Garmin GMA-245 doesn't always reconnect via Bluetooth

[RhinoDrvr]

As Hom said above, I?m having this same issue with my GMA245. Exact same symptoms, with both an iPhone X, and Samsung phone.

[mantry]

I received an email from g3xpert (Michael), I have asked him to post the same here, but not sure if he will so I'll paraphrase.

Michael suggested that there may be multiple bluetooth devices trying to connect to the GMA audio panel and competing with each other. He was not specific if these were devices that were paired with the GMA or if they were just devices in the area that had their bluetooth turned on. (My opinion, I could see a possibility if you had multiple devices PAIRED with the GMA device...)

I told him we would try.

So I gave my friend instructions. Go to the Hangar and when you get there turn off BLUETOOTH on every device except 1. So he turned off Bluetooth on his iPad and left it on on his iPhone. He powered up the MASTER SWITCH and turned on the AVIONICS master switch and his GMA 345 powered up. It then connected to the iPhone. He hit play on some music in the music app and it showed connected to the GMA-345 and playing music but NO AUDIO thru the headset.

He pulled the breaker for the GMA-345, waited 5 seconds and pushed it back in. The GMA-345 powered back up and re-connected to the iPhone and he then hit PLAY in the music app and music started playing and was heard in the headset.

Would any of you please like to try the same scenario? Make sure only 1 bluetooth device is turned on and then try it and report here so the G3XPERT guys can see the results.

This is multiple people having the same problem across multiple GMA audio panels using both Apple and Android devices. There has to be something going on.

Thanks!

[bjdecker]

Originally Posted by mantry

So I gave my friend instructions. Go to the Hangar and when you get there turn off BLUETOOTH on every device except 1. So he turned off Bluetooth on his iPad and left it on on his iPhone. He powered up the MASTER SWITCH and turned on the AVIONICS master switch and his GMA 345 powered up. It then connected to the iPhone. He hit play on some music in the music app and it showed connected to the GMA-345 and playing music but NO AUDIO thru the headset.

He pulled the breaker for the GMA-345, waited 5 seconds and pushed it back in. The GMA-345 powered back up and re-connected to the iPhone and he then hit PLAY in the music app and music started playing and was heard in the headset.

Unless that's a typo, the GMA 345 also has an issue with Audio Sink not working at first power on.

I wonder if GMA 245 and GMA 345 use the same Bt radio?

Since Bt device Pairing and Control functionality seem to be fine, this would point away from Bt radio spectrum "overcrowding."

I think I'll start a poll, and see who has a GMA 245/345 and has Bt audio actually working.

Cheers!

[Planecrazy232]

Originally Posted by bjdecker

Unless that's a typo, the GMA 345 also has an issue with Audio Sink not working at first power on.

I wonder if GMA 245 and GMA 345 use the same Bt radio?

Since Bt device Pairing and Control functionality seem to be fine, this would point away from Bt radio spectrum "overcrowding."

I think I'll start a poll, and see who has a GMA 245/345 and has Bt audio actually working.

Cheers!

My GMA245 requires a re-boot of the audio panel for BT music and/or phone to work (BT shows connected on my device). I've asked about it with the techs at OSH and I still don't have an answer. I just habitually re-boot the GMA245 as part of my pre-taxi.

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by bjdecker

Unless that's a typo, the GMA 345 also has an issue with Audio Sink not working at first power on.

I wonder if GMA 245 and GMA 345 use the same Bt radio?

Since Bt device Pairing and Control functionality seem to be fine, this would point away from Bt radio spectrum "overcrowding."

I think I'll start a poll, and see who has a GMA 245/345 and has Bt audio actually working.

Cheers!

Brian,

It appears there is some room for improvement in the Bluetooth connectivity for the GMA audio panels. We are actively gathering information and working with several customers to help identify the issue to get it fixed.

Thanks,

Justin

[bjdecker]

Originally Posted by g3xpert

Brian,

It appears there is some room for improvement in the Bluetooth connectivity for the GMA audio panels. We are actively gathering information and working with several customers to help identify the issue to get it fixed.

Thanks,

Justin

Justin,

I'd be more than happy to help also. I reported this issue back in October 2018 and didn't get much traction...

What details do y'all need?

Brian

[Pdtofly]

This is what Justin asked from me and my responses.

Does this happen on every flight? Yes

What mobile devices are you using to connect? Model number and software versions will be helpful. IPhone6 and Samsung Galaxy Note8. Current SW

Does the mobile device indicate its bluetooth is connected to the GMA 245? Yes

Does the GMA 245 indicate its bluetooth is connected? (bluetooth indicator lit?) Yes

My unit is in a radio stack with an avionics master, and initially powers up when I turn the avionics master on.

Which functions are working?
Stereo music audio? No
Media controls on the GMA 245 or GDU? Yes
Telephone calls? Connects, no audio, but have not tried it recently.

What resolves the problem state?
Power cycling the 245? Yes
Disabling and re-enablig bluetooth on the mobile device? No
Restarting the mobile device? No

Hope he gets a fix for this. I do like the GMA245 panel, as I upgraded it from a GMA240, but if I had known about this before I bought it, I might have waited until it was fix.

Brian

[Planecrazy232]

Originally Posted by Pdtofly

This is what Justin asked from me and my responses.

Does this happen on every flight? Yes

What mobile devices are you using to connect? Model number and software versions will be helpful. IPhone6 and Samsung Galaxy Note8. Current SW

Does the mobile device indicate its bluetooth is connected to the GMA 245? Yes

Does the GMA 245 indicate its bluetooth is connected? (bluetooth indicator lit?) Yes

My unit is in a radio stack with an avionics master, and initially powers up when I turn the avionics master on.

Which functions are working?
Stereo music audio? No
Media controls on the GMA 245 or GDU? Yes
Telephone calls? Connects, no audio, but have not tried it recently.

What resolves the problem state?
Power cycling the 245? Yes
Disabling and re-enablig bluetooth on the mobile device? No
Restarting the mobile device? No

Hope he gets a fix for this. I do like the GMA245 panel, as I upgraded it from a GMA240, but if I had known about this before I bought it, I might have waited until it was fix.

Brian

Ditto for me except iPhone 7.

[9GT]

Originally Posted by Pdtofly

Hope he gets a fix for this. I do like the GMA245 panel, as I upgraded it from a GMA240, but if I had known about this before I bought it, I might have waited until it was fix.

Brian

I am on the fence now about upgrading my new and never used GMA240 to the GMA245. Was ready to place the order with Steinair until I read about this issue. Hope a fix comes out soon!

[Planecrazy232]

Originally Posted by 9GT

I am on the fence now about upgrading my new and never used GMA240 to the GMA245. Was ready to place the order with Steinair until I read about this issue. Hope a fix comes out soon!

I wouldn?t worry about it. It?s a minor inconvenience for playing your music or using your phone. I?m sure they will get a fix for it.