[MOD] Project "Road Tech" - Captivate General

I recently updated to a Galaxy SII from a Captivate. Instead of just letting the ol' Cappy sit around I decided to set it up for use in my Jeep TJ.
This is a work in project. I will add videos and pictures as I go through.
So Here are my basic needs/wants for this mod
-Media Center
= Rdio, Pocket Casts, YouTube
-GPs Maps
-GPS Travel Tracking
= Google My Tracks
-Driving Camera
-Vehicle Maintenance Reminders
= aCar
I also have a planned upgrade to include an OBDII Bluetooth reader (ScanTool http://goo.gl/Hj529 ) which will give me instant stats on my Jeeps engine
Using an old Android phone also gives me the option of popping my SIM into it for long trips and use it to connect to a Bluetooth speaker to receive calls
Parts:
-Samsung Captivate
-Otter Box Commuter
-Suction Cup Phone Holder
- Right Angle MicroUSB Cable
- Right Angle Stereo to RCA Cable
I will go into detail about how I will set this up to work on the phone and show it is installed in the Jeep
More to Come.....

I like your idea so I will stay tuned (no pun intended) into this one! Good luck!
Sent from a phone suffering from an identity crisis!

Modding a captivate to use in your car as GPS? You are going to get lost in the woods and we will never find you again....
But seriously, this sounds like a cool idea! Keep us updated (with pictures!)

'scribed .

Related

Parrot MKi9000, or an alternative?

