What's the best system to get bluetooth soundsystem and Navigation

S

stevenlee

Experienced Member
Joined
3 July 2003
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922
Location
Hawaii
I recently bought an iPhone and find that its' very difficult to use this phone in the NSX. (Not loud enough and requires a lot of visual interaction.) I currently have a Pioneer AVIC-1 and am considering an upgrade.

What do you recommend for a sound system that has navigation and bluetooth integration for using a telephone?

I am open to using the Honda Navigation pod if they are still available.

Please tell me what options are available and what you would recommend.

Thanks in advance for your comments!
 
I just bought one too. I am going to get one of these... should be able to drive and talk with the top off. I have seen them for $90.00 or so.

http://www.jawbone.com/
 
Avic N1 or D1?

The AVIC-D3 can do bluetooth audio but it has a lot of shortcomings with the navigation.

Do you have NAV already? If so, or even if you do not, you should consider the Alpine TME-M740BT monitor in the NAV pod if you want to install the NAV pod. It does bluetooth, bluetooth audio, can hookup to a NAV unit and has a very sharp 7" screen. It can integrate with the Vehicle hub and even your existing stereo.
 
The Jawbone's noise cancellation features look great.

I just bought a Motorola T304 bluetooth wireless speaker as a temporary solution.
The Pros: The volume is loud & clear. I don't need to wear it on my ear.
The Cons: It takes 2-3 seconds for it to connect to an incoming call. It requires recharging from household current. It must be turned on manually when I get into the car before it can take calls. ( I usually forget to turn it on when I get into my car....and forget to turn it off when I get out.) I suppose I could take it apart and hard-wire it into my ignition for recharging and remote mount the switches and speaker & microphone into my car.

What I would ideally want is a bluetooth system that integrates with an aftermarket sound system and doesn't require any extra steps to use (recharging, turning on & off, etc).

My existing Pioneer AVIC-1 does have navigation but there are features I don't like...i.e. the reverse camera doesn't always come on when in reverse, and no blue tooth integration with the phone.

I am open to buying all new hardware and/or building a custom system.
While I'm at it, I am considering a better Navigation system & monitor.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Malibu,

Thanks for the recommendation and the link to the Alpine monitor.

My existing AVIC-1 is single DIN and has a pop-out monitor with navigation.
I installed the "hide-away" box directly in my center console under the head unit with a custom center console.

I would like the idea of controlling my I pod from the monitor. The AVIC-1 doesn't do this.

I haven't finished my custom center console and am reconsidering the hardware that I should be using.

What other hardware would you recommend to use with the Alpine monitor?
 
Ideally you would replace everything with Alpine. Like the head unit perhaps getting the W205 double DIN. Then you would need a blackbird to do NAV.

The Ipod controls won't be available without the Vehicle hub. I'd probably start with just the monitor and hub. You can keep your existing head unit. I think you'll also have to buy the Ipod cable as well.

If you have the cash to burn, get the double DIN IVA-W205, the monitor, and the new blackbird when it comes out, I'm not sure that it has.
 
Malibu,

I only have room for a single din in my center console. ( I have 5 gauges & other things filling it up . My car is a twin turbo.)

What would you recommend in a single DIN head unit?

I see that the Alpine navigation works in Hawaii.

What's a Blackbird?

Much Thanks,
Steve
 
Ok, since you only have room for a single DIN, you might want to go a different route. If you want to play DVDs, Ipod, bluetooth, and navigation with Alpine it's a bit tricky and pricey if you don't go with that W205 because you will have to buy that expensive $1300 NVE-N872A Navigation unit or else you are stuck with the old Blackbird and a docking module (not a good combination). If money is no object, just get that, with the monitor and the IVA-D310. That will set you back about $3k for everything.

It can be done for a lot less with other brands. The problem is that all of the external Bluetooth modules suck, doesn't matter what brand. The decent ones that will do audio streaming and are better with phonebooks are integrated into things like the Alpine monitor and the Pioneer D3. You'll have to wait for a decent Bluetooth module to come out, I think it's just a matter of chipsets.

It's hard to discuss all of your options since there are so many. They all have pluses and minuses. But being that bluetooth is your highest priority, you want to stick with that Alpine monitor then in doing so you will want to stick with Alpine equipment for the best integration. So look at that $3,000 option I discussed previously.
 
