Database Users

Possible Car Kit breakthrough!

I am 99% finished on developing a car kit for the XDAIIs. The plan is to make this available for all versions of XDA, MDA, SPV etc. when complete.
At the moment the kit will do the following
Power the XDA
Has got a microphone input.
Has got speaker output of voice through the car stereo speakers
Has got speaker output of navigation through the car speakers
Connects to a wired GPS antenna - currently using PS2 connector but I'll be making an RJ11 version on Monday!
All I need now is a way of signaling to the car kit that the XDA is in the holder! :x
From the car kit, I have 1 wire which needs to be connected to 5v to power on. I also have a 5v feed from the car kit so I could simply join the wires but thats not the point.
I would like to find either of the following options.
1 - 5v feed from the XDA when in the holder
2 - Using 2 pins on the XDA to feed 5v in and get 5v out on another pin.
I have also found that on an XDAII, there is a 5v feed on one pin when in a call, but there isn't anything out of an XDAIIs in the same situation. I just need 5v when the device is present in the holder.
If anyone can tell me if this is possible I would really appreciate it.
Regards
...Spence

In order to get the carkit to work, I think you had to ground the pin instead of putting 5V to it, as specified in this thread :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=4829&start=75
It would be great if you could post your circuit !
Where did you get a proper connector, or did you just modify a xda II connector ?
Ciaos,
Kristof

A modified Carcomm cradle?

THe XDA uses 3 pins for the +5 Volt charger. I believe these pins are shorted inside the XDA
If you charge through 2 of these pins you might be able to use third to recognize that the XDA is inserted

s93ncer said:
I have also found that on an XDAII, there is a 5v feed on one pin when in a call, ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What pin is that that gives +5V when in a call on the XDAII?

What pin is that that gives +5V when in a call on the XDAII?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pin 12 on an XDAII goes to a positive voltage when in a call.
One thing I did notice was that the voltage does just appear and disappear, it builds up and drops off over 2 seconds,
Regards
...Spence

Thanks for the info!
Is there any similar behaviour when ending a phone call
I suspect my XDAII/iMate carkit is triggered by this signal, I would like to manipulate it in order to have the carkit amplify the TomTom directions also.
Other question: what type of mic did you use? The XDAII has quite some problems with the mic input signal (resulting is bad sound quality)

The voltage builds up to about 5v when making a call and does drop off to 0 when you end the call. Also, I don't have any problems with sound quality (although this is in an office at the moment) with the microphone.
I am using a universal car kit that my company sells, just hacked the connector off the end and connected it to the XDAIIs connector.
Still having problems, but with the car kit now and not the XDA
Can't get it to switch on/off when the XDA is in the holder and taken out!
..Spence

Sounds like you've found out some good stuff Spence.
I'm working on a similar project at the moment, except I'm using a circuit that detects audio coming from the XDA's pins, which then switches a relay to ground.. this is connected to the car stereo which goes to "Telephone mode" when grounded. Its about half way done at the moment, so I'm not sure how sucessfull its going to be.. but I'm currently having trouble with the volume of the audio from the XDA, (I haven't tried a Mic on it yet)
Would be interested to know if the XDA1 also has 5v on Pin12 when in call.. as I could revert to this if my plan doesn't work, although it would mean loosing Tomtom prompts through the stereo
Keep us updated on your progress :wink:

The other added goodie that I can put into some vehicles is a thing called an intellimute - made and designed by my company!
Linked in with the stereo, it will mute the stereo when it senses audio not just when in a call hence the Nav audio as well.
This might be useful to you - but you will probably have to but one to try it out.
I don't have an XDAI to try anything with - plus most people who I have spoken to have a II or IIs
...Spence

@swifty: When Pin 19 - Car On - is connected to GND via a 10k resistor the XDA gets into 'carkit-mode' resulting in ALL audio to be sent via the bottom connector. This will help you feed the audio to your stereo.
Together with the Pin 12 behaviour (+5V when in call) one should be able to build a carkit circuit:
Connect the audio-out pins to the car-stereo audio in or -alternatively- a seperate amplifier.
Make your car stereo go into mute when Pin12 gets 'high'
BTW, I gues you checked the wiki pages:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Connectors
I would like to know what mic type is used by you guys, as I read in the other thread mentioned that this still might have issues.

