2011 CX9 Bluetooth Issues

[jasons29]

Issues with Bluetooth. Have opened case with Mazda Handsfree and Dealer and pretty much have been told (so far).... "that's how it works." Very disappointed and wondering if anyone else has found the same.

1. Imported contacts from my phone to the dash unit -- and some are missing. Why? I know there is a limit of 1000 contacts, but it indiscriminately dropped contacts.

2. Why can I only import to the dash my full phone book from the phone and not some of them? I dont want 500 employees in my cars phone book. Why cant I edit or remove entries in the in dash phone book?

3. Can I add entries to the car phone book in the dash? Even that would be helpful.

4. When I send a contact via blue tooth for import, why does it not display on the in-dash device? It only is available with spoken voice commands. I would like to have it available on the display too.

5. BIGGEST ISSUE: Adds apostrophes ( ) to phone number. Below is example on how to reproduce.
a. Either manually dial a number on the dash and call it (ex: 9142880600) or select a number from the address book in dash.
b. Call will dial OK as 914-288-0600.
c. Disconnect call.
d. Go to dash and look at Outgoing Calls. See 914-288-0600. Select to dial that number by clicking the button on the dash.
e. Bluetooth dash will dial as 9142880600 (THIS SHOULD NOT BE). Phone will see this as 914+288+0600 and not make call.
Basically you cannot use the dash for any redial purpose. Dealer validated this. Clearly a defect. But no one has helped yet.

Anyone see this issue and have thoughts?

 

[Weeks1]

I cannot get the name associated with a number in the phonebook to display during incoming calls. This is true for either the imported phonebook or those entered via voice command. If I don't recognize the number, I have no idea who's calling. This seems pretty dumb.

Well, I contacted Mazda Handfsree support and here's the definitive answer:

Thank you for contacting us in regards to your HandsFree system.Unfortunately, the Caller ID feature will only display the number of the person that is calling and will not show the name. We apologize for any inconvenience.If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at 800-430-0153. We are available Mon-Fri from 7:00am-8:00pm CT.Sincerely,Mazda HandsFree Customer Service

(pissed) Too bad. In light of this dumbness, I ordered these clips for the iPhone from http://www.arkon.com/iPhone_4_Car_Mount.php in order to see who's calling. I wasn't sure which one would work best, so I got both.

The Bluetooth interface in the CX-9 leaves a lot to be desired. Many inexpensive aftermarket units do a better job, including voice-announcing the name in the phonebook for an incoming call, so your eyes don't need to leave the road. There is no way to edit the imported phone book The only work-around is to edit the phone book of the phone, and re-import the whole phonebook. Disappointing, to say the least.


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[mrsdubose]

just bought my used 2008..maybe in 7 years when we buy another one this issue will be corrected

along with better navigation, auto locking doors, etc..I LOVE MY NINE..However I am coming from a 97 accord so this is a BIG upgrade for me..

 

[not_too_shabby]

On a 2011 are you able to browse through your phonebook and call a number using the steering wheel controls? The voice control on my 2008 can be a bit annoying sometimes.

 

[ceric]

Automotive electronics are so far behind our mobile devices.
It is just unbelievable.
This area also poses to have big grow in coming years.
Check out the new Ford SYNC, and you will be impressed.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

As cedric says car audio in general is very far behind cells and other lower cost BT devices. The main reason is due to the longer development time it takes to get a car to market. In many cases the basic decisons on a particular automobile design is done years in advance of release. In the case of electronics the majority of auto manufacturers simply can't react fast enough. The CX-9 nav and BT support was out of date the minute it was released. Ford Sync is about the best example of car electronics done right. The good news is that sync-type systems will be the norm in the coming years (take a look at CES reports from last week and you'll see that's where the industry is headed) along with software update- which is one of the biggest advantages of Ford's Sync. A software based system like sync can be updated to new BT profiles and better integration compared to the sealed box solutions offered by Mazda at this time. If the CX-9's electronics were easily updatable it would be half the battle. Another problem is that Mazda is a relatively small manufacturer compared to a Ford or Microsoft, so they have to be very selective of where they put their limited resources. In Mazda's case they seem to focus more of their resources on industrial design and chassis engineering. Mazda also doesn't sell as many cars as Ford or Toyota, so the OEM's of the world will be less likely to bend to their needs compared to a higher volume manufacturer. Small yields usually equal higher parts costs as well as less attention from an OEM who will tend to their higher profit partners.

I actually thought about buying a Ford becasue sync was so damned compelling and cool, but Mazda continued to get my money becasue they have all the european flavor and chassis poise that I love in a car without the high price. While I think the electronics in my 6 and the CX-9 are mediocre by Sync standards, they are still very usable as long as you work within their limits.

