Topic: Garmin 26XX/27XX/2820 Harley Install Tips (Read 5976 times)

ezrider · « **on:** June 28, 2006, 10:21:55 PM »

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

magicl1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2006, 01:36:59 AM »

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

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2006, 02:29:53 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2006, 02:54:23 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2006, 03:47:21 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2006, 04:43:30 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2006, 11:41:31 AM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2006, 12:26:00 PM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2006, 01:01:03 PM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2006, 01:07:58 PM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2006, 01:11:46 PM »

Quote

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2006, 03:11:18 PM »

Quote

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2006, 03:45:23 PM »

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

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2006, 04:45:13 PM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2006, 04:57:01 PM »

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.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2006, 05:05:38 PM »

Thanks EZ...when I take the fairing off for a couple of other things I'm doing, I'll move it and see if that helps...it works fine out in the wide open spaces, but I had a lot of "drops" while in the mountains this weekend, and I mean a lot...some I could understand because of the location (down in a steep walled valley), but some didn't make any sense to me. Bad thing is, it would be right during a great song

jvc58dke · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2006, 07:45:22 PM »

EZRIDER...thanks for the helpful post....just installed my 2620 on my SEEG using your instructions....very useful!

ezrider · « **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2006, 11:14:29 PM »

TC:

If you can find where the XM antenna plugs in try disconnecting and reconnecting the plug a couple of times too. Sometimes that procedure will end up making a better connection. By all means, try relocating it to the top center of the radio case too.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2006, 11:24:13 PM »

Quote

TC:

If you can find where the XM antenna plugs in try disconnecting and reconnecting the plug a couple of times too. Sometimes that procedure will end up making a better connection. By all means, try relocating it to the top center of the radio case too.

Thanks EZ...when I have it apart this weekend, I'll give that a try too....will definitely move it, if I'm able to. I'll clean the connection with some contact cleaner as well. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

magicl1 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2006, 08:51:24 AM »

While installing my 2610, I found my XM antenna mounted to an L shaped bracket so it was facing skyward. My neighbor's was installed sideways. I could not remove mine. It seemed to be attached with something other than a magnet or else it was one heck of a strong magnet! I ended up leaving it "as is" for fear of breaking [smiley=oops.gif] the housing while prying it off.

ezrider · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2006, 09:12:40 AM »

Sounds like they used some kind of adhesive on the XM antenna.

ezrider · « **Reply #21 on:** August 09, 2006, 11:20:17 AM »

TC,

How did your 2820 installation go?

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #22 on:** August 09, 2006, 12:20:12 PM »

EZ...got the power cord made up...I ended up just using the cig lighter, after going by Radio Shack and picking up the plug type that's got the blade type mini fuse, but cut the power cord to the right length so it wouldn't be dangling all over the place. The reason I decided to do it this way rather than hard wire it, is I got concerned about the contacts on the power cord getting up against something and shorting out when the unit is not on the bike. I got the torx sockets to remove the fairing last weekend, so will be routing the Aux input cord this weekend...it's supposed to rain, so that will be a good project.

Appreicate all your tips...you are the go-to guy for GPS stuff, that's for certain! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

ezrider · « **Reply #23 on:** August 09, 2006, 06:37:23 PM »

TC,

You might be able to route the excess audio cable into the handlebar opening without taking the fairing off. Just hook the cable up on both ends and give it a try.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #24 on:** August 14, 2006, 02:25:48 PM »

EZ...finally figured out how to load the MP3 player in the 2820. Deleted some of the foreign language files while I was in there. I was able to get well over 120 songs in it. Do you know how to see what the empty storage space is on the unit? I could not see it under properties, but I'm sure there's a way to tell how much more stuff it will hold. Also, was able to use a piece of stiff wire (coathangers make great fish cables) and pull the stereo patch cord through the fairing handlebar holes..put a couple of chrome wire ties down next to the holes on each side. Cord comes out of the AUX and tucks away neatly...only about 3 or 4 inches needs to come out of the hole to reach the AUX jack. Used wire tie on the other side as well...keeps the wire taught and close to the handlebar.

I'm not sure the quality is there on the MP3 player, compared to a MP3 CD, but for those times when I need to hear the lady talk to me, I can switch to it and hear her. Any suggestions to improve the sound, like MP3 formats, enhancing files, etc.? Also, is it necessary to use the volume control on the Unit itself, rather than the HK?