Ok - I've got the Desire, and I'm liking it.
I've also got Spotify, and it's excellent.
But Spotify in the car would be amazing.
So, question is, would the above kit be a useful purchase?
This particular Parrot comes in 3 flavours, the bog standrd MKi9000, but there's another two which also have a small screen accompaniement.
Question is, which should I get?
Or should I get something else entirely?
I like the idea of FM transmitters, but pretty much across the board, they are meant to perform poorly. I also don't like the idea of being restricted by having to instal some of them in the cigarette lighter - I'd rather the stero component was hard wired if possible (and easy to fit myself as I'm on a budget).
So, any advice peeps?
I have a parrot SK4000 and it's terrible.
I've got a Parrot Mki9200 and it's great. It's a Parrot device so you have to expect the occasional oddity but I just get in the car and I have bluetooth handsfree and A2DP streaming from my Desire. I'm even contemplating changing my earlier Parrot 3400GPS in another car.
Haven't tried it with Spotify but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Works fine with Google Maps Navigation, although occasionally the A2DP streaming takes a second to kick in which means you miss the very first part of the voice instruction.
Edited to add that you can plug the Desire into the USB connector which both charges it and allows you full onscreen browsing of the media on your Desire. Select songs by album, artist, playlist, folder, etc.
Ian A.
Thing is, do you need the small screen that comes with the 9200, if you only use it with a Desire? I mean, what exactly would you use the screen for, assuming you've already got your Desire on a dashboard mount anyway?
I'm clueless about in car bluetooth connectivity and suchlike, so any advice is great. You can get the mki9000 quite cheap if you look around, but with the screens, you add a fair bit to the cost.
So - any other advice?
I had a MKi9100 Parrot which had to be returned as it had a fault. However, i was really disppointed with the quality of the music, as it uses its own inbuilt amp, not the car stereo amp. Quality suffers as a result.
With the MKI9200, I believe that there is a way to wire the kit, so the music plays through the car stereo, but you then have to have a separate speaker for phone calls, else you won't hear calls when the stereo is off. A good source of info can be found at the Parrot forums.
The benefit of the Parrot gear is that you can integrate it with your stearing wheel controls (if fitted), although you will need the additional control module.
Given my rather unreliable experience of Parrot gear, I'm looking to ditch my present Parrot CK3000 unit in favour of the Bury cc9060 kit. Not only does this kit have A2DP (music via bluetooth) and the ability I believe to route music via the stereo (please check to confirm), but most impressively it has multipoint - the ability to connect 2 bluetooth phones at the same time. A real bonus for those of us with 2 mobiles....
Hope this helps.
Parrot
I have the LS3200 and there is a lot of problems with the Desire sync of contacts from phone
This is exactly the kind of info we need.
I hadn't even heard of Bury kits, so cheers for the heads up...
crazybones said:
With the MKI9200, I believe that there is a way to wire the kit, so the music plays through the car stereo, but you then have to have a separate speaker for phone calls, else you won't hear calls when the stereo is off. A good source of info can be found at the Parrot forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Parrot instruction manual is wrong on this. If you have a decent car stereo, you can wire a line-out from the Parrot to the Line-In from the car stereo and use the car hi-fi amp for streaming music. You still connect the speaker bypass which kicks in if you get/make a voice call. I've confirmed this with Parrot tech support.
As for the screen, if you've got (or are getting) the Desire car dock and you only listen to music from the phone, I guess you don't need the screen. However I find that I use the SD card & USB connection to listen to music as well so the screen is pretty essential. The 9200 is only around £20 more than the 9100 so it was a no brainer for me.
However I did look at the Bury devices as well. I do expect the Bury ones are slightly more reliable (although the 9200 is better than expected) but I found them lacking in some features.
Ian A.
ray4438 said:
I have the LS3200 and there is a lot of problems with the Desire sync of contacts from phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also got a 3400 (same thing but with GPS, not the most reliable of devices!) and the best way is to delete all contacts, re-pair the phone and then send a multi-contact VCF file to the Parrot. You can create a multi-contact VCF from MS Outlook if you have that.
I've managed to get multi-number contacts (so you can do voice dialling with "Call... Alex... Home"), contact pictures and all features working correctly with the Desire. It did take some fiddling though, especially compared to the 9200 which was pretty seemless.
Ian A.
Just got an MKi9200 and installed in my 2008 Civic. I am loving it so far!!
I have paired my Desire which I plan to use for calls and sat-nav using the bluetooth audio feature.
