Adding Bluetooth USB adapters to cars without these features.

[Konrad C]

I am bringing up this subject (again), as owners are still enquiring about upgrading cars missing bluetooth and USB functions. There has been some new devices added, which have better integration, and just plug and play.

Basic story was I had a Mk1 Avensis GLS which had a Sony stereo which had a jammed CD when I first owned it. I bought a CD changer (also repaired the CD) and all was well, except for hundreds of CD's I carried. Then I discovered the Connects2 iconnect USB adpater for Sony. Plugged the adapter between the Sony stereo and CD changer, and nearly all of the CD's were out of the car! I later added the Novero handsfree bluetooth, which again was plugged into the stereo wiring. It was similar to the Parrot system with more features and cheaper. I have kept the Novero when I sold the car, since can be fitted to any  car on the market.

The last year I bought my Mk3 Avensis, which has voice only bluetooth and only AUX. I needed USB for my memory sticks, so I added an adapter which had both Bluetooth and USB. See my "How to" -  

If you see the way it has been installed, you would thing the car came as standard - like the later Avensis models. There are lot of owners, who want the upgrades without the expense and hassle of changing the stereo and find all the connects and mounting facias. So long as the stereo has the CD changer port at the rear.

There are two types of sockets - 6+6 and 5+7 

 

I have been looking on places like eBay and there are quite a few options to added adapters:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yatour-Digital-Music-CD-Changer-Bluetooth-Adapter-HandsFree-USB-For-Lexus-toyota/272064759309?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38661%26meid%3Dacd3567178f94179a415b3d08977ce11%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D272064759309

   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-2003-Car-Bluetooth-Music-Streaming-Aux-Interface-Adaptor-For-Smartphones-/401155923436?var=&hash=item5d66c19dec:m:mXkSR6oLj_BxMnwDTJRQzuw

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-AVENSIS-MP3-SD-USB-CD-AUX-Input-Audio-Adapter-Digital-CD-Changer-Module-/131691765022?hash=item1ea970dd1e:g:Vz8AAOSwHaBWiVEn

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Bluetooth-handsfree-A2DP-CD-changer-adapter-Toyota-Corolla-Verso-Camry-/111664931975?hash=item19ffbfa487

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APPS2CAR-Car-iPhone-iPod-iPad-Lightning-8-Pin-3-5mm-AUX-Jack-Input-Adapter-for-/122243236066?hash=item1c7643c0e2:g:q88AAOSwXrhXnE8g

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Connects2-Toyota-Wireless-A2DP-Bluetooth-Streaming-HandsFree-3-5mm-AUX-6-6-/171740033284?hash=item27fc80f104:g:nlUAAOSwpDdVG8OV

The market is forever changing, so models available and prices vary all the time.

The main thing with these devices, is that the steering wheel controls work with the adapters, and even the Bluetooth call answering - Up to answer, down to end/reject call. Total integration.

The one thing I have noticed when looking at the items, some of the Toyota stereos (especially the high end Nav units, do not support the adapters. These no-compatible units are listed on the pages of some of the items.

I have looked at the full stereo upgrade and there are some good systems, that work better than the best official Toyota systems. The issue is the time and expense and some owners want everything to be stock. Satnav - I use my phone! It is always up to date plus if I can use offline maps if necessary (Here maps). Reverse camera? Loads of cheap options.

So if you are looking to add extra features, you know where to go and what to do.

Following is my previous post on the subject:-