dmd² docs
Setup Remote Controllers
How to setup a remote controller in DMD22. Check our powerful remote controller settings and learn how to set it up for your use case.
João Pereira
Why using a Remote Controller
DMD2 was developed from the start to work with a remote controller, it has the best and most unique remote controller support from all the navigation apps available today.
Specially on a motorcycle, you want to keep your hands on the handlebar, having to interface with a touch screen while riding is not safe or ideal, that is why you can use a remote controller with DMD2 to perform all the basics and most used operations, things like controlling the zoom, panning the map, changing the follow location mode (north up, travel, resume follow) and much, much more.
Any input device can be used, it does not matter if it is a dedicated remote controller or any other HID device, even the hardware keys on the device can be used for this.
Connection Type
DMD2 supports system wide key events, it does not matter what generates the key event, it can be the device own keys like volume buttons, a bluetooth connected remote controller or any other HID type device like a keyboard.
On all our DMD Navigation devices we also have our own cable connection made specifically for remote controllers, a single connector with both power and data which communicates with DMD2 on our own developed protocol. This makes it easier, faster, safer and more reliable. Connect a single cable and you are good to go.
All DMD Navigation remote controllers support both bluetooth and cable connection! Some unique features like our 360 degree joystick with multi sensitivity only works with the cable connection (with DMD devices).
Connect The Remote
To start setting up your remote controller you should first read the remote controller manufacturer manual, some remote controllers have DMD2 specific profiles that you should switch to, other remote controllers will have companion apps that are required to make them compatible with DMD2.
Our DMD devices, for example, all include a system app called "Buttons" which you can use to choose either BT or Cable connection, it allows you to invert the zoom switch and even to test our remote controllers.
If your remote controller does not have any companion app then the only requirement is that it complies with HID input standards, basically it needs to generate the Key Down event and Key Up event - matching the user key press and key release.
The manufacturer should also provide connection instructions, usually how to pair it when it is a bluetooth device.
Remote Controller Settings
From within the DMD2 app, tap "Global Settings" in the bottom menu (cog wheel icon), and then scroll down to "Accessories Settings", select "Setup Remote Controller" to open the remote controller configuration screen.
The Remote Controller Settings screen is where you can setup everything about the remote controller. It also includes a "Reset" button in the bottom that allows you to reset everything to defaults - notice the defaults only match our DMD remotes, if you do not have a DMD remote chances are you will always need to set everything manually.
Start Setting Up - Global
The remote setup dialog is split into 6 tabs, you can see and select the tabs on the left (1. - in the image). On the right you will see the available functions for the selected tab, (2. - in the image).
You should always start by assigning the "Global (Long Press Only)" functions, these are key assignments that will work everywhere on the app, only for press and hold (long press).
Bottom Menu Focus: Assign a key, that when you press and hold it (long press), the remote focus will jump to the bottom menu - this will allow you to control the bottom menu and change the current active view (home / map / roadbook / etc).
Cancel / Back / Close: Assign a key, that when you press and hold it (long press), whatever is currently in view or focused will be either canceled or closed, for example, if a dialog is open it will close the dialog, or if the bottom menu is focused it will remove the focus from it.
Notice that keys that are assigned to the Global Actions will only be able to do press or long press, this keys will never do repeat!
Setting Up - Menus
Menus, Dialogs and Apps tab - Shows the key assignments for whenever what is in view and focused is not the view base but instead something like dialogs, selectors of some sort or even a grid of items.
For example, when you focus the bottom menu, to switch views you need a keys for moving the selection left or right and a key to confirm selection.
Another example that is clear and easy to understand is the Apps View (4 squares icon in the bottom menu), the apps view includes a grid layout with all your apps shortcuts, to navigate this view with a remote controller you need to be able to do "up, down, left, right, confirm", the assignments in the "Menus, Dialogs and Apps" tab is where you do this.
Setting Up - Views
Views tabs (Home / Map / Roadbook) - These tabs are where you select the remote controller functions and keys for each specific view. The types of actions you want from your remote controller in each of the views are very different, that is why you can setup each view independently.