Thanks Edsub,
Thats pretty much how i've got it hooked up at the moment, but I think there was a problem with the amplifier I was using as the audio from the stereo was very quiet. I've now changed the circuit and will be testing it out in the car tomorrow.

Spencer
What connector and cable are you using for this.
Thanks

What connector and cable are you using for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To cut a long story short, I had a couple of data cables for Ipaq's (3800 I think) lying around and I got a complete car kit from stock, cut the cable off at the phone cradle end and soldered on the connector from the Ipaq.
At the moment it looks a real mess, but it does work!
Haven't played with it for a few days, but might do some more today.
FYI, the problems at the moment are car kit related, not XDA - the XDA issues are solved.
...Spence

If you need an xda 1 and or the car kit to loan for your project, let me know.

I still have my iMate/XDA2 carkit (the one as sold by ie Expansys).
There still are two things I like to change:
1. Mic quality. I allready used a better mic (Nokia style gooseneck) with a thicker wire (as sugested by Expansys): Things did improve, but I still sound like I have a bag over my head (or like I am talking into a toilet bowl according to my collegue) . . .Any help greatly appreciated
2. Only the in-call audio is send to the carkit speaker. I would like to get all audio on the carkit speaker (so I get better amplified TomTom instructions). The car-audio mute only has to do its work when in a call (otherwise you wont be able to listen normally to a conversation or ie. the traffic info on the radio)..also: any clues???
A hint: In one of the other threads on this it is suggested that putting someting into the XDAII headset jack wil get all audio out, but that is not quite workable withou drilling the cradle to pieces.
Can anyone tell me what the effect on the bottom connector signals is when you insert something (ie an empty plug) in the headset jack?

Hi all.
Great topic. There's one thing I still don't know.
Does IN_CALL pin work in XDA 2s / MDA III ?
Mine XDA IIs doesn't put anything on IN_CALL pin when calling.

I have been having similar problems with audio with powered cradles/car kits. Just cannot get the damned audio to come out of the car kit, only call audio! (XDAIIi/Qtek 2020i)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=41716&highlight=
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=45779&highlight=
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=45462&highlight=

Suggestion
Why not simply have a mini contact switch in the bottom of the cradle to sense when the phone is in the cradle?, or use a simple current sensing circuit?
a VERY simple circuit would be a coil of the 5v feed and a reed switch, when current is being drawn through the coil it will generate a weak magnetic field, which could be used to close the reed switch...
Simple yet effective...

Replacement for Mini Headset

I'm looking for replacement for Magician's (wired) headset coz I think the one that comes with it sucks (low audio quality).
Anyone can suggest good alternatives with good MP3 quality (enough bass,...) and also as the phone's handsfree.
Thanks a lot.

If you are handy with a soldering iron, cut off that stupid pair of earbuds and solder on your favorite headset (that's what I did) or you can buy 3rd party adapters. If you solder on new headphones, don't forget to get some of that really cool heat shrink stuff to put over the wires, it turns out very professional looking and very strong.

Hmm...nice idea.
Unfortunately i'm not good at soldering.
So it seems i'm stuck with alternative to find a good earphone+hansfree combo....

SOny Ericsson p900 headset
5x times sound quality, + only one with a microphone that fits the 2.5mm plug. I searched long and hard to get this answer as i cannot solder too

this headset is not a stereo one, rigth ?

There are some adapters that have a built in mic and you plug the 3.5 headhones of your choice into it. There is also a small adapter that is just for audio 2.5-3.5. It is true that the Sony P800-900 headsets are compatible with the Jam. Unfortunately I have yet to hear original earphones that are acceptable to me. I can't remember where I bought it, but the adapter with a built-in mic and 3.5 headphone jack is probably what you are looking for. I use one in my car. Maybe somone has a link for you?

Link herehttp://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=PPCPADPT11

Link herehttp://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=PPCPADPT11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But in this case, is there any high quality 3.5mm earphone that also work as handsfree for the Jam?