I also plugged in a 32Gb USB stick which I will be using for playing music.
All this works well so far, except for a few little niggles.... I am hoping someone can help
1. When the phone sync's with the Parrot I get a message "File format not supported" which appears, disappears and appears again during the sync. Its possibly contact related (either pictures or the contact themselves) - can anyone advise??
2. When the sat nav (Copilot) gives directions, the sound comes out of the Desire AND the cars speakers. This is fine but the phone sounds up first, then after a 1/2 second delay the same instruction comes through the cars speakers. Any ideas on how to get them to play at the same time or mute the phones instruction but still hear the car speakers?
Any help gratefully received!
Thanks
zippyioa
I use the venturi mini on mine and it works flawlessly the only problem is it does plug into the lighter socket, I did end up buying a 3 way extension plug for the socket though off ebay so it is now mounted elsewhere and i still have 2 spare lighter sockets and a usb charging port on it as well as on the bluetooth car kit.
the kit was about £20 off of ebay of £50 in the shops, phonebook dl all ok even transmits it on the head unit if it has RDS on it.
ray4438 said:
I have the LS3200 and there is a lot of problems with the Desire sync of contacts from phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same model, had the exact same problems but cured it.
I wrote a post about my experiences http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=668042 , but I think the upshot is actually to break all the "links" in your contacts.
My LS3200 works flawlessly now.
advice please
I'd like to get Bluetooth handsfree set up with my Desire in my Toyota Rav4 (2005). Am looking at the following:
1. Brodit active cradle (hardwired to car, avoiding cigarette charger)
2. Parrot BT kit
So, my questions are: which Parrot kit am I best getting (dont want to spend a fortune, but would be nice to stream music from Desire through stereo speakers), & can anyone recommend a company to do the installation professionally in London? (as much as I'd love to do it all myself, probably not a good idea to open up the dashboard etc?)
Its a no brainer to go wth the MKi series, thebosh, but it depends if you want clutter on your dash or keep it clean and minimalistic.
But following the parrot forums loosely, its seems that more and more people are having difficulties with the 9100 and 9200 than the 9000 due to the added screens and with displaying what they wantr and how they want it, especially with software updates, changes to phonebook layouts and intergrations with social feeds etc.
For me, it had to be the 9000 with just the remote, which I mounted on a spring clip and then to a face vent.
I also got a brodit active charger (the one with the hardwired charging lead) for sat nav purposes, so I saw no need for an extra bluetooth screen you have to mount somewhere.
I too am planning to cut the cigar charger plug off and hardwire it, just need to get around to it.
The sound quality from the desire to the parrot 9000/9100/9200 BT is exceptional, and the music bass/treble is well balanced.
As for installation, register on the parrot forums and ask there.
You'll be surprised how many installers are registered for troubleshooting and can give you some sort of price/advice on whos doing it in that area.
I put mine into my 206, and its no sweat.
Thanks for the really helpful advice Touch Graphite. The 9000 seems perfect for my needs.
Had my first quote this week for professional installation - £244 for the lot. No idea if that's any good or not!
Will do as you suggest re. Parrot forum, as it would be awesome if I could do it all myself!
(For info, the quote came from avrmobiles.co.uk, & guy I spoke to warned me to rather go for the Bury 'Music' as he had experienced issues with Android & Parrot devices...)
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Zippy,
There are alot of bugs when it comes to the screened versions of the Mki series, hence my recommendation of the 9000.
I have no such problems with any sort of delay in sat nav commands, music quality or phone sync from my desire.
Only niggle I get is blipping when im canning the music at full chat from my desire on fuller vocal songs,
but using the Mix-zing app, and turning up the buffer size does help.
Keep It Simple.
IPAddis said:
The Parrot instruction manual is wrong on this. If you have a decent car stereo, you can wire a line-out from the Parrot to the Line-In from the car stereo and use the car hi-fi amp for streaming music. You still connect the speaker bypass which kicks in if you get/make a voice call. I've confirmed this with Parrot tech support.
Ian A.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
This is exactly the kind of solution I am looking for! I just got my MKI9000 installed and unfortunately the installer routed all 4 speaker output through the cutoff and not through the line-in.
I have a Skoda (part of the VAG family) and I am now trying to cross information so I can come back to the installer and get him to fix the installation (he will learn a thing or two from the infinite internet wisdom )
Any more information you can share on this option?
Moshe

