Looking for something that Meh-mbers are uniquely qualified to recommend...

@PlacidPenguin There is no aux port on my car. If there was, I’d have done that ages ago. It has a multi cd player in the trunk, plus some other possible connections, also in the trunk. My car is 16 years old and has a proprietary stereo (BMW)

@huja seconded. Other benefits of doing it this way are that you get features like disabling music output when you get a call. You could also spend a bit more for a unit with a screen that mirrors your phone for in dash navigation and the like. No carpet involved!

@huja take caution with newer cars. Sometimes they have the door chime, turn signal sound, and other computer functions built into the head unit. Depending on the car, replacing the unit could require adapters and extra effort. I had to add a chime box that made the sounds and kept the radio on after shutting car off and before opening door ( like the stock unit did). I also had to add something for the steering wheel controls. AND I lost satellite radio with the new unit. (Don’t use it)

@jbartus It’s a 16 year old BMW, no way to replace the stereo.

@medz Because of all those things, I’d start with Crutchfield. You can actually speak to a specialist before you buy anything. That’s what I did to discuss what HU I should buy in order to get the functionality I wanted. Also, my car has an integrated dash and it took some custom parts (which they stocked and sold to be for next to nothing since I bought my stereo from them). You could also visit some sites dedicated to enthusiasts of your car make and model. There will undoubtedly be a thread on aftermarket stereo head units.

@huja yes, crutchfield is the tits. They always include free install instructions for your car. Usually free adapters too. (antenna and wire bracket) you can find the head unit cheaper elsewhere, but the extras balance it out.

@medz I worry how they are doing in this current retail environment. They can’t match amazon in price and hiring U.S.-based, trained specialists to help customers costs them money. Even as big a fan as I am, I only buy car stereo set ups from them once a decade. Plus, I’m not sure how much of the DYI-spirit still exists among those younger than my generation. I hope really Crutchfield survives.

@Fuzzalini what about your BMW makes this unfeasible? Year/Model? O.o

Not trying to be pushy but it seems like you want a perfect solution that isn’t really going to happen without a head unit swap. Sure you can mount a speaker somewhere if you really want to but it’s not going to be anywhere near an integrated solution. Whenever you get a call you’re gonna have to reach over and shut off your music so you don’t blast the people you’re talking too with your tunes. Conversely using it for both music and phone will not give you nearly the listening experience as having multiple speakers around you does with your car stereo, never mind is the likely imense difference in driver size between the car stereo and any bluetooth speaker small enough to mount somewhere unobtrusively.

If youre insistant on a bluetooth speaker option all I can say is i’m immensely happy with my bose sounddock mini.

@jbartus 2001 3-series.

@huja

@huja 41 Stereo HU’s with Bluetooth options under $100 that will fit at Crutchfield. For an addition four bucks, they’ll include a custom bezel piece for this specific car, wiring harness, antenna adapter, instructions, misc hardware and phone support from a trained tech.

@huja exactly where I was headed. I like this one personally.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X4900BT/Pioneer-DEH-X4900BT.html?tp=72310&avf=Y

@jbartus That’s a shit-ton of functionality for a hundred bucks. Plus it’ll be a seamless install with integration with existing speakers.

@huja shame it seems like OP has moved on

@jbartus Welp. Maybe the thread will inspire someone else to upgrade their dated HU.

@medz

That would solve the power problem.

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@Fuzzalini

They have dual port cigarette adapter FM transmitters…

@PlacidPenguin Tried the fm transmitter, it sounds like shit because the antenna sits on top of the trunk.

@PlacidPenguin The last one I got didn’t even connect, wouldn’t work at all. The fm transmitter that I put in the tape player also sucked.

