New Bluetooth HU's?

[eulogious]

Has anyone tried any of the new Kenwood bluetooth stuff? Specifically the BT300 module or the older modules? I want the hands free calling and music streaming features.

Here's the HU I want to upgrade to so I can use the BT module, my current HU doesn't support BT.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-9iZktA9x4P ... V-700.html

And here's the module:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT300/K ... tml?tp=158

The main reason I am considering upgrading is because they just passed a law saying that you cannot talk on your phone and drive at the same time, or you can get a ticket. And yes the new law is that they can give you a ticket JUST for talking on your phone while driving, and it's a moving violation. This is in WA state. So I now have an interest in BT HU's. I don't want a BT ear piece, I gave my wife my super nice one because I didn't like it in my ear, and the speaker phone part of my phone doesn't cut while driving with all the road noise.

Now I could get the bigger brother to the KIV-700, the KIV-900 with built in BT, but the KIV-900 doesn't support the A2DP profile for music streaming, while the BT300 module does. So that's why I want the module instead of having it built in. I have an iPhone and I want to be able to stream my music wirelessly AND be able to answer my phone using my HU, and this seems to be the best way to go.

The reason why I chose Kenwood is because I have had nothing but awesome luck with my Kenwood units. I have pioneer and clarion HU's in the past, but nothing compares to my Kenwood for the price. So I am pretty much bent on using Kenwood stuff for my HU, unless you guys can point me in another/better direction

So ya, any insight to anyone using BT in the HU would be good! I want to go this route, and my stepdad might want to as well, so any tips or opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

[smgreen20]

My next HU is looking to be the Clarion NZ700. Bluetooth built in.

[eulogious]

My next HU is looking to be the Clarion NZ700. Bluetooth built in.

I couldn't fine the nz700, only the nx700, same thing? If they are the same that's a nice unit, but for 3x the price! It also doesn't do music streaming. The nz500 does do music streaming, but it does not display track info via the HU, unlike the kenwood unit which does. Keep in mind I am only referring to BT, not using a cable. I want hands free everything, and the kenwood unit does it for alot less.

It's a nice nav unit for sure though!

[gridracer]

They passed that law here too effective Jan. 1st 2010 I don't wanna different HU than my 9887 so I am gonna upgrade my tom tom to a garmin that has bluetooth.

[eulogious]

I guess I should also say what HU I have now I have the Kenwood x869.



It's a great HU I love it, and I actually own 2 of them, the other one is in my wife's car. Then this one is going back into my MR2 that does not have a stereo at all. So I love the HU, there is nothing wrong with it, it's just older technology, and I want BT but my deck doesn't support the module. So since BT actually obtainable for a decent price now, I might as well updgrade. Then when you add the fact that a new law just went into effect this month, it really makes me want to upgrade. That and new toys are always fun, especially since you can "justify" it with the wife

I really don't care about navigation, because I have an iphone 3g, soon to be iphone 4 , that has a GPS in it, so it gets me where I need to go, and it's my ipod, and it's my phone as well. So that's why I really don't care about having a big screen or navigation, and why I am upgrading as well so I can take full advantage of my iphone, especially since I actually use it as my ipod as well. I also don't have a ton of money, so keeping it cheaper is good too. I can get the HU and the module for about $380 shipped from evilbay, so that's a good deal

[dedlyjedly]

I deal with Kenwood decks and the KCA-BT300 all the time. The parrot bluetooth has always been the best system that has been integrated into any brand of head unit. If I could bring myself to own a "mech-less" unit the KIV-BT900 would be right at the top of my list. You are correct about the about the lack of bluetooth audio streaming, but to be honest I greatly prefer to plug in through the provided dock connector. You gain charge capability and get a physical audio connection which is always good in my book when it comes to potential performance.

I have always loved Kenwood Excelon head units, but I must say that those 3D-masks like on your old unit were a thorn in my side. People seem to like them when they're working, but the flap is just much too fragile for the typical user and I ended up sending a ton of them back to Kenwood.

[eulogious]

I deal with Kenwood decks and the KCA-BT300 all the time. The parrot bluetooth has always been the best system that has been integrated into any brand of head unit. If I could bring myself to own a "mech-less" unit the KIV-BT900 would be right at the top of my list. You are correct about the about the lack of bluetooth audio streaming, but to be honest I greatly prefer to plug in through the provided dock connector. You gain charge capability and get a physical audio connection which is always good in my book when it comes to potential performance.

I have always loved Kenwood Excelon head units, but I must say that those 3D-masks like on your old unit were a thorn in my side. People seem to like them when they're working, but the flap is just much too fragile for the typical user and I ended up sending a ton of them back to Kenwood.

That's weird about the issues with the face plate. I got mine in early 2003 and I have not had a single issue with it. It's been in 3 different cars as well. Then I bought my wife's about a year later and it has zero problems. Maybe I am just lucky, but they work great for me!

Good to know that the parrot stuff is good. I was curious about that, so thanks for that info!

Now what do you mean by "mech-less"? You mean no CD player? I am guessing you mean like no moving parts, but that's just a guess.

I agree that a solid cable connection is best, but since I have to connect the phone up to BT for calls, it would just be handy if I didn't have to plug in all the time. I will still have the cable to at least charge it because that only makes sense, but if I am just doing my 10 min drive to work, then it would be sweet to not have to connect or disconnect anything inorder to use my ipod.

