car set up

[wcolon7]

I was wondering if people are using the device in there cars, what kind of accessories they are using and how they would rate them. My interest are playing my internet radio and music through my car radio, and also using the gps nav through the radio. Also what accesorie they are using to mount the unit in the car. Also feed back on how this all works. This is all new to me, but this is one of the main reasons I purchased this phone. Thank you all also for the replies on the battery, cant wait for the new update, but for me this phone is going to save sprints ass.

 

[blampars]

I'd like to hear peoples setups as well. I've been thinking of getting one of those fm transmitters for use in my car but am also thinking about what other options I've got available. It'll be interesting to see what you all use.

 

[wcolon7]

Glad I am not the only one, this technology is all new with me, and I like to try and stay with the times. Hope to get some gould responses.

 

[BSki]

I am lucky that my car has an Aux in headphone type jack, so I have a direct line in.

I use it for music as well as pandora. Nav is in my car, but I use google maps to check traffic.

I am looking for a cig lighter charger that has a usb port to charge it, but that also has an audio out and has a metal snake type arm that would hold the phone, charge it, and direct audio to the aux input.

I ordered one of these for my nightstand and am thinking about something very similiar for the car. I could just velcro it down and run the power to the cig lighter or fuse box.

USB AC Dual Battery Desktop Charger Cradle For HTC Hero - eBay (item 280407547160 end time Nov-07-09 18:24:51 PST)

 

[elguapo76]

I'm also interested in a car solution. I bought a brackerton mount for my car and it works great but now need a good holder/charger. I'm looking into the Proclip holder but they are not available for the Sprint Hero yet, I emailed ProClip today to see if they can tell me if the HTC myTouch holder is compatible. If it is I can route the audio either over bluetooth or a hardwire connection to my car stereo. A hardwire connection is actually harder because I have to figure out a way to connect it both to the car stereo and a separate microphone to speak on the phone. I will use the other USB jack to charge the phone into a hidden cigarette lighter under the dash that taps into a fuse.


Here is the ProClip mount:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=4954902

 

[stricklerjosh]

I would love a good car mount as well. I am somewhat new to all of this also, and part of the reason I bought this phone was for internet radio and MP3 player for my car. I have a direct hook up with the head phone jack to my car, now I just need a good cheap car charger and a good mount. ANy help would be appreciated.
Thanks in Advance!

 

[fullcity]

I'm also interested in a car solution. I bought a brackerton mount for my car and it works great but now need a good holder/charger. I'm looking into the Proclip holder but they are not available for the Sprint Hero yet, I emailed ProClip today to see if they can tell me if the HTC myTouch holder is compatible. If it is I can route the audio either over bluetooth or a hardwire connection to my car stereo. A hardwire connection is actually harder because I have to figure out a way to connect it both to the car stereo and a separate microphone to speak on the phone. I will use the other USB jack to charge the phone into a hidden cigarette lighter under the dash that taps into a fuse.


Here is the ProClip mount:
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=4954902

Here's a universal Arkon mount that has a USB dongle to charge as well. Unfortunately not a gooseneck so it looks like you can't change the distance much but might be okay for some people depending on where the lighter is located.

 

[pking]

There's a useful app on the market called 'Car Mode' - it basically turns off the headphones and routes actual calls to the mic/speakerphone. I find this much preferable to having calls route though my car speakers - it's much less distracting, and doesn't require somehow finagling a microphone tie-in to your car audio. It auto-switches back to the headphones when the call is finished as well.

For anyone contemplating using an FM transmitter - I recommend against it, especially in more urban areas. FM quality isn't very good to begin with, and when you get even the slightest bleed from an actual radio station, well, the speaker on the phone sounds better Use AUX if you have it, a tape adapter, etc. FM should be your last choice.

 

[stricklerjosh]

Has anyone found a good Car Mount for their Hero yet? If so please post where and how much and maybe some pictures.
Thanks!

 

[stimulatedboredom]

I just ordered the iGrip Universal Car Mount. Reviews on it have all been very positive, as I searched for users who commented on it outside of the product rating on the website.

iGrip Universal Fit Flexible Mount - Android Central Store

It was only $19.95 with $5 shipping, ordered it last night and it will arrive tomorrow. I will write more when I get it and include some pics of it mounted.

