Bluetooth enabled head unit

[pgvinter]

I know that these are starting to come out and that Sony has one on the market. Has anyone used one of these in their car? It would be really nice to be able to stream stuff from an MP3 player and would also rock to be able to use my cell phone via the stereo. I have the H/K audio system so I am not sure how replacing the head unit would effect that. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this or any advice on swapping out the head unit in a car with the HK audio.

[gibz4]

I've got the Sony BT5000 head unit and it works fine. The only problem with the MP3 is that the sending unit (connected to the Ipod) is rechargeable and only last for 4 days (about 4 hours total) before it dies unexpectedly. It needs to be recharged and then can be used again. Wish they had something that i could hook up to the cigarette lighter to keep it charged all the time. The head unit also works good paired with the cellphone since you can use it as a speaker phone. Any after market radio sounds better than the stock HK.

[pgvinter]

So do you use the amp in the sony head unit or the amp from the hk audio system?

[gibz4]

you actually still use the amp from the HK audio system with the new head unit. Just use the after market wire kit and it will work fine. there's a blue wire though (amp remote wire) that you need to connect from the head unit to turn on the amp.

[typebigiz]

I have the Pioneer DEH-P9800BT.Which im currently running with the stock amp. The sound quality diffrence is amazing compared to stock.

[DucatiBoy]

I have used the Parrot CK3100
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/ck3100-lcd
Which is an add on to any stereo (including the stock on) and they work better than any car based bluetooth solution that I have ever used.... voice quality wise. If you decide to keep the stock radio and just want bluetooth.

[pgvinter]

How do you connect and install the Parrot? I would prefer to keep the look of the factory stereo or maybe replace it with the BMW business unit as I really do not like the look of aftermarket stereos.

[DucatiBoy]

It comes with Euro/ISO plugs so it should plug right in (but don't quote me on this one). I haven't figured out what I want to do with my M3 yet. I have used these on many previous vehicles and love them. But you do get that extra module (the parrot screen you need to mount somewhere). You can get one with a much smaller module, but you get no caller id (other than on your phone).

But you unplug your stock car wiring from your radio and plug it into the Parrot. Then from the Parrot back into the stock radio. When you are not talking on the phone, the Parrot acts like a pass through for the radio, you would never know it's there. Then when a call comes in, it mutes the stereo by fading out the audio coming from your stock stereo to your speakers. Then it takes over with its own built in amp to play a ringer and the caller's voice through your car's speakers.

http://www.parrot.com/documents/en/support/schemasdinstallation/pdf/wiring_bmw_ac000001aa_1.pdf

It really is quite slick. And the audio quality is excellent.

My M3 is a convertible so I haven't rushed to put this in since I can't imagine it will work too good with the top down. But in a normal sedan or coupe it should work very very well.

[drsides]

I just installed the JVC KD-BT1 this summer for ~$325. It has builtin bluetooth, plus it can drive an ipod, or Sirius or XM. (each one requires an adapter for $100 or so).

It also has a USB hookup which neither of the Pioneer units have (7900/9800). Right now, I have 2GB of music on a usb stick which I have sitting in my glovebox. (the usb wire comes out the back of the head unit and I just stuck the plug in end in my glovebox.) Would also be real convenient to stick podcasts on it.

The JVC unit that I got has pretty sound quality on the phone. It sounds great in the car and if the microphone is positioned correctly, the people on the other end of the phone call usually say that it sounds pretty good to them too. Oh, the microphone is a separate unit on a 10" wire so you can put it where ever sounds best for the car.

I read that both of the Pioneer units had some issues with echos on the microphone.

The JVC matches the bimmer amber pretty well. Not perfect, but pretty good. Mostly cause it is adjustable.

I think the sound is great, although I am not an audiophile. I do have the HK system and just hooked it right up. No problems really.

PM me if you have questions. Crutchfield has pretty good info on the unit.

dan

[porschetech]

try this one also. has direct ipod connection/interface and bluetooth. this is what i have in my car

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X001

[drsides]

try this one also. has direct ipod connection/interface and bluetooth. this is what i have in my car

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X001

the alpines are nice. very nice.
If there was an alpine with builtin BT (instead of BT ready), then i think thats what i would have gotten.

[DucatiBoy]

the alpines are nice. very nice.
If there was an alpine with builtin BT (instead of BT ready), then i think thats what i would have gotten.

Why? What does it matter? Or you didn't want have the radio and bluetooth separate modules? If you have the room behind the dash, what does it matter? From a user standpoint, you shouldn't notice that it's built in or it was "ready" and there was an add on module. Just gives built in functionality while maintaining cheaper prices for head units for most people since it's a VERY small minority of people who want something like this.

porschetech, I looked at that Alpine. I didn't care for the UI on that head unit. It's pretty, but the interface bugged me. My biggest problem was the lack of preset buttons and you had to go through the screen (and the wheel is not a push to select). It's almost an ipod interface through a head unit. And I don't think the ipod interface lends itself to being used while in a car. Seems too distracting to me. Was a very pretty and very nice head unit. I just didn't like the UI.

[BMWmk00]

I have the Pioneer DEH-P9800BT in the wifes car. It is bluetooth and bluetooth audio ready, no adapters. Works very crisp and clear and I like the phone book transfer option. I also have the Pioneer NAVIII and AVH-P5900DVD both with the bluetooth, sirus, and iPod adapters. I can't tell a difference in the in the built-in bluetooth and the adapters. The conveinence of hands free is really nice.

[DucatiBoy]

The only difference is if they update the bluetooth feature on the newer units when they integrate them. And just a note, not all bluetooth is created the same. On the car integration/head units or in the phone itself. As I usually explain it, bluetooth is the language, but what these devices are allow to discuss in their conversation is dictated by the company who made each device. Verizon is notorios for crippling their bluetooth phones so you can't do things like phone book transfer. There are also differences in the speaker phone implementation. Just FYI.

[WytLytnyn]

The only difference is if they update the bluetooth feature on the newer units when they integrate them. And just a note, not all bluetooth is created the same. On the car integration/head units or in the phone itself. As I usually explain it, bluetooth is the language, but what these devices are allow to discuss in their conversation is dictated by the company who made each device. Verizon is notorios for crippling their bluetooth phones so you can't do things like phone book transfer. There are also differences in the speaker phone implementation. Just FYI.So bluetooth kinda has its own little operational protocol?

[SmokeyDP]

I have used the Parrot CK3100
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/ck3100-lcd
Which is an add on to any stereo (including the stock on) and they work better than any car based bluetooth solution that I have ever used.... voice quality wise. If you decide to keep the stock radio and just want bluetooth.
I concur. Plus the voice quality is much better than any of the Pioneers that I tested.

I bought the pioneer unit that was under the bluetooth one. Also, with the factory AMP still hooked up(non HK) and using the inline harnesses I found it makes the parrot wayyy to quiet through the speakers so I mounted a $15 after market speaker under the passenger side dash wired right to the parrot so the voice comes from there. It makes the installation much simpler so all I had to do was wire the MUTE, +12V, +12V Switch and GROUND to the head unit so I didn't use any harnesses, just 4 T taps.

The only way someone would know I have it installed is what you see in the pic and the tiny mic on my A-pillar. Only the driver can see the display. It works with the windows and sunroof open as long as I am not going above 40. Most people can't tell they are on speaker phone.

http://www.scotts-basement.com/Gallery2/d/6866-2/parrot-ck3100-2.jpg