Bluetooth & Ipod

[wotnoshoeseh]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_975463_langId_-1_categoryId_165563#tab4

Hi,

I was looking at one of these and wondering if anyone had got one and what sort of feedback there is for it?

Also I would be interested if anyone has any feedback on fitting it, and whether it went relatively simply or not?

I'm concerned as I have a 2006 Avensis T4 D4D with the SatNav and the steering wheel controls.

Do I lose the functionality of the steering wheel controls if I fit this?

Thanks,

D.

[gazza1286]

Looks expensive. There are loads of cheaper options out there. It really depends on what you want the bluetooth functionality for. I thought I'd use it for music as well as calls. I've since reverted back to a wired Sony mp3 player. It's much easier to select tracks whilst driving. I don't make calls whilst driving and only receive them. Consequently the Kinivo btc450 bluetooth set works well for me. I would think the functionality of the steering wheel controls may be reduced to volume only.

[wotnoshoeseh]

How does this Kinivio thing work? I don't think there is a line out on the stereo in the Avensis?

[gazza1286]

That's right - it's attached to my Grom adapter but with a combiner to maintain a dedicated hard line. Most manufacturers provide a dedicated bluetooth add-on. Xlink, Grom, Yatour and Connects2.

Another reason I use the mp3 player is the batteries on my Samsung galaxy only just last the day so further drain playing music is avoided. I know I can plug it into the charger but the mp3 player is already set up. So bluetooth (mainly) for incoming calls is the way it's progressed.

[gazza1286]

This is my setup. A second power supply behind the facia to power the Kinivo. Call and music quality is excellent. No drilling through the dashboard. But there's loads of options out there which can do the job better and neater than that Halfords jobbie.

[Konrad C]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_975463_langId_-1_categoryId_165563#tab4

Hi,

I was looking at one of these and wondering if anyone had got one and what sort of feedback there is for it?

iO Play2 Advanced Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit.jpg

Also I would be interested if anyone has any feedback on fitting it, and whether it went relatively simply or not?

I'm concerned as I have a 2006 Avensis T4 D4D with the SatNav and the steering wheel controls.

Do I lose the functionality of the steering wheel controls if I fit this?

Thanks,

D.

I agree with Gary. The iO Play2 is too expensive compared to what is available. I have a Novero bluetooth system that cost £60 a couple of years ago. It is similar to the iO Player (and Parrot) and the way it is connected to the audio unit is via cable adaptors. I had use couple to connect the head unit and from the car side. No wire is cut! You will need Toyota to ISO cable.

The installation will not affect the remote steering. Gary has mentioned the other companies like Connects2, which I have a very old version for my mp3. I installed an Xcarlink version into a car and it had the whole lot - MP3 and bluetooth. The head unit controls the whole lot via the steering controls. Just plug into the rear of the head unit. None of the systems I installed cost as much as the iO Player.

Search the forum for ideas, and check eBay and incar audio re-sellers to get a better deal.

[wotnoshoeseh]

Konrad and Gazza,

Thank you for the feedback.

I had an Xcarlink lead for iPod back in mid 2000's to allow me to use my iPod in an Accord.

Konrad,

What is the Novero product you have. I had a quick look on the Novero website but it's a little difficult to navigate at first glance.

Gazza,

Can you give me a breakdown of what you have had to buy?

Thanks,

D.

[gazza1286]

I bought a GROM unit off eBay. The seller is carputer-shop. It was a couple of years ago and was the basic Aux kit. Their range has increased and now has bluetooth / iPhone connectivity.

Since I had that the cheapest option to go bluetooth earlier this year was to buy a Kinivo btc450 - The reviews on Amazon convinced me plus the YouTube video. I managed to get one on eBay for around £25. To maintain the hard wire option I bought a £3 'two into one' 3.5mm male/female combiner from eBay so that the feed into the Aux input on the Grom could accept a signal from both. I also bought a £4 additional 12v power supply off eBay so that everything's hidden.

I'm happy with what I've got - I'm with Android so iPhone connectivity was never a requirement. I know it sounds like it's cobbled together but it's just how it's evolved and I didn't see the point in junking components which fulfilled my requirements.

If I was starting from scratch I would certainly choose an alternative package. YouTube videos posted by the manufacturers and those who have installed the kit will be invaluable in helping you find the right setup for you.

[Konrad C]

Konrad and Gazza,

Thank you for the feedback.

I had an Xcarlink lead for iPod back in mid 2000's to allow me to use my iPod in an Accord.

Konrad,

What is the Novero product you have. I had a quick look on the Novero website but it's a little difficult to navigate at first glance.

Gazza,

Can you give me a breakdown of what you have had to buy?

Thanks,

D.

I had the Novero Trusty one - without the display module. I don't think you can by it now. The more expensive version does have the display, but the voice announcement tells you who is calling. You can also stream music via bluetooth. Things have moved on and there are better options.

My car came with the Sony double din audio unit and had cd changer control, which I added a 10 disc changer when I first got the car. That was 11 years ago! If I change my car and there is no bluetooth, I can move my Novero to that car.

Xcarlink and Connects2 unit look very similar. I fitted the Xcarlink version with the optional bluetooth module into a Renault.

Go with Gary's idea for solutions for your car.

[alan333]

I had a Parrot 3100 hands free kit in several of my previous cars, including two Avensises (should that be Avensees, or maybe Avensis'? lol) It didn't do music streaming but did do voice calls flawlessly. You recorded voice tags to contacts (if you wanted) so even the voice dial understood you and didn't randomly call "Peter" when you said "Davie". You could also use the small screen to dial anyone in your contact list that you hadn't assigned a voice tag to. It hard-wired in easily (if you're fairly competent) using an adapter cable, and muted the stereo when on a call (but didn't pause a cd). The most time consuming aspect of fitting was routing the mic cable up to the interior light housing, but you could also have it at the top of the pillar on your side I suppose. I fitted the display at the right side of the dash, just under the vent. The steering wheel controls still worked for the stereo, but the Parrot kit had it's own control knob for it's volume settings etc, and a single press of the big knob operated the voice dial (voice dial is fantastic BTW, if you use the phone regularly to dial out).

I now have built-in bluetooth (phone and music streaming) and USB in my current car. I find listening to music via bluetooth is ok on a long run, but if you're stopping and starting beware mine takes about 20-30 secs to reconnect every time, which is annoying. After trying various things I now have an ipod permanently connected to the USB (which connects virtually instantly each time) and only use the bluetooth for calls, or on the occasions that we're on a long drive and the other half wants to listen to her music.

I haven't researched the options but I'd look at forgetting bluetooth streaming and get a Parrot kit for calls, and also a seperate adapter for an ipod, making sure I could use the stereo controls for the ipod. I've heard xcarlink mentioned for ipod, but as I say, I've not researched it.

Hope this helps, rather than confuses :)