How long does it take to reconnect once it's disconnected? Have you tried the wireless audio streaming? I am curious if you could give a break down of it, since you have used the stuff.

Thanks all for the info so far!

[dedlyjedly]

The 3D-mask units worked well when handled properly. The problem wasn't with the Kenoood decks, but that the typical customer doesn't take nearly as nice of care of their equipment as most of us on the phorum would and do. They would get bumped and the gearing on the motorized flap would easily become misaligned.

You got it, "mech-less" is some industry jargon for a head unit that doesn't have the mechanisms necessary for CD playback.

How long does it take to reconnect once it's disconnected? Have you tried the wireless audio streaming? I am curious if you could give a break down of it, since you have used the stuff.

I assume your asking about disconnecting and reconnecting the bluetooth with different bluetooth profiles. I have used several different Kenwood units with bluetooth audio streaming, but not the one your considering because of the two mech-less Kenwood models, we ONLY carry the KIV-BT900! And while I have used bluetooth streaming for customers, I haven't ever done it personally or on a daily basis, so I'M not the best person to ask how seamlessly the audio streaming, handsfree, etc. all come together.

I would recommend you go get intimate with a fully functioning demo model at a retailer, although it may be tough to find that specific combo you're looking for. They're fairly new products and most demos w/ bluetooth will be the BT900. If you're lucky enough to see it in action, or find a salesman that is more helpful than I was buy it from him! The low prices on ebay are always tempting, but if someone truly goes above and beyond to solve your problem and answer your questions haven't they added value to the product you were planning on purchasing? If you aren't lucky enough to find a salesman that is actually useful, my final recommendation would be to buy it from the authorized dealer with the lowest price.

[eulogious]

The 3D-mask units worked well when handled properly. The problem wasn't with the Kenoood decks, but that the typical customer doesn't take nearly as nice of care of their equipment as most of us on the phorum would and do. They would get bumped and the gearing on the motorized flap would easily become misaligned.

You got it, "mech-less" is some industry jargon for a head unit that doesn't have the mechanisms necessary for CD playback.

How long does it take to reconnect once it's disconnected? Have you tried the wireless audio streaming? I am curious if you could give a break down of it, since you have used the stuff.

I assume your asking about disconnecting and reconnecting the bluetooth with different bluetooth profiles. I have used several different Kenwood units with bluetooth audio streaming, but not the one your considering because of the two mech-less Kenwood models, we ONLY carry the KIV-BT900! And while I have used bluetooth streaming for customers, I haven't ever done it personally or on a daily basis, so I'M not the best person to ask how seamlessly the audio streaming, handsfree, etc. all come together.

I would recommend you go get intimate with a fully functioning demo model at a retailer, although it may be tough to find that specific combo you're looking for. They're fairly new products and most demos w/ bluetooth will be the BT900. If you're lucky enough to see it in action, or find a salesman that is more helpful than I was buy it from him! The low prices on ebay are always tempting, but if someone truly goes above and beyond to solve your problem and answer your questions haven't they added value to the product you were planning on purchasing? If you aren't lucky enough to find a salesman that is actually useful, my final recommendation would be to buy it from the authorized dealer with the lowest price.

Cool man, thanks for all the info and the honesty! That's a good idea to go to a store and play with some of the stuff and ask questions. Then I at least have some what of an idea of how it all works. I do know that bluetooth audio streaming is pretty sweet when implemented correctly. I saw it in action in a 2010 Acura MDX using a iphone 3gs, and it was super cool. It connected up quickly, and then started streaming the music. My buddy is also programming for the new ford sync stuff, and he says that the audio streaming they have done and are using in their test cars is super cool with the iphone as well. So I am only guessing that the Kenwood units would be somewhat similar in implementaion, espeically since they already have parrot on board for the phone side of things, so I really don't see them mucking up the audio streaming too much.

Is there an alternative out there that will do the same thing? I am open to any and all ideas, I just started with kenwood because I have one and love it. The Clarion HU is nice but too pricey, but is there a cheaper one out there that someone has used?

[Audiophiliac]

Damn stupid law if you ask me. The problems caused by people talking on their phones and driving are not related to how many hands are being used. It is simply that they are paying attention to the conversation they are having and not to driving.

Having a hand free of a phone will not help these people. It will simply give them an excuse to do something else while driving AND talking on the phone. Now they can do their nails, brush their hair, pluck eyebrows, install makeup, etc.....

Its all about paying attention. Some people can multi-task...others cannot.

[tonym]

Damn stupid law if you ask me. The problems caused by people talking on their phones and driving are not related to how many hands are being used. It is simply that they are paying attention to the conversation they are having and not to driving.

Having a hand free of a phone will not help these people. It will simply give them an excuse to do something else while driving AND talking on the phone. Now they can do their nails, brush their hair, pluck eyebrows, install makeup, etc.....

Its all about paying attention. Some people can multi-task...others cannot.

Yup....most shit happens when they look to dial or look to text...

[eulogious]

So nobody has used any bluetooth integrated stuff in their car?

Looks like the kenwood stuff is the shit then, and I will just stick with it! Can't argue with "tried and true"!