This solution uses the internal mic of the PPC Phone so you can use any high quality headset from your local hi-fi store.

Can you confirm that this doesn't mess up the stereo or do anything else weird?

I found it! This is the adapter that I bought for my Sony P800 years ago(works with Magician). You can use it to plug into your home stereo, favorite headphones and it even has a volume control. Mainly I use it in my car. I use it to plug my Jam into my car stereo and sometimes I use it to plug in the earbud for one ear wired headset communication. ENJOY!
http://pc-mobile.net/sp8aa.htm

I have that. I don't like it too much since it feels very fragile (including the thin wire) and the fact that it isn't a simple straight wire means it snga everywhere.

I only use that adapter in the car. It is good for people that can't make their own headset by soldering. I made a custom headset from Koss headphones and a Sony handsfree. That baby sounds really good, and I'm picky about sound quality.

Does the mic work? Can you accept and end calls using the button?
Thanks,
K

Yes, the above adapter works exactly as the original handsfree headset (+ volume control) except that you have to plug in a normal 3.5 plug stereo headphones. If there are other models out there without the reel thingy, I haven't found it.

Audio (MP3) through original Dockingstation. HELP!

Hi,
I'm only 13 and a proud owner of an O2 XDA 2.
This I what I need help with.
I would like to place my USB docking station on top of my subwoofer, and connect my XDA with it (only for audio purposes only).
I've read some of the forums here, but didn't find much info. :?
Could someone tell me which pins, on the connector, on the dockingstation send the sound? I would like to add 2 cinch cables to these pins, and attach them to my subwoofer (to kind of make my XDA like an Ipod or another MP3 player, where I simply stick it into my dockingstation and start playing MP3s through my sound system).
Thanks,
Kind Regards,
Tony Schattat

Hi mate.
Note sure you could connect the XDA directly to a speaker as I doubt it would have the required power output (but I don't know much about this, just being logical).
Take a look at the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=26489&highlight=
This guy has basically modified the headset to have a 3.5mm jack - I've then suggested (and intend on doing this) that you could put 2 standard audio outputs instead.
On reflection though, I think his suggestion may be better as it reduces the number of leads. If you then needed to split the sound out to 2 seperate channels you could use something like this:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=43086&doy=3m9
Cheers
Wayne

Hi Wayne,
Thanks for your reply.
I would rather like to have a solution which is built in my dockingstation.
With alot of precision I was able to do the following.
1. Used http://wiki.xda-developers.com/wiki/Connectors for details.
2. On pin 19 on the dockingstation I placed a 10K SMD resistor (as the standard ones are too big), connected to GND, as stated in the text.
3. Using a double cinch cable I soldered them onto pins 3 (CAR_AUDIO_R) and 4 (CAR_AUDIO_L), and both GND wires to GND.
But nothing seems to work.
I used the ohm-metre to check if the 10K resistance even came up to pin 19 of the dockingstation. I does. Unfortunately the XDA doesn't turn off it's built-in speaker and microphone, as stated in the text.
This basically simulates a car-kit for the XDA, doesn't it?
Kind regards,
Tony Schattat

Audio playback
Hiya!
Well if yer are 13 then it seems UK Schools are way behind German ones if they're teaching you about using Ohm Meters, Resistors and electronic theory already!
Ok, overall to me this whole precision soldering and resistor checking etc is all overkill for what you ultimately seem to want to achieve.
I've just bought off eBay the little 2.5 mm to 3.5mm standard headphone jack converter lead for about £2.50. I'm going to go nip into a shop or again off eBay and get a 3.5mm stereo to 2 phono plug convertor lead.
Simple case of then slapping that into the Aux input of my Hi-Fi amplifier, or my mini deck hifi etc and playing the mp3's through that!
No need for faffing around with soldering irons, and electronic theory and all that!
Added benefit is of course that through the hifi unit, I have full control over the audio equaliser functions and so will have the full spectrum of audio frequencies to hear the music - Your requirements states you just want to connect it to a subwoofer. Low frequencies are great, but you do need the upper frequencies too!
That will all set you back the grand total of about £5, and i've assumed you do have some audio equipment with an Aux input!
For 'constant' playback, when yer battery gets flat,... just plug the charger in!
Another benefit is that you can take the leads with you on your travels and setup the same at any of your friends houses with minimal effort!
I don't see the point of the route you are wishing to take - unless I'm missing something (I got in at 7am this morning after clubbing and up at midday, so im knackered!)
Cheers!
Hope this helps!
Dennis! West London UK!

