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[ezrider]

Very detailed and comprehensive Garmin/Harley installation information is available here: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57448

[magicl1]

Thanks for posting.  I'm sure others will find this information helpful.  Noticed you are new to this site.  Welcome!

[Midnight Rider]

Welcome, ezrider...you will find this a great place.  Introduce yourself in the "lurkers welcome" thread!

Glad to have you aboard and a helpful first post!! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[ezrider]

Thanks for the welcome guys!

I am the author of the Garmin/Harley install thread referenced above, hope ya'all find it useful. Feel free to ask me questions about it here.

[Midnight Rider]

Does this same info apply to the new Garmin 2820?  I've got the Garmin kit ordered for motorcycles...my unit has an audio out jack on the side, and I've got the '06 radio.

[ezrider]

Good question. I have no experience with a 2820 yet.

It sounds like you're good to go. You might want to call Garmin Tech Support at 800-800-1020 and confirm that the audio output from the 3.5mm plug in the side is the same as with the 2730 and that there is a Headphone/Aux switch in the audio menu.

If it is the same as the 2730 I would use a motorcycle hardwire cable other than the one Garmin sells. If you use the Garmin cable you will end up with an unecessary audio pigtail flopping around your handle bar. The other cable will give a cleaner and potentially less trouble free installation without the unecessary audio pigtail. Simpler is usually better.

Consult this Installation Thread for specifics, look at the 2730 hook-up part: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57448

Happy trails!

[Midnight Rider]

Ordered the hardwire and the right angle connectors for the audio, if I want to use it.  I do know that the audio will plug right in and the unit will talk over the stereo system out of all four speakers, but you do have to set the mode to Aux for that to work...is there another way to have it override the radio?

[ezrider]

You will have to set the radio to Aux to hear the GPS. The CB will override the Aux input.

If you have a 2730 you can listen to the GPS self contained XM radio or MP3 and the GPS voice navigation information will override.

The current purchase price difference between the 2720 and 2730 is $75 at Walmart online.

[Midnight Rider]

Thanks...that's another option I was thinking might be useful, particularly since the HK XM radio loses reception regularly, and the MP3 would be handy as well.  I guess the sound quality would be the same, regardless of the source of input, so I'll do a test run to see how it all works when all the wiring products get here this week.

[ezrider]

TC,

I trust that you have seen the 7/1/06 significant wiring updates to the install thread ? : http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57448

[magicl1]

Thanks...that's another option I was thinking might be useful, particularly since the [highlight]HK XM radio loses reception regularly[/highlight].

My neighbor has the XM Add-on installed by the dealer (they put the magnetic based antenna sideways on a metal support brace).  He was losing the signal out in the wide open spaces here in AZ.  I forwarded a thread to him regarding a "fix" that he is trying now.  He pulled the XM antena out of the faring and placed it on top of his dash (not the same as our leather wrapped one on the CUSE) but he got immediate results with improved reception.  May not be the best looking solution...

[spydglide]

My neighbor has the XM Add-on installed by the dealer (they put the magnetic based antenna sideways on a metal support brace).  He was losing the signal out in the wide open spaces here in AZ.  I forwarded a thread to him regarding a "fix" that he is trying now.  He pulled the XM antena out of the faring and placed it on top of his dash (not the same as our leather wrapped one on the CUSE) but he got immediate results with improved reception.  My [highlight]not be the best looking solution[/highlight]...

Different strokes for different folks..........that's probably the way the 1st RAT BiKE started.   har!  [smiley=drink.gif] spyder

[ezrider]

Placing the 2730 XM antenna on top center of the radio case under the fairing has worked very well for me.

[Midnight Rider]

I haven't looked, but where the He!! is the XM radio antena located for the Harmon Kardon in the '06's...maybe just move it to the top of the radio?

[ezrider]

The HK XM antenna on a 06 Screamin Eagle Ultra is located on a little bracket on the clutch side under the fairing, it's 1 1/2"-2" square, black color, magnetic base (I think).

If you're having trouble with reception try sitting it on the center of the radio case.

Many receiver antennas rely on something called "ground plane" (engineering term) to work best which is essentially a metal plate/surface under the antenna. The radio case would create a good ground plane (if needed). Place as close to the center of the top of the case as possible. Mounting the Garmin 2730 XM antenna on the top center of the case works great.