Bluetooth Integration

[Neofolis]

I've only had my speed6 for a couple of weeks, but one thing I really miss that I had on my crappy old Fiat was Bluetooth. On my Fiat I had a Pioneer aftermarket head unit, which allowed me to use my phone handsfree through the cars audio system and also allowed me to play any mp3's on the phone through the car speakers. What I'm after is a bluetooth adaptor that will give me the same functionality, so I can see song artist/title on the normal dash display, control everything though the steering wheel controls and, if I'm listening to the radio or whatever and the phone rings, I want it to automatically switch from radio reception to phone reception. Does anyone know of a product that can do this, because the ones I've seen all seem to only allow partial integration, i.e. some can use the steering wheel controls, but display song info on their own lcd display, etc. or they don't auto switch to bluetooth mode when the phone rings. I'd rather not use an aftermarket head unit, if I can avoid it.

 

[Neofolis]

Is it safe to say, from the lack of response, that no-one knows of anything that will do what I want?

Also. most of the products I've seen that offer parts of the functionality I'm after, plud into the Aux port. The Bose system doen't seem to have an external Aux port, do I need to use the AUX MOD Audio Adapter to add an Aux port to the Bose head unit?

 

[SilverSquish]

Parrot makes a car kit harness that plugs into the back of the Bose HU. Look on ebay... I've seen it there before, but it's expensive. Think the harness is over $100.

 

[Neofolis]

Unfortunately, whilst good products, the Parrot range all use their own control console and those that display anything do so on their own display. There are some models that can be interfaced with the steering controls, but they still operate as a separate component rather than integrating fully with the cars audio system.

I think I have found a viable option though. xcarlink do a choice of either an ipod adaptor or a usb/sd card adaptor, both of which can have a bluetooth module added. This system claims to be compatible with the Bose system and plugs directly into the CD changer port at the back of the stereo. It seems to function exactly as I described in post 1. It's also very reasonably priced.

 

[vrspeedemon]

just a heads up, there is a guy on the 6club forum selling the xlink and bluetooth adapter....user name nic....good guy, I bought a gauge from him and was very happy with it. You might want to check it out and save yourself some money

 

[Neofolis]

Thanks for the heads up, but unfortunately I've already ordered it direct from xcarlink.

I'll let everyone know how easy the install is and how well it works, once I've got it.

 

[Neofolis]

Here's my update for anyone interested in getting one of the xcarlink kits.

The install is really simple, plug and play, although you have to remove quite a bit of the console and the glove box to get to the back of the stereo, but it's all easy stuff and clips back in place easily. I managed to get a couple of scratches removing bits of the console, despite putting quite a bit of tape around the end of a screw driver, but I guess that's why there is a tool sold for the job.

It works pretty much as advertised, but there are a few annoying things in terms of functionality. The bluetooth connection is the same as for most of these sort of devices and once setup can be set to autoconnect in future. I can stream music directly from my phone via bluetooth, but doing so loses the steering/stereo control functionality, so I can't rewind, fast forward, etc. unless I do it on the phone and the display doesn't show track time/elapsed time. I can use the USB or SD Card slots to play music with the steering control/stereo control functionality and something meaningful on the display, but I can't use the bluetooth module at the same time, so I would be able to use the BT hands free phone function, whilst playing music. As far as I can tell, I can still use the USB port to charge the phone, whilst using the bluetooth connection, but I need to verify that. When streaming music via bluetooth, if a phone call is received I can use a button on the stereo to answer the call, which also pauses the music, but if I am listening to the radio when the call comes in, it doesn't automatically override, so I have to switch mode to the external input and then press to answer the call, but I guess it doesn't take too long.

Despite the few niggles with functionality, it does do what I want better than any other product that I have come across, with the exception of a replacement head unit. Fortunately, I have an HTC Touch HD pda phone, which has a large screen and comes with Windows Mobile Media Player, so I have made a skin for media player with huge buttons and I've ordered a magnetic dash mount, so that I can use the phone display to control music, as easily as if I was using the stereo to control it.

 

[bmack17]

exactly how did you remove the console?

I've tried and failed to remove my console cover to get to a malfunctioning cd player. can you help?

 

[brianguild]

Neofolis, you should have looked at the Parrot MKi9200. It seems like it would have done most of what you were looking for with arguably better results than you achieved. Bluetooth, Phone Integration, Voice Dial, and Aux Input, with Auto Muting. Yes, no steering wheel integration, but does offer a small steering wheel mount remote. Yes, very expensive. In fact, I think the kit with the harness will run north of $400. What are your thoughts on this?

Yes, the tough part is the achieving output to the display on the factory strip, but I bet with some finangling and research, you might have been able to play with the Metra Axxess XIAH-MZ1 interface cable, which connects to the Tape (Media Button) interface via circuit board, and gets you output to the factory display strip. Then, the challenge is to figure out what sort of output is sent via that cable to achieve the display result. It must be something standard. I am researching that now for another project I am working on, and will let you know if I come up with anything.

 

[crlsnlopes]

I've tried and failed to remove my console cover to get to a malfunctioning cd player. can you help?

Pop off the cupholder, unscrew the shift knob, pop off the plastic trim piece and shift boot, disconnect the cig lighter, unscrew 2 screws from under the unit left and right (right where you removed the plastic trim of the shift boot), go into your glove box and there is a single support bolt (10mm socket) that you undo. .. and then you yank out the entire thing, put a piece a cloth on the shifter so u dont schratch the faceplate.

 

[Neofolis]

Removal is as described above, but you may find it clearer to view the guide here, which has great images to help you through the process.

I did look at the Parrott options, but the xcarlink is far easier to get working the way I want it or fairly near to how I wanted it. What I really wanted to avoid was adding loads of unnecessary bits to the car, like extra displays or extra consoles/remotes and the fact that I have to use the phone for some of the functionality I require is less of an issue for me, because I would have had to have the phone in the car anyway.