Ok, so asked a couple of questions in the Nav/Audio section with zero response. I figured I'd ask my cabrio brethren and sistern.

I currently have a dice and blitzsafe. The XM still works wonderfully but with updates or whatever, the Dice isn't working as well as it used to. I can hear the iPod alright but can't control as well as I once could and nothing shows up on the head unit.

I'd like to keep the functionality and improve on it. I'd also like to have bluetooth in the car. Has anybody found something that really works to do all this?

BTW, I have an older iPod I've been leaving in the car but also have a 1G iPhone.

TIA,
Tony

 

bluetooth - http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...-item-119.html

That having been said, i've thought a lot about this, and I think that a mic + sound through speakers might not work well in the cabrio with the top down due to air noise. I've not given it a test (ask someone with both, I just have a cabrio). Myself, I was going to get a jawbone and leave it in the car.

seems like you might have a problem with your dice, to be honest.

 

I tried using the bluetooth on my Garmin thru the stereo system. I could hear the caller very well, but they had a very hard time hearing me due to the wind noise, etc. so I don't use that feature anymore.

 

J3kidford's concern is exactly what I thought would happen for bluetooth handsfree. Thus, the jawbone.

 

My top is rarely up. I use the jawbone and haven't had any problems, other than my ear hurting.

 

When I tested the jawbone, wind noise for the caller at the other end was horrific in the cabrio with the top down at speed.

Only good solution I've found to topless conversations at highway speeds is the BlueParrot - which works EXTREMELY well, just looks dorky. But sound quality is like on my wired desk headset - loud and clear on both ends.

http://www.blueparrott.com/products/...ottb250XT.html

 

I surprised myself with how successful the following solution has been.

I purchased the Jabra SP700 bluetooth speakerphone. It is very slim and becuase it has amazing battery life and turns itself off automatically when it loses contact with the phone for 10min it just stays attached to my driver side visor. I've had it a month and have yet to recharge it. It has a great built in mic that even works well while driving my 05 MCSc with the top down. However, its killer feature is that it broadcasts the sound from a connected bluetooth phone to any FM frequency. I know what you are thinking. FM transmiters sound quality is terrible, but this one is different. It is perfect for phone calls, just as good as the built in bluetooth I had in my last BMW. Further, the new 3.0 OS on the iphone lets me stream music to the stereo using the Jabra. The stereo sound is definitely acceptable too.

Given the low cost, I highly suggest giving it a try.

 

update: haven't gotten a jawbone because apparently I'm too cheap I did get a belkin usb micro charger and use my apple iphone/bluetooth headset cable to charge the headset and just leave the headset in the car. I've used the headset and it seems to be alright for my caller on the other end, or at least no complaints

I would like to rig up a better position for the charging, however. The current one is attached to the base of an upper position right side pro-clip mount
http://www.proclipusa.com/image.aspx...-4.jpg-480x480 for position
http://www.proclipusa.com/image.aspx...46.jpg-480x480 for the view of the mount)

it comes down quite a chunk and if I ever turned my iphone to the left, it would swing the headset out a long ways into the passenger area. If I could get myself another charge cable, I might hack it in and place it behind the phone (nice slot in there, fits the connector perfectly)

I'm not sure how the SP700 cannot have issues with the wind noise, but I'll take your work for it. some of the reviews mention that it's noise cancellation is quite good as well. I do like the broadcasting the iphone music to the stereo... a good feature

 

I have a theory on why wind noise is not a problem for the Jabra SP700 with the top down. I think the fact that it mounts to the driver's visor leaves in one of the few spots in the car that does not get windy with the top down. Combine that with the quite good noise cancellation and it has turned out to be the perfect solution (for me at least). I toyed with the idea of a built in solution, but given how good this has been, I simply can't be bothered.

Glad to hear the headset seems to be working for you. Everyone finds their own best solution.

Regards,
jb

 

A small bit of experimental data to back up your point - I just drove around with a couple of pieces of paper at various points on my visor. They did appear to not be nearly as affected by the wind as they are in the middle of the car. One of these pieces was actually just laying on my garage door opener and I could remove it without any pulling, but it stayed put as I drove at 70mph.

It was not perfect, but it was a far cry less than the rest of the car, and thus I speculate that this in addition to the noise cancellation makes it work, as you say. Sounds like I might be looking for a new hands free

 

Another option that's cheaper, doesn't require the NAV screen, and DOES work with the multifunction steering wheel:
http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=256

 

The DICE unit seems to have problem with Apple's new 3.0 software for iPhone and iPod Touch, but not everyone experiences it:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...thread-44.html

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=684130

 

Hey, all--first post here. I have installed the Kensington LiquidAUX in my 07 MCS Cabrio. It has an integrated microphone, and I run the AUX cable in through the back of the glove box--I popped out the AUX jack and ran the cable from the Kensington in through there. Invisible now. The Kensington also has a USB charge jack on it. The nice thing is that I can use my 3gs iPhone wirelessly, streaming music through the car speakers, and when a call comes in, I can hear the caller great on the speakers. At full freeway speeds, there is noise, but callers have said they can hear me okay. All in all, not a bad deal for $25 on Amazon.