iphone connection for calls and music

[Alexip]

hi guys,

just picked up a new (used) car GT MY07 and tring to figure my best options for installing a hands free kit and accessing my phone music data basae through the sound system.

i expect that this would have been done by many people here so let me hear your opinnions.

[mihai]

hi guys,

just picked up a new (used) car GT MY07 and tring to figure my best options for installing a hands free kit and accessing my phone music data basae through the sound system.

i expect that this would have been done by many people here so let me hear your opinnions.

Rip out the McIntoss and replace is with a proper headunit that has the features you want. Not worth the hassle of trying to figure it all out.

Easiest option to play your music on your phone through the current sound system is a FM Transmitter or if you have the AUX cable installed (there should be a 3.5mm jack in the centre console between the seats under the cigarette lighter socket if you have the cable installed) use that instead.

Hands free is a whole new ball game. First issue will be that the headunit will have no interrupt so the music will not mute automatically and switch to the handsfree input when a call is made/received. (not a big problem though). Second issue will be for the audio to be inputted to the headunit, you will need an AUX in, and if your handsfree uses the AUX in then you wont be able to utilise it for playing music above.

In my opinion, its not worth trying on the stock headunit.

[bigBADbenny]

I'm looking for same! I'd prefer to keep the McIntosh HU despite its various foibles.
I'm intending to use the Clarion Ea1251 with a pass-through usb charger for iPod music, and planning either a bluetooth to fm hands-free kit or a bluetooth to audio into the aux port for calls.
Any advice or opinion most welcome! Ben

[bigBADbenny]

OK - I re-read this thread on the subject:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/845tgc6
It looks like the Anycarlink is available with bluetooth and is also available with the square plug for McIntosh...
http://preview.tinyurl.com/77yf5jq
http://preview.tinyurl.com/6w874pu
So a little more research on the forums and contacting some NZ resellers etc might solve this issue!
I'll keep you posted Ben

[bigBADbenny]

OK research nearing completion!
Firstly it may help members that the McIntosh type square connector is common to the Suzuki Swift, I guess of the same era/s, so there are probably some other options out there also made for Suzuki.

The Xcarlink is available from sydneyinstallers.com.au in iPod or MP3 with or without bluetooth functionality. With the bluetooth model the mic etc kit is a pricey extra (locally) so maybe shop around.

The other alternative might be the Anycarlink with bluetooth which member sims informed me were available direct from China via sales (at) anycarlink.com.
The Anycarlink AL-1080C: For iPod/bluetooth is a complete kit and thus beats out the locally available Xcarlink on price.
Indeed they have sent their proforma invoice which is payable via Western Union.

Both vendors responded to my emails almost immediately which is reassuring.
I'd strongly advise researching this purchase, caveat emptor as per usual!

So two possibilities, certainly worthy of further research.
Both models are said to support iPod charging but of course this can be solved, if otherwise, with a dock extender with usb charging port.

Great to hear more feed back on these from any users!

[mihai]

OK research nearing completion!
Firstly it may help members that the McIntosh type square connector is common to the Suzuki Swift, I guess of the same era/s, so there are probably some other options out there also made for Suzuki.

Just because the connector may look the same doesn't mean it will work.

For example, my mums car has a JVC headunit with a JVC cd stacker. The cable that connects the two together has plugs on the end that look exactly like Alpine's AI-Net cable. Since I couldnt find a JVC J-link cable, I tried an old Ai-Net cable and what do you know, it didn't work at all.

Plugs can be quite common, however the internal wiring of the pins may be different.

[Alexip]

I am looking at a bury smooth talk kit which will allow the phone to be mounted and an integrated Bluetooth phone system.

Anyone tried this? Apparently they are the goods and being used now instead of the parrot systems.

[bigBADbenny]

I value the safety and convenience of such systems but that's a bit out of my budget...

[Bear2230]

I'm doing this after hours of research.
Parrot CK3100
http://www.parrot.com/au/products/hands-free-car-kits

Advanced ice I-Pod connector
http://www.advancedice.com.au/products2/Subaru

Mount the Parrot just at the bottom of the right hand air con vent and the Advanced ice in the console or glove box.
Parrot works perfectly. much better than the Bury smooth talk kit and the Advanced Ice charges and you can plug I-Pod/
USB and control through Stereo or steering wheel.
They will cost you about $500 with the ISO connector and about $300 for an decent shop to install it. The Parrot is a bit of a pig to install with the Mcintosh. I'm using FHRX to install mine they do great work.
Not cheap I know but much cheaper than a new facia and a new Stereo. Also I really like the look of the Mcintosh.

Richard.

[bigBADbenny]

Great stuff! Thanks for the info.
It was looking at the Suzuki/Subaru Portable Music Integration System that lead to my earlier statement about Suzuki/Subaru system maybe being intercompatible: "Steering Wheel Controls do not work on some Subaru models" - great if anyone could confirm the extents.
Not really a dealbreaker as these units may still allow for direct ipod control anyway.
I'm editing the post about customer service - the negative reports may be unfounded.

How soon till the install?

[Bear2230]

I have the hardware already install is 12th Jan. Marty gets busy down there.

Richard.

Edited original post.

[bigBADbenny]

Great! I can see the benefit of that particular iPod interface is you get iPod and MP3/usb in one package!

[bosc0]

Does anyone want to organise a Group Buy for the http://www.advancedice.com.au/products2/Subaru/15006

Edit: does anyone know about these? http://www.ryda.com.au/Meta-Voice-Subaru-Liberty-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-p/metasubl.htm

[bigBADbenny]

I want to give the Anycarlink iPod/BT a go but want to do some more research first
But that looks to be both more affordable and more compatible on the BT side too.
So tentatively I'm interested...

[bigBADbenny]

On the Anycarlink, thanks to bosco, via an NZ liberty owner boostin:

It's ok. Not great, not sh!t, just ok. You need to really crank the volume in call, and remember to turn it down again before going back to CD or radio! It's nice and clear, but doesn't always connect to my partners iPhone4. Slightly annoying, but I think that's more to do with the iPhone. It streams music well from my SonyEricsson. Very easy to fit, but was hard to find a spot to tuck the box into that still allowed the iPod lead to pop out into the centre console box.

So good, but not great, but for the money, maybe.
Now I'm gonna track down feedback from an Xcarlink user

Are the Parrot kits self installable? Because the HU will be out any way...