J&M new gadget ... Review.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

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:





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.

# JMDM-GL18E



ADD TO CART

JMDM-GL18E

$179.99

In Stock, Will Ship Within 2 Business Days

Checkout Now

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)

[paws]

Gheesh.... Fuzzy you are always coming up with the neatest tech stuff!

[radismukes]

Gheesh.... Fuzzy you are always coming up with the neatest tech stuff!

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:





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.

# JMDM-GL18E



ADD TO CART

JMDM-GL18E

$179.99

In Stock, Will Ship Within 2 Business Days

Checkout Now

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)

Better pricing https://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail...=JM-JMDM-GL18E

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Better pricing https://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail...=JM-JMDM-GL18E

Sure ... where were you before I ordered it?

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Gheesh.... Fuzzy you are always coming up with the neatest tech stuff!

High Tech Guy in a Cowboy town ... I don't really fit in anywhere ... LOL

[radismukes]

High Tech Guy in a Cowboy town ... I don't really fit in anywhere ... LOL

OOPS ...............

[FuzzyWuzHe]

OOPS ...............

Story of my life ... day short and a dollar late

[Sully]

Story of my life ... day short and a dollar late

More like $50.00.......... It pays to shop around first.

Hey, it's only money.....

[FuzzyWuzHe]

More like $22 plus shipping ... I paid $152 and change, shipped. So not to bad ... and I go through J&M Directly for warrantee .... So not so bad.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Okay, the little hummer has arrived. Unfortunately, it's been in the teens most of the mornings here. I really want to check this thing out ... but ... I'm gonna wait until Thursday or Friday ... supposed to get to a balmy 42 for the high both days instead of the high 20's and low 30's we've been seeing.

[FRR]

Only good thru 2010? Bummer

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Okay ... so a decent day, 45* and sunny.

Did the install. Very easy, only tough part was drilling the hole into the CD storage area in the trunk. Not real hard, but, the angle you need to drill is not there best.

Here's it plugged in:



Here's where the plug is located:



Okay ... so now that the pictures are out of the way. I'll do my review. I haven't used it but 4 miles, so this is preliminary.

At first impression, this thing is kewl. My phone connected easily via bluetooth.

I tried playing music via my phones stored music ... really clear and pretty loud.

I then tried to listen ton audio books via the audible app ... really clear and pretty loud.

Okay ... so far so good. The next test was to plug the phone in to charge it in the aux connection in the left pocket to see if while charging, I would get the alternator noise through the speakers. No noise, the sound is clear as a bell without the annoying noise you get through the aux input cable.

This thing is so kewl and exactly what I was looking for. I have not tried it with a phone call, because I don't care if that works, I put my phone in the airplane mode when I ride.

My next test will be to put the SiriusXM output into this gizmo and see how that goes. Putting the SiriusXM output to the aux input cable gives me the alternator noise. If plugging the XM into this thing gives me clear music ... I'll be a very happy camper. Not like Texas BBQ happy ... but .. close.

I'll let ya know how that goes when I get a shorter cord, needs to be male to male 1/8" stereo plugs, I'll only need like 18", it comes with a 15 footer.

But ... first impressions ... I like it a lot.

If ya got questions ... Let me know, I'll try to answer them.

[bikerbillone]

Fuzz, this sounds like a really kewl gadget with some good functions. Thanks for the pics and the install report, not sure I could replicate what you did, I'm kind of 'old school', if I figure out my iPhone, I'm doing good.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

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.



Here's what happens when you connect it to the CD BT thingie ... you can see it "thinks" there is a CD installed.



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.

[Dockem]

Alan,

Just got a J&M MP2 unit also and was curious where you drilled the hole for the power cord to go into the trunk? You wouldn't happen to have a pic would you?

I'm gonna be curious how well the BT works with my Garmin BT, phone, etc and deciphering the cord hookups. Part of the fun of getting new toys.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I drilled it on the left side .... in the cd bay ... kind of opposite the already drilled hole on the right side.

When I was pulling the cd thingie out of Helga to put it in Jessica. I determined that there is room in the wire harness to add the cd thingie to the wires going through the right hole. When I install it in Jessica, IU'm gonna try routing it through that hole first .. might not be enough room for the plug to go through with the other wires ... would rather not drill another hole if not needed. We'll see ... Jessica has no cb, so that may give me enough room.

The J&M Instructions say to drill it on the left side, but, we'll see.

Good luck.

I just noticed on Jessica ... there are no wires coming through the trunk ... hmmmm ... guess I'll be drilling one. No CB = No wires to the CD Tray.

[cjmitch]

I drilled it on the left side .... in the cd bay ... kind of opposite the already drilled hole on the right side.

You do not have to drill a hole in the back of the trunk.

You can notch the very top of the trunk under the screw, then route the cable in that way see picture.

This way the cable is high and less chance of moisture getting in.

make the notch, then unscrew the small screw, then gently pry it up and slide in the cable.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

You do not have to drill a hole in the back of the trunk.

You can notch the very top of the trunk under the screw, then route the cable in that way see picture.

This way the cable is high and less chance of moisture getting in.

make the notch, then unscrew the small screw, then gently pry it up and slide in the cable.

Can you be a little more specific as to where you notched the trunk? Maybe zoom out some with the pic? Since Jessica came sans CB, there are no holes in the trunk cubby ... I'd really like to not have to make a 1" hole, even with the grommet, as you mentioned, it could be a moisture invasion point.

[Dockem]

Thanks cjm, worked out fine. Velcroed the J&M unit to the side of the trunk box. Used a drill bit to hog it out so the hole would allow the cable thru, and, like you advised, carefully eased back the trunk plastic back to slide the cable down to the notched hole.

Much better than an 1 1/2" hole!

FuzzyWuzHe - upper left area by the hinge where the speaker/cubby hole meets the trunk side. Remove the screw and you can gently pry the trunk side outwards so cable can slide to the area you notched.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Thanks cjm, worked out fine. Velcroed the J&M unit to the side of the trunk box. Used a drill bit to hog it out so the hole would allow the cable thru, and, like you advised, carefully eased back the trunk plastic back to slide the cable down to the notched hole.

Much better than an 1 1/2" hole!

FuzzyWuzHe - upper left area by the hinge where the speaker/cubby hole meets the trunk side. Remove the screw and you can gently pry the trunk side outwards so cable can slide to the area you notched.

I'll check it out ... but I don't remember any aluminum looking stuff.