What is the best car head unit for use with the SGS i9000?

I am looking for a car stereo with the following features for use with my Samsung Galaxy S i9000 phone. Most of these via bluetooth of course.
- navigate through and select tunes, podcasts, and audiobooks
- stream audio
- Display caller id and allow me to answer the call or ignore it
- bluetooth hands free calling
- associate with my phone when I start the car so I don't have to pull it out of my pocket
- pause the audio when there is an incoming call or I place a call via the stereo
- be able to place calls using the address book in the phone
Can all of this be found in one unit? Am I hoping for too much?
D
mine is a bit old but it's amazing Clarion CZ509
http://www.clarion.com/us/en/produc.../cd/CZ509/us-en-product-pf_1172409026831.html
does all of the above and more
Have you tested this with an i9000 or at least similar?
How does it work with your audio library?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
using my deck, you can control the phone audio/video stream, and vice versa, as in you can also use your touch screen to control the audio/video as you would normally do, and the car plays the sound.
the remote control works as well, i barely use my remote control as i seat a arms/finger length distance of the deck controls
it uses the standard A2DP Bluetooth controls, it's very natural.
another ability of the deck i'm using in my car, it lets you choose USB, so you can actually hookup the usb/charger wire from the SGS i9000 to the car USB, and it will both play and charge your phone!
this will save your phone battery (bluetooth sucks up a lot of power) so you will only use the bluetooth to talk for incoming/outgoing calls
you just touch a button on the deck to start talking, you can also dial from the deck, but is faster to use the phone to dial.
when you have the phone connected via USB to the deck, you wont be able to use the bluetooh A2DP to control the playback, but you still have the deck controls and the remote control that comes with the deck.
go to the website and read the PDF manual for more details, all i can say is i'm extremely happy and sastified with this setup
you can also just use a regular USB stick to play audios from the deck.
I don't even carry CDs in my car anymore, I loaded my entire music library in a 32GB USB stick, or use my phone to play audio, my phone usually will have the latest song i download from the net, as i always forget to update my USB stick with the latest songs
This is what I am using, and I get full features from mine.
Music controls on handset or deck both work (and remote).
Caller ID/Missed Call/Call log scrollable menu on deck screen.
BT phone audio through speakers with included in car mic.
Full audio volume control.
Charging from USB port (with regular USB cable, some companies like Alpine you need their specific cable) and thumb drive play capability.
3.5 aux jack
http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028626&pathId=142&page=1
Shoot. I was || this close to getting the Clarion CZ509 but I only found it at 2001 Audio/Video and I don't like those guys much. Instead, I just had the Sony MEX-BT3800U unit installed. I've only started playing with it but I understand it has the same capabilities of the Clarion and a great interface on the deck face.
FH-P8000BT; Voice Dial
Has someone tried the Pioneer FH-P8000BT? I uderstand it's a nice option but don't know if it works ok with Galaxy S's.
Also, is any of the head units mentioned above able to dial by voice? Is it functional?
Help with CZ509
Hi AllGamer,
I tried to send you a PM but I'm not sure if it worked as it's not sitting in my outbox (perhaps there's a post count limit before we can PM).
Anyway, I'm hoping you can help me out. Here's essentially what I said in the PM:
I noticed that you have gotten most everything to work with your clarion cz509 HU. I too have the same HU in my car but I can not get the functionalities to work properly. I used to have an LG voyager and while it did not do ANYTHING except bluetooth, it did do that well. It did not do phonebook or streaming audio but the BT would pair automatically every time I got into the car.
I now own a Samsung Fascinate (Verizon) and I can't even get the BT functionality to work properly. I can get it to pair (and once paired it works fine) but it does not seem to auto pair when I return to the car. I also can not seem to get any of the other functions to work. I realize it's a bit different than your handset but my questions to you are:
1. Is there something setting-wise that I need to change on the actual HU itself?
2. Is there anything to do with settings on the phone that I need to look into?
3. I can't even get it to do audio through USB. Is there something I need to do (on the phone end) to get this to work properly?
I would be satisified with JUST the bluetooth working and auto pairing when I get into the car. I don't need the phonebook or the streaming audio or even the music via USB (I can just use my iPod) but I would like the BT to work at least. The engrish manual that came with the CZ509 is less than helpful.
I'm hoping you may be able to provide some insight.
Thanks!

Best car integration kit?

For years I've been handling all the music in my car via a first-gen iPod mini under the passenger seat connected to a Harman/Kardon Drive+Play. It's got its flaws, but it works great. I turn on the car and it picks right up where it left off. The control is mounted right where my hand expects it to be and the screen is easily visible. No fuss, no muss.
I'm wondering if I can accomplish something similar with my Nexus One. What I DON'T want to do is have some complex setup where every time I get in the car I have to connect three cables and put the phone in some gawdy clamp mount, then be awkwardly trying to use the touch screen while driving, then having to stop playback and disconnect everything when I get out of the car.
I'm looking for a solution that is either one cable or automatic bluetooth. Preferably there would be an external monitor screen. I'd like a manual control that I could mount by the arm rest or steering wheel and use without looking at it. At minimum, I could do music and calls. Navigation would be a plus.
Does anything like this currently exist?
Sounds like your after any number of car headunits that support AD2P (audio over bluetooth), bluetooth voice, and navigation. Alpine, Eclipse and Kenwood all make good units that should do what you want. You should be able to leave your phone in your pocket and just have it connect via bluetooth when your in range.
I've had minimal success with the various Pioneer headunits due to them not supporting AD2P without additional controllers = more money.
I hadn't thought of just replacing the head unit but I suppose I'm due. I browsed Crutchfield but there's no filter for A2DP capability. Anyone have any suggestions for a DIN head unit with integrated A2DP and a color LCD screen?
I'm currently using a jvc kd-r900. It comes with a little Bluetooth adapter that you can plug into the rear USB port. I have it setup to auto start car home when it connects to the bluetooth. Usually by the time I get in, start the car and put my seat belt on, my phone is connected and ready to play music/calls/GPS/etc. I can start music either from my phone or just pressing the play/pause button on the head unit. Works really great. I can switch songs pause/play and make calls directly frm the head unit without having to touch my phone. My wife had her phone in her purse in the back seat and was still able to play music without touching the phone
Overall pretty pleased with the unit and it works great with my n1.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Can you browse/navigate Artist, Album, Track, etc. from the head unit? If so, this is probably exactly what I'm after.
I can't browse using the headunit. It only allows my to play/pause and skip tracks.
Ah, okay. Thanks for the tip. This looks like a good unit.
Anyone else have experiences with A2DP headunits?
This might be dumb. But do all android phones have this a2dp feature? Isn't it just the same as a Bluetooth headset sort of, so they ALL must have it? If so I'm definitely getting a new stereo! I just want to make sure that after my nexus I can still use this feature!
A2DP is a software thing. So as long as the phone has a Bluetooth 2.0 chip (the G1 does) and the operating system supports A2DP (At minimum, Froyo does) then you're good to go.
I use a THB BURY CC9060 Music. Full Bluetooth kit with full music control from a remote dash mounted screen and call handling.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