Malibu,

Thanks for the updated info.
I drive my other cars most of the time and upgrading the NSX now is not a necessity. I may wait for other bluetooth options to come out. I am about ready to finish off my center console and was thinking that I should reconsider my hardware now. I could always use the Motorola T305 Bluetooth Speaker to get me hands free telephone with more volume. I may take it apart and custom mount the controls into a custom Valentine 1 housing that is located above my center rear view mirror.

If you have any other thoughts or recommendations, they would be greatly appreciated!

Aloha,
Steve
 
With a single DIN and Alpine I would say get a IVA-D105 (flip out touchscreen monitor), KCE-300BT (Bluetooth interface with on screen display and on screen dialing), KCE-422i (full speed ipod interface) and the PMD-B200 Blackbird navigation with the PMB-DOK2 (portable navigation and docking system that allows touchscreen use on IVA-D105) the other option for navigation would be the NVE-N872A (DVD based navigation)

IVA-D105 $900.
KCE-300BT $200.
KCE-422i $30.
PMD-B200 $700.
PMD-DOC2 $not sure I'd guess $200
NVE-872A $1700.

You could also look into Kenwood. They have a pretty good navigation system and a good Bluetooth interface, and an ipod video interface. Look at the KVT-719DVD, KNA-G510, KCA-iP300v, and KCA-BT100.
 
What isn't acceptable from them? The only problems I've seen have been with cell companies blocking features, mostly Verizon. The Alpine and Kenwood units I've done work seamlesly.
 
I have done many nsx's with the d3 and the bluetooth and had have not one complaint. The only complaint I had was with myself with the first bluetooth unit that came out for the d3, it would not link to my sister phone. I use there new unit and everything is fine. Also on the on the back up camera not coming on. Swapp out the resistor that came with it. That will clear up that problem. And make sure you have the camera mode set right
 
Anyone have experience with the Eclipse AVN-6610 installed in an NSX?

It is double DIN, so it might not work for those comitted to single DIN, but I have demo'd it in anther vehicle and it seems to be pretty impressive both for the BT handsfree capabilities and Nav functions.

It is pretty pricey though; about $1750 w/BT.
 
wrx-killer said:
I have done many nsx's with the d3 and the bluetooth and had have not one complaint.
Click to expand...

The BTB200 is better than the BTB100, but I've been reading avic411 forums for a while now. There are a ton of complaints on the unit from phone compatibility to all the issues previously discussed. I have 3 Avic Z1 installs with the BTB100 waiting to upgrade but I'm not upgrading them till a worthy unit comes out.
 
Malibu Rapper said:
Streaming audio, phonebook synchronization, sound quality, etc. A good place to check the reviews is Crutchfield.
Click to expand...

If you are trying to listen to mp3s over bluetooth you aren't worried about sound in the first place.

Phonebook sync has not been a problem in most cases, but if there is an issue it has been with the phone/provider and usually its Verizon.

As far as sound quality for phone calls, I would agree, but then again, what do you expect? Have you heard a good sounding phone? I would love to find one, but have yet to do so. Take that poor sound and amplify it and you get louder poor sound, but if you can still have a conversation while driving and don't need to hold a phone I'm for it.
 
I am now considering the Parrot CK3100 bluetooth car kit as a temporary solution. It has its own voice recognition dialer. (The iPhone has no voice dial.)
It will connect through the head unit and mute the sound system and automatically power it self up with the car's ignition. The Parrot technician told me that others have successfully remote mounted the unit and custom installed the 3 controls. It comes with noise reduction and can pair with 3 phones. It costs less than $200.

Does anyone have any experience with the Parrot?
 
Parrot makes some of the best universal interfaces available. Although I can't say I've put a CK3100 in I've never had a problem with any of their others.

I prefer to use one that will work as a complete integrated system like the Kenwood and Alpine, but If I didn't have that option, It would be a Parrot.
 
Malibu Rapper said:
The BTB200 is better than the BTB100, but I've been reading avic411 forums for a while now. There are a ton of complaints on the unit from phone compatibility to all the issues previously discussed. I have 3 Avic Z1 installs with the BTB100 waiting to upgrade but I'm not upgrading them till a worthy unit comes out.
Click to expand...

give me a call, I let you come play with the new 200.
 

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