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Installing bluetooth mic into overhead console

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35K views 30 replies 14 participants last post by  seaman13  
D
#1 ·
After dealing with a stick-on mic placement of my Motorola bluetooth system, I finally decided to do something about it.
I wanted to put the mic into the overhead console. It was a little more difficult than I thought, but the results were fantastic. The mic is now invisible, and sound quality is great!
Thanks for all the help on the 'Tex and OEMPL.US:
First I had to remove the console, here are the directions http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3341654 The light lens just pops out, I used a thin blade screwdriver, very carefully!

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I had to pull the radio to unplug the mic cable in order to run it properly, like this: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3376169

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The A pillar had to come off in order to run the cable behind the dash:
http://oempl.us/article_info.p...60ccb

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I ran the cable from there under the dash and back to the radio well.
It was important to me to have the cable to be invisible, so I ran it in the same cable run as the wires for the sunroof...

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I used a fish tape in order to run the cable in the headliner, down the A pillar, and under the dash

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I took the mic out of its housing, and put it into the top left rear vent of the console. Here's a close up of the mic in the housing, before the cover is reinstalled:

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And the completed install! The mic is in the left vent...

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The project took about 2 hours, a lot of the time was getting the cable properly run through the headliner. The sound quality is great, I can speak in a normal tone now, and no little mic sticking out like a sore thumb!
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R
#4 ·
How's the audio quality of the mic in this location? (you have the Mot mic, right?)
I saw some mixed reviewed in other posts about mounting the Parrot mic in the overhead console, although I think they may have been mounting it in the section a bit more forward to the middle/left of the compartment (the area that looks like a speaker grill).
thks...
 
D
#5 ·
Re: (reef150)

The sound is excellent...
I purposely did not mount it in the middle grill, it doesn't face the driver, and it's on the wrong side of the cabin...
I am very happy with the install and the sound quality, I get to speak in a very normal tone!
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R
#6 ·
Re: (dhambrick)

I just finished the same install with my Parrot CK3000 Evo kit - installing in the same location. Unfortunately, the sound quality is actually quite poor. Sounds like I'm deep in a tunnel - not so much roadnoise, but just not picking up enough of my voice (with this location if I speak normally the mic is not oriented to my voice but rather the top of my head
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)
At the moment I have the Parrot mic still in its plastic housing and I used a block of foam to hold it in the location. Things to try next, probably in order unless others have suggestions or experience with the Parrot mic
- adjust the foam as it could be covering too much of the mic
- crack open the mic and remove the plastic housing from the mic
- move the foam covering the left vent
- move the mic a bit forward to the "faux vent" on the driver side - and drill some holes like its peer on the passenger side (I'm only guessing that this is the "factory" location for a BT kit in the UK...
- change out the mic to another one - I believe the Parrot is unidirectional - not sure if an omnidirectional mic would help in this location or not.
Unfortunately it takes a fair bit of effort to get to this location & change things, then button it back up to get a good test....
Any suggestions on another mic - any on-line sources for the Motorola mic used in dmanbrick's install?
 
D
#12 ·
Re: (biosci)

It's okay.
I have found that the mic picks up noise from the roof. If it is raining, there's a lot of static in the transmission.
I may be changing the location.
But the mic seems to be okay.
 
K
#13 ·
Re: (dhambrick)

When you change the microphone that comes with your carkit (cutting open the housing to mount it discretely, etc.), you alter the audio characteristics of the microphone and risk it working poorly, or not at all.
Microphones are chosen for these systems based on a particular acoustic behavior. Changing the housing, or not mounting them as directed, alters these characteristics. These kits are "tuned" with the microphone as supplied and mounted as directed. Any changes from that can lead to poor uplink (what the far-end hears) audio.
What's the point of a handsfree system if no one wants to listen to you talk on it?
So while it may work for some users, in some situations, I would caution that it is not ideal.
 