[Q] Using in my car?

With my iPhone I just had a kensington dock connector that charged + had an AUX out - so I got power + audio through the dock.
With Android it's clearly not nearly as easy
My car does not have native bluetooth but it WOULD be nice to take this opportunity (if it makes sense) to be able to effectively use my android phone for audio, gps nav (spoken directions) and handsfree calling (or at the very least, receiving calls)
What would be the best way to accomplish this? My AUX-in is in my center console, covered... so I could stick a bluetooth->3.5mm adapter there..
This SHOULD work for audio, GPS and hearing calls - but what about speaking on the phone? Phone might be in pocket - but even if in a holder mounted on windshield would mic be positioned properly to speak into it?
One thing i would really love is to be able to use GPS navigation while listening to radio, but I'm not sure this is possible. When using GPS I either have to ignore voice prompts or switch to AUX and be music-less or restricted to music from phone...
FYI I have a 2007 Accord - the AUX port was added in after
I have an aux port and I don't think you are going to be able to do all the things you want through the Aux port. I use the aux port with a HTC Stereo clip and that streams just music to the aux port from any bt device (I have a N7 as well). That is all the Aux port will do and all I want it to do. However saying that I also have a Parrot minikit neo which connects automatically when I have my llama profile to switch on bt when disconnecting from any wifi, which usually means home or work. Using the Parrot or anything like that, you will be able to use navi for voice prompts and answer calls at the same time.
No not ideal, but works for me. No it's not seamless, but it works bottom line. lol
If anyone else has a setup, please post up!
I don't think there's a seamless way to accomplish what you're trying to do. I've got a 2010 Accord and use a windshield mount and AUX for music/GPS. Works well for me. I don't think there's a way to listen to the radio and GPS nav unless you're just using the N4 speakers.
I've been using this in my car.
http://www.amazon.com/XtremeMac-InCharge-Auto-Bluetooth-iPhone/dp/B005UKLW0W/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_2_1
The mic is located on the huge male end of the 3.5mm plug and if placed or mounted properly(somewhere near the driver's mouth), you may be able to talk clearly as well.
I don't talk on the phone while I drive, so I disabled that function and have never used it.
This item was on sale a couple of weeks ago for $20 on one of those deal sites.
Also bought a 3.5mm extension cable to plug into the aux port on the stereo.
I haven't figured out how to have the radio and GPS directions come out the same speakers either.
I just got this yesterday:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Blueto...56633664&sr=1-1&keywords=belkin+bluetooth+car
It mounts on the dash and has a microphone built in. It is powered (and the power cable includes an extra USB port so you can charge your phone while this thing is plugged in). I am in love with this thing, it works beautifully. I paired it once and since then, when I get in my car and push the button on this device, it automatically connects to my phone. If I'm talking on the phone or listening to music, the audio is automatically redirected to my speakers (if you're on a call and don't want it on your speakers yet, just don't push the button on the bluetooth adapter yet).
It works to control the phone too, I can push twice to go to the next song (works in google music and pandora, haven't tested others), click once to pause, hold for 2 seconds and release to pull up voice dailer.
Sound actually seems a bit improved as well compared to the AUX out on the phone. I find the AUX out volume to be extremely low, and this seems to be a bit louder, although I haven't done any actual tests to confirm.
I built a custom dock that has a charging cable built in, so I get in my car, set it on the dock, hit the bluetooth button on the adapter, and I'm listening to music and making calls. No wires to plug in, no hassle. It's great.
A couple of things I still need to test though. I haven't tried GPS while listening to music yet, so I can't confirm that functionality. I also have not tried other voice functions from the voice dialer to see if I can have it play a certain song or other voice commands.
Kaitlyn2004 said:
With Android it's clearly not nearly as easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... its not. But if you want easy... this is the way I recommend you go.
Unless your current in-dash stereo is an expensive aftermarket unit, just replace it with a new bluetooth enabled model. They are dirt cheap now-a-days and can be had for around $100-150.
While you may save "a little" money going with some crippled add on solution, a new unit will give you all that you are after plus a USB port for charging, all in a simple, single interface. Also, with add ons you may run into ground loops issues and other nonsense (which will take more money and time to address).
just my 2¢... but I have considerable experience with a variety of add on bluetooth stuff, and if my head unit wasn't a $1500, double DIN, standalone GPS/DVD unit, I'd have yanked it and put in a cheap, new bluetooth capable unit in a heartbeat. I was talking to my brother on Christmas... he was in Starbucks getting his daily fix. Then walked out to his car where his new $150 Sony automatically picked up the conversation upon starting the engine, and I didn't miss a syllable.
Radiocore said:
I just got this yesterday:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Blueto...56633664&sr=1-1&keywords=belkin+bluetooth+car
It mounts on the dash and has a microphone built in. It is powered (and the power cable includes an extra USB port so you can charge your phone while this thing is plugged in). I am in love with this thing, it works beautifully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had one of these for a month or so. It works quite well, though I have some audio/volume issues due to my aux input being a soldered hack into my old Saab's radio. Not Belkin's fault. It works well for calls, pauses Spotify when Google Gnav is announcing turns, can pause or skip songs in Spotify, etc. $30 well spent.
Though after reading this thread, I'm thinking of changing out the car radio head unit for one that has integrated Bluetooth to do away with my hack. Found a well reviewed Pioneer on Crutchfield and Amazon for around $100.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Check out JVC as well. They have good support for Android, with Pandora, and a dedicated remote app too.
Yeah, I don't seem to have any of those volume issues, and I get now grounding feedback or anything.
A new headunit of course is the ideal solution, but I didn't want to give up my setup quite yet for that option, and right now the Belkin has treated me great.
I did test navigation while music is playing (google music app), it just lowers the volume of the music while she talks over it. Works just fine in my opinion.
Holding down the button on the Belkin brings up the voice caller, and it strictly only lets me do call commands. Anyone know how to change this so that holding the button on the bluetooth device will open a different app on my phone? Specifically, Google Now.
For those with the belkin, does it automatically connect when you get into your car?
Kaitlyn2004 said:
For those with the belkin, does it automatically connect when you get into your car?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the Jabra freeway Bluetooth speaker. Works great with excellent battery life. Auto connects when you get in car.

[APP REQUEST] Car Mode

So, I bought this watch yesterday with hope it will make my life easier while driving with car .. but it didn't..
It lacks only few I believe easily to create app/options
1. to answer on call, but phone speaker automatically turns ON
2. talking is happening via watches microphone (like BT MIC)
3. (not that important maybe) but some options to auto activate this. maybe by checking speed, some known BT devices in vicinity (since there is a lot of BT devices atleast in my car like OBD link and FM transmitter) probably better when detecting these options, to ask for enabling this..
I think .. at least for me this would be game changing. this is the option what is most needed for me.
will donate 5 Eur (paypal) to whoever makes this
still no possible solution for this ?
oh well..

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