engine. I tried that and as I suspected, it makes no difference. I also kindly explained to him that I ride with a lot of KTM guys, and that if they knew that my BMW GS requires all this fuss to get going, they would bully me even more than they already do! I guess humor isn't part of the BMW culture, because I never heard back from him!
Anyway, he was focusing on their software having a firm connection with the phone, but as we have seen, that connection gets easily interrupted by using other nav software.
Oh, the joys of modern tech! All these things "we absolutely need" (including tire pressure monitoring, etc.) that as short as 5 years ago we did without...
I have a KTM 😁
I think KTM and BMW have the same TFT provider and connectivity. It’s the Bosch MySpin. KTM also has their own app, but not for tracking nor does it receive data from the bike. It’s only nav which can then show simple turn arrows on the TFT. I’ll try if I can run the KTM and Scenic app at the same time. If I can reproduce the problem I might be able to find a solution.
Meanwhile there is perhaps two things you could try, but I’m not sure it’s possible or if it will work.
Connect your phone to both your TFT and Sena directly (if possible?) And then set Scenic’s Voice Ouput to ‘as phone call’ (Settings > Sound & Haptics > Voice Ouput). That will build up a HFP Bluetooth connection (with the SENA as I don’t believe the the TFT supports HFP connections) in stead of the ‘normal’ Bluetooth connection (with your TFT) which I suspect is also being used by the BMW app.
If that doesn’t work, you could try to have Scenic navigate without voice. You can mute the voice through the ‘big button’ menu.
You have a KTM? I'm so sorry to hear that! 😉
Great tips. Unfortunately, yesterday was my last ride for the year, so I'll have to try these things on the first or second weekend of January. Will keep reporting, though!
Thank you for your quick replies, and have a great Christmas, staying healthy and safe.
Haha. Thank you 😁. And a merry Xmas to you too.
Hi, just to chip in (with my 2 cts 😉 ) ... have been cases when riding with Scenic, the BMW app (w/out navi) and they play nice. Even when wanting to cheat on the final stretch to the hotel, and starting Apple Maps for navi (and leaving Scenic active in the background w/navi instructions) it all works out: need to pay attention which navi voice I'll follow though 😉
Phone and helmet (Schubert C4) connected to the TFT, and an iPhone on iOS 13. Haven't the chance to check on iOS 14 ...