Your plans to pair Incredible with car stereo

[enviroprof]

I'm about to upgrade my car stereo, and for about $30 to $70 more I can go with a bluetooth version, so I can stream music and hopefully books from audible.com as soon a they develop the app. I am planning to get the Verizon car dock or something similar to use the Google Nav. From reading posts in the Nexus One threads, the N1 streams music and phone calls well using bluetooth, and will pause music for nav instructions or a call.

Is it safe to assume the Incredible would work the same way? Also, I'd like to hear how others are planning to use their Incredible in the car. Ideally I'd like to drop the phone into the dock with the minimum of connecting charging cables, syncing cables, etc.

 

[jamesdean]

I use a bluetooth headset for calls but connect to my car audio via cable. I can confirm the audio from streaming music will mute on incoming calls or navigation instructions and I assume the same would be true for bluetooth.

 

[Point08]

I use a Kenwood KDC-X692 head unit
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X692 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Currently I have it connected to a Sirius radio dock and after I get my phone I'm going to have to decide if I want to continue using that radio. or if I want to use Sirius's online radio over 3G. If I do that, I'll be able to remove the satellite radio dock and install an in-car bluetooth system.

I already have a dock set up in my car with a mini USB charger (I'll have to get a micro) and a 3.5mm phone jack that goes to the radio's Aux port. This particular head unit allows 2-zone speaker use, so the device on the 3.5mm phone jack can be set to use the front or rear speakers, and you can still use the radio, CD, USB, etc out of the other set. I've found this is nice for navigation...I don't have to shut off the music to the car but I can get clear directions out of the front speakers.

The dock I have in the car is your typical "clamp" sides type of dock. It's a high quality one with a metal bracket, thick foam, and sturdy plastic....but it's still not a specialized dock.

So, that's my basic plan for my car setup.

 

[enviroprof]

I use a Kenwood KDC-X692 head unit
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X692 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Currently I have it connected to a Sirius radio dock and after I get my phone I'm going to have to decide if I want to continue using that radio. or if I want to use Sirius's online radio over 3G. If I do that, I'll be able to remove the satellite radio dock and install an in-car bluetooth system.

I already have a dock set up in my car with a mini USB charger (I'll have to get a micro) and a 3.5mm phone jack that goes to the radio's Aux port. This particular head unit allows 2-zone speaker use, so the device on the 3.5mm phone jack can be set to use the front or rear speakers, and you can still use the radio, CD, USB, etc out of the other set. I've found this is nice for navigation...I don't have to shut off the music to the car but I can get clear directions out of the front speakers.

The dock I have in the car is your typical "clamp" sides type of dock. It's a high quality one with a metal bracket, thick foam, and sturdy plastic....but it's still not a specialized dock.

So, that's my basic plan for my car setup.

I wouldn't have guessed you could separate the speakers like that. It won't work in my pickup, because there are only two door speakers, but it would work in my other car, a Mazdaspeed 6. I'm not sure what to do with the Mazda. It has a humungous stereo with six-cd changer, and it is really expensive to replace with an aftermarket model. Unfortunately, it doesn't have even an aux or usb port in the front (surprising for a 2006). It would be great to find a bluetooth module that would plug into the back where the Sirius port is. I have seen a couple bluetooth adaptors, but some are very cumbersome and include controls that have to be attached to the steering wheel or dash.

 

[Jakaro]

I wouldn't have guessed you could separate the speakers like that. It won't work in my pickup, because there are only two door speakers, but it would work in my other car, a Mazdaspeed 6. I'm not sure what to do with the Mazda. It has a humungous stereo with six-cd changer, and it is really expensive to replace with an aftermarket model. Unfortunately, it doesn't have even an aux or usb port in the front (surprising for a 2006). It would be great to find a bluetooth module that would plug into the back where the Sirius port is. I have seen a couple bluetooth adaptors, but some are very cumbersome and include controls that have to be attached to the steering wheel or dash.

I have an '05 Mazda 3, with the six disk changer, i was looking up bluetooth install kits, and its $120 plus install price for the cheapest one. i was told i could get a cable hooked up to the Tape/MD button and ran through the dash, im sure that would be a lot cheaper. but its wired! so IDK i want my phone to play music through my nice steareo

 

[aevanee]

I just ordered:
Amazon.com: Sony MEXBT5700U CD Receiver Bluetooth Hands-Free and Audio Streaming Capability (Black): Electronics

I like how it has AVRCP 1.3 support so it will display the album title/artist name from bluetooth devices. It also has a USB jack on the front panel for other mp3 player/ipod connectivity, and claims to be able to charge an iphone through this as well. I'm hopeful that means I'll be able to charge my incredible through it also but we will see.

