Best option bluetooth/iphone option for PCM2?

Best option bluetooth/iphone option for PCM2?

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Discussion

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
There's lots of discussion on the various forums between Dension and mObridge, but nothing definitive as to what's best. This is to go in an 03 Cayenne.

I want:
- Full hands free through the PCM integrated with the car controls.
- Ability to play music from iPhone 5 (ideally connected via cable and not bluetooth streaming)
- Ability to add a flash drive with music on.

I'd like to hear peoples experiences of fitting a system to do the above. Examples of fitting issues (I'm not opposed to DIY'ing the install) and costs for those who didn't DIY.

Thanks

fakko63

37 posts

115 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
http://www.navdy.com/yQ8LqgLA

This seemed a clever set up

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
But doesn't do 2 of the 3 things that I want!

fakko63

37 posts

115 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
I didn't say it did just that it was clever ;-)

kingston12

5,473 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
5678 said:
There's lots of discussion on the various forums between Dension and mObridge, but nothing definitive as to what's best. This is to go in an 03 Cayenne.

I want:
- Full hands free through the PCM integrated with the car controls.
- Ability to play music from iPhone 5 (ideally connected via cable and not bluetooth streaming)
- Ability to add a flash drive with music on.

I'd like to hear peoples experiences of fitting a system to do the above. Examples of fitting issues (I'm not opposed to DIY'ing the install) and costs for those who didn't DIY.

Thanks
I don't think that there is a definitive answer as to what is best. I have had the Dension 500 for a few years now, and it has been faultless. I only chose that over the mObridge because there seemed little or no difference and the Dension was cheaper and had more reviews at the time.

The install was very easy and took very little time, but my requirements were slightly different to yours. I installed into the fron boot of a 987 Boxster because I wanted as little as possible in the cabin and I knew that I would run the Dension from a dedicated iPod that would stay in the boot all the time.

It really was as simple as this:

1. Unplug the orange 'MOST' cable from the CD changer and plug it into the Dension.
2. Plug the new orange cable supplied with the Dension in between the Dension and the CD changer.
3. Tap power off the CD changer feed using some crimp adaptors from Halfords.
4. Connect the iPod using the supplied cable and connect the handsfree mic.

The only slight hassle was feeding the mic back into the cabin, but you would not have that problem if you are installing in the cabin in the first place. You would need to do this if you want to connect your iPhone to it by cable without having to get it out of the boot all the time.

I think there are extra steps if you do not already have a CD Changer fitted.

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
The car has a CD changer so that would be fine. The boot install would be far easier than taking the dash apart too, but as you say, running the cable for the mic wouldn't be too easy.


One thing that I've found today is this... http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/111/241/AVIC...

Seems to sell for around £650 so not a huge amount more than the other units but offers a far better UI along with more modern mapping and CarPlay.

There's a larger screen version for around £900 too http://www.carsoundsandsecurity.co.uk/store/avic-f...

With all the adapters required that will blow the budget though!

Adam B

27,142 posts

253 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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I went Mobridge after getting advice from a number of dealers / fitters

From memory I paid £800 supply and fit including removal of a (crap) Parrot system with a ton of cabling.

BT is excellent and fully integrates with PCM/wheel
I have a dedicated ipod in glovebox but you can use an iphone if you add an adaptor - it works relatively well but is is a bit clunky - mainly slow to respond to some selections

I don't use it but...

"You'll also gain an auxilliary audio input, that many of our customers use for satellite radio receivers and additional music players. The operation of the auxiliary input is completely controlled by your the radio in your car."

kingston12

5,473 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
5678 said:
The car has a CD changer so that would be fine. The boot install would be far easier than taking the dash apart too, but as you say, running the cable for the mic wouldn't be too easy.
The easiest install is always where the CD changer is, but if you want to connect your iPhone by cable, you will need to run that through the car as well as the mic cable. I find the bluetooth is fine for voice calls, but it is noticeably worse for music than the same source connected by cable.

I am also unsure about the range of bluetooth in cars. With my Dension in the front boot of a Boxster, the iPhone in my pocket is only a couple of feet away. I guess it will be at least twice that to the rear boot of a Cayenne. The quoted distances for Bluetooth are always much higher than you get in the real world, but not sure if this will be a problem.

My Dension has the BT box separate from the main unit, which might make the install easier, but I think the current version is all in one like the mObridge.

5678 said:
One thing that I've found today is this... http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/111/241/AVIC...

Seems to sell for around £650 so not a huge amount more than the other units but offers a far better UI along with more modern mapping and CarPlay.

There's a larger screen version for around £900 too http://www.carsoundsandsecurity.co.uk/store/avic-f...

With all the adapters required that will blow the budget though!
This is always the other option. I didn't consider it as I wanted to preserve the factory look, but there is no doubt that these units are light-years ahead of the PCM2 in terms of usability. CarPlay looks excellent as well.

The Dension/mObridge solutions make an excellent job of operating within the limitations of PCM2, but those limitations are still there and it just feels ancient and difficult until you get used to using it.

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
I'm getting more and more tempted by the Pioneer option. I was quoted £350 for the cost of fitting and all the required adapters/fascia plates + the cost of the unit.

