Related
1. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm. (I think one actually came with the HTC version, but not with the AT&T Tilt - although the Tilt manual insists that it's there!)
2. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm with a built in mic for handsfree operation too.
3. I've seen 3.5mm bluetooth adapters so you can eliminate cables completely.
I'll be mounting my phone above my dash and my aux-in port is in my center console. As such, I'd like a wireless solution (like #3), but I'd also like hands-free operation (like #2). I know such a thing exists (I found one on eBay), but surely there's a more elegant solution out there? Not one shamelessly parading around as a iPod shuffle?
Does anyone know of a hands-free device that connects to the phone via bluetooth and has a standard 3.5mm audio out? The only one I've found is parading around like an iPod shuffle - more than a little tacky.
i have one, it does look a bit like a shuffle though... works great though and even came with a BT transmiter that you can plug into anything with a 3.5mm jack and it will stream it with A2DP ( the receiver/headset is A2DP also) all for like $35 shipped. i monted it in my motorcycle helmet so i have wireless tunes plus the call come through both speackers so its actually intelligable while riding
IMHO its worth putting up with the shuffle-esque look for the price and features
This looks good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875156001
Tritton AX Bluestream
drokkon said:
1. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm. (I think one actually came with the HTC version, but not with the AT&T Tilt - although the Tilt manual insists that it's there!)
2. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm with a built in mic for handsfree operation too.
3. I've seen 3.5mm bluetooth adapters so you can eliminate cables completely.
I'll be mounting my phone above my dash and my aux-in port is in my center console. As such, I'd like a wireless solution (like #3), but I'd also like hands-free operation (like #2). I know such a thing exists (I found one on eBay), but surely there's a more elegant solution out there? Not one shamelessly parading around as a iPod shuffle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it is a bit more expensive, but there are headunits with integrated Bluetooth stereo and handsfree capability.
Parrot makes one (relatively expensive). I think Blaupunkt does too.
Sony has two models with built in stereo and handsfree Bluetooth integration, the MEX-BT2500 and MEX-BT5000. The 2500 is probably the least expensive solution that still has a CD player, I have it in my car and love it, although I admittedly have not even attempted to use the handsfree functionality (due to the fact that it is installed in an incredibly noisy convertible). I use the headunit for BT stereo and a Plantronics 655 for handsfree conversations.
Entropy512 said:
Well, it is a bit more expensive, but there are headunits with integrated Bluetooth stereo and handsfree capability.
Parrot makes one (relatively expensive). I think Blaupunkt does too.
Sony has two models with built in stereo and handsfree Bluetooth integration, the MEX-BT2500 and MEX-BT5000. The 2500 is probably the least expensive solution that still has a CD player, I have it in my car and love it, although I admittedly have not even attempted to use the handsfree functionality (due to the fact that it is installed in an incredibly noisy convertible). I use the headunit for BT stereo and a Plantronics 655 for handsfree conversations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow - hadn't even considered that, but thanks! Sadly, I have a Mazda3, which I really don't think would play nice with a different head unit. The stereo is just really integrated.
I guess I might have to go with the shuffle look-alike. Does anyone else own this? Can you confirm that it's decent?
hrishi2das said:
This looks good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875156001
Tritton AX Bluestream
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheap it ain't, but that actually looks pretty good! Does anyone own it?
According to http://www.trittonsales.com/products/TRIBH102.html, it seems that the microphone is in the actual unit (necessary, since I won't be using the included headphones but rather hooking it to my aux), and I think it has the remote controls on it.
(On another note, as someone who has zero bluetooth/headset experience, I wonder what will happen when I'm listening to my music in the car and get a phone call - will the feedback just suck if the person is coming over the speakers and the mic is picking it up?)
iTech cheaper than Tritton
iTech makes several models, like Clip Radio or Clip R35, that are similar to Tritton. They run a little cheaper but are hard to find (try eBay). Might be sold as the HTC S100. Also, check out the Motorola S705 SoundPilot, which includes an LCD screen.
If you're thinking about an installed solution, check out my detailed review of the MK6000 in the Wizard forum. Also, Motorola T605 is similar to MK6000. Not as many features but much cheaper.
Just a word of warning if you use Voice Command with A2DP: once A2DP is connected, Voice Command audio prompts no longer work via Bluetooth (commands still work, just no feedback). Apparently, I am not the only one with the problem.
