GL1800Riders Forums banner

Anyone using J&M's CFBR-GL1800 and Zumo 660?

4K views 28 replies 13 participants last post by  scoffman1 
#1 ·
Curious is anyone has hooked up a J&M CFBR-GL1800 (cellphone/GPS integration unit) and a Garmin Zumo 660 on their bike. I have installed two of these units on friends bikes, and when using the cellphone, the person being called hears a very loud buzzing sound. We tried everything imaginable to fix it to no avail. While in Daytona, we talked with a tech and he said to not power the GPS and J&M unit from the same power source. So we correct that and it still doesnt fix it. So today we call J&M and the gentleman we talk to tells us the unit isnt really designed for using a bluetooth cellphone and GPS at the same time with the J&M unit . WHAT! Their instructions tell you how to set up the system for that. Whats the world coming too?
 
#2 ·
I've been using the J&M cfbr-gl1800 with a zumo 660 and a dumb LG phone for several weeks. The phone
sounds really good and the people I've talked to say my voice is very clear. I've heard of other users of the
cfbr-gl1800 reporting the loud buzzing when using the phone. I have the phone paired to the Zumo 660 and
the cfbr-gl1800 also paired to the Zumo 660 as a audio or headset device. I don't think you can pair two devices
to the cfbr-gl1800 at the same time, which may be what the tech with J&M was trying to say.
 
#3 ·
I have been using this setup for a couple years and the only problem is a slight buzz in my headset when the GPS audio " directions" are active. Tried everything to address this and JR sent me the first new adapter for the 660 because they were not aware of the output differences of it and the earlier models.

i have my gps powered separately with the ground going to my grounding block. I would bet that a great deal of the noise some get is due to grounding issues and the lack of a good line filter

mark
 
#4 ·
I've been using the J&M cfbr-gl1800 with a zumo 660 and a dumb LG phone for several weeks. The phone
sounds really good and the people I've talked to say my voice is very clear. I've heard of other users of the
cfbr-gl1800 reporting the loud buzzing when using the phone. I have the phone paired to the Zumo 660 and
the cfbr-gl1800 also paired to the Zumo 660 as a audio or headset device. I don't think you can pair two devices
to the cfbr-gl1800 at the same time, which may be what the tech with J&M was trying to say.
Yea we did just as the instructions say to--paired the phone to the GPS, and the GPS to the J&M module. The buzzing sound is so loud you cant hear each other on the phone. If there is any light at the end of the tunnel, my friend is thinking about **** canning the whole set up and putting his Zumo 550 back on the bike with the old J&M system he had, and then selling me the Zumo 660 for a real good price. :lol:
 
#5 ·
All ZUMO models can be noisy

If you still have anything connected to the AUX out on the cable remove that

Try taking the ZUMO out of the cradle to test it, if its good that way try a filter on the power or it could be a bad cradle
 
#6 ·
CFBR-GL1800 Install

I've been using the J&M cfbr-gl1800 with a zumo 660 and a dumb LG phone for several weeks. The phone
sounds really good and the people I've talked to say my voice is very clear. I've heard of other users of the
cfbr-gl1800 reporting the loud buzzing when using the phone. I have the phone paired to the Zumo 660 and
the cfbr-gl1800 also paired to the Zumo 660 as a audio or headset device. I don't think you can pair two devices
to the cfbr-gl1800 at the same time, which may be what the tech with J&M was trying to say.

Sorry if this is a little off topic. I am working on the install of the CFBR-GL1800 but the switch box won't fit between the grip and the audio box. I tried to move the audio box inward but it won't mount flush doing so. Is there a trick to installing the bluetooth switch box? I tend to over think installations. I am hoping I am just overlooking something simple.

Thank you in advance.

Mike
 
#7 ·
All ZUMO models can be noisy

If you still have anything connected to the AUX out on the cable remove that

Try taking the ZUMO out of the cradle to test it, if its good that way try a filter on the power or it could be a bad cradle
Thats a good idea. We will try that, but I dont think that will help. I dont think the noise is coming from the bike. We tried testing the system with the bike in the ACC position, so nothing on the bike was running to cause interference..
 
#8 ·
Are you charging the phone while using the J&M system?

