Bluetooth streaming

Bluetooth streaming

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Discussion

whoami

13,151 posts

239 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
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rovcallum said:
Looking for a Tune2air WMA1000 online and it seems to be the same as the following Bovee product.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bovee-Wireless-Bluetooth-...

Can anyone confirm this? At least if it is, the Bovee product seems to be readily available.
I bought one a few weeks ago and it works well.

BlackV8

268 posts

97 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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fongers said:
$12 solution!

I just got an 2006 DB9 Volante and it had the older BTooth module so I could already synce and make calls, just not stream music. Well, instead of the $2K solution (Aston requires a $1500 upgrade unit as it replaces part of the DIN as well for 2008 and earlier), I went and just tried an FM transmitter.

Mind you, I did my research and found the TOP rated one (Nulaxy KM-19, 18, 20) on Amazon that claimed to have the best performance and I really can't say anything negative here against it. It cost $12 off of AliBaba ($20 on Amazon) and I got the KM-19 as I didn't need the big flex arm and preferred the smaller unit (there is some method to this madness later).

AliExpress (use the mobile app and you'll save an extra $1): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Nulaxy-Wireless-FM...

Reviews on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Wireless-Bluetooth-T...

Well, the unit works AMAZINGLY with no distortion as this one has the best clarity and sounds better than any other adapter (even 3.5mm in) that i've ever used. I mounted/plugged it into the trunk 12V (I know, it's ALWAYS on, more later on this as well) so it would be able to be right next to the antenna in the boot.

Now, when I walk up to the Aston, BOTH the car and the KM-19 sync with my phone so I get BTooth calling AND music streaming pretty much as intended per factory.

2 concerns you might have from my 'install':

1) 12v in the trunk is ALWAYS on (even with car turned off) so it might drain the battery: The Nulaxy only draws 45ma when ON and even less (25ma) on standby. I took some measurements and the car itself draws ~110ma shut down already so adding another 20-40ma isn't overkill and based on a battery with 40AH (average), it would take 10-15 days for this unit to drain the battery just sitting there. The rest of the car would kill the battery first anyway (I think that's why Aston has even provided a charging socket in the back) so I haven't had any problems at all.

2) by using the rear 12v, the plate/guard on the panel is always open, thus running the risk of hitting the battery kill switch: this problem is mitigated by getting the KM-19 rather than the other models. It is a short unit with a pivotable control plate that practically covers the kill switch, thus preventing the button from getting hit if you position it correctly with the right angle.

I will post pics up of the unit, the BT sync on my phone but this has been completely seemless so I wanted to share this $12 fix to a $2000 problem. I know many (myself included) are very skeptical of FM transmitters but this one REALLY WORKS AMAZING and has solved any desire to want to do the factory install as I pretty much get the same UX for just $12!

Edited by fongers on Saturday 22 April 02:55
... thank you for your review and looking forward to your pictures !

Murph7355

37,646 posts

255 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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fongers said:
...The Nulaxy only draws 45ma when ON and even less (25ma) on standby. I took some measurements and the car itself draws ~110ma shut down already so adding another 20-40ma isn't overkill and based on a battery with 40AH (average), it would take 10-15 days for this unit to drain the battery just sitting there. ...
Another way of looking at this is that you've just increased the latent draw by 23%-41%, or reduced the amount of time the car will last parked up by the same amount wink

FM transmitters work differently in different countries depending on the frequencies in use. In London, for example, with rather a lot of pirate radio and already congested FM frequencies, they can be very patchy.

When they work, they're a reasonable fudge for getting external sources playing on a head unit not designed to take them (though they never, ever, work better than a properly cabled solution). But they only work well in certain circumstances IME.

divetheworld

2,565 posts

134 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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An always-on solution also has the inconvenience of staying connected to a bluetooth connection. If you're in range of the car and get a call, it goes through to the cars audio unless you disconnect each time. Better off finding an aux power supply.
I use the WMA1000 and it works brilliantly and the stereo controls on the car work through the connection.

fongers

9 posts

93 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
quotequote all
Murph7355 said:
Another way of looking at this is that you've just increased the latent draw by 23%-41%, or reduced the amount of time the car will last parked up by the same amount wink

FM transmitters work differently in different countries depending on the frequencies in use. In London, for example, with rather a lot of pirate radio and already congested FM frequencies, they can be very patchy.

When they work, they're a reasonable fudge for getting external sources playing on a head unit not designed to take them (though they never, ever, work better than a properly cabled solution). But they only work well in certain circumstances IME.
I know Murph - I'm in LA where we have pirates abound and was SHOCKED by how clear this unit was. I had an older one and it was interferance all the way but this this is really crystal clear (aka I had a few music production friends listen to this vs my WRX rally wagon that is hardwired) and they couldn't tell the difference either. I actually sold it to them as "BT vs Wired" so as not to ruin the FM transmitter surprise. For $12, why not at least try as it's also pretty much plug n play. Also, that's why it's trunk mounted, as the antenna is there and I've been driving around all LA for the last week and not a hint of interference...

divetheworld said:
An always-on solution also has the inconvenience of staying connected to a bluetooth connection. If you're in range of the car and get a call, it goes through to the cars audio unless you disconnect each time. Better off finding an aux power supply.
I use the WMA1000 and it works brilliantly and the stereo controls on the car work through the connection.
Nope - I disabled the KM-19 for phone so that's not a problem (see pic and explanation). Also, my house is more than 10m away from the garage so I haven't had even issues of music playback. Stereo controls would be nice but my Nexus has pretty good voice command that I probably wouldn't use it and honestly $2000 > stereo controls (at least for me).

Now to see if I can get this thing to drive like a DBS... will be talking to the Bamford boys for tips/ideas soon once I get through all of the maintenance on this thing.




Edited by fongers on Wednesday 26th April 00:13


Edited by fongers on Wednesday 26th April 00:14

Mac355

155 posts

228 months

Monday 8th May 2017
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As a result of this thread I decided to "risk" the £20 with Amazon to try this gizmo on my 2007AMG SL55 which has an ancient Merc Comand system, and almost unbelievabl no AUX input.
I will be honest, I was VERY sceptical about this little thing, but....
Plugged it into the power socket in the boot, tuned to a low frequency, set up the Bluetooth, and lo and behold I was listening to BBC 6 music and 5 live in very clear FM quality.
The other benefit in my case is that when I switch off the ignition the power is killed to the boot, so no issues with Bluetooth staying connected.
Cracking bit of kit, and if you have an older Aston this is a real bargain to make your car feel rather more up to date.
Thanks for the tip!

Moonhawk

10,730 posts

218 months

Monday 8th May 2017
quotequote all
whoami said:
rovcallum said:
Looking for a Tune2air WMA1000 online and it seems to be the same as the following Bovee product.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bovee-Wireless-Bluetooth-...

Can anyone confirm this? At least if it is, the Bovee product seems to be readily available.
I bought one a few weeks ago and it works well.
Me too. A little hard to find - but a neat solution.

rovcallum

535 posts

142 months

Monday 8th May 2017
quotequote all
That's the best thing about this Forum, good solutions for everything.
Bovee unit worked as expected, track info shown on the radio display as well. Spotify is perfect!

rovcallum

535 posts

142 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
Bovee 1000 Bluetooth unit working perfect with an iPhone SE or iPhone 6.
Can't seem to get it to work with iPhone 7 - it connects ok but after trying to load the music the display unit then says "ipod unreadable".

Anyone else have this problem or is it just me?

rovcallum

535 posts

142 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
2009 V8 Vantage - Bovee 1000 BT Dongle plugged into ipod cable - using Spotify on an iPhone SE or iPhone 6. Track info comes up ok.
The iPhone 7 will connect through the Bovee but can't be read.

rovcallum

535 posts

142 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
quotequote all
False alarm - tried a different iPhone 7 and it worked fine. Must be some weird setup on the kid's iPhone 7 which made it unreadable.

ammac

4 posts

76 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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Just bought one of these for my MY2009 DBS. Excited to experience the amazing results that everyone else have reported. I think I will say no to the $1,000USD factory option (at least for now), if this product works as great as everyone else says.

It's available on Amazon if anyone else is still looking:

https://www.amazon.ca/Bovee-Wireless-Bluetooth-Int...

And on sale(!).

abh

37 posts

188 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
quotequote all
I had the "device unreadable" message too. This was with a 6S that had worked fine before.
I changed cables, thought it might be related to an OS upgrade but nothing fixed it.
Then, after a bit of searching I found the answer. The Bovee device looks for content in iTunes first. No content and you get the error. Add one track and the problem disappears.
Hope that works for you too.

Leatherseat

83 posts

177 months

Monday 29th June 2020
quotequote all
I have just installed the Bovee 1000 in my 2009 Vantage. It has connected and played iTunes, podcasts and Spotify from an iphone 8. Very easy to use (I am a technophobe, but found it very straightforward). Great upgrade for £95.

Manners79

168 posts

58 months

Monday 29th June 2020
quotequote all
Leatherseat said:
I have just installed the Bovee 1000 in my 2009 Vantage. It has connected and played iTunes, podcasts and Spotify from an iphone 8. Very easy to use (I am a technophobe, but found it very straightforward). Great upgrade for £95.
Any chance of a link for where you bought it from? Also, is yours a 4.7 (I never have worked out if audio is the same between 4.3 and 4.7) and do you have Premium? Thanks!

cornershop

2,136 posts

195 months

Monday 29th June 2020
quotequote all
Manners79 said:
Leatherseat said:
I have just installed the Bovee 1000 in my 2009 Vantage. It has connected and played iTunes, podcasts and Spotify from an iphone 8. Very easy to use (I am a technophobe, but found it very straightforward). Great upgrade for £95.
Any chance of a link for where you bought it from? Also, is yours a 4.7 (I never have worked out if audio is the same between 4.3 and 4.7) and do you have Premium? Thanks!
https://astoninstallations.com/product/bovee-tune2air-bluetooth-streaming-receiver/

Leatherseat

83 posts

177 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
quotequote all
Mine is a 4.7 with Premium audio (not Bose).
Here is the link, (which I got from 3 years earlier, up the page) -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bovee-Wireless-Bluetooth-...

Following advice from earlier in the thread, I ensured I had some music on my iTunes app before trying to set the Bovee up. It was easy to setup in a few minutes.

David

R1CKF

119 posts

150 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
quotequote all

Hi

I currently use an aux cable and lightening adapter which does not give great volume and i am sure the sound quality could be improved ? Does the Bovee make an improvement on both these factors ?

leerandle

743 posts

106 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
quotequote all
I've just ordered a Nulaxy FM transmitter off Amazon for £17.99, so see if thats any good for my 2006 Vantage.

Report back in a couple of days.....

phumy

5,671 posts

236 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
quotequote all
Leatherseat said:
Mine is a 4.7 with Premium audio (not Bose).
Here is the link, (which I got from 3 years earlier, up the page) -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bovee-Wireless-Bluetooth-...

Following advice from earlier in the thread, I ensured I had some music on my iTunes app before trying to set the Bovee up. It was easy to setup in a few minutes.

David
Does the Bovee work with Android/Samsung?