Hi Dennis,
Well the schools here aren't all that far ahead ( I think, because I`ve lived in Australia for 6 years)!
It runs in the family!
I was able to find some handy info on some dockingstations on google, but I'm not very sure.
Is it true that the serial dockingstations have an audio connector on the rear side, opposite of the power connector?
Is the audio connector on the dockingstation the same thing as the one, which is found at the bottom of the XDA (would it disable the built in mic and speaker of the XDA and send the audio through connector on the back)?
If this is true, could I simply attach a 2,5mm to 3,5mm converter to the back of the dockingstation and attach the converter to my subwoofer?
Kind regards,
Tony Schattat

Audio playback
Hi there Tony
I'm still not sure exactly why you want to connect your USB cradle to play music through.... seems pointless to me..
The method I described would be the easiest for you to 'amplify' the audio output from the XDA2.
I may be wrong but I dont think the USB cradles have an 'audio output' connector at the back, it's a bit pointless as these devices aren't devised as 'audio players' - so no, you cannot put the 2.5 to 3.5 mm converter on and then connect that to your subwoofer (signal is wayyy wayyy too small to drive a sub woofer) if there is an audio output at trhe back of the usb cradle, then I never knew about it!! and same again, you cannot connect directly to a sub woofer.
Out of the socket at the bottom of the xda2 in a 2.5mm size, is an audio jack. Get the converter to take that 2.5 mm and output it to a standard 3.5mm headphone socket size. Right, at this stage you can connect 'Hifi' headphones and enjoy your MP3's that way. If you now want your music 'louder' you need to convert that (now) 3.5mm output to be able to connect it to some audio equipment that can 'amplify' the signal and play through some loudspeakers (the 3.5mm socket to Phono converter lead). That will go to your hifi amplifier in turn to which 'full range'loudspeakers are connected. You mention 'sub woofer' .. You could then attach your sub woofer to the amplifier and you will only hear the low 'rumble' of the bass frequency content of the music (again, a bit pointless!). If that's what you want then at this point all will work but then what's your plan for hearing the mid range and high frequency elements of the music?
I'm just thinking that for your final 'aim' (to hear MP3 files on the xda through loudspeakers) the method you are using is cumbersome, time consuming and pointless when you can have a 'full range' output using the method I described.
Take a look at eBay for the connectors - and you'll find you should be hearing music in no time!
Cheers! Dennis! West London UK!

Connecting phone to a car stereo

Hi all
I have a MDA compact which I wish to connect to my car stereo as a handsfree unit. I have an auxiliary input for my stereo.
Is it possible just to purchase a 2.5 to 3.5mm lead for this? I have a gut feeling the mic won't work - please help? Is it possible to buy such a lead with a built in mic?
Thanks
Carl

Hi, I used to have a XDAII which I connected to the auxillary port on my car stereo, just like you suggest. It worked perfectly. When using the phone, the caller's voice woudl come out of the car speakers and the mic was powerful enough to pick up my voice even though the unit was mounted on my windscreen.
Unfortuntely, both the Wizard and the Exec automatically disable the mic when you plug into the headphone socket. Not sure about the MDA comact. Sorry couldn't offer more advice on your particular device, but I hope my experiences help.

monster said:
Unfortuntely, both the Wizard and the Exec automatically disable the mic when you plug into the headphone socket. Not sure about the MDA comact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have the same setup. I can confirm U the mic still work after U plug in the adapter but I normally use a BT headset when I am in the car.

