Listening to cell phone through car stereo

[panerd]

So my wife and I just bought a new van with all the bells and whistles and I am quite fond of the ability to play my music but more importantly play my podcasts from my Iphone through the car stereo. This is definitely one of those things that you probably shouldn't mess with when you don't have it on your own car.

So my question... I have a radio with XM but no ability to play music from my phone (the car does have Bluetooth but I guess since it's a 2004 cell phones and Ipods weren't being streamed as much as they are now) It also has no aux input. I have paid for XM for a full year and my understanding is that if I get a new head unit the XM goes out the door with the old one. I have also tried the cassette adapter thing and the sound quality was horrendous. Any suggestions? It will be mostly for podcasts and not music so sound could take some of a hit. Obviously prefer something cheaper than $200-300 or I would just reup on the XM.

[cartman]

Is the stereo OEM or is it aftermarket? There might be an accessory you can buy that plugs in the back to give you a USB or Aux connection.

[Easy Mac]

You can do the old FM transmitter thing. It sounds decent, as long as there aren't a ton of stations in your area.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I have one of these in my car and love it. You basically connect your phone to this device via Bluetooth. You hit the FM button and it transmits a FM signal basically within your car. You tune the radio to the selected FM frequency and you can listen to music, podcasts, etc. in your car. Also, if anyone calls you, you can just say 'answer' and talk to people while hearing their voice on your car stereo. Well worth the money spent. I use it all the time.

Motorola Roadster (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=854010&gclid=COjf6LrV2cACFTOZMgod718AIg&Q=&is=REG&A=details)

[Butter]

Do they make adapters that transmit low power radio signals, with the out being the phone's headphone jack? I believe I have seen that before.

I know I got my mom an aftermarket XM Radio, but her car didn't have any AUX capability, so we had to go with that option for a while. It's not the greatest thing in the world, but it worked and was pretty cheap.

[Butter]

4 minutes late.

[panerd]

Is the stereo OEM or is it aftermarket? There might be an accessory you can buy that plugs in the back to give you a USB or Aux connection.

Yes its the original 2004 Acura TL radio. The stereo is actually pretty decent even 10 years later. Would the accessory be better if it is OEM or aftermarket? I ask these questions on this board because I feel like I am an easy target at any electronics store for misinformation and upselling.

[panerd]

I have one of these in my car and love it. You basically connect your phone to this device via Bluetooth. You hit the FM button and it transmits a FM signal basically within your car. You tune the radio to the selected FM frequency and you can listen to music, podcasts, etc. in your car. Also, if anyone calls you, you can just say 'answer' and talk to people while hearing their voice on your car stereo. Well worth the money spent. I use it all the time.

Motorola Roadster (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=854010&gclid=COjf6LrV2cACFTOZMgod718AIg&Q=&is=REG&A=details)

This seems like something that would work. I used a modulator with Sirius on my car before this one and St. Louis isn't too overloaded with FM stations that you can't find a few places with little interference. I worry though because I already have Bluetooth that works perfect and wonder if this would interfere or give me a lower quality phone call because I do use the Bluetooth quite a bit as well.

[cartman]

You'll probably be looking for something like this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_581PA15HN3/USA-Spec-iPod-Interface-for-Acura.html?tp=61445

[panerd]

You'll probably be looking for something like this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_581PA15HN3/USA-Spec-iPod-Interface-for-Acura.html?tp=61445

Hmmm... that would probably be significantly clearer quality than MBBF's transmitter right? Any thoughts on an amateur installing it? I am pretty good with putting together furniture and grills etc with good instructions but don't know what wiring knowledge is needed. My fear is with professional installation I am getting to a price range where I will just listen to my podcasts at work or home. :)

[cartman]

Hmmm... that would probably be significantly clearer quality than MBBF's transmitter right? Any thoughts on an amateur installing it? I am pretty good with putting together furniture and grills etc with good instructions but don't know what wiring knowledge is needed. My fear is with professional installation I am getting to a price range where I will just listen to my podcasts at work or home. :)

It should be a simple plug-in. If you are handy with a screwdriver, it is pretty straight-forward to do. If you order from Crutchfield, they send detailed instructions, and provide free tech support if you run into any issues. Any thing directly connected is going to sound better than something that does FM broadcasting.