BennTech said:
iTech makes several models, like Clip Radio or Clip R35, that are similar to Tritton. They run a little cheaper but are hard to find (try eBay). Might be sold as the HTC S100. Also, check out the Motorola S705 SoundPilot, which includes an LCD screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just want to thank everyone very much for all their help! I guess it's down to deciding between three models. So if anyone has any experience with any of these, I'd love your feedback!
Motorola S705 SoundPilot
Tritton AX Bluestream (TRI-BH102)
i.Tech Clip R35
Thanks!
I have been using 2 scenarios in my car for years now:
1. Direct connection via audio plug, mic in the middle, then AUX to car stereo.
2. Bluetooth connection using the itech R35 with a short cable connected to the AUX car stereo.
Though I'm using Prophet, not a Kaiser, but you can draw the same lesson learned.
Direct connection is always clear, and you do not consume more battery on your phone. And when its connected, you are always ready to pick up incoming all. But this configuration requires 2 steps to pick up the call: one press from your car stereo to switch the input to AUX, then one press on your green button to pick up the call, unless you also play the music from your PPC.
BT connection, you always need extra step to enable the BT on the phone, and then switch on the BT adapter. If you forget to do this, you cannot pick up the incoming call. Also, the BT adapter (my experience with R35 with WM6) most of the time the connection was not established automatically, you can reestablish the connection by pressing the blue button once and then look at the phone to make sure the connection now is okay before start driving).
And you also carry one more new routine: to take the BT adapter for charging.
My experience after using it for a while, not very confinient. I'm looking into better solution, which is replacing the stereo unit with integrated BT one.
lie_ui said:
Though I'm using Prophet, not a Kaiser, but you can draw the same lesson learned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much! Unfortunately, my phone is mounted on the dash, but my AUX is inside my center console. Therefore I can't use the wired solution.
However, both locations have 12V ports, so I CAN keep the both phone and BT adapter powered. Sounds like that's the way to go.
What has your experience been on the i.Tech Clip R35 as far as quality is concerned?
Thanks!
I just ordered the Sonorix C3 to test out myself. Was between that and the Moto S705. The range on the Moto seems too good to be true. Lots of bad reviews. Haven't heard much of the Sonorix but the few reviews I have found are positive.
itech R35
i.Tech Clip R35, whenever you plug in the power plug (very tiny pin, I wish it is a mini USB like the PPC so I can reduce charger to bring along for travel), and it starts charging, it will turn off the BT during the charging period.
If you can find the one with mini USB charging port, that will be better.
It might not sound annoying for you if you have not used it, but after using it for a while, you will find that extra job everytime you enter and exit the car, ie: switching it on and then off, checking the BT connection before start driving, will eventually become problematic as well, or you can call it laziness. =)
In term of quality, the sound will be very loud and clear, as you use your car speaker. Very nice while driving. But the mic quality is not very good, people will say their barely hear you. I use a short cable and hang the chip R35 just below the rear mirror to get it closer to me.
And remember, to press the R35 to accept call, not your phone anymore. =)
My wish is something like this one (see the picture attached).
I ordered one, the BT connection is perfect. It turns on whenever you switch on your car, and it draws power from the car, so it never needs to be charged. It initiates the BT connection automatically to your phone.
The only draw back is it uses FM to feed to audio to your car stereo. I wish it has an output that I could connect to the car AUX.
In my city, all of the FM frequencies are used, so its very hard to get a clear transmission using any channel. Otherwise, this is the best choice.
I just checked their website (www.satechi.com), its kind of weird, now they do not have this product any longer. They used to have both flavors, with and without A2DP. Most people concern about the FM transmission quality and the mic performance. Otherwise, its an excellent idea. No wire at all.
lie_ui said:
In term of quality, the sound will be very loud and clear, as you use your car speaker. Very nice while driving. But the mic quality is not very good, people will say their barely hear you. I use a short cable and hang the chip R35 just below the rear mirror to get it closer to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for your input! I actually ordered one the other day, so I'll report back soon with my own thoughts.
I'm sorry to hear about the miniUSB port - I was hoping to cut down on chargers too. Worse, it seems, is that it isn't useable while charging - I suppose it's not a deal-breaker, but I would have liked to just be able to charge it while I used it.
Glad to hear the audio is good, and I hope the mic works somewhat well, as it will be beside me in the center console.