OK, so I assume that if I purchase a 2.5mm to 3.5mm lead, the mic should work?

carlreader said:
OK, so I assume that if I purchase a 2.5mm to 3.5mm lead, the mic should work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. 8)

OK - did some work on this.
I decided to cut the earplugs off of the supplied headset, and attach a 3.5mm socket.
I now have a custom XDA mini lead
All works, however volume from car stereo speakers is extremely low. Any ideas? (Yes, I have checked car volume, phone volume and headphone volume!)
Cheers
Carl

jackleung said:
monster said:
Unfortuntely, both the Wizard and the Exec automatically disable the mic when you plug into the headphone socket. Not sure about the MDA comact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have the same setup. I can confirm U the mic still work after U plug in the adapter but I normally use a BT headset when I am in the car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Jackleung, my mic is being diabled, and i am beginning to think that I may not have the right connector. I have a standard 3.5mm connecting the exec. Can you let me know how you have wired your device with the type of connector? You may be able to solve a longstanding problem of mine.
Thanks in advance.

I found my mic was cancelled with the Mini, hence the custom cable.
hope this helps!

monster said:
Hi Jackleung, my mic is being diabled, and i am beginning to think that I may not have the right connector. I have a standard 3.5mm connecting the exec. Can you let me know how you have wired your device with the type of connector? You may be able to solve a longstanding problem of mine.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think my adapter is just a standard 2.5mm to 3.5mm converter. I tried 2 different adapter (one from Radio shack and the other one from ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-CABLE-headp...ryZ15040QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Both are working for me (I will try again today and confirm U tomorrow), therefore I think yr problem is in the exec hardware itself.
To Carl,
Yr setup will not work since yr supplied headset adapter has at least 4 connection on the plug compare to 3 on the standard one. The extra connection is for the mic. If U cut the wire like this:
<---- X --- mic+volumn control ------ ear plugs
Then U can no longer use the mic w/ the custom wire. But if U:
<------- mic+volumn control -- X ---- ear plugs
then the mic on yr mic+volumn control will pick up the voice

hi jackleung
Thanks for the reply - the lead was cut after the mic but before the earphones.
This was because a standard lead with a 2.5 / 3.5mm adaptor didnt work.
My only issue now is the low volume!
Cheers
Carl

I tried it on my Imate Jam again. My mic on the Jam still works (eg: Voice Command via Cyberon Voice Dial. So do phone conversation) even I use my 2.5mm/3.5mm adapter to connection it to my car stereo.

Hi,
I did the same for me and a friend of mine with a Univer..er - Jasjar and connected this to an FM transmitter - We have excellent sound quality, volume and the you can still answer calls by pressing the Mic Button
Frikkie
(If you are gonna be late - dont rush, else someone else and YOU will be cross)

check connections?
I have done exactly what you did, put a 3.5mm socket on the end of the included handsfree cable.. volume is fine, and i regularly connect it to the aux in the car, and multiple sets of headphone/speakers...
The best suggestion to your volume problem is to try again.. i know i had issue with the stereo channels getting screwed up (and even combined at one point) and it was just trial and error getting the connections clean..
You have to ensure that both the shaft and tip connectors on the socket are grounded to the shared ground on the circuit board.. otherwise the audio will probably be less than perfect.. check for dodgy soldering/connection.. coz i can assure you that your theory does work!
Dan

There is another topic on this here.
The person from there uses:
http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=PPCPADPT02
which has two 3.5mm plugs.
Description: It has a 2.5mm plug at one end (this plugs into the PocketPC) and two 3.5mm sockets at the other end (into which you plug your 3.5mm headset or headphones).
My question was: could I put a standard 3.5 car kit mic into this 3.5 headset jack (the one with the mic)? Would the mic work if I plug it into a headset jack?
I assume the other one (headphones = stereo only) I will plug it directly into my car auxiliary via a 3.5mm to RCA cable, right?

Anyone using their Titan as an MP3 player in the car?

I found out I can put rhapsody tracks on the SD card on my Titan (XV6800) so I've been using it as my car MP3 player. Problem is when it's plugged into the charger I get some noise (the phone is connected to my car using an aux port.) My question is does anyone use a similar setup, and if so what do you use as your charger? Right now I'm using a cig port to USB thing. I could probably reroute the ground, but I'd rather not deal with the mess of wires.

is this capable?

ca3sar said:
is this capable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
?? Are you asking how I have my phone as my MP3 player?
You need something like this. I have that connected to the 2.5mm/USB splitter that comes with the phone, then there's a 3.5mm lead that goes from that connector to my car stereo's aux input.
Considering there's a mic on the adapter, it doubles as a handsfree kit so when a call comes in, the music pauses and I can hear the caller through my stereo.