Mostly, I wanted something that would make using GPS easier (instead of holding the phone) and when calls come in (instead of leaving it in the center console and looking down for the alert light.

 

[cooolone2]

As luck would have it, I replaced my Car's head unit about a week prior to my Hero purchase. I have a Pioneer that is Ipod ready and uses USB ports for the Ipod cable. It also has a 3.5mm(1/8tth) Jack on the front of the unit for AUX input. I have used both, the Aux can be used to pipe audio to the unit from whatever I am using on the phone, is cool because I hear any notifications this way as well. I have also used the USB to mount my MicroSD card and play music directly from it. I have been able to handle calls on the phone in both these instances, browse the web, use GPS or Google Maps, etc. without a hitch. The USB cable is great too because it will trickle charge the phone as well! I want to get a decent mount for it but for now my car is convenient and has a perfect spot for it (temporarily) until I find one.

Regards!

 

[stimulatedboredom]

Just got my iGrip Universal Mount. Here are some pics from both sides.

So far, it is GREAT. Very sturdy, the arm is strong and does not move or bounce around easily and the suction cup is very solid, even after yanking at it a few times.

Also comes with a kit to allow mounting on the dash.

I got the universal, because (other than hero specific one not being available yet), but I can also use for my iPod etc.

Very pleased.

Would have taken pics with the phone in the holder, but...well, needed the camera on the phone itself.

 

[t1jordan]

I was wondering if people are using the device in there cars, what kind of accessories they are using and how they would rate them. My interest are playing my internet radio and music through my car radio, and also using the gps nav through the radio. Also what accesorie they are using to mount the unit in the car. Also feed back on how this all works. This is all new to me, but this is one of the main reasons I purchased this phone. Thank you all also for the replies on the battery, cant wait for the new update, but for me this phone is going to save sprints ass.

I use a Motorola car bluetooth. It plays my music, internet radio, and Sprint Nav., but for some reason If I get a call inbetween doing any of this, the bluetooth does pick up my call. i have to talk through the phone. And I dont use a mount.

 

[Dilligaf]

When I first started using the Droid in the car, I noticed that when a call came through, the sound came through the stereo (OK with me) and that I could talk normally and the other person could hear me just fine. Now, I can hear them through the car's head unit, but they can't hear me. If I pull the 3.5mm plug and talk through the phone, all's good. Did I flip a setting somewhere? I liked it fine before, as it worked hands-free without having to use Bluetooth. TIA!

 

[ChrisG27]

I'm using this:

Newegg.com - BlueAnt SuperTooth 3 Bluetooth Car Handsfree speakerphone w/ DSP Noise Cancel - Bluetooth Cell Phone Accessories


Works well so far. Everybody says I sound fine. Loud enough on my end. I haven't tried the voice dialing, answering, etc. so I'm not sure how that works. I got it for $79 before they raised the price.

I'm also using a car usb adapter for charging.

 

[PGR]

The Android v.1.5 Bluetooth firmware seems to be buggy and doesn't always work correctly with Bluetooth-ready car stereos. I have a Blaupunkt in my car which has worked perfectly with my last 3 phones but the Hero refuses to recognize it as a handsfree device (however it will stream music to it). Unfortunately, that's exactly the opposite of what I want to do.

This problem is not exclusive to the Hero and has been reported by owners of many devices running V.1.5 and earlier. It also doesn't affect all car stereos [and other multi-function Bluetooth hardware], but it seems to affect all of some models. I'm beginning to suspect that it only affects car stereos with Bluetooth 1.2 archatecture but Bluetooth 2.0 devices supposed to be backwards-compatible with Bluetooth 1.2 hardware.

Google/Android won't even acknowledge the problem, but they seem to have fixed it with Android v.1.6 and later. I'm just patiently waiting for the firmware upgrade we are supposed to be getting and using a Bluetooth headset in the meantime while I'm driving.

Pete

 

[MarkHirt]

ProClip has their very slick mount out now

Click here to see it on my 99 Cherokee
.

 

[mkhopper]

I also just put the new ProClip holder in my car last night and it works great.

I mentioned this in another thread though.... I also have the Seido Innocase case on my phone and unless I remove the lower half of the case, it doesn't fit into the ProClip holder.

 

[dbpaddler]

Not to resurrect an old thread, but I was about to start a new one. We'll see how this goes. Of course I'm biased on ProClip, but you can't find a more OEM looking solution without taking off your center dash. They are pricey, but I can always help.

