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J&M new gadget ... Review.
Okay ... so I got an email from J&M about a new product. It's a gadget that plugs into the CD connection plug under the seat and has the "capability" to connect to your smart phone via Bluetooth and using a 1/8" jack you can connect to mp3 players and iPods.
Okay .. now I know I can use the aux input cable, but, I'd love to be able to connect my phone via blue tooth and listen to audio books. I have a "Big" iPhone and it won't fit in the left side pocket with a charger. This thing says it will do just that. We'll see.
Another big bennie is that you can control the output via the handlebar controls that are built in to control the CD player. Personally, if this thing works as advertised, it will be brilliant and remove the reason for me wanting to get into a "newer" model Gold Wing. I like the 01-09 models because I literally know how to tear them down to their bones ... yea I know ... I can learn on a newer model, but, I'm an old dog and the new models are Mega $$$. Plus, I kind of like Helga.
I'll be doing a review when it gets here ... it has shipped and I'm so excited .... LOL.
Here's what it "looks" like:
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As you can see, this gadget plugs into the harness under the seat and then you use sticky velcro (included) to mount it in the trunk ... you cab also plug a memory stick kind of thing into it and also load the gadget up with your music and just play it from the handlebar controls through the radio. Finally a use for the CD button on the radio. Next maybe they will come out with a cover for the button that says something clever like "gadget" ... but that would simply be too much to ask for.
I will be writing a review with pictures and the like as soon as it gets here. The gadget lists for $179.99 plus shipping, but, after I ordered it (like 8 hours later), I got an email that said it had shipped and my card was charged like $152 and change. I'm guessing I got some kind of "Black Friday"/"Cyber Monday"/"Holiday" Promotion I didn't know about.
I cut and pasted this blurb from the J&M site ... so you can read what they say about it ... I'm gonna be the guinea pig on this so I'll let ya know if it's up to it's hype.
[COLOR=#171513][FONT=verdana][h=2]# JMDM-GL18E[/h]
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[COLOR=#171513][FONT=verdana][h=2]ADD TO CART[/h][COLOR=#BF0A30][FONT=Verdana][B]JMDM-GL18E[/B][/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Verdana][B]$179.99[/B][/FONT] [COLOR=#4162D0][FONT=Arial][B][I][CENTER]In Stock, Will Ship Within 2 Business Days[/I][/B][/FONT][/COLOR]
[URL="https://www.jmcorp.com/Cart.asp"]Checkout Now [/URL][/CENTER]
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[COLOR=#171513][FONT=verdana]This exciting new digital music player from J&M will plug directly into the CD selected music input plug on all 2001-2010 Honda Gold Wing audio systems, replacing the Honda CD changer, at a fraction of the cost.
Store and play up to 550 MP3 song tracks (MP3, WMA or WAV) from your music library on a single USB Thumb drive, and toggle thru song after song using your existing handlebar audio system controls.
Plug in your remote mounted Satellite radio receiver or MP3 player, using the 3.5mm 3-conductor plug accessory cable and enjoy high-quality stereo music thru the Honda audio system CD selection.
Link by Bluetooth® your smartphone or Garmin® Zumo to the player and your smartphone stereo media or navigation commands will stream & automatically prioritize OVER whichever music files are being played from the USB Thumb drive at the time.
Control head mounts inside the tail trunk, in place of the CD changer, with direct under-seat plug-n-play harness for connection to the GL-1800 audio system.
This is a complete plug-n-play installation with pre-gummed Velcro mounting strips and installation/operation instructions.
Note: When installing this unit on 2009-2010 GL-1800s, if you wish to use the XM satellite radio feature of your audio system, with this digital music changer, you will need to purchase at additional cost J&M part# JMDM-ADT-GL18.
Supported Bluetooth Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
AVRCP ( Audio Video Remote Control Profile)
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Update after more testing with pics.
Okay ... so we had a fair day ... 38* and sunny. So, I went out and cleaned up the install. I also picked up a shorter double male 1/8" stereo connector so my SiriusXM Radio could plug into the CD BT Thingie ... I got a 15" and it is still way too long ... I'm thinking like 6". I also had issues getting the double sticky tape to stick because of the cold. I used a hair dryer and kept it warm for about 90 seconds or so and everything stuck just fine.
Here's what it looks like in the trunk. Notice the SiriusXM is in the trunk too so even though it's not waterproof, it's not in the weather at all. I have a remote for the radio, but, I always listen to "The Message" so it's not a biggie. This is a dockable radio that also works in my truck and house. So, only one subscription for all my radios.
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Here's what happens when you connect it to the CD BT thingie ... you can see it "thinks" there is a CD installed.
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Okay ... pictures out of the way .. here's what I tested and found out today.
!) When the CD Thingie is connected to the SiriusXm radio, it is crystal clear and very good volume, the same volume as just the radio. Absolutely no static or alternator/ignition noise in the radio. To get to listen to the SiriusXM radio, just select CD, everything else happens automatically. Pretty Kewl.
2) With it connected to the SiriusXM radio, and you want to listen to the Audible app on your phone, it connects after being paired, quickly and seamlessly. When you start the audio book ... it over rides the SiriusXM Radio. So Kewl. You do loose a tad of the volume like you will with every BT Connection, but still loads of volume where you can hear it at 75 mph on the highway with no helmet. Testing the helmet audio, there is lots of volume there too.
3) So even though I never use the phone on the bike, I had my mother call me after I got the helmet on and out to the highway. Told her call me 10 minutes after I left ... the phone rang, I answered it and could hear and talk just fine ... again ... way kewl.
4) Last thing I needed to test was with my little phone, iPhone SE, connected via the aux cable running from the left pocket with the phone charging from the aux 12v connection, the audio is really crisp and no ignition noise even while charging ... Alan is a happy man.
All in all, this is the best $152 and change I've ever spent on a Gold Wing (I've spent more that I care to say). If you have an older wing and want to connect anything to the bikes audio system ... this thing is the way to go. I would feel the same even if it didn't have BT ... but that's a plus.
If you have any questions ... just ask ... this thing is way kewl. Now if J&M would make a button cover for the radio that said BT instead of CD ... it would be perfect. :D