The Scala-Rider FM is a great little unit if you want to be distracted while riding your motorcycle.
This little gem has a detachable logic module that holds the battery so you don't have to plug the charger into the helmet. The sound quality on both the Bluetooth and the FM modes is great
(FM sensitivity isn't that great, so you might only get a few local stations)
Is this stereo? The pictures I've found of it show 2 speakers but I can't find anything that says it's stereo. I currently have the BT Scala-Rider and it works flawlessly, but I would upgrade for the stereo and FM. I could use the FM to listen to my XM, instead of the seperate cabled headphones I use now. Plus it would automatically stop the XM sound when I make/get a call, I have to shut off the XM unit manually now so I can hear the call.
Thanks,
Mike H
I've been eying the Scala Rider too... Do you know if you get two can you BT link to your passenger or do you have to get the dual version for the BT passenger talking?
Oh, and how is BT quality with the Scala Rider and the Kaiser? Can you listen to voice instructions from GPS software on the phone as well as phone calls and music?
Not that I'm into too many distractions while riding, but it would be nice to be able to field phone calls w/o removing my helmet after pulling over.
Related
I'm considering putting a new stero in the car but if I do I want to get one with bluetooth that will work with my XV6800. Does anyone out there have one that they are happy with? Handsfree dialing, access to contacts and streaming MP3s to the stereo would all be nice features to have.
Try Sony radios?
Me and my wife have the Sony BT2600 each. Reasonably priced below 200 and will bluetooth phone and stream audio as well (she has the Instinct and I have the htc 6800). You can't upload contacts to the radio but it will use the voice tags stored on your phone. The radio has a built in mic with abilty to adjust mic level from low to high. I love when I stream mp3's/listen to radio stations, the radio cuts to the phone and then resumes when u hang up. The phone's ringtone doesn't play through the speakers. Instead, a series of beeps play through the speakers alerting you to the call.
My wife's phone/audio connects to the radio automatically when her stereo is on. Mine, however, will connect the phone automatically, but I have to manually connect the bluetoothed audio. Not a problem though, all I have to do is press button 6 on the stereo and it will automatically connect the last device. For a budget stereo, I don't know what I'd do without it : )
Best Buy does have some Bluetooth stereos (that's where I got ours) but beware. Some stereos are bluetooth ready and need an adapter/accessory to bring bluetooth functionality to the stereo.
I had read a few reviews of the Sony units where people say that people they are talking to through the stereo couldn't hear them well. Some of them thought it was because of the placement of the microphone on the stereo. Do you not have any issues talking to people through yours?
Found this on feabay today, think it is a very nice idea, and very cheap
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-FM-TRANSM...14&_trkparms=72:1300|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318
Regards
Rich
Ever Tried it??
I Read the page and it kind of looks weird.. it says the charger does not charge the phone just the transmitter.. Also it lacks a picture of the appropriate connector..
Just wondering if anybody else has tried it?
I have ordered one, and will let you know when it arrives
I would say it does power the handset too, and the connector is Mini USB.
I have one and with the Pro it has a bug to activate the voicelabel when i play my MP3's
Photo
It seems that you could get it caught in a feeback loop if you have the FM radio set to listen to the station that you are trying to transmit on.
Wonder what it would do?...hmmm.
ktwildchild said:
It seems that you could get it caught in a feeback loop if you have the FM radio set to listen to the station that you are trying to transmit on.
Wonder what it would do?...hmmm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well since you need headphones plugged in or the FM radio won't work, I don't think you could find out!
The Motorola T505 is really nice, though a little pricey. Its basically a bluetooth speakerphone with an FM transmitter.
So your music and calls use BT A2DP, then the T505 broadcasts that over an FM station. It'll even pick the best station and tell you to tune to it. If you're listening to music and a call comes in, it'll pause the music announce the number, and if you answer it, it'll play the call over your car speakers (like OnStar).
I've used it on a 5+ hour trip and never had to charge it, I forgot how long the battery is rated for.
