BMW GS Setup

• 1. The Caretta Navigation Kit (7" Adventure GPS)
  • BMW Adaptor Cable Simple 50cm
  • BMW Adaptor Cable Simple 100cm
  • BMW Adaptor Cable with Split Power Output (450mm)
• 2. CI Pad Components: Building Your Custom Kit
  • Holder: Active or Passive?
  • Power Source: Black or Red?
  • Mounting Bracket: AMPS Base or Short Bracket 12?
• 3. BMW Control Kit Compatibility (For Caretta and CI Pad)
• 4. Video Resources & Device-Specific Guides
  • BMW Control Video Overviews (Multilingual)
  • BMW R1300 GS Setup
• 5. Installation Instructions

Carpe Iter on the BMW GS: Comprehensive Setup

This guide outlines how to select and configure the correct Carpe Iter navigation setup for your BMW GS motorcycle. Use this reference when assembling a modular CI Pad setup or selecting components for the Caretta Navigation Kit.

1. The Caretta Navigation Kit (7" Adventure GPS)

The Caretta Navigation Kit is an Android-powered, dedicated motorcycle satellite navigation device built for rugged off-road and adventure use, featuring full Google Play Store integration.

Caretta Kit Package Contents:

• Caretta smart navigation device (7-inch display, 2,200 nits)
• Vibration-damped Caretta Cradle (power and data connectivity)
• AMPS mounting base for standard 12mm GPS brackets (supports landscape and portrait orientations)
• Universal power cable with 6mm battery terminals and inline fuse box

BMW Integration & Multicontroller (Wonderwheel) Support:
The Caretta device supports native integration with the BMW Multicontroller (Wonderwheel) on compatible GS models. Power and data connectivity require selecting the appropriate BMW Adaptor Cable based on your mounting location and motorcycle model:

BMW Adaptor Cable Simple 50cm

• Application: Behind-the-windscreen installation.
• Details: Direct connection from the Caretta Cradle to the factory BMW Navigator socket with no auxiliary power split. Also suitable for handlebar mounting on older GS models (e.g., R1250GS/GSA) where the Navigator socket is located inside the right-side fairing.

BMW Adaptor Cable Simple 100cm

• Application: Handlebar installation on newer GS models.
• Details: Extended length designed for motorcycles with the BMW Navigator socket located behind the headlight assembly (e.g., BMW R1300GS/GSA and F900GS/GSA). Supplies power and Multicontroller communication without additional splits.

BMW Adaptor Cable with Split Power Output (450mm)

• Application: Behind-the-windscreen installation with auxiliary power requirements.
• Details: Connects to the BMW Navigator socket and includes auxiliary power leads (6.3mm female faston connectors, TE Faston 250 compatible) to run 12V accessories.

2. CI Pad Components: Building Your Custom Kit

When configuring a CI Pad system via the 'Build the KIT and SAVE' bundle, choose the appropriate holder, power supply, bracket, and controller based on your motorcycle setup.

Holder: Active or Passive?

The Active Holder is recommended for BMW installations. Integrated pogo pins automatically provide power upon docking, eliminating the need to connect the M8 charging cable manually before each ride.

Power Source: Black or Red?

• Black Power Source: Automatically switches on when the running engine supplies sufficient voltage. Recommended for standard installations.
• Red Power Source: Delivers continuous power as long as input voltage is present. When wired into a switched ignition circuit, operational behavior is equivalent to the Black version.

Mounting Bracket: AMPS Base or Short Bracket 12?

The factory BMW Navigator mounting bar supports the weight of the CI Pad. Available bracket configurations:

• AMPS Base: Provides a low-profile, flush fit against the bar. Depending on rider height and windshield geometry, this may partially obscure the upper section of the motorcycle's TFT display.
• Short Bracket 12: Positions the tablet slightly higher and further forward toward the rider, providing improved viewing angles and TFT clearance.

3. BMW Control Kit Compatibility (For Caretta and CI Pad)

For CI Pad setups, adding the BMW Control enables full navigation management via the BMW Multicontroller (Wonderwheel) without requiring touchscreen interaction. (Note: Caretta units integrate natively via the dedicated Adaptor Cables detailed in Section 1.)

Motorcycle Requirements for BMW Control Compatibility:

• BMW GS model (2013 or newer)
• Factory TFT display
• Factory BMW Navigator preparation/cradle
• Factory Multicontroller (Wonderwheel)
• Compatible electronic throttle grip profile

4. Video Resources & Device-Specific Guides

BMW Control Video Overviews (Multilingual)

Video walkthroughs covering BMW Control functionality:

• English: Watch on our YouTube Channel
• German: Watch Here
• French: Watch Here
• Spanish: Watch Here

BMW R1300 GS Setup

For installations specifically on the BMW R1300 GS platform, refer to the customer-supplied installation guides available for download below.

5. Installation Instructions

Review our step-by-step video guide prior to installation: BMW Control Installation Video

For further technical inquiries or installation support, contact the Carpe Iter support team.