I'll also be using a dashboard mount for navigation purposes.

 

[ChiTownJim]

My Rover has a Harmon Kardon factory unit with 6disc changer in the rear and luckly a tape deck in the headunit I use a simple tape adapter sounds so much better then FM Transmitters and is very reliable been using the same adapter for 5 years in 2 diffrent cars.
My old Honda Element that wsaa a work vehicle had an aux jack which was by far the best sound quality wish my new work van had aux or tape but no just CD (I don't even own CDs anymore lol)

 

[kyler13]

I have this little unit (can't remember the company) that interfaces directly with my 2001 Civic's head unit via the CD changer connection. I use it with a direct connection to my ipod touch, charges and streams the music digitally straight to the head unit. I also have a pair of stereo analog inputs on the little unit so I could use that to get the music from my phone, but I'd hate to do it via analog. Would be nice if they made something out there that does the same thing but provides a bluetooth A2DP wireless connection point and converts to a standard wired digital input such as this. I'd like to retire my ipod touch to my home. Trying to consolidate the number of devices I carry around.

 

[jikhead]

If you're wanting to stream music from the phone, make sure the stereo you buy supports streaming music via bluetooth. Not all do this.

 

[DataSchmuck]

I plan on using the same cassette tape adapter I've been using for the past 10 years.

I'll get the official mount from Verizon, and probably that little usb power adapter from walmart.

 

[asuwookie]

I have a Motorola Blue Tooth/FM Transmitter (model t505) that I just clip on the visor - Can change to just about any fm station and has worked really well. The sell in the office stores for around $100 but you can probably find one on line for $50 But I got mine from Ebay for about $20

 

[Jakaro]

I tried one of those FM transmitters a while back, and it had such poor quality i returned it while still in the best buy parking lot.. Have they got better?

 

[Opivyattack]

I'll probably be plugging mine in. I thought about going bluetooth but there was several drawbacks. The store may cost more, but I would have to spend in a aux cable anyways so that pretty much evens out. The bad thing is that you can't charge of course via BT so I don't see how it would work on long road trips. Using the radio and nav I just don't think that the battery could keep up. I also don't want to get to work everyday with 1/2 a battery (1 hr commute each way). I don't want to buy a charging cable and a BT stereo so that's why I'll probably just be plugging mine in. The seamless streaming via BT would really be cool though since I've never done it.

 

[Jakaro]

Most likely, i have an RCA to headphone jack, and hook it up to my Tape/MD button on my Mazda. just need to pull the Deck out and do it myself, or see how cheap it is to get it installed

 

[theotherrogue]

I'm about to upgrade my car stereo, and for about $30 to $70 more I can go with a bluetooth version, so I can stream music and hopefully books from audible.com as soon a they develop the app. I am planning to get the Verizon car dock or something similar to use the Google Nav. From reading posts in the Nexus One threads, the N1 streams music and phone calls well using bluetooth, and will pause music for nav instructions or a call.

Is it safe to assume the Incredible would work the same way? Also, I'd like to hear how others are planning to use their Incredible in the car. Ideally I'd like to drop the phone into the dock with the minimum of connecting charging cables, syncing cables, etc.

Bluetooth is a terrible decision for audio on your car speakers, if you care about sound quality at all.

 

[theotherrogue]

I have an '05 Mazda 3, with the six disk changer, i was looking up bluetooth install kits, and its $120 plus install price for the cheapest one. i was told i could get a cable hooked up to the Tape/MD button and ran through the dash, im sure that would be a lot cheaper. but its wired! so IDK i want my phone to play music through my nice steareo

I have this XCarLink unit (XCarLink iPod Integration Kit for Mazda - Revolution Performance Motorsports!) which I have used in my 2006 Mazda 3 for years. It has an 3.5mm stereo input, and an iPod connector. The sound quality is phenomenal and the integration is the best your going to get (just press the CD button twice to get the input). I've used it mostly for my iPod, but the stereo-in works great as well. Installation is simple.

 

[malice]

I currently use a pioneer AVIC F700BT. As far as streaming audio, my touch pro doesnt support that (and it would be to damn slow anyway). However the head unit has both SD and USB, so I keep all of my mp3s on flash drives in the glove box. I do use hands free calling which is amazing. I will continue to use it just for that basically, as the AVIC also has nav.

 

[dm33]

Bluetooth is a terrible decision for audio on your car speakers, if you care about sound quality at all.

Why? Its a digital link. Assuming you get a good connection, which you should given how close they are, the transfer should be perfect. Much better than an analog connection could be.