K
#15 ·
Re: (biosci)

Can switch out that microphone with what?
The connectors between two microphones may be the same, but if the acoustic characteristics are not the same (including frequency response, gain pattern, bias voltage, etc.) you run the risk of "breaking" the noise and echo cancellation performance of the carkit.
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#16 ·
Re: (khnitz)

Quote, originally posted by khnitz »
Can switch out that microphone with what?
The connectors between two microphones may be the same, but if the acoustic characteristics are not the same (including frequency response, gain pattern, bias voltage, etc.) you run the risk of "breaking" the noise and echo cancellation performance of the carkit.
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Something needs to be done. I spent good $$$$ on that Parrot kit and had to quit using it. Now I'm back to where I started with the phone up to my ear like a jackass.
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Kept getting people commenting to me that I was in a tunnel. Have tried moving it everywhere.
Definitely need to try something else. My guess is if there is another mic that will pop in there it's worth a try. Personally, I don't care - the characteristics of this setup are poor at best IMO.
One thing I haven't tried yet, is THIS particular install into the console.
 
K
#18 ·
Re: (nater)

NATER: Can you post a picture of where you've mounted the microphone? Also, what kind of phone are you using with your kit - a Blackberry by chance?
I'm running the Motorola kits in my vehicles, and those of friends, family, etc., so my experiences won't be apples to apples with yours.
 
#19 ·
Re: (khnitz)

Quote, originally posted by khnitz »
NATER: Can you post a picture of where you've mounted the microphone? Also, what kind of phone are you using with your kit - a Blackberry by chance?
I'm running the Motorola kits in my vehicles, and those of friends, family, etc., so my experiences won't be apples to apples with yours.

Karl,
Right now, my mic is clipped to the sun visor.
The phone I use is an LG VX8350, so no it's not a Blackberry. I'm sure the quality of the bluetooth has something to do with it (bluetooth on the phone). I've never researched whether bluetooth quality to vary from phone to phone but I think I'll be researching that tonight.
If I have to switch phones I'll do it. Boy, if you want to make money these days you gotta be manufacturing cell phones.
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#23 ·
Re: (biosci)

Quote, originally posted by biosci »
nater so you're not happy at all with the Parrot kit? have you tried mounting the mic by the instrument cluster above the steering wheel with it faced towards you? That's how it was shown mounted in the video for installation.

I was happy with it...until the sound of me started to deteriorate based upon what others were telling me.
No, I understand that mic placement (and possibly the phone) have a lot to do with it. So I'll try mounting the mic by the instrument cluster.
On the video...I never saw one...didn't know there was one. I'll look for it.
If somebody has that vid I'd appreciate it.
Thanks. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
 
N
#25 ·
Re: (nater)

Quote, originally posted by nater »

Something needs to be done. I spent good $$$$ on that Parrot kit and had to quit using it. Now I'm back to where I started with the phone up to my ear like a jackass.
Image

Kept getting people commenting to me that I was in a tunnel. Have tried moving it everywhere.
Definitely need to try something else. My guess is if there is another mic that will pop in there it's worth a try. Personally, I don't care - the characteristics of this setup are poor at best IMO.
One thing I haven't tried yet, is THIS particular install into the console.

Same issues here. I have a blackberry 8830 and have the same tunnel issues. Mine is clipped to the headliner right at the top of the windshield in between the console and the visor. I've tried it in the console where the "grille" is, and thought of putting it where this post shows above, but couldn't get it to stay up there nicely without a lot of work.
I'll buy a mic, put it wherever, I just want my kit to work. I find it really annoying that every time I answer my phone in the car and have the bluetooth on, I have to press the phone button twice and listen to the lady say "discrete mode". So whenever I answer the phone, instead of hearing hello, people hear "discrete mode."
 
#26 ·
Re: (networkcrasher)

Today I moved my mic to the overhead console and nothing has changed.
I'm starting to think it's the bluetooth on the phone....I'll continue to do some research and try and figure this out and post up here.
I get complaints mostly that it is cutting out oh so slightly but over and over again...
I guess only time will tell if I get the "are you in a tunnel?" comment...
Maybe I'll try my wife's phone and see how it works.
Will report back here.
 
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