Car Stereo / Touch Pro combinations... - Page 4

CountryDevil · #31 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 01:23 AM

So lets say I don't want to replace the stereo on my car. I have a factory that has a 6 CD changer built in, but no BT options. Is ther any good after market BT set ups simmilar to the Parrot devices. I have done some research on the Parrot products and they don't seem to have very good reviews.

Any suggestions?

(Sorry to hijak the thread, but it is kind of related.)

stevenmh · #32 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryDevil

So lets say I don't want to replace the stereo on my car. I have a factory that has a 6 CD changer built in, but no BT options. Is ther any good after market BT set ups simmilar to the Parrot devices. I have done some research on the Parrot products and they don't seem to have very good reviews.

Any suggestions?

(Sorry to hijak the thread, but it is kind of related.)

I've already been down this road. Narrowed it down to the Motorola T505. The problem with the T505 is that being a battery operated device, once you leave it in a hot car, the battery is worthless. So you have to be prepared to get a USB extension cable, route it under the A-pillar and over to a lighter socket and keep it plugged in. If you only have one socket on your dash, you'd need a splitter if you need a socket for anything else. Then there's the issue of the wife or mother-in-law forgetting to turn it off, and my phone rings when I'm inside, and it gets answered in the car which is just outside the window.

I'd be willing to deal with all these things if the next best option was significantly more expensive. However, the lowest price I've seen is $65 shipped from Amazon. For $160 shipped from Crutchfield, I can get a MEX-BT2700 which is coming out next month (refresh/upgrade to BT2600) and all the vehicle specific wiring harnesses and instructions I need to do the install in less than an hour. So that $95 gets me a much cleaner permanent installation, no lighter socket taken up, all audio through car speakers vs external speaker or dealing with FM transmitter, and no worrying about the device remaining on when car is off and answering my calls when I'm inside. Plus I get an aux input on my stereo to plug in anything else. The mic quality is questionable on this particular unit (assuming it's the same as BT2600), but I don't do much talking on the phone in the car. I need it primarily for navigation prompts and audible books. If the mic is a concern, there's another model coming (BT3700) for $200 that has an input for an external mic which is another $30.

Now, this is all based on my factory stereo not having any inexpensive means of adding an external input. If you have RCA jacks on the back of your stereo, or an easy & cheap way to get there, then I think there are some BT-to-aux input kits that would work for you.

**chronster** · #33 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 11:03 AM

CountryDevil you're not hijacking the thread, this is exactly why i created it lol.

@stevenmh Do you know what the BT2700 is supposed to have over the BT2600 other than better looks?

stevenmh · #34 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronster

@stevenmh Do you know what the BT2700 is supposed to have over the BT2600 other than better looks?

Actually, I sent an email to Crutchfield last night asking that question. It appears to be more of a refresh than an upgrade. If specs on their site are correct, it deletes CD changer control. I also asked if they've made any improvement to the behind-the-faceplate mic that seemed to be the weak point in the reviews on the BT2600. I think the press release mentioned something about improved A2DP support also.

**chronster** · #35 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 11:23 AM

From what I've read, the BT2600 doesn't "transfer phonebook info" when connected to a phone via bluetooth. Perhaps this is what the BT2700 will gain. Either way we have voice dialing on the touch pro so it doesn't matter much.

They say you can adjust the mic volume. I wonder if the reviewers turned it all the way up or what. Also, if I can open the unit up and FIND the mic, I might be able to extend it into a vent or something.

CountryDevil · #36 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronster

From what I've read, the BT2600 doesn't "transfer phonebook info" when connected to a phone via bluetooth. Perhaps this is what the BT2700 will gain. Either way we have voice dialing on the touch pro so it doesn't matter much.

They say you can adjust the mic volume. I wonder if the reviewers turned it all the way up or what. Also, if I can open the unit up and FIND the mic, I might be able to extend it into a vent or something.

Putting the mic in the vent is a bad idea. You would get wind noise when the AC is on or blowing air through it. The best place for the mic (as long as it is good quality and high gain) is to put it somewhere around the visor or the rear view mirror. On the Ford models with SYNC the mics are built into the rearview mirror. They work great there and the rental cars I have had that have the SYNC option osund great.

Now only if my 2007 Ford Freestyle had an upgrade option for SYNC I would be set. Becasue everthing discussed here would be moot. I have yet to hear anyone complain about SYNC, am I am not one of them.

Wingzfan · #37 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 05:06 PM

Question for you all about this. Ive got my phone connected thru the rca jacks on the back of my car stereo. Im using a stereo rca to 1/8 jack adapter that plugs into the media adapter that came with my TP. Today I got a call as the gps was playing thru the car speakers and I answered it on my BT headset. Half way thru the call it went from my BT to playing thru my stereo. Could this be because I have a 1/8 jack plugged into the media adapter and it thinks its a wired headset or most likely I lost connection to my BT?

**chronster** · #38 (**permalink**) 01-22-2009, 12:16 AM

Alrighty, well I have just spent about 4 hours playing with my new car stereo (Sony BT2600.) It took about 45 minutes to install, and the instructions from Crutchfield were perfect.

So here are a few things I've found:

First - The absolute best sound quality from phone to stereo comes from the auxiliary input, just as others have said. The sound quality is phenomenal. I disabled the audio boost application that automatically starts when headphones are connected, and the sound quality blew my mind (I've got subs so that helps too lol.)

Bluetooth sound quality was AMAZING for wireless. There is a slight hiss however when the song is paused. It goes away after a few seconds. I guess when nothing is being heard, the stereo cuts the sound or something, but immediately after pressing play the sound returns. Also, song name is not displayed while playing mp3s. I thought this was a per song issue, but none of my songs names were displayed while playing. Bummer.

A note about Bluetooth and delay: When watching a video in coreplayer, bluetooth audio worked, but there was a noticable delay. If I were to entertain a passenger with a movie or two on a long trip, I'd recommend using the auxilary connection.

The install kit it came with has a small section under the radio to store things, and guess what, it fits our phone PERFECTLY. It doesn't scrape when it goes in, but at the same time, if you go over a bump or something it's snug enough that it won't move around. Paired with bluetooth and the phone can be tucked in there without any need to bring it out really because with the stereo you can go to different songs using the controls, and also recieve phone calls (hands free.)

Talking on the phone on this thing is really easy, but sound quality on the other user's end is going to be bad. I listened to what my father sounded like when he spoke to me from inside my car, and there is definitely an echo.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the BT2600 for both it's price and functionality. If I had spent another 100-150, I could have gotten a radio that downloads your phonebook, and also has better control over your mp3s via bluetooth (pause as well as display the name of the song.)

I guess I'll put this on the first post for people to find quicker.

**Dr.8820** · #39 (**permalink**) 01-22-2009, 12:27 AM

glad it worked out for you.it does rock to listen to crystal clear music that you put in with no skipping and hours of listening.i was doing it with my touch and now my tp.enjoy!

cybersteve · #40 (**permalink**) 01-22-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldwolf

i use Pioneer P7000BT. excellent quality in terms of sound and phone feature. call quality is by far best one i've used. AD2P is also good. but still not as good as playing a HQ MP3 or CD on deck. don't get sony deck you'll feel sorry about the sound quality....

I got the same deck. It works awesome with the Touch. Not too good with my old Mogul. I had to get Jetware after upgrading to WM 6.1. On the the Touch it sound much louder than my Mogul.