Still want to remove the outer fairing to see if I can do a better job of locating the XM antenna to the top of the radio platform, but will wait 'till my Clearview Windshield gets here and do that in one fell swoop.

ezrider · « **Reply #25 on:** August 14, 2006, 02:49:06 PM »

TC,

Set the GPS volumes to whatever level you need to balance it out with your HK volume settings for whatever else you listen to. You should be be to equalize the volumes between the GPS and CD/FM/CB etc. so they alll sound the about the same. I don't use MP3 so can't help you there.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #26 on:** August 17, 2006, 01:00:17 PM »

Quote

TC,

Set the GPS volumes to whatever level you need to balance it out with your HK volume settings for whatever else you listen to. You should be be to equalize the volumes between the GPS and CD/FM/CB etc. so they alll sound the about the same. I don't use MP3 so can't help you there.

Did all that the other night...everything is working great now, and together. Quality is fine, good sound level, easy to operate. I think the MP3 function on the 2820 is GREAT!! I'm going to play around with it a bit more and see what I can do...I purchased a software program specifically to make MP3 files, but like any other software, it can do SO much that it takes me a while to figure it all out. Between burning a CD for the HK with over 140 MP3 songs on it, and over 120 on the GPS, I'm not going to run out of tunes to listen to any time soon

[smiley=drummer.gif] [smiley=rockstar.gif] Pulling the fairing this weekend to install the shield and move the XM, check the connection, etc.

VaEagle · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:34:36 PM »

Hey guys,
I was looking at the link for the 2.5mm to 3.5mm isolation cable so you can hook up the GPS audio from a Garmin 2720 to a 2006 Ultra radio and the company tesseractcorp site doesn't seem to carry that cable anymore?
Anyone have ideas on where to get this cable for my 2006?

Bubba · « **Reply #28 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:39:13 PM »

Quote from: VaEagle on February 14, 2007, 04:34:36 PM

Hey guys,
I was looking at the link for the 2.5mm to 3.5mm isolation cable so you can hook up the GPS audio from a Garmin 2720 to a 2006 Ultra radio and the company tesseractcorp site doesn't seem to carry that cable anymore?
Anyone have ideas on where to get this cable for my 2006?

I bought at Radio Shack a short 3.5 cable and cut it to the proper length and solder a 2.5 on the other end.
Or they even sell a reducer if you don't want to do the solder thing.

bubba

ultrafxr · « **Reply #29 on:** February 15, 2007, 07:37:15 AM »

Quote from: Bubba on February 14, 2007, 10:39:13 PM

I bought at Radio Shack a short 3.5 cable and cut it to the proper length and solder a 2.5 on the other end.
Or they even sell a reducer if you don't want to do the solder thing.

bubba

Bubba, just so you know, according to Garmin this "could" cause problems. The audio plug on the bare wire cable is designed for earphones, not powered devices (our bike radio). So the cable needs to have a "ground loop" to prevent possible damage to your Garmin unit. That is why the special cable.

Plus if I remember correctly Radio Shack doesn't have a true 2.5mm plug - think it is 1/4". Close but not exact. Check me on this 'cause it is from memory and I've slept since I investigated that.

ezrider · « **Reply #30 on:** February 15, 2007, 09:01:13 AM »

Really too bad about the cable no longer being available it was perfect for fixing the ground loop problem. As I recall the supplier was hand making them, did you try calling or contacting them to see if they will make you one? You might want to look at this thread starting with post #11 for other solutions: http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80707&highlight=garmin

VaEagle · « **Reply #31 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:28:44 PM »

Quote from: ultrafxr on February 15, 2007, 07:37:15 AM

Bubba, just so you know, according to Garmin this "could" cause problems. The audio plug on the bare wire cable is designed for earphones, not powered devices (our bike radio). So the cable needs to have a "ground loop" to prevent possible damage to your Garmin unit. That is why the special cable.

Plus if I remember correctly Radio Shack doesn't have a true 2.5mm plug - think it is 1/4". Close but not exact. Check me on this 'cause it is from memory and I've slept since I investigated that.

Thanks for the PM ultrafxr,
Info sent by PM.
ezrider I was going to do that but ultrafxr is helping me out,thanks for the link.

Author Topic: Garmin 26XX/27XX/2820 Harley Install Tips (Read 5976 times)