"Radio-muting" a MIO 286 or any other GPS?

Raymond · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 09:56 AM

This question could serve for really any GSP unit that has an earphone socket (also, even an IPOD for listening just to music).

I've just recently purchased a MIO 268 from www.totalpda.co.uk and am VERY happy with it so far. My only "observation" is that, as it's got a speaker incorporated and the unit's quite small, the volume (even on maximum) is really not that powerful - especially when listening to the car radio at the same time.

As with mobile phones, which can be connected in the car in such a way that they "mute" the radio and allow the user to hear the phone over the radio, I was wondering if there's any kit or whether anyone here on this forum knows of a way of using the headphone output socket on a GSP unit in a similar way.

It's not an "end of world" situation if this can't be done as all I have to do is to reduce the volume of the radio but just feel that it would be nice to have!!!!

Looking forward to any comments as I feel that, although this query is for my actual unit, any positive answer would assist others with other makes too.

Regards to all who read this forum. www.totalpda.co.uk are really helpful too over the phone!

Raymond

Raymond · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 10:00 AM

Sorry for the typing errors in my previous post. Obviously I meant GPS and was referring to a MIO 268 (not 286) in the title of my query.

Apologies!!!

Raymond

**Charlie** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 11:22 AM

I don't think it's possible Raymond, I beleive there needs to be a muting cicuit incorporated into the line-out from the device and it also has to be connected to an input that can receive that type of control. If I'm wrong then someone will point out the way it can be done.

Raymond · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 03:27 PM

Charlie, thanks for your reply. The MIO 268 DOES has a "radio-mute" option (which can be set to "on" or "off") and that's why I feel that these IS a way of doing this (somehow!!!!).

Just for the record, I did call their support team (who are in Germany!) and they did NOT know too much about even the radio-mute option!!

Such is life, I suppose!

Thanks anyway for replying - I'll just have to turn down the volume of the car radio I suppose!

Regards,

Raymond

aratclife · #5 (**permalink**) 18-02-2005, 03:02 PM

Hi Raymond,

I just bought a Mio 268. I have some questions about it (see my new thread), but in response to your mute/volume question, I have two observations:

1) I agree, the unit does appear to have the ability to "tell" the car radio to mute the radio/cd and to use the Mio instead. Presumably this would happen each time the Mio wants to speak. However, like you, I have found no information on how this should be wired-up

2) I have found the volume to be perfectly adequate. Are you aware that the unit has *two* volume settings? There is a volume setting inside the navigator application, but there's also a master volume setting outside of the navigator, in the device's Tools menu

Hope this helps

-Andy

**Charlie** · #6 (**permalink**) 18-02-2005, 03:56 PM

Guys, there is an option in the settings of the unit to enable Radio-Mute. It will only work when connected to a vehicle head unit thats supports the feature. I found it today when I finally got my hands on another 268.

lostandconfused · #7 (**permalink**) 21-02-2005, 11:16 AM

Raymond,

Last year I had to replace a factory fitted radio/ cassette unit with a new radio/Cd player in my wife's car (biryhday present) which had a factory fitted nokia in car phone kit. Because the mute control was different between the new CD and the old VW cassette player I had mega problems sorting out the sound for the phone through the radio speakers.

My local specialist in car audio centre sold me a gizmo that sits beween the output of the radio/cd and the speakers that takes the input from the in car kit, and on mute cuts off the radio and pipes the phone output to the speakers. Works exellently and about £18.00

Maybe a possible solution

Raymond · #8 (**permalink**) 21-02-2005, 08:33 PM

Hi there "Lost and Confused" - I know how you feel!!!

I KNEW that there was a "something" that would go between the car radio and the MIO - I just KNEW it!!!

Is there any chance that you could post more details of this "interface" or a contact number (e-mail??) of the person who fitted it for you or where I could contact him??

I will certainly try to test out the TWO volume controls mentioned in one of the other replies (thanks) but I'm still obsessed in connecting to the car radio!!!

Once again, thanks for giving me hope!!!

Best regards,

Raymond

lostandconfused · #9 (**permalink**) 22-02-2005, 10:39 AM

The shop was Blackburn in car HiFi 01254 52206. Extremely helpful.

The product was as standard unit which should be available in any similar shop - maybe even Halfords-

Output from the radio plugs into it and it plugs into the speaker connector. Mute wire feeds into it, as does the (in this case speaker wire from the Car Phone hands free kit) sound output from the phone. When the radio is on sound passes straight through. When the phone rings the mute signal switches the unit over to cut off the radio and pipe the phone sound through the speakers.

if your unit has a similar mute and sound output I can't see why it shouldn't work.

I can't remember details of the product but, as I say, it was a standard product that they stock to handle this problem.

Raymond · #10 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 10:37 AM

Hi there "Lost and Confused",

Apologies for not replying sooner but I've been out of the country on business. I haven't had time to contact the people you mention as yet but will do shortly - thanks so much for your time and info. Just for the record, I'm starting to get "used" to the volume anyway!!!

Best regards and thanks again,

Raymond