100-series Bluetooth/stereo aftermarket options

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

cbang

cbang

Joined
Dec 12, 2007
Threads
16
Messages
41
Location
Sacramento, CA
Any 100 owners that have brought their dinosaur-like audio/nav to the year 2018?

Looking for options to add wifi Bluetooth and/or after-market stereo options to my 2007 - the stock stereo/nav is archaic as we can all agree... simply want to stream Spotify/Pandora, through the stock unit, without being hard-wired, or, if there's an option that maintains the stock appearance (full replacement).. go that route.

There's a company called Seicane that I've heard about if anyone knows information.

Other than that would appreciate any direction or tips.. much appreciated!
 
USA Spec BT45 Toy.

I added one to my ‘04. It works beautifully. I can stream Spotify and make/receive hands free calls. The steering controls allow you to receive calls and change songs. Song information even shows up on the screen. Essentially, the unit substitutes in for the disc changer (or at least that’s how I have it set up). There are two things I don’t. 1.) it tells me (loudly) that it’s connected every time I get in the car if it’s the selected audio source. 2.) the difference in volume with calls (quiet) relative to music (loud).

I can live with both issues.
 
dchilds said:
USA Spec BT45 Toy.

I added one to my ‘04. It works beautifully. I can stream Spotify and make/receive hands free calls. The steering controls allow you to receive calls and change songs. Song information even shows up on the screen. Essentially, the unit substitutes in for the disc changer (or at least that’s how I have it set up). There are two things I don’t. 1.) it tells me (loudly) that it’s connected every time I get in the car if it’s the selected audio source. 2.) the difference in volume with calls (quiet) relative to music (loud).

I can live with both issues.
Click to expand...

I use this also and it’s awesome. Definitely recommend as I've had ZERO issues

As for fixes on the volume discrepancy, set your phone music a few notches lower and it solves the problem. Same with the “connected” voice.
 
Last edited:
I installed a VaisTech SL3b. It's decent. It's a bit glitchy at times with my iPhone but managable. I consider it a stop-gap to the "unicorn" retrofit, which I want to do asap.

Do a search on here. This is a well worn topic for the vehicles with Nav. The work jerryb has done to retro fit his rig is a great service to those of us in the community that want to dump the mistake that is the climate control/Nav/audio unit.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Bluet...ie=UTF8&qid=1541005719&sr=8-4&keywords=nulaxy

I'm using this one for Bluetooth audio to 2001 LX470, I'm very happy with this and I will most likely not get a double din since with my phone and this FM transmitter I get good audio quality and use my phone for Waze/Maps.

I was looking into double dins and I'd be looking at 1k for install, double din, special wire harness. I'm happy with this $25 dollar solution for audio and a phone car mount to use my waze.

It also has QC 3.0 built in for fast charging your phone.

Nullaxy is the premier brand for FM Transmitters, even though it is china made they offer great warranty and support. I would trust the Anker as well that was previously mentioned, I just wanted QC 3.0 for charging my phone so chose nullaxy.

Another great thing is that the LX470 doesn't continue using power for the DC adapter so you don't need to manually switch this off/on, it automatically turn on and connects to your phone and if you leave it in the same FM stations for broadcast everything happens instant.
 
Last edited:
My LX470 had two older VAIS SB2 modules in it when I bought, one for iPod and one for SiriusXM. I use neither, so I sold them for next to nothing to another member here, not realizing the dang things are so expensive! The new versions are close to $250 each. FWIW, although I didn't have an XM subscription nor an iPod to actually listen to them, I can confirm that the integration of those units to the factory Levinson system worked great; they didn't change the factory look at all, you could still use the factory CD/DVD changer, and both the satellite radio and iPod functions showed up in the display. Very cool. The factory bluetooth interface for making phone calls works fine as is, but I'd love to add the ability to play flac files from a thumbdrive on the Levinson system, which sounds great to me. Just can't bring myself to shell out $250 for the VAIS module. Are there other choices that work as well?
 