Select the tab for the view you want to setup (home / map / roadbook)
Select the function from the available list of functions for the selected view
Tap the Key button to select what key you want to assign to the function
The function and key selection interface is mostly like what some users are used to find on video games, select a function - tap on the key (check the video bellow)
Press / Long Press / Key Repeat
While long press key actions are reserved to the "Global (Long Press Only)" tab, it is important to understand that some functions, on other app sections, are capable of doing key repeat, as long as they are not used on the Global tab, example:
Map View Zoom In
Map View Panning
Roadbook Paper Roll
Roadbook Instrument Increase and Decrease
For this reason it is very important to make sure whatever keys you assign for these functions are not assigned for the Global (Long Press Only).
If your remote does not have enough keys and you want to preserve key repeat you might consider unsetting the Global tab keys, for that just tap on the button to assign a key and select "Unset" in the dialog:
Advanced Tab - Disable Panning Target
In the map view, by default, when you use a remote controller to pan the map it will show a target on the center of the screen, which allows you to trigger options for the location under the target (ex: navigate to, save location), some users do not want this, instead they want to only pan and when they press the button for "confirm" or "cancel / exit" it will simply stop panning and re-center on their location again.
Advanced Tab - Panning Requires Long Press
Some users have reported that sometimes they will accidentally press the joystick while riding (either they touch it or a branch touches it), this will trigger map panning if you are in the map view, which means the map will pause following your location. By enabling "panning requires long press to start" you will need to press and hold the joystick for 1 second before it starts panning the map.
Choosing the correct controller and setup
When the time comes to choose a remote controller, for the DMD2 app, we recommend something with like our Remote 2, with 4 directions / 360 degree joystick - if you spend most of the time in the map view. Besides the joystick we recommend 4 more buttons so that you can assign two buttons for zoom in and out and two buttons for follow location toggle and an extra quick access function that you find useful. If you spend most of your time in the Roadbook view then we recommend something like our Remote 3 with 3 round buttons plus a 2 way switch.
There is no perfect remote controller configuration, each user should set the remote configuration to match the type of functions you need while riding. Setting up a remote is a matter of selecting the tab for the view you want to configure, choose a function, tap a key to assign, that is it!
Function Lexicon
While some functions are easy to understand others might be less intuitive, the image on the left includes some basic standard lexicon. For the functions, you can refer to the following list:
Map View
Pan Map (Left / Right / Down / Up): Moves the map in the function direction - also known as panning. - Keys assigned to these functions will do repeat if the key is not also assigned to Global Actions (Long Press).
Follow Toggle: Same as pressing the follow toggle button which is the first top left button in the map view, it is what controls if the map follows your location or not and how it does it (north up, rotate to face travel direction, bound zoom to track / next waypoint or indication / group ride, etc).
Online Layer: Same as pressing the online map layer toggle button which is the small round button that enables layers like satellite / weather / etc.
Zoom In and Out: Self explanatory - Zooms the map in or out. - Keys assigned to these functions will do repeat if the key is not also assigned to Global Actions (Long Press).
Recorder Toggle: Toggles GPX Recorder between recording and paused states.
Quick Save Location: Quickly saves a location into your user locations database.
Touch Toggle: Enable / Disable the screen touch - Useful for when rain drops might cause screen touches.
Voice Toggle: Enable / Disable all voice instructions in the app.
Dark / Light Map: Toggles between the dark and light map themes.
Roadbook View
Paper (Up / Down): Moves the paper "roll" in the function direction - scrolls the roadbook paper up or down. - Keys assigned to these functions will do repeat if the key is not also assigned to Global Actions (Long Press). The Roadbook view settings include more options to setup the amount of paper that is scrolled and the scroll speed.
Increase / Decrease Total: Increases or decreases the total distance instrument value. - Keys assigned to these functions will do repeat if the key is not also assigned to Global Actions (Long Press). The Roadbook view settings include more options to setup repeat.
Increase / Decrease Partial: Increases or decreases the partial distance instrument value. - Keys assigned to these functions will do repeat if the key is not also assigned to Global Actions (Long Press). The Roadbook view settings include more options to setup repeat.
Reset (Total / Partial): Resets the instrument distance value to zero.
Invert Paper Color: Inverts the roadbook paper colors - useful for when riding during the night.
Touch Toggle: Enable / Disable the screen touch - Useful for when rain drops might cause screen touches.
Play/Pause Odo: Enables (play) or disables (pause) the distance increments for both total and partial instruments.
Toggle Mini-Map: Shows or hides a mini map instead of the heading instrument.