I want to hear your thoughts on the R35 as well drokkon. I am curious to see what you think about mic quality so I can decide if I really want to get it or not!
kpaznb0i said:
I want to hear your thoughts on the R35 as well drokkon. I am curious to see what you think about mic quality so I can decide if I really want to get it or not!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received my R35 yesterday (I ordered it from a Hong Kong-based ebayer, so keep in mind that it takes quite a while to get here).
Started using it right away after charging it for 3 hours. Initial thoughts:
Charger isn't MiniUSB, so I'll have to find some kind of car charger solution. Although, it's been pointed out that it doesn't play music while charging anyway, but I'd still like to leave it in my car at all times.
Music quality is superb! Also one little snag: unlike my bluetooth stereo headset, this thing doesn't automatically pair back up every time you power it on. You have to power it on, and then "click" the power button one more time to actually connect it to your phone again.
Called voicemail and it was cool to hear my phone over the car speakers. Unfortunately, I have yet to actually take a real call, so I'll have to get back to you on the mic quality. My Mazda3 will also make a great test bed, as it has "pronounced road noise" (but that was the only "con" listed in tons of otherwise great reviews, so I got it anyway!).
That is a bummer to hear that it doesn't automatically pair back up every time. But I guess it won't be that bad once it becomes habbit.
Let us all know when you find out about mic quality and final thoughts.
kpaznb0i said:
That is a bummer to hear that it doesn't automatically pair back up every time. But I guess it won't be that bad once it becomes habbit.
Let us all know when you find out about mic quality and final thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay - so here are my final thoughts:
You're right - it does become habit: hold for two seconds to power on, click once to re-pair. Pretty simple.
The sound quality shocks me - I'm no audiophile, but as far as I'm concerned, this isn't "near" CD quality, it IS.
The connection drops once in a while between phone and R35. After a call, sometimes the music is paused, sometimes it picks up where it left off, and sometimes it re-starts the song. This must be due to something I'm doing wrong or just the clumsy nature of what I perceive to be a fairly young technology. It's most likely the Tilt rather than the R35.
On to mic quality! I've only made two calls. Both times, people could hear me fine, despite that the device was in my center console, somewhat blocked by my shoulder. I was definitely speaking up, as my car is pretty loud on the highway. However, both times the callers asked to be taken off of hands-free because of pronounced echo (no small feat while driving, considering that turning off hands-free, as far as I know, involves clicking "menu").
Potential mic solutions: My device is pretty stationary, being attached to my console with a 4- or 5-inch audio plug. I'm thinking about getting a longer cord, so I can maybe turn my stereo down and hold the mic closer to my mouth... so much for hands-free, but maybe it would help the echo. More likely, I think I'll just let the R35 handle the "wireless stereo" and my headset handle "headset," since WM6 allows me to choose between those two bluetooth modes. That way the phone will ring while listening to my stereo, I take the call with my headset, and then resume listening to my stereo... I presume.
Finally - battery life. It boasts standby time of 16 hours and 6 of talk (I believe). I know you're not supposed to leave batteries in the cold, but my R35 was in the car overnight during the cold snap in Colorado last week - it probably was in the upper teens Fahrenheit. The day before, I fully charged it and listened to it for no more than an hour (and that's a generous estimate). The next day, I got 20-30 minutes before it went dead. I didn't realize that cold zapped batteries that dramatically. Since I always want to leave this thing in the car, that's another case for a car charger.
Speaking of car chargers, I guess I will post again, asking if anyone knows how I can get a "custom" one. There's this ridiculously tiny plug, plus the voltage/wattage listed on the wall transformer - surely I can find a custom solution...?
That's it - hope it helps! Can anyone review any of the other devices similar to the R35?
I don't own a Kaiser "yet". But I tried the Sony HBD-DS220 (or DS200) recently on my car w/ Axim X51v and Asus P525, and it works perfectly. Sound is perfect and you can't really notice it's over BT. And one nice thing about this headset is you CAN charge it while listening to music. But like all A2DP device, you will notice 1-2 sec out of sync if you use this for movie or MTV.
Hi chaps,
Do you have any suggestion for a wired compact headset to take phone calls?
I got a bt but its not always on and when I get a call, I dont want everybody around me to hear the conversation but when i pop in a 3.5mm stereo headphone, the microphone stops working
I cant find a combo in-ear headphone microphone thingi with one 3.5mm jack or a mini usb headset... so any suggestions?
What about the original one in the package?