FXJ 96 said:
Good cheap or short term solution, but these are generally poor quality and frustrating. I used something very similar for a few months then installed the USA Spec BT45 in my 2006 with success - much better sound and control.
Click to expand...

There are definitely a few tips to make sure you get the best audio quality such as raising volume on phone and FM transmitter to max, and allowing vehicle to dictate the volume. Also making sure you are connected to an FM station that is not being used as your device is now having to fight for priority and can introduce sound quality issues. Thridly making sure you go with a reputable brand of FM transmitter and if you continue having issues try a new one because $20 is easy for test driving different models and with Amazons great return policy.

As a test i compared the sound quality from OEM bluetooth of my new car and used the FM transmitter in the same car and found 0 sound quality difference in clarity/bass.
 
I have a Spec USA BT45 I just pulled out of my 04. I bought it in June and it works great. I also have the additional wiring harness that may be required by some vehicles. PM me if interested. I'll sell it for 1/2 what I paid.
 
+1 on the USA BT45 Toy.

I keep my iPad Mini (used for music and navigation, mounted to the tape deck mount thing sold here) connected to the BT45. It plays through the CD or DISC.
My iPhone automatically connects to the truck's Bluetooth system and does a good job with calls and pausing audio playback.
I find this setup to be easiest and least glitchy/most like 2018.
 
bt45-TOY here as well, installed about a dozen on them in toyota and lexus vehicle. If you have an LX, get the CAS-LEX adapter. Set it as an MD Changer to take any confusion out of which source is selected. Works like a charm.

Oh, hit the track forward/reverse before you pair to kill most voice prompts
 
95Fantasma80 said:
There are definitely a few tips to make sure you get the best audio quality such as raising volume on phone and FM transmitter to max, and allowing vehicle to dictate the volume. Also making sure you are connected to an FM station that is not being used as your device is now having to fight for priority and can introduce sound quality issues. Thridly making sure you go with a reputable brand of FM transmitter and if you continue having issues try a new one because $20 is easy for test driving different models and with Amazons great return policy.

As a test i compared the sound quality from OEM bluetooth of my new car and used the FM transmitter in the same car and found 0 sound quality difference in clarity/bass.
Click to expand...

I am sure some units are better than others, but sound quality wasn't as good as the BT I replaced it with. But the main issue was transmitter strength, I got bleed over from real stations or other interference too often - and it changed as you drove around. But I bet they make ones with a stronger transmitter than the cheapo one I bought.
 
95Fantasma80 said:
There are definitely a few tips to make sure you get the best audio quality such as raising volume on phone and FM transmitter to max, and allowing vehicle to dictate the volume. Also making sure you are connected to an FM station that is not being used as your device is now having to fight for priority and can introduce sound quality issues. Thridly making sure you go with a reputable brand of FM transmitter and if you continue having issues try a new one because $20 is easy for test driving different models and with Amazons great return policy.

As a test i compared the sound quality from OEM bluetooth of my new car and used the FM transmitter in the same car and found 0 sound quality difference in clarity/bass.
Click to expand...


I'm sorry, but there's no way you won't notice the difference. The fm transmitter will sound like cassette at best. Nowhere near the quality of the Bluetooth kits.
 
ibrahim83 said:
I'm sorry, but there's no way you won't notice the difference. The fm transmitter will sound like cassette at best. Nowhere near the quality of the Bluetooth kits.
Click to expand...

thats just my experience on a new dodge with oem bluetooth and beats audio, wanted to test fm transmitter there to compare audio and didn't notice difference. bluetooth is not an audiophile method of listening to music so i wasnt expecting vinyl quality.

With a strong signal FM actually provides great quality.

Try it out it's 25 on Amazon with a great return policy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

skim87
1998 Factory Nav Stereo bluetooth options
Replies
0
Views
630
skim87
skim87
M
Aftermarket LX headlights plug and play options
Replies
1
Views
168
JBerger
J
OffRoadRN
100 Series Long Travel Options 2025
Replies
13
Views
3K
samson100
S
F
Regearing 100 series. Thanks
2
Replies
20
Views
869
kevgentile
kevgentile

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom