iPhone Hook up?

fulmitz · Post by **fulmitz** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:19 pm

Anyone know if there is a way to hook up the iphone with speakers so I can play my music? The dealer showed me an iPod kit but not quite the same.

Thanks

Rob

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:58 am

What kind of hookup for the iPhone would you want that's different from an iPod one?

There are speakers setups that attach to your mirrors and also some that mount in the glovebox door.

fulmitz · Post by **fulmitz** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:29 am

Some of the older iPod Hookups won't charge an iPhone4. Also wanted to make sure the speakers were hidden like in the glovebox door but will that compromise the door (more prone to rust and or water getting in if it rains)?

Just fairly new to modding and to the Stella. I did see the G4 BT set by scala and you can stream music which seems cool. Looks kinda bulky on the helmet though.

Thanks,

Rob

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:08 am

fulmitz wrote:Some of the older iPod Hookups won't charge an iPhone4. Also wanted to make sure the speakers were hidden like in the glovebox door but will that compromise the door (more prone to rust and or water getting in if it rains)?

Just fairly new to modding and to the Stella. I did see the G4 BT set by scala and you can stream music which seems cool. Looks kinda bulky on the helmet though.

Thanks,

Rob

Anything that cuts into metal will potentially allow water in, although the glovebox isn't a sealed thing to begin with. Also, I don't know of any factory-made iPhone4 accessories for motorbikes like that. Odds are you are going to have to figure out how to modify existing hardware, which shouldn't be hard. What I would suggest is:

The Stella/P-series glove box speaker insert (I believe you can still get them from Scooterworks), and then simply modify a spare iPhone 4 cable to fit a universal USB mount.

Here's the Stella speaker box kit I mentioned off of Modern Vespa

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic915

Then, once you run your power lead for the speakers, swap out the older iPod power dock for an iPhone 4 cable and hook it up to a USB port that runs off of either a direct or ignition key interrupt such as this one from burnsmoto

http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-sock ... rproof.php

They make SAE and 12v power plug connectors as well that make the entire instal real easy. Run all wiring through the center channel and horncast and just feed it into the glovebox, mount the USB cover to the back of the legshield and you're ready to rock! Although, you mentioned "hidden", and I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean by that. Also, unless they have decent amplification, you may not be able to hear the speakers very well at cruising speed over the Stella if it's a 2 stroke with any form of pipe.

The bluetooth option is a great idea, and I've got my eye on the Midlands BT2 Bluetooth communicator that will also double as a bike-to-bike BT communication unit. Allows for better control of volume and added features.

It's WAY cheaper than a Scala (only $150 to $250 depending on which one you get and from which retailer) and serves the same function.

http://www.midlandradio.com/Bluetooth-I ... ystems.3NN

All bluetooth units will add some mass, but they are very light in general and designed to break away. Even the helmets that already have them integrated have a knob out the side so you can manipulate them with gloved hands, since touch controls are worthless with gloves. That, and the ones with BT built in tend to either be hella expensive or not the best helmets on the market (i.e. cheap and only use BT as a gimmick).

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:47 pm

An in-helmet solution might be your best bet. In terms of sound quality and controls, a lot of people have realized that helmet speakers or some sort of comm system works best.

You can easily add a 12V port to the Stella for charging. You can even add a USB connection (solely for charging).

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:38 pm

neotrotsky wrote:The bluetooth option is a great idea, and I've got my eye on the Midlands BT2 Bluetooth communicator that will also double as a bike-to-bike BT communication unit. Allows for better control of volume and added features.

It's WAY cheaper than a Scala (only $150 to $250 depending on which one you get and from which retailer) and serves the same function.

Check out this site that tests all the bluetooth systems.
Cheaper tends not to be better.
I just bought the SENA system, having previously used the Cardo Scala Q2 which I was not very happy with.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/

p.s. I use these things purely for the intercom.

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:27 pm

Well, Midland tends to make pretty good FRS/GPRS radio gear and their prices are quite competitive. And, I've used a few of their radios before in various shows and they provide quite the bang for the buck so I'm willing to see what they got. I've been VERY impressed with their XTC helmet cams as well, so perhaps they're stepping up to the "outdoor electronics" game alot more aggressively. The Scala's didn't seem much better in person and MAN did they want a ton of cash for them with the same specs. They just didn't feel like $500 worth of kit (or sound like it)

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:02 am

The top rated Sena is $165.
Not $500.

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:50 am

desmolicious wrote:The top rated Sena is $165.
Not $500.

Oh, my error... only $389 for the Q2 Pro

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=50 ... UC_21-0126

Or $299 for the "cheap" Q2

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=50 ... UC_21-0142

I have never seen the Sena in any local shop, and after some bad experiences with headsets I don't buy anything I haven't had my eyes or hands on. So, until I actually see them for sale I rule them out.

Still, WAY too much for what you get. The Midland BT2 sets worked great when I used them and the price was quite attractive, with the same feature sets. Yes, it's cheaper than a Chatterbox setup but then again what isn't?

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:21 pm

I already have the Q2 and was not happy with it, so I am replacing it with the top rated SENA system.

I dunno, maybe it's just me but the SENA has been rated #1 in independant testing, and by real moto users (and riders I know love it) so why would you get something of lesser quality?

The Midland BT2 did not test anywhere near as well as the SENA in all aspects. Most importantly for me is its intercom has a 250m range vs 950m for the SENA

It is cheaper though, so there is that.