 

[volstuckinnc]

I just ordered:
Amazon.com: Sony MEXBT5700U CD Receiver Bluetooth Hands-Free and Audio Streaming Capability (Black): Electronics

I like how it has AVRCP 1.3 support so it will display the album title/artist name from bluetooth devices. It also has a USB jack on the front panel for other mp3 player/ipod connectivity, and claims to be able to charge an iphone through this as well. I'm hopeful that means I'll be able to charge my incredible through it also but we will see.

I'll also be using a dashboard mount for navigation purposes.

I have a cheaper Sony head unit with the USB connector. I currently have my MP3 player plugged into it and it stays charged and has great play quality. Downside is it looks at the device as a flash drive, so it might interfere with using the phone features while it's plugged in. It also has a 3.5 mm aux input that won't charge the device but won't interfere with using the phone, either. I may go that route and then use a separate USB charger into one of the 9V sockets on the dash to keep it charged.

 

[sjones765]

I use a Kenwood KDC-X692 head unit
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X692 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Currently I have it connected to a Sirius radio dock and after I get my phone I'm going to have to decide if I want to continue using that radio. or if I want to use Sirius's online radio over 3G. If I do that, I'll be able to remove the satellite radio dock and install an in-car bluetooth system.

I already have a dock set up in my car with a mini USB charger (I'll have to get a micro) and a 3.5mm phone jack that goes to the radio's Aux port. This particular head unit allows 2-zone speaker use, so the device on the 3.5mm phone jack can be set to use the front or rear speakers, and you can still use the radio, CD, USB, etc out of the other set. I've found this is nice for navigation...I don't have to shut off the music to the car but I can get clear directions out of the front speakers.

The dock I have in the car is your typical "clamp" sides type of dock. It's a high quality one with a metal bracket, thick foam, and sturdy plastic....but it's still not a specialized dock.

So, that's my basic plan for my car setup.

Im not sure why you have Sirius, but I'm in the same boat. I am leaning away from Sirius with what is appearing to be the retiring of Howard. Although with Bubba building a larger studio, they both may be going to podcast, just like adam. Which there are apps to download podcasts to your phone already. For me I think Sirius wore out its welcome by screwing with Bubba and Howard. Who wants to listen to Martha Stewart and Oprah anyway?!!!

 

[asuwookie]

I tried one of those FM transmitters a while back, and it had such poor quality i returned it while still in the best buy parking lot.. Have they got better?

I don't think it's the transmitter - I think it's the FM stations interfering with the signle. I find this really problematic in larger metro areas and the FM transmitter pretty much unless while traveling in a car in those areas. I'm in a pretty rural area and have used it when commuting to work without changing the station or on longer road trips. Sometimes you have to change the station a few times but it gets the job done.

 

[XxICEMAN720xX]

I tried one of those FM transmitters a while back, and it had such poor quality i returned it while still in the best buy parking lot.. Have they got better?

I've been using fm transmitters for my music for a couple years- varying results. The trick is finding a good station with little interference.

 

[enviroprof]

I have this XCarLink unit (XCarLink iPod Integration Kit for Mazda - Revolution Performance Motorsports!) which I have used in my 2006 Mazda 3 for years. It has an 3.5mm stereo input, and an iPod connector. The sound quality is phenomenal and the integration is the best your going to get (just press the CD button twice to get the input). I've used it mostly for my iPod, but the stereo-in works great as well. Installation is simple.

Thanks for the link. I was looking at their web page and noticed they are backordered, but it looks like it will do the trick. I'll just have to disconnect the Sirius, which I quit using a couple years ago. With Pandora and a new Incredible, who needs it. I did notice that one of the options was a bluetooth option, which I'll have to explore.

 

[enviroprof]

I'll probably be plugging mine in. I thought about going bluetooth but there was several drawbacks. The store may cost more, but I would have to spend in a aux cable anyways so that pretty much evens out. The bad thing is that you can't charge of course via BT so I don't see how it would work on long road trips. Using the radio and nav I just don't think that the battery could keep up. I also don't want to get to work everyday with 1/2 a battery (1 hr commute each way). I don't want to buy a charging cable and a BT stereo so that's why I'll probably just be plugging mine in. The seamless streaming via BT would really be cool though since I've never done it.

That's a good point about the charging. If you need to plug it in anyway for charging, then is sort of defeats the purpose to have BT, unless you really want to do hands free calling through your stereo and not the phone itself while it is in the car dock. I guess hands free would be cool with your stereo on shorter everyday trips, so you could leave the phone in your pocket, holster, etc.

 

[Scooter70]

I have Sync in my Ford Fusion so I usually stream via Bluetooth in that car. The Sync system is great in that you can also play via 3.5mm cable or, for music stored on the phone, you can use a USB cable and then control everything right from the head unit. The bonus of doing it this way is that it charges the phone at the same time.

In my GTO, I wired in a 3.5mm cable to the factory head unit.