@Fuzzalini This is what I use in my 2002 Blazer and 2008 Impala: Mpow Bluetooth FM Transmitter, MP3 Player & Hands-free Calling & Radio Car Kit with TF Card Slot. Frequently on Flash Deal at Amazon, I paid about $15 each. It supports Bluetooth connection to your phone, OR Aux connection via a cable to the headphone jack for better sound quality (Aux from phone to the device, then FM transmission to the radio)

I have one in each vehicle, and they pair via Bluetooth automatically without any trouble. The sound quality is good. Not audiophile superior, but good. Sound quality improves with use of the Aux cable, but I prefer the convenience of Bluetooth.

@ruouttaurmind Two-fer <$13

@huja Excellent! Thank you for the pointer. Ordered. I have a third vehicle I’ll put one in, and give the other to my flatmate for his birthday next month. Great timing.

This is worthy of the May Deals topic if you’d like to post there?

@ruouttaurmind Nah, you deserve the glory in the May Deals thread. Go ahead and post over there.

@moondrake no aux port, so, bummer.

@moondrake

There’s an app on my phone which I use while driving.

It automatically starts up (along with music app) when I connect to the Bluetooth receiver in my car.

By default when there are audio alerts the music goes in the background, though there’s an option to pause music instead.

I usually have audio alerts from Google Maps muted anyways, so I should probably tweak something.

@PlacidPenguin What’s the app, if you don’t mind sharing?

@djslack @placidpenguin Sounds like the app I use. Mine’s called Auto Play.

@djslack @moondrake

It’s called AutoMate.

@PlacidPenguin @moondrake Thanks!

@Fuzzalini What make/model. I have a Subaru Outback that had the integrated dash and there are aftermarket solutions.

@Fuzzalini FM transmitters usually not great quality sound anyway. If you have a tape deck, you can go with the adapter for that. Otherwise, a rechargable portable Bluetooth speaker with speaker phone ability may be the way to go for decent sound.

@medz And a roll of strong, double-sided tape.

@Fuzzalini They make fm modulators that actually plug into the antenna cable going into your head unit, or used to. If you have the multi disc changer in the back then you have as aux input, it’s just not exposed as a 1/8" plug in the front. And many fm transmitters are plenty powerful to reach a rear - mounted antenna, unless you have some kind of metallized window tint that blocks rf really well. When fm transmitters were more prevalent there were plenty of times that a neighboring car’s transmitter would walk all over mine (until i installed a 1/4 wave antenna made from a strand of wire out of a cat5 cable and presumably started walking over them instead).

This Bluetooth cassette adapter has middling reviews but seems to thread a needle through all the caveats you’ve given so might be worth a shot.

These bluetooth speakerphones cost a bit more and appear to allow you to listen to music but not through the radio. And if that’s an ok solution, maybe wait until meh sells their next Bluetooth speaker tomorrow and just get some Velcro.

Also, if you can find one, the Audiovox Dice Mediabridge for BMW seems to provide a tightly integrated solution specifically for BMW head units. They appear to be discontinued, though.

@Fuzzalini

my antenna is too far away from the dash.

If you can receive FM broadcasts from radio stations, a reasonable quality FM modulator should work fine, no matter how far it is from your antenna.

@medz Unfortunately for him that is discontinued. Maybe meh will sell it now?

@sammydog01 Thanks!

@redtorus I do, but I could stop doing it, I have everything already on my phone. What did you buy?

@Fuzzalini this was what I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018239FAW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494189311&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=apps2car+jeep&dpPl=1&dpID=41eTD8cyUgL&ref=plSrch

But it is Jeep specific.

@sohmageek

@PlacidPenguin ehh… I dislike bluetooth… I’m a speaker dock guy

@PlacidPenguin Don’t get @sohmageek started on Bluetooth.

@sohmageek I did see a Sony lightning dock half price at Kohls this week.

@sammydog01

I’m in the mood for the thoughts which @sohmageek has in regards to Bluetooth.

@PlacidPenguin no, there is never a good time to unload that… I’m more toxic to Bluetooth speakers than Illegals fleeing the US when Trump got elected… too soon?

@sammydog01

In all honesty though, I missed the part of the box which mentions Bluetooth.