edit: from what I can gather, it plugs in to the spot on the back of the radio where a CD Changer would go

[DaddyTorgo]

You'll probably be looking for something like this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_581PA15HN3/USA-Spec-iPod-Interface-for-Acura.html?tp=61445

This might be real cool for my dad for a birthday present - thanks.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Hmmm... that would probably be significantly clearer quality than MBBF's transmitter right? Any thoughts on an amateur installing it? I am pretty good with putting together furniture and grills etc with good instructions but don't know what wiring knowledge is needed. My fear is with professional installation I am getting to a price range where I will just listen to my podcasts at work or home. :)

I was the same way. I'm sure the quality would be better, but for phone calls, podcasts, and ease of installation, I went with the Motorola option. For music, I'm sure the other option is better.

[CU Tiger]

I used a roadster for years for phone calls just because it would visor mount right above my head. Never really liked the FM transmitter portion of its functionality...but I drive a big truck and its a long way from my visor to the passener fender where the antenna is so maybe thats why.

I put this in the truck a year ago and LOVE it.
Amazon.com : iSimple IS31 Antenna Bypass FM Modulator for Factory or Aftermarket Car Radios : Vehicle Audio Auxiliary Adapters : Car Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U5XPBE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Installation consists of unplugging the antenna behind the radio and plugging this in. The I routed the power button and box to the console.

Its a powered FM modulator so when turned n it filters the FM channel perfectly and the sound is amazing and it CHEAP.

It wont do all the fancy controls the ipod controlled linked does what this does is just becomes an aux input port so you plug in the headphone jack of whatever into it and the sound coms through the speakers.

You do have to run 2 power wires either to the fuse panel or battery...but heck if I can install it without damaging anything anyone should be able to.

[Marmel]

Why don't you just get the factory installed radio replaced with the cheapest model that has an aux jack? The radio itself should be about 30 bucks plus what should be a simple installation. Added benefit you get FM/AM radio as well for those odd times you might want it.

A 30 second search came up with this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/naxa-car-flash-audio-player-single-din-black/1310157385.p?id=mp1310157385&skuId=1310157385&st=categoryid$abcat0302012&cp=1&lp=6#tab=buyingOptions

[Marmel]

Another quick search says that you should be able to get a car radio installed for $50-$75 bucks, so $100 total and you are good to go.

[panerd]

Why don't you just get the factory installed radio replaced with the cheapest model that has an aux jack? The radio itself should be about 30 bucks plus what should be a simple installation. Added benefit you get FM/AM radio as well for those odd times you might want it.

A 30 second search came up with this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/naxa-car-flash-audio-player-single-din-black/1310157385.p?id=mp1310157385&skuId=1310157385&st=categoryid$abcat0302012&cp=1&lp=6#tab=buyingOptions

I have XM and those head units seem to run more expensive plus I was led to believe that my year subscription is for the radio unit and wouldn't transfer to a different one. I admit the second part might be incorrect.

[Pyser]

dont put in an aftermarket radio. thieves love them, not worth the headache.

[stevew]

Clean the tape deck heads?

[Lonnie]

Here is a pretty good kit. I used a similar one in my Infinity. http://www.oemautosound.com/p-468-honda-bluetooth-usb-ipod-iphone-android.aspx

It came with pretty good instructions and I found a forum that showed step by step pictures of taking the center console apart to get to the back of the stereo where it plugs into a factory plug.

It worked great with my iphone, then I switched to a HTC One so just used the aux jack it came with that I mounted in my center console. I might need to look at upgrading to a bluetooth model like this one.

[Desnudo]

Why don't you just get the factory installed radio replaced with the cheapest model that has an aux jack? The radio itself should be about 30 bucks plus what should be a simple installation. Added benefit you get FM/AM radio as well for those odd times you might want it.

A 30 second search came up with this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/naxa-car-flash-audio-player-single-din-black/1310157385.p?id=mp1310157385&skuId=1310157385&st=categoryid$abcat0302012&cp=1&lp=6#tab=buyingOptions

I bought a pioneer with USB for about 115 from crutch field. Took about an hour to self install.