Discussion
I would like to change the stereo head unit in my Chim. I am lookin* to install a unit with Bluetooth facility to link to my phone (maybe sat nav); there seems to be many options about for not too much money. The current unit is just a cassette radio. Question is, if I buy a new unit am I likely to be faced with a major rewiring job to fit a more modern unit, or will the connections link up relatively simply?
They usually have the ISO connectors behind there unless somebody else has messed about. But I wouldn't bother with a bluetooth phone facility, perhaps for streaming from another device, yes.
A friend of mine installed an expensive system in his Chimaera 500 and nobody could hear him properly due to the noise, even with the microphone stuck on the column cover just behind the steering wheel.
A friend of mine installed an expensive system in his Chimaera 500 and nobody could hear him properly due to the noise, even with the microphone stuck on the column cover just behind the steering wheel.
that did cross my mind and I certainly wasn’t going to change it to listen to any music! So if the phone is a pointless reason then it just becomes a dashboard vanity project, as the existing unit looks extremely dated….. thanksI’ve got an android auto pioneer in my chimaera. The wiring is quite straight forward there is a loom that might be iso terminated but if it isn’t or has been butchered a new one is available as it’s just an 80s Range Rover loom and costs about £10 or you could buy the regular £5 unterminated iso male loom and just terminate it yourself, 30 minute job.
As for the hands free it’s likely dependent on unit. My pioneer is fine for calls and actually more reliable for android voice commands (even roof off) that the jvc android auto unit in my l200. I mounted the Mike on the top of the a pillar though so it’s very close to me and the little hook just hooks over the top of the trim with the wire easy and thin enough to be pushed with a trim tool between screen and a pillar trim.
As for the hands free it’s likely dependent on unit. My pioneer is fine for calls and actually more reliable for android voice commands (even roof off) that the jvc android auto unit in my l200. I mounted the Mike on the top of the a pillar though so it’s very close to me and the little hook just hooks over the top of the trim with the wire easy and thin enough to be pushed with a trim tool between screen and a pillar trim.
A mechanic got mine out with two steel rulers, one down each side.
What does work well is linking your smartphone up to the head unit for music purposes.
I am old skool, so my second hand Sony radio-gramophone unit has a USB socket on the front.
I connect my phone to it with a cable to listen to Classic FM via the Radioplayer app.
That gets around the TVR aerial issues.
You could doubtless bluetooth yours.
And listen to what you refer to as "music".
What does work well is linking your smartphone up to the head unit for music purposes.
I am old skool, so my second hand Sony radio-gramophone unit has a USB socket on the front.
I connect my phone to it with a cable to listen to Classic FM via the Radioplayer app.
That gets around the TVR aerial issues.
You could doubtless bluetooth yours.
And listen to what you refer to as "music".
Done this a couple of times - very straight forward as mentioned normally an iso connector.
1st time for a connection to my i-pod … how old am I ?
2nd for bluetooth and feeling much younger …..
Concur trying to talk on Bluetooth and going more than 20 mph is pretty much impossible:-)
You can run a wire for the mike up under the windscreen seal to the driver side sun visor if required.
1st time for a connection to my i-pod … how old am I ?
2nd for bluetooth and feeling much younger …..
Concur trying to talk on Bluetooth and going more than 20 mph is pretty much impossible:-)
You can run a wire for the mike up under the windscreen seal to the driver side sun visor if required.
remote control on a wire?I've also got a pioneer android thing and have the microphone poking out from the left corner of the dash by the clock. Can easily hold a conversation whilst driving with the roof off and all of the voice recognition works fine.
I don't even use the radio anymore, I tap the phone onto the radio and it connects Bluetooth and I play all music through my phone. Can get YouTube premium for £1 a month and every album/song I've ever wanted to listen to is on there.
I don't even use the radio anymore, I tap the phone onto the radio and it connects Bluetooth and I play all music through my phone. Can get YouTube premium for £1 a month and every album/song I've ever wanted to listen to is on there.
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Monday 9th August 07:00
As alternative to replacing the whole stereo, if you just want Bluetooth connectivity why not use a Bluetooth FM transmitter?
Something like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Q82LRDK/ref...
Plug it into a 12v socket, charge your phone from the USB port, pair the phone Bluetooth and tune your stereo into the FM frequency selected on the transmitter. In my experience, they work fine for music, satnav etc, but the placement of the transmitter can make the pick up for the mic which is built in a bit of a challenge.
I used one in my Chimaera, 911 and also my daily driver. Calls were ok in the daily and the 911, but not the Chimaera. My Tamora has a Bluetooth equipped stereo in it, and even with the mic positioned at the top of the pillar as close to my head as is possible, calls are still impossible unless the car is at a standstill and you might as well pick the phone up for the call then.
Something like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Q82LRDK/ref...
Plug it into a 12v socket, charge your phone from the USB port, pair the phone Bluetooth and tune your stereo into the FM frequency selected on the transmitter. In my experience, they work fine for music, satnav etc, but the placement of the transmitter can make the pick up for the mic which is built in a bit of a challenge.
I used one in my Chimaera, 911 and also my daily driver. Calls were ok in the daily and the 911, but not the Chimaera. My Tamora has a Bluetooth equipped stereo in it, and even with the mic positioned at the top of the pillar as close to my head as is possible, calls are still impossible unless the car is at a standstill and you might as well pick the phone up for the call then.
I fitted on of these it plugs into the Blue socket on a Pioneer for Bluetooth reception.
Just one of many.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373640324492?hash=item5...
Just one of many.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373640324492?hash=item5...
Fez887 said:
Nice setup! -will drag my old unit out this week and see what’s lurking behind it.
Pioneer SPH-10BT - plays music from the phone (or USB), allows the phone to be used in landscape or portrait mode, charges the phone as well if you want (via USB cable) and allows Google maps to work on the phone.Pretty pleased for the £77 I spent on it...
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