FWIW

 

[jasons29]

I have had my dealer speak to Mazda and they acknowledged the issue but said it's a feature. Can't redial. That's a feature? Geez. I feel that they're view is that this is a luxury type item so need not be intuitive. I but that if this were an issue with airbags, they'd fix it. I understand this is not an issue on the BT with Nav. Very disappointed with this.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm having a different experience with bluetooth than some of the rest of you. I have a 2010 GT and use bluetooth with an iphone. I did note that not all the contact sync'd when I uploaded them but assumed it was some formating issue in my iphone contact list. Most came over properly so I haven't looked into it carefully.

My caller ID seems to work fine. If the number is in my uploaded contacts it clearly displays the contact name on the "nav" screen when a call comes in. Usually a ring or two before it displays but it gets there. I guess you guys might be referring to the caller ID info that comes over a home phone but but I don't think my iphone actually shows that unless it is in my contact list.

I have definitely not seen the apostrophe issue in my car. I use the redial feature regularly and have no trouble getting that to work with the iphone via bluetooth.

This said, I completely agree with Ceric about how far behind the auto companies are with consumer electronic interfaces- very frustrating but not specifically a Mazda issue.

 

[mainard1]

why not change the car stereo installed there is aftermarket kit for cx-9 i upgraded mine to Pioneer avic -120bt and its night and day, bluetooth is built in navigation is built in, im using mytouch4g and my contacts, dialed calls, missed calls and all poi phone number get called from built in BT. my backup camera is using the 7" screen, the unit plays video and music thru cd, aux and sd card, yes sd card it can read up to 8gb sd card, plus i got the hd radio and you can connect up to 8gb usb. or connect your ipod and ipod video will play on your screen also. I looked at Kenwood, and JVC but the Pioneer is way more advanced. than the other 2

Just a thought

 

[jasons29]

@Mainard1 - Good info. I read the specs on that device and it seems fantastic. How many CDs can it hold? Seems to be only 1 which is much less than today's standard of 6. Thanks.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Yes the Nav head unit only holds one because it needs room for the Nav DVD mech. It uses two discreet mechanisms one for CD and one for DVD. Personally I don't find this a big deal since the head unit also supports MP3 which allows you to have a ton of songs on one disc. I was never a fan of using my original CD's in the car since they tend to get damaged by handling and temperature extremes. Better to either burn a MP3 disk -or- use the Aux connection or Bluetooth A2DP. I for one would love it if the CD player was banished for the car. Unless you buy a "burn" phone it probably has BT A2Dp from which you can play music wirelessly. Plus the new 2011 CX-9 headunit has been updated to display TTAG info in A2DP mode. FWIW

 

[ktscrapin]

Yes the Nav head unit only holds one because it needs room for the Nav DVD mech. It uses two discreet mechanisms one for CD and one for DVD. Personally I don't find this a big deal since the head unit also supports MP3 which allows you to have a ton of songs on one disc. I was never a fan of using my original CD's in the car since they tend to get damaged by handling and temperature extremes. Better to either burn a MP3 disk -or- use the Aux connection or Bluetooth A2DP. I for one would love it if the CD player was banished for the car. Unless you buy a "burn" phone it probably has BT A2Dp from which you can play music wirelessly. Plus the new 2011 CX-9 headunit has been updated to display TTAG info in A2DP mode. FWIW

So with the pioneer, can u still use your steering controls for everything?

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

I have no clue. Never tried the Pioneer

 

[ktscrapin]

why not change the car stereo installed there is aftermarket kit for cx-9 i upgraded mine to Pioneer avic -120bt and its night and day, bluetooth is built in navigation is built in, Im using mytouch4g and my contacts, dialed calls, missed calls and all poi phone number get called from built in BT. my backup camera is using the 7" screen, the unit plays video and music thru cd, aux and sd card, yes sd card it can read up to 8gb sd card, plus i got the hd radio and you can connect up to 8gb usb. or connect your ipod and ipod video will play on your screen also. I looked at Kenwood, and JVC but the Pioneer is way more advanced. than the other 2

Just a thought

So with the pioneer, can u still us the steering wheel controls for everything?

 

[nuru]

So with the pioneer, can u still us the steering wheel controls for everything?

That is a good question, seems like you might be able to do that if the Pioneer uses all of the same wiring to connect to the IC Harness?
If So it might be a better option than attempting a factory retrofit, like I am considering.

 

[jasons29]

Mazda just replaced my in-dash radio with a factory fix to address the bluetooth issue described above. The usability issues, however, persist.

 

[nuru]

There is another thread where the some owners have changed to the Pioneer and had issues with their AC. Also you lose the capability to change the clock and utilize the "Info" button features. But the unit is very good otherwise. Some owners have no issue with their AC.