You can leave your device in the pocket and accept or quit phonecalls.
You can set the volume of the incoming call to lowest with the slider left to the navi-stick, then other people do not hear your calls if you are 2-3 meters away.
I'd like to know a wired headset which shows the caller-ID in the microphone case, like the old sony walkman with the display on the wire, showing actual song and volume. The 3.5 jack will not support this, i know.
yeah you can just leave any 3.5mm headphones pluggged in, as long as they are plugged in before the phone comes in you can use the inbuit microphone.
The device still rings, so you just put the buds in your ears and answer.
This is what I do with my senseinhers.
I'd like a decent replacement corded set, don't like the sound quality from BT ones I've tried.
Had a USB one from gpsforless that you can plug your own headphones in just past the mic, but it wasn't well built and lasted about 3 weeks.
I bought this one for use in the car while plugged into my AUX in on the car stereo.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FOR-CINGULAR-85...ryZ15040QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It works great with the Athena, there are a bunch of different types on ebay, just search for "Tytn Adapter" and you will find a bunch.
Pretty much any HTC Extended USB based adapter will work with the Athena.
Good Luck
G
thanks for the advice; i bought it second hand and didnt get the original one. does that one have a mike?
i use the original wired headset u1000,
but i get problem like yours,
i i can't send my voice through microphone headset,
my friend can't hear my voice wwhen made phone call,
that problem came after reflashed from original wm5 to wm6,
i tried 3 different wm6 but still in microphone headset problem,
have any ide ? thanks
imamlab said:
i use the original wired headset u1000,
but i get problem like yours,
i i can't send my voice through microphone headset,
my friend can't hear my voice wwhen made phone call,
that problem came after reflashed from original wm5 to wm6,
i tried 3 different wm6 but still in microphone headset problem,
have any ide ? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have such a problem with the original wired headset. The sound is excellent in both WM5 and WM6.
My wired headphones died pretty quickly, so now I use a pair of sennseisher buds, the microphone on the athena works when using standard earbuds, so although not hands free, it is at least a bit more private.
I like this from PPC Techs.
http://www.pocketpctechs.com/main.asp?unit=HTC_Advantage-895&area=accessories&item=PPCPADPT17
It gives you both 2.5mm and 3.5mm output so you can have your headphones in one plug and the headset in the other.
They have another adapter that goes from the USB for the same purpose but I don't have that one.
fards said:
My wired headphones died pretty quickly, so now I use a pair of sennseisher buds, the microphone on the athena works when using standard earbuds, so although not hands free, it is at least a bit more private.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ouh.. interesting to ur post
yeah maybe that is the KEY,
i'am forget,
i have changed my original earbud with Senheiser mx500, same as you, died quickly, then again changed to original N6233 earbud, great sound for music
but maybe causing malfunction the microphone ?
thanks a lots, i will try to change my earbud,
I'm running the leaked Sprint ROM with GPS and Rev A. I wanted to mount the phone in the car while I drive so that I can have easier access to it while on the road.
I recently purchased an i.Trek car mount / cradle for my Sprint Mogul. It has an external speaker which works great. However, when I try to make/take a call with my Bluetooth headset while the phone is docked in the cradle, sound comes out of my earpiece momentarily and then switches back to the external speaker. Also, the caller cannot hear me... it seems that my Bluetooth ear piece becomes disabled / ignored.
The cradle does have a strange port on the right side labeled "Audio In," but it is not the standard mini-jack that microphones might use. It looks like a 4mm DC-In connector. I'm wondering if the cradle is some how overriding other audio-in/out functions when the phone is docked. (The evidence suggests this, anyway)
Does anyone know of a workaround for this? I'm looking for Registry hacks, software tricks, hardware hacks... anything suggestions.
Thanks.
Hi, I have an XDA Serra, very pleased with this phone so far, the only downside is battery life, but hey I can live with that.
I am using it in the car for Sat Nav (Co Pilot 6) or in car holder for calls on the move.
Unfortunately the sound generated from the handset speaker isn't great and therefore I would like to be able to either use a car holder that amplifies the sound, or use the phone through the a car stereo.
My current stereo is pretty basic so I am looking to change it for a Bluetooth model, however I would like to know what works and which model to buy (not too expensive).
I would like to be able to 1) hear phone calls 2) run co-pilot 3) play music through the car stereo. Is it possible to do this through a BT capable Stereo? anyone got this working succesfully?