Pioneer Avic D3
I have the Pioneer Avic D3x in my car with the bluetooth module. I just installed it. I had to install a plugin on the mogul called a Jet something and it connected fine with my audio in the car. I can listen to my radio station SuperRadioMix.com and it mutes out when someone calls. The station streams perfectly to my mogul phone. This may sound like a advertising for my radio station....and it is. . Just to let you know you can do it.
C-Zer

DJ C-Zer said:
I have the Pioneer Avic D3x in my car with the bluetooth module. I just installed it. I had to install a plugin on the mogul called a Jet something and it connected fine with my audio in the car. I can listen to my radio station SuperRadioMix.com and it mutes out when someone calls. The station streams perfectly to my mogul phone. This may sound like a advertising for my radio station....and it is. . Just to let you know you can do it.
C-Zer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yea, blutooth would solve the problem because it's most likely related to the common ground, however I already have a rather nice Eclipse head, so I'm not looking to replace it. I am looking around for blutooth adapters though.

That noise you're hearing is a ground loop. The only way to get rid of it is to use some kind of ground loop noise isolator, like this one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Q56nh4BU3tR/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=127SNI135
I use Mortplayer on my Titan for MP3's as well as streaming radio. It works really good!
Coodaddy

i had a mini usb to 3.5 adapter but didnt work, i have verizon? any possible links?

ca3sar said:
i had a mini usb to 3.5 adapter but didnt work, i have verizon? any possible links?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I'm using. You can find it on Verizon's site, you might also be able to find it in the store.
Thanks coodaddy1, I figured that was the next step. I thought about running a ground from the cig lighter to the chassis to see if it eliminated the hum.

I am using the usb/2.5 splitter that came with the phone with a 2.5-3.5 splitter i got a radio shack, all that connected to my stereo line in. Works like a charm.

propagandax said:
I am using the usb/2.5 splitter that came with the phone with a 2.5-3.5 splitter i got a radio shack, all that connected to my stereo line in. Works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found that the 2.5-3.5 doesn't have the correct amount of posts and you will need to eventually pull out the tip to get full stereo (are you sure you are getting stereo sound rather than mono out of both speakers- all left or all right)?
If that works, cool!

This is what you need - Car Dock with Audio out
http://www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=881
NICE
I have ordered from these guys before - very high quality

I use mine for that all the time. I have one of those bracketron mounting clips that clip to your vent and I use the included headphone adapter and the usb splitter (becuase it wont charge unless you connect the power to the usb splitter). I connect a mini usb cable to a usb adapter in the charger socket. To connect to the radio on my ford focus I have a digital adapter that lets me use standard rca jack input to the digital port on the back of the factory radio (works with any any audio source)
To connect to the 2.5mm headset adapter,I have a cable I made by chopping the end of a old 2.5mm handsfree headset and soldering a standard 3.5mm headset socket to it. You should be able to buy a similar adapter from any vendor on the web. The headset that the moguls included adapter wants is the standard four conductor one that most multimedia cell phones like the samsung a920 use. (I originally used the cable I made with a samsung) The only problems I have had is that vibration from driving sometimes jiggles the mini usb loose from the phone and you have to plug it in again. I guess I could route the cable over the top of the bracket to hold it in place to solve the problem,in fact,Ill try that tomorrow.
One other problem I have had is tomtom as it has no internal media player. I was using it for gps functionality,but other than the fact that it is missing all sorts of key information on my area,like points of interest that it really should have,its very difficult to switch out of it and control media player. That means that while you can start your music and then launch the gps program you are then stuck with whatever your play list is and cant control media player. Other than that it does work well and the voice comes through fine. I switched to Garmins gps software and it works great. It does not even need to have some other app initialize the gps like tomtom does. It does not have an internal media player either,but at least its a little easier to switch out of.

im running a bt headset with a miniplug straight into my aux input in my car. works well enough to stream music and mp3s