My main reason for posting is that I'm sure many know of this type of charging and audio adapter for HTC phones and their extUSB connector.

Problem is they're all short and look ugly in the car having two cables sticking out of them and inch or two below the phone. If you're lucky, ProClip makes a holder for your phone that makes it like a powered dock like this:

That particular cable has a length of 15.75" which should get you safely away to making a clean install for the usb power adapter and audio cable. So with the plethora of HTC phones out there, I highly doubt they're going to make that kind of holder for all of them. So I told them they should sell the cable separately. I also told them to make an adjustable holder to work with all HTC phones with that centered connector, but that'll take more effort. In the meantime, I'm hopefully going to hear back from them this week on offering the cable separately. So for those that are interested I'll probably create a new thread when it's offered. And of course, I'll try to save you a few bucks in the process.

 

[sbutch6969]

Hi Guys,

I too am looking for a versatile charging/mount solution for my hero.

I stumbled upon this product and wondered if anyone has any experience with it?

Sprint HTC Hero Hands-Free Car Kit

I am really looking for an all in one solution but have not seem to come across one yet.

I want to be able to dock my phone, have it charge, play audio through my stereo, receive phone calls, GPS, speakerphone, etc.

Something very similar to this...without the ungodly apple pricing.

TomTom Car Kit for iPhone - Apple Store (U.S.)

Anybody run across or found a solution to accomplish all or most of these areas?

Thanks Ya'll!

 

[dbpaddler]

Unfortunately it's tough to find that all in one solution for things outside the iphone. Kinda pisses me off. It is one nice thing HTC takes a step in the right direction with their modified mini USB connector. I'm hoping I can at least get ProClip to make the universal cradle with dock connector. It's a step in the right direction and a good way to tie people to HTC phones.

I think being able to create the dock and a clean setup for charging and audio out then use something like the jabra SP700 for the speakerphone portion, then you're good to go. Keeping it separate allows you to use the speakerphone away from a power source since it has a battery.

Now if TomTom makes an app for Android, I could care less about the program, I'd probably buy the cradle if the speakerphone is as nice as the SP700. Then I'd get the ball mount for ProClip to make for a nice fixed install. And then use their suction cup when travelling. This is of course if HTC decides to jump in the slider game with Android.

Though I'd definitely use that HTC hands free kit and forget the speaker built into the adapter. I'd hide that puppy away, wrap up that second cord it uses for audio, and run my own 3.5 cord from the cradle to the aux in on my car. Then use my SP700 for the speakerphone and nav.

 

[Shouse]

Just got my iGrip Universal Mount. Here are some pics from both sides.

So far, it is GREAT. Very sturdy, the arm is strong and does not move or bounce around easily and the suction cup is very solid, even after yanking at it a few times.

Also comes with a kit to allow mounting on the dash.

I got the universal, because (other than hero specific one not being available yet), but I can also use for my iPod etc.

Very pleased.

Would have taken pics with the phone in the holder, but...well, needed the camera on the phone itself.

I WANT PICTURES WITH THE PHONE IN THE MOUNT!!!!
AND PICTURES USING THE DASH MOUNT!!!

seriously though, would be much appreciated. I'm looking for a good dash mount.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

dbpaddler, I don't think that is for the Hero. The Hero has a headphone jack, the unit you have pictured is for the Mogul/Touch Pro/Touch Pro 2 which do not have a separate headphone jack.

As far as a mount, I find my trucks console works very well since my head unit will answer/disconnect from it's touch screen.

 

[dbpaddler]

you're trying to minimize the cables running out of your phone. It's all about creating a clean install. And HTC using their extUSB connector provides for normal usb out AND audio through that connector which creates more of a line out rather than headphone out. So it's a slightly cleaner signal because you're using the base audio signal and not one running through a tiny headphone amp for the headphone jack. So I don't know about you, but I'd prefer one cable running from my phone as opposed to two. Just more crap to plug and unplug and prevents making a nice simple in and out dock ala all the iphone ones out there.

I also said, "like this". I want them to make one like that. Never said that one was for the Hero. And if you make an adjustable version you're not locked into the Hero. If/when you upgrade to another HTC phone, you'd be good to go with the same dock.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

I have no cable clutter, it is all bluetooth!

Sorry, missed that point.