Cheers, Blair
There is another issue with the sound: as the speaker ist on the back side of the phone, most car holders will cover the speaker, so the volume goes down. Same happens when you lay it on the table.
re
dark_lobito, thanks for your response, I must admit I didn't pick up on that at first, just checked my car kit and it appears that the speaker is not fully covered, but is blocking some of the speaker.
I bought this http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=169986 which is OK for the price, and gives enough sound for a quiet room indoors. It's not amazing but is good enough for using as a portable radio/music player, but not in the car.
I have been looking and there are quite a few car stereos with BT audio streaming, as well as phone capabilities. But I need to know if it works as I want it to before splashing out.
I am hoping somebody has got these functions working with a BT Car Stereo to advise me.
Cheers, Blair
My car has an Auxilliary input, so I used the adapter that came with the phone and plugged the charger and Aux In wire to the phone. That sends the sound through the speakers of your car.
Also when you use the adapter that came with the phone it lets you use the microphone also so it works perfectly.
re
samz465, thanks for reply, but I'm not sure what u mean? The only adapter I got with the phone (O2 XDA Serra version) was a cable that allows u to connect to a 3.5 jack.
Sorry to be a pain, any pictures showing what adaptor you mean?
Cheers, Blair
Can I jump in here?
I have the HTC Pro too (Sprint)
I also have a car with an IPOD input
Well tonight I connected that to the phone's dongle via the 3.5mm input.
It sounds so good with my speakers ..BUT when I connect the USB headset that came with it, and make a phone call, they can't hear me but I can hear them just LOUD
Am I doing something wrong?
jeff
You might want to check out the Motorola T605 - Bluetooth hands-free car kit. It has stereo BT profile and an FM transmitter.
Might save you the cost and installation of a new head unit.
I've never used the T605 so I can't vouch for how good it is.
i've bought a car kit fm transmitter from ebay & made a quick review of it here. it works ok but you can only charge it if you don't use the fm transmitter & vice versa, it does not have a speaker unfortunately... does the job ok otherwise. decent/good enough sound for GPS & even for music playback
Too get better sound you should also try SRS WOW HD. It boosts volume and certainly clears up the mumble. Voices are recognizable as voices instead of monsters coming out of a can.
I have a feeling that this can't be done (because I looked into it with my XDA Exec a few years ago), but....
Is there any way that I can play mp3s via the extUSB into a car stereo (via an AUX in) and yet answer calls via the same stereo's integrated bluetooth via the headset profile?
The stereo would normally drop the AUX in sound for a bluetooth call, but clearly the extUSB would normally handle calls if a audio output device is plugged into it. With my Exec, I seem to remember that the hardwired audio output would be the default, and so the bluetooth would never engage.
If there is a hardware solution, I would be very keen to know! Even better if the extUSB also charged my Vario IV in a passive holder.
Jock said:
I have a feeling that this can't be done (because I looked into it with my XDA Exec a few years ago), but....
Is there any way that I can play mp3s via the extUSB into a car stereo (via an AUX in) and yet answer calls via the same stereo's integrated bluetooth via the headset profile?
The stereo would normally drop the AUX in sound for a bluetooth call, but clearly the extUSB would normally handle calls if a audio output device is plugged into it. With my Exec, I seem to remember that the hardwired audio output would be the default, and so the bluetooth would never engage.
If there is a hardware solution, I would be very keen to know! Even better if the extUSB also charged my Vario IV in a passive holder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about playing music through the blue tooth of your car stereo? Tricking the car into thinking its actually engaged in a call so it plays music. Might have to be something done on the phone side to transmit the music as a call and then when you receive a call the music stops and you can answer the call and when the call ends music resumes? Just a thought i dont know if it is possible at all. But you bring up a really good idea.
ptyindian said:
What about playing music through the blue tooth of your car stereo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the thought, but the stereo doesn't accept bluetooth streams - it simply just has the ability to act as a hands free device.
Any more thoughts anyone? (Although someone has just posted about a device that looks intriguing with AUX and power in)
It's definitely doable. Thats what I've done with my non BT Pioneer deck. Check out my post here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3278241#post3278241.
Hope this helps.
mattyman said:
It's definitely doable. Thats what I've done with my non BT Pioneer deck. Check out my post here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3278241#post3278241.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you too for the feedback, but I can't see a bluetooth device in your chain. Perhaps I wasn't clear in the original post, but in the end I suppose the question is can calls be handled over bluetooth when there is any audio outpu device plugged into the extUSB?