It does look rather nice though and not too aftermarket here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUhKMqH_KRc

kingston12

5,473 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
5678 said:
I'm getting more and more tempted by the Pioneer option. I was quoted £350 for the cost of fitting and all the required adapters/fascia plates + the cost of the unit.

It does look rather nice though and not too aftermarket here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUhKMqH_KRc
That looks really good. I am actually tempted myself now! It is pretty sickening when you look at the sidebar on the YouTube page and see that one of the videos is a demo of CarPlay in a budget Hyundai Sonata when we are stuck with PCM2 in our Porsches! That is progress, I suppose.

Ultimately, I will be able to resist just because I don't use the car enough to let PCM2 annoy me too much (and I already have the Dension), but I'd be really interested to hear how you do get on if you do go for this option.

mns1977

46 posts

208 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
I had a mobridge fitted to my 997tt. I had someone install it and similar to "kingston12's" installation, no cutting of cables etc required.

Sightly different location though. Mobridge box installed under drivers seat next to where the phone module is located. CD changer bypassed as described before. iPod cable (and aux in) located in central box, where Porsche locate it for PCM 3.

All in including install, if I remember correctly, was £600ish. Totally reversible if I ever sell the car (which I won't, because the car is so good!).

Works well for phone using bluetooth (used both a blackberry and iPhone 5s on it). Slightly clunky interface using iPod for music and a large capacity iPod definitely slows down selecting tracks. Sound quality good though.

Microphone for the phone is located at top of the windscreen (no cables visible). Would be nice to have been able to locate the microphone in the steering column like the Porsche one though. Anyone done that?

Happy to PM you the chaps name who installed it if required (he was recommended to me by someone else).

davek_964

8,796 posts

174 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
If you do go Dension / Mobridge, access to the CD changer isn't simple. The side panel in the boot needs to come out - I paid somebody for installation of my Dension - think it was only about £80.

I didn't buy the hands free version (when I looked into it, the reviews for hands free on Dension and Mobridge sounded a bit hit and miss) but at least Bluetooth range shouldn't be a problem in the Cayenne. I received a call last week while my 996 turbo was being worked on (engine running) while I was about 40 metres away. Sound was crystal clear through the car speakers - but obviously the person calling me couldn't hear me!

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Getting more and more tempted by the Pioneer option now. I'm collecting the car on Friday so will spend a few days using the PCM nav to see how it is and if we find it too archaic or not.

I need to find a shop that has one available to demo too so that we can see what the UI is like.

Any recommendations for places near Reading?

hopeydaze

298 posts

149 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
5678 said:
Getting more and more tempted by the Pioneer option now. I'm collecting the car on Friday so will spend a few days using the PCM nav to see how it is and if we find it too archaic or not.

I need to find a shop that has one available to demo too so that we can see what the UI is like.

Any recommendations for places near Reading?
Unique Car Sound &Security are located in Lightwater. Very good. A lot of places have closed so choice is less than it used to be.

However I find the look of aftermarket units can be out of place so I would advise being careful and seeing if you can live with the existing system.

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks, I'll look them up.

Found this of the same unit installed in a Cayenne....



edit for another:



I'm not sure... :/

Edited by 5678 on Wednesday 27th August 11:17

kingston12

5,473 posts

156 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Those don't look bad, but not as good as the Pioneer in the Cayman that you posted before.

A lot of the decision-making process depends on how often you use the car and how long you plan to keep it. If it is a daily driver that you plan to keep a few years then that type of install is much more attractive.

It is a good idea to check with the installer that it can be put in in a reversible way. A lot of people will really look for original kit, but as the car gets older a well installed aftermarket unit must become more sought after as the car costs less money and the PCM is only getting more and more out of date.

duttonst

147 posts

260 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
If you want to keep the price down it's worth considering the Pioneer AVH-X8600BT. It has the larger 7" screen and will support Carplay when it finally materialises. The only thing it lacks is built-in Satnav but not sure why you need this - you can run satnav (e.g. Waze, Navfree) on your phone and you get full control from the screen using AppRadio.

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
duttonst said:
If you want to keep the price down it's worth considering the Pioneer AVH-X8600BT. It has the larger 7" screen and will support Carplay when it finally materialises. The only thing it lacks is built-in Satnav but not sure why you need this - you can run satnav (e.g. Waze, Navfree) on your phone and you get full control from the screen using AppRadio.
It would definitely save a few £. But looking at the review for AppRadio on the App Store it appears to be a good idea, badly executed! I think it's all or nothing really.

duttonst

147 posts

260 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
Yes agreed - think AppRadio is somewhat buggy, but it's really just a stopgap until CarPlay comes along. Once CarPlay's bedded-in I'd expect most SatNav apps to announce compatibility. Personally I'd prefer to be running TomTom to any of the dedicated units out there.

5678

Original Poster:

6,146 posts

226 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
quotequote all
duttonst said:
Yes agreed - think AppRadio is somewhat buggy, but it's really just a stopgap until CarPlay comes along. Once CarPlay's bedded-in I'd expect most SatNav apps to announce compatibility. Personally I'd prefer to be running TomTom to any of the dedicated units out there.
My only reservation with CarPlay is the need for signal in order to get a map. I can't find anything to clarify how this will work. We live very rurally so 3G signal is very sparse.