I use the CFRG (non-bluetooth model) and have found that I cannot be charging/powering the phone while plugged into the J&M unit. The static is unbearable and those on the other end complain about the poor call quality. If my phone needs to be charged then I unplug the J&M unit. You can't simultaneously charge/power and talk on the phone.

As for integrating my my Zumo into the GPS leads on the J&M unit, I decided against it. Last thing I want is hearing my Zumo constantly telling me to turn, turn, turn. :shock: :shock: :shock: It sounds like a nagging woman. :shrug:

Sorry if I offended any women out there. I love women. Honestly. Ask my wife when she's not yelling at me. She'll tell you it's true.
 
#9 ·
I installed the cfbr - Gl1800 last fall just for the blue tooth thru the audio system, had a heck of a time pairing the phone with it but I did and it worked great. I have since changed phones from a HTC Driod to a Motorola Razr and haven't been able to pair it up yet. aarrrrrrggggghh
 
#10 ·
Thats a good idea. We will try that, but I dont think that will help. I dont think the noise is coming from the bike. We tried testing the system with the bike in the ACC position, so nothing on the bike was running to cause interference..
Just installed mine the other day and brought to their attention. Theyseemed surprised. I had to file it down quite a bit. It fits nice now. I have not tested it yet my helmet is in shipping back from JM installing the headset. I hope i dont get any static this was not a cheap setup. I am just using it right to a phone for music and phone calls.

Josh
 
#11 ·
Sorry if this is a little off topic. I am working on the install of the CFBR-GL1800 but the switch box won't fit between the grip and the audio box. I tried to move the audio box inward but it won't mount flush doing so. Is there a trick to installing the bluetooth switch box? I tend to over think installations. I am hoping I am just overlooking something simple.

Thank you in advance.

Mike
Dont try and move the handlebar controls. They have a little indent on the bar where they are supposed to sit. You may have to move the grip out a little bit.
Are you using stock grips or aftermarket? If using stock, it will fit, but you just have to be patient with it. I had to tap it in a little at the time and it finally seated itself.
 
#12 ·
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but figured at least one of you, maybe three now have been through this.

How do you get the CFBR-GL1800 to go into discoverable mode?

Instructions said:
Push multifunction button (MFB) for 10 seconds and lights would go off.
Push MFB for 35 seconds and it would go into discoverable mode.

Lights never go off, but if I pushed MFB when bike key was first turned on and held for 10 seconds, it would flash bright red then go dull red.

Called tech support, they said to turn bike on & wait 5 minutes.
Then push MFB for 10 seconds and device would turn off (lights would go out).
Then push MFB for 35 seconds and it would go into discoverable mode.

That never happened. The 10 second push this time turned light dull blue instead of flash bright blue once per second. It never goes into rapid flash discoverable mode.

Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
#18 ·
I was told to grab a handful of grip and twist left and back...
Then push it ack to touch switch..
I've tried. Didnt't think about filing it. May try that.. It's zip tied now.
Any dea what bottom switch is for? Seems everything is done with top switch


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
#19 ·
I removed the left handlebar controls and filed down the pin that sits in a hole on the handlebar. Then you can slide the whole handlebar control assembly to the right ever so slightly so the switch will fit between the controls and the grip. Then tighten down the screws holding the controls and all is good.
 
#21 ·
I installed one on mine and one on a friends. Mine went on fairly easily, his required that I back out the left handgrip just a bit. I pull the grip back, installed the switch, and then push it back on tight. Works fine that way.

Regarding the buzz, I have tried all of the options as far as pairing goes. I think that what I have discovered is that it seems to work best if the phone is paired directly to the CFBR and not through the GPS. When I pair it through my 665, there seems to be much more noise on it. If I pair it through the CFBR, it seems to work very well.

One other thing I have found is that with my IPhone 5, it has more problems releasing the system audio if I'm using Siri. I have had no problems receiving calls but if I try and use Siri to make calls, it works, but for some reason won't release calls or at least won't release the system audio back to my headset. I think the phone is keeping the CFBR active. So when I get on the bike I turn Siri off. I can still make voice calls, but it doesn't use Siri to do it.

The only downside to pairing the phone directly to the CFBR is that you don't get the directory and caller ID coming onto the GPS. I agree that the setup of that pairing needs more R&D.
 