Sorry. My bad. You are right, I did misread your post.
Jock said:
Thank you too for the feedback, but I can't see a bluetooth device in your chain. Perhaps I wasn't clear in the original post, but in the end I suppose the question is can calls be handled over bluetooth when there is any audio outpu device plugged into the extUSB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the answer is yes. that is what i do daily.
i listen to music through quality wired headphones, and when a call comes in i use my bt headset WITHOUT unplugging the headphones from extUSB.
all you need to do is answer the call using the answer button on your bt headset and not your phone.
in some phones, if you will press the send key on the phone and not the bt headset, the call will transfer to the phone instead of the bt headset.
hope i was able to help.
shlomki said:
i listen to music through quality wired headphones, and when a call comes in i use my bt headset WITHOUT unplugging the headphones from extUSB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Do you think it matters that you're using headphones rather than a headset? I'm just wondering, since you refer to headphones, if the lack of speaker in your wired device means the call will hand over to the BT device - this will allow me to work out what I need to buy.
hmm i think since your aux input wont really have a mic attached it should hand over the call to the bluetooth headset from what the other person is saying.
Hi, I don't know if this will apply to your stereo setup but I thought I would let you know my setup anyway.
I use the HTC multifunction audio cable http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=171925 which lets me charge my phone via a car charger and use the 3.5mm audio output to the stereos aux input at the same time - all of which are in center armrest compartment.
I use bluetooth connection to the factory installed bluetooth prep (BMW 3-Series). When a call comes in the TP pauses the audio and the BT phone then takes over. When the call ends the TP un-pauses the audio
I just installed a Blaupunkt MP57 on Sunday and did exactly what you're describing. Phone connected via aux playing music, answer or make calls via bluetooth on the stereo and the music pauses then restarts when the call is ended.
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-bluetooth-audio-v1-0.html
http://www.acbpocketsoft.com/Products/acbToggleBT/acbToggleBT-Free--3.html
Both can send all outgoing audio from your WM device via BT headset channel instead of A2DP. It's not advanced audio but it will let you play audio over the headset BT channel. Sound can be tweaked using SRS WOW HD.
ExtUSB is just a port which will enable playing MP3 tracks on for example USB drive? Why not put your connection in USB mode then?
I'm not sure if this will help you, but I bought a Motorola Bluetooth Car Kit. I don't have the "phone" feature built into my car Stereo, so I used the external amplified speaker and mic for "phone" functions. The Car Kit has an Aux Out, with I feed into my car stereo. When I get into the car, the Bluetooth initiates two separate "connections". One for the "phone" and one for the "MP3 Player". You can have either one or both. The music plays through the car stereo (via the Aux Input) and phone calls play the the external Car Kit Speaker. It is like having two independent bluetooth "channels". When I have Voice Commander enabled, it communicates through the "phone" channel, i.e., the Car Kit mic and external speaker. That is also where my incoming email is announced through. My Garmin GPS "speaks" through the Aux out and the Car Stereo though. I'm not sure how these routes are selected. Personally, I would prefer that the GPS also communicated through the "phone" channel, that way if I am listening to the Radio, or Sirius, or a CD (not on AUX-IN), I would still here the GPS voice guidance. I'm not sure if that can be changed or not.
Hope this helps.
I do this all the time. USB to 3.5mm stereo to Pioneer head unit and calls come in over the BT
Thanks all for the input.
Just bought a Brando adaptor:
http://www.inkino.co.uk/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=126&products_id=1502
Tested it and Copilot and Music run from the Aux out. Bluetooth hand over perfectly. As an aside, I find WMP is a better MP3 player, simply because I can reduce the volume in the software, but leave Copilot to use the system volume at a slightly higher level so the voice doesn't get lost (the HTC player doesn't seem to have the same capability).
Could have bought the HTC branded device from the same place, but the main lead from the Ext USB is slightly longer and more inflexible so wouldn't easily fit under my car holder.
BTW, since I live close to the shop (plus I love instant gratification as opposed to mail order), I visited the Inkino shop in London. I must say that the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful and the shop has a huge range of HTC accessories (including a branded battery and extended battery for my Universal, which I am planning to resurrect). Not sure about the prices vs ebay, but for the bricks and mortar approach in the UK, where it is difficult to find anything HTC - 1st class!