Car Audio Help (1 Viewer)

[ForWhoForWhat]

I have a 2008 Honda Pilot without an AUX jack. I want to add Bluetooth to my car for cell phone calling and Pandora streaming. I’ve googled my options and my head is spinning with all of the different ideas I’ve found. I am as technically declined as they come with regards to any type of hands-on installation options. However, I don’t want to get raked over the coals by some Geek Squad kid who may F up my car. Any cheap/easy ideas? I don’t need top quality just something decent. Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I have a 2005 Odyssey and happen to be looking for this exact thing right now. PITA that my stereo doesn't have an AUX input jack like you mention. We have been using a BT speaker box for the last couple years on long trips for music. SUX big time.

Is this basically your stereo? If so, it's similar to mine.

There seems to be a bunch of products out there that allow you to plug something into the AUX/XM port in the back of the unit and connect to your stereo. When you do this you are basically inputing the music by mimicking the XM or the CD-4. From what I have seen, most allow all of the other functions of the stereo to work (most importantly the steering wheel controls).

The big decision is do you just want a jack to connect to the stereo, or do you want Bluetooth. Or are you greedy like me and want something that does both Bluetooth and allows you to connect an XM device. (We do tons of long drives, so this would be nice - XM doesn't use cellular data!).

If this is what you are talking about, I will post the devices I have been pondering over for the last couple days.

HTH

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

 

[[icon]]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

Do NOT try to go this route. Hard line is the only way.

1) Research your head unit to find out if there is a port on the back that could be used as an AUX IN.

2) If there are no ports on the back, then you'll need to buy/install a new head unit.

 

[[icon]]

Here is a kit and video instructions. Looks quite simple:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_sKCdshaLI

EDIT: NM you have to buy from them for the full video... though I'm sure there are other sources out there.

 

[Fat Nick]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

Do NOT try to go this route. Hard line is the only way.

1) Research your head unit to find out if there is a port on the back that could be used as an AUX IN.

2) If there are no ports on the back, then you'll need to buy/install a new head unit.

\end thread.

 

[3C's]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

Do NOT try to go this route. Hard line is the only way.

1) Research your head unit to find out if there is a port on the back that could be used as an AUX IN.

2) If there are no ports on the back, then you'll need to buy/install a new head unit.

\end thread.

Disagree. The Motorola T505 works really well with no effort. Is it perfect? No but it works well enough for most. I used it in a previous car that my daughter now drives. Still going strong after years of use. http://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-T505-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Transmitter/dp/B000S5VI8A

 

[[icon]]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

Do NOT try to go this route. Hard line is the only way.

1) Research your head unit to find out if there is a port on the back that could be used as an AUX IN.

2) If there are no ports on the back, then you'll need to buy/install a new head unit.

\end thread.

Disagree. The Motorola T505 works really well with no effort. Is it perfect? No but it works well enough for most. I used it in a previous car that my daughter now drives. Still going strong after years of use. http://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-T505-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Transmitter/dp/B000S5VI8A

If this is a FM Modulator that doesn't sound like dog####, it will be the first.

Sure, if you live in BFE with 3 country and 1 gospel station to choose from, FM modulators can do a decent job of finding a clear channel to transmit on (though the sound quality is usually still crappy). In any major metropolitan area, it's next to impossible to find a true clean/open station.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I had no problems with open stations, the quality just sounded like a 5th generation copied cassette being broadcast over an AM radio.

 

[3C's]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

Do NOT try to go this route. Hard line is the only way.

1) Research your head unit to find out if there is a port on the back that could be used as an AUX IN.

2) If there are no ports on the back, then you'll need to buy/install a new head unit.

\end thread.

Disagree. The Motorola T505 works really well with no effort. Is it perfect? No but it works well enough for most. I used it in a previous car that my daughter now drives. Still going strong after years of use. http://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-T505-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Transmitter/dp/B000S5VI8A

If this is a FM Modulator that doesn't sound like dog####, it will be the first.

Sure, if you live in BFE with 3 country and 1 gospel station to choose from, FM modulators can do a decent job of finding a clear channel to transmit on (though the sound quality is usually still crappy). In any major metropolitan area, it's next to impossible to find a true clean/open station.

The reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Plus personal experience. You've likely never used this one so you can't judge it without guessing. Like I said, it's not perfect but it does work very well. It's not as good as built in BT like I have now or wired but it is a decent option for someone who doesn't have either of those and doesn't want the effort and/or expense of replacing their head unit.

800+ more reviews, still 4 stars. They must all live in BFE! http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Bluetooth-Portable-In-Car-Speakerphone/dp/B0030BZ7HM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_cps_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Q1EJKW0R9NS7YJG0R86

 

[Fat Nick]

Not sure if anyone has had success with FM modulators through the cigarette lighter. Saw mixed reviews on them, most of them bad. TIA.

I tired 3 different ones several years ago. They were all terrible.

Do NOT try to go this route. Hard line is the only way.

1) Research your head unit to find out if there is a port on the back that could be used as an AUX IN.

2) If there are no ports on the back, then you'll need to buy/install a new head unit.

\end thread.

Disagree. The Motorola T505 works really well with no effort. Is it perfect? No but it works well enough for most. I used it in a previous car that my daughter now drives. Still going strong after years of use. http://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-T505-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Transmitter/dp/B000S5VI8A

If this is a FM Modulator that doesn't sound like dog####, it will be the first.

Sure, if you live in BFE with 3 country and 1 gospel station to choose from, FM modulators can do a decent job of finding a clear channel to transmit on (though the sound quality is usually still crappy). In any major metropolitan area, it's next to impossible to find a true clean/open station.

The reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Plus personal experience. You've likely never used this one so you can't judge it without guessing. Like I said, it's not perfect but it does work very well. It's not as good as built in BT like I have now or wired but it is a decent option for someone who doesn't have either of those and doesn't want the effort and/or expense of replacing their head unit.

800+ more reviews, still 4 stars. They must all live in BFE! http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Bluetooth-Portable-In-Car-Speakerphone/dp/B0030BZ7HM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_cps_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Q1EJKW0R9NS7YJG0R86

I'll take your word for it, but like [icon], every one I've used has been completely worthless. It either can't find a station, or needs to find a new station every 5 miles. Even when you can get a clear station, you usually have pretty awful sound quality. If you usually listen to over-the-air radio, it might be OK, but if you listen to any of the digital stuff and try and go to this, you'll likely not find it sufficient.

 

[3C's]

Don't take my word for it, more than 900 reviews available. Some not so good, can't please everyone. I was happy with it when I needed it but I'm not a whiny baby hard to please.