Garmin bluetooth question.

**Construct** · 22nd September 2023, 01:44 PM

I have a garmin drivesmart 66 that I have been using on my motorcycle. I recently bought a Cardo headset. Upon pairing it to my drivesmart 66 gps, it connected, but then I get a pop-up screen that it's not compatible with the Cardo edge. I spoke with garmin and they confirmed it's not compatible that I would need to buy the garmin Zuma to use my headset with GPS.

So my question is there a way to mod the Bluetooth compatibility for the drivesmart 66 or a way to add the garmins Zuma Bluetooth driver compatible list to the smartdrive 66?

**asprin624** · 22nd September 2023, 02:11 PM

No one is going to take the time to redo the firmware just so you can use your Cardo headset on a drivesmart 66.

Next time do a little research when you go to buy a headset that you are going to use on your motorcycle.
Check what GPS units it will work on.....
Second the drivesmart 66 is not rugged enough to be used on a motorcycle.
You should of looked into a used Zumo or new one.

OR

A smartphone GPS app that might work with your Cardo headset.

**Construct** · 22nd September 2023, 04:17 PM

To start, I did not request anyone to do something on my behalf. Instead, I inquired about the possibility of modifying the Bluetooth driver.

Secondly, the smart drive is durable enough to be utilized on a motorcycle. I have been using it for over a year without encountering any problems. I sealed every crack and hole with silicon and placed a suction cup over the power supply, allowing me to ride in the rain without experiencing any issues.

Perhaps I should have conducted more research. Nevertheless, it seems unjustifiable for a company to impose limitations on a standard Bluetooth in order to promote a pricier device.

**asprin624** · 22nd September 2023, 06:09 PM

The problem with Garmin Automotive Devices like the Drivesmart 66 is that they are setup to link to smartphones or backup cameras.
There is nothing in the setup that will let you use any Bluetooth ear phones much less Cardo headset that are used with helmets when on a motorcycle.

I have a Drivesmart 66 and even tested a couple of ear buds and none of they are compatible with this unit GPS series.
Do not think it is legal to have ear phones on while driving a car I could be wrong.

Where the Garmin Zumo series was setup for motorcycle users.

**Construct** · 22nd September 2023, 07:25 PM

So, the smartdrive 66 or any Garmin device designed for automobile use only receives audio from the connected device to be played through the Garmin. So, the GPS lacks the capability to send audio to another device that can receive audio, such as a headset.

Is this a hardware limitation or something that could potentially be programmed?

It's not a major issue to not be able to hear upcoming turns, but it would be nice. So I thought I would search the internet for more information.

**Garman_Nuvi** · 22nd September 2023, 11:30 PM

@Construct
The owners manual says "to your stereo" I think Garmin means vehicle Head Unit or In car Entertainment unit (ICE) this gives hope you could connect another A2DP audio protocol device, like ear buds. May be see if you can pair your phone to hear the navigation prompts using "Play as Phone Call" and listen on the phone earbuds ?

Bluetooth Audio Modes
Your device can send audio, such as navigation prompts, Amazon Alexa responses, and music, to your stereo using two Bluetooth® modes.

NOTE: Phone calls are always sent to your stereo using Bluetooth hands-free calling mode.
Select Volume > Bluetooth Audio Setup > Bluetooth Audio Mode.

Play as Media
Sets the device to send audio in Bluetooth media mode using A2DP audio protocol. For most vehicles, this option provides the best sound quality. To hear audio sent in Bluetooth media mode, you must set your stereo to the Bluetooth input source.

Play as Phone Call
Sets the device to send audio as a Bluetooth hands-free phone call. This option uses your stereo's Bluetooth hands-free calling feature to play the audio. This allows you to hear navigation prompts and Amazon responses on your stereo, even while listing to other audio sources, such as the radio. It can also be useful for vehicle stereos that do not have a Bluetooth media input source, or for which the Bluetooth media input provides lower sound quality. When using this mode, all Bluetooth audio from the device interrupts all sources on your stereo, and most stereos do not allow you to switch to another source while Bluetooth hands-free calling is active. The device automatically stops sending a Bluetooth hands-free calling signal after it finishes playing an audio item, and the stereo switches back to the previously active audio source.

Compatibility Mode
NOTE: This option is available only while the navigation device is paired with an Apple® device.
Sets the device to send audio using a combination of Bluetooth media and Bluetooth hands-free calling signals. Music, audio books, and other media are sent to the stereo in Bluetooth media mode using A2DP audio protocol. Navigation prompts and Amazon Alexa responses are sent to the stereo as a Bluetooth hands-free phone call. When using this mode, navigation prompts and Amazon Alexa responses interrupt all audio sources on your stereo. However, to hear media playback from the device, you must select the Bluetooth input source on your stereo. This mode is useful if you switch between device media and other media sources, but you always want to hear navigation prompts and Amazon Alexa responses.

Source: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

**Construct** · 23rd September 2023, 01:33 AM

This method successfully directs the audio output to the headset. However, a drawback arises when the Garmin voice is transmitted through the Bluetooth headset, it causes a disruption in the headset's functionality. Consequently, if I am playing music, the audio is interrupted to provide directions, but the music does not automatically resume afterwards. Even when I attempt to control the Cardo headset using the buttons on the side of the helmet, the music fails to start again. The only solution to restore the music is manually either by accessing the phone's music player or the GPS music player. On the GPS, this requires navigating away from the map, selecting the music, pressing play, and then returning to the map.

This issue would be bothersome and distracting while driving. However, it will be beneficial on occasions when I prefer to enjoy the ride without music.

**Boki** · 22nd September 2023, 08:42 PM

Not just for Garmin, it's not feasible in general
It's complicated to explain, you need to have knowledge about chips and chipsets, drivers, communication protocols, firmware and operating system. And Garmin is very much a closed ecosystem.

In short - it's not just a software (firmware) limitation.
It's mostly about chips and drivers and everything that their relationship brings.

**Construct** · 29th September 2023, 11:54 PM

I would like to provide an update regarding this matter. I have discovered that when using the cardo headset, playing the radio resumes smoothly after the GPS directions.
I have also come across an Android audio player called Player Pro, which enables the uninterrupted playback of music from a playlist in the background while the GPS provides directions. Background music volume is slightly lowered. Perhaps in a update, the developers could incorporate the feature of resume after transient bluetooth interruption to audio focus.

Agaun the app is called Player Pro for Android.