#23 ·
Unscrew the grip weight and you can take a flat head screw driver and pry the hand grip away from the control head. Just be gentle with it. I don't know if there is anything breakable but I didn't have any problem.
 
#24 ·
Interesting thread. It seems to me that everyone has reported to J&M the same problems with the CFBR-GL1800 - buzzing noise and static that basically make it unusable as it was advertised. I too have had the same trouble, sent the unit back a couple of times, did and redid everything they said to do. After six months I gave up.

So J&M continues to sell the unit, people continue to report problems to which J&M pretends they never heard before and never had issues before. They also repeatedly give the same advice that they know won't help anything. I've tried being patient, was never discourteous to them in any way but they now, especially John LazyRoo, (yes I know it is wrong) will no longer speak to me or return my calls or emails.

However through all my talks with them I did learn a few things. Oddly the one thing that helped the most was suggested by one of the operators not LazyRoo or an engineer or tech guy. I'll pass this on for others to try. Do these steps:

1. Turn the bike on, just Acc is OK
2. Turn off the phone and the GPS and the CFBR-GL1800. (Do this by pressing and holding the top button until the blue light goes out.
3. After a minute, turn on only the CFBR and put it into pairing mode ( the blue light flashes rapidly)
4. After 30 seconds or so - without pairing anything - press the top button on the CFBR unit so the the blue light flashes normally. This, I am told will clear any devices from the CFBR memory. Turn the bike off.
5. Turn the bike back on and follow the procedure to Pair the CFBR with the Zumo. Do not pair the phone with the Zumo yet.
6. Turn everything off.
7 Pair the phone with the zumo while the zumo is off the cradle and on battery power.

Doing that got rid of the majority of the buzzing. It is usable but occasionally the person I call claims that when they talk, it sounds as though they are talking in a barrel. I think it is lots of feedback. I tried adjusting the CFBR volume (that is the lower button on the CFBR unit - someone earlier asked that) and that seemed to help.

Now When I start the bike, everything powers up as it should - Well most of the time. Occasionally, the CFBR will not pair correctly with the Zumo. You will be able to tell that cuz you will not hear the radio just the GPS. When that happens, the phone is also worthless. To correct, I shut down the CFBR unit by holding the button till the light goes out, wait a few seconds and turn it back on. When it comes back on everything is ok.

Now remember,

My GPS is grounded directly to the battery
The GPS gets power from an auxiliary fuse box that I installed directly to the battery.
I have ferrite filters on the power feed to the CFBR, The GPS, as well as two on the cables to my headset and one on the mic.


Sorry for the previous J&M sucks rant. I hope someone out there gets some useful info from all this.

Oh one last thing. If you are thinking about buying anything from J&M - DON'T!!!!!!! Save yourself the time and aggravation. There are much better options out there.
 
#25 ·
I share the same frustration. There seems to be an unwillingness to admit there might be a problem. I too sent mine back and they sent a new one with the same problems. I could understand if they said we are working on a solution. I'm okay with recognizing there is a problem and committing to fixing it. I know this is high tech stuff. But denying there is a problem and pretending they have never heard of it is not good business in my opinion. That's where they lose credibility.

Back to the problem...I have had the best luck with pairing the phone directly to the CFBR and turning off Siri. I did discover one advantage the other day by accident. Paired this way I can play music from my IPhone through the system. I would rather pair through the Zumo but this seems to work.
 
#26 ·
I share the same frustration. There seems to be an unwillingness to admit there might be a problem. I too sent mine back and they sent a new one with the same problems. I could understand if they said we are working on a solution. I'm okay with recognizing there is a problem and committing to fixing it. I know this is high tech stuff. But denying there is a problem and pretending they have never heard of it is not good business in my opinion. That's where they lose credibility.

Back to the problem...I have had the best luck with pairing the phone directly to the CFBR and turning off Siri. I did discover one advantage the other day by accident. Paired this way I can play music from my IPhone through the system. I would rather pair through the Zumo but this seems to work.
Yes that does work well. However I listen to the bikes XM radio and use the CB frequently. I also need the contacts list from my phone on the GPS for my business. ( I'm very demanding!!) But that is what I'v gotten used to having before and this is what J&M advertised they could delivery. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect to get it.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top