In my car i´ve a CD Changer Radio without a cd changer connected. Those radios have a connection possibility (the normal connector to the changer) at the rear, where you can connect a cable which ends in a 2,5 mm (we call it "klinkenstecker", i dont know the english word). So you can buy an adapter from USB to 2,5 mm "klinke", and your TP gives great sound, in my opinion its better than the car radio ... The manufactor of the connector is called HAMA
Greetz
Boris
P.S.: sorry for my bad english
Phone music through car stereo plus a lot more using iTech Stereo clip
I wrote a similar post a few montsh back (almost a year) in the Tilt section.
a very nifty way is getting a A2DP stereo BT headset connected to the car.
Easy as 1-2-3 if you have a car stereo with either AUX or so called iPod input (eeek). Most of these inputs are either in the center console or armrest storage compartment.
How to Step-1 (Music and Navi):
Get a cheap but good working BT headset with std. headphone out (3.5mm). I use an iTech clip 35 for example.
Get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, if you want to have handsfree at the same time get a LONG cable.
Connect iTech with AUX through cable
Start BT and activate A2DP profile (also known as stereo headset in some devices).
Start BT and AudioManager at phone and enjoy music through your car stereo.
Since A2DP will route ALL output to the BT device and therefore AUX input of your car you may listen to your voice navigation as well. Cool thing Tilt and Raphael will play music while Navi is active and mute music for Navi directions and come back...to music.
How to Step-2 (Music, Navi, Handsfree):
If you use a long 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable you can route the cable and iTech clip somewhere near your head (visor) or even behind the little grid MOST cars have meanwhile regardless if they are equipped with a handsfree BT option or not (take a look at the overhead light and consult with a good shop manual in most cases there is enough space).
Mount the clip and - voila - here is your handsfree.
Hint, if you permanently install the iTech clip extend the charging cable and use a cigarette lighter with USB port to charge.
why not use the cab bt to head phones. and mount the ptt funtion to turn on the app to forward the audio to your bt car system then no wires
Agreed but BTAudio and BTToggle messes with the phone, so how do you pick up a call?
FMTalk unit suffers from alternator whine interference
Jimllfixit said:
Found this on feabay today, think it is a very nice idea, and very cheap
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-FM-TRANSM...14&_trkparms=72:1300|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318
Regards
Rich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had my PURE Highway In-Car DAB Digital Radio FM Transmitter stolen which I mainly used to transmit my TP MP3's to the car radio and needed a replacement.
So I bought a FMTalk unit for use in my 3 year old Renault Laguna but it picks up alternator whine interference and crackles too.
I tried these too but had the same whine
Belkin TuneCast II
Sendai XM800 FM Transmitter
In the end I got a Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus which works a treat at a reasonable price although it doesn't have the phone talk function like the more pricey Motorola T505 or Parrot MK6100.
The main point was that the FMTalk unit suffers from alternator whine interference
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!
I have cause to use the FM radio but listen with a bluetooth A2DP headset. The bluetooth headset says it is connected for media and phone audio. However, the FM radio audio does not get redirected. How do I enable this? Is there an alternate FM radio app that will direct the sound to the bluetooth headset?
And before you guys jump on it, yes in fact there is a cable attached to the headphone jack for antenna. I just don't want to have to use a wired headphone to listen.
little background:
I like to listen to a particular radio station while I ride my bike. I also like to use my phone's GPS feature with a bicycle computer app while it is mounted to the stem on the bike. So it is terribly inconvenient to have a cable running from my ears to the phone while it is mounted on the bike. I built an antenna cable for the phone that connects to the stem cap bolt on the bike, using the bike's steel fork as an antenna. It works brilliantly with the phone's FM radio set to "Speaker", but when you set it to "headset", it doesn't redirect the sound to the bluetooth headset.
It seems too me that the phone is thinking (yes, thinking lol) that it has a headset plugged in and is trying too out put the audio via the headphone port... I kind of know how you feel because wires while riding a bike is quite cumbersome. It clearly seems like an overlooked problem, but most definitely can be fixed via software. I've been looking at bluetooth headsets for a while now, and this seems relavant to my interests... Good luck...
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App