Cheap, good quality Bluetooth adapter for HU850 etcs

[Nick6262]

have you checked on your phone that the device is set to be used for phone calls?

on my Google pixel in the bluetooth device details there are three toggles:

Phone calls, Media Audio, Contact sharing.

I would guess that phone calls isn't on?

[stuart bowes]

that's a good point I had to fiddle with my settings because my phone got all confused between head unit / smart watch / earphones

routing of mic cable is easy. behind unit, massive gap to right leads to space below steering wheel (above that plastic cover by pedals) .. through there and up into space around fuses (end of dash) then up to A-pillar cover, tuck in around edge, into edge of roof lining which is probably sagging down a bit anyway if mine is anything to go by.. and done

[cloudbreak]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

that's a good point I had to fiddle with my settings because my phone got all confused between head unit / smart watch / earphones

routing of mic cable is easy. behind unit, massive gap to right leads to space below steering wheel (above that plastic cover by pedals) .. through there and up into space around fuses (end of dash) then up to A-pillar cover, tuck in around edge, into edge of roof lining which is probably sagging down a bit anyway if mine is anything to go by.. and done

Thanks both - I've done a fair bit of research and tried various setting on my phone (iPhone 13 Pro) but nothing has helped so I assume it's to do with the bluetooth adapter itself and have swapped it for the one with a mic so lets see if that solves it. Thanks for advice about how to route it as well - much appreciated. I'll let you know how I get on when it arrives! Thanks again.

[Brecon]

Just borrowed my parent's 05 XC70 for a short while (sneakily hoping to inherit it one day but may have to fight my sister for it!), and very interested to read about the bluetooth adaptor. (amongst many many other brilliant things on this forum)

If I was taking the head unit out I may as well take the option to fit the microphone version of the BT adaptor, but can't find it anywhere as noted above by another poster - is it likely to be gone forever, or might it be a short term shortage does anyone know?

Also, assuming I just make do with the version without the microphone , if this just plugs into the CD changer plug, is it the case that there may already be a lead to the location for a separate CD changer in the boot pre-installed that I could access more easily than removing the HU?

[stuart bowes]

Originally Posted by Brecon

is it the case that there may already be a lead to the location for a separate CD changer in the boot pre-installed that I could access more easily than removing the HU?

it's an inventive way of looking at it I will give you that, but even it's connected up for you already (for example if you have the CD changer option but you're not using it because it's the 21st century) I would have assumed that it's a male plug at both ends. and the new adaptor will be male too. therefore finding the right 8(?) pin female to female connector is unlikely and you'll end up having to snip the ends, bell out the pins (unless the colour scheme matches) and solder all the cores together (or find a new connector on rs components maybe..)

taking out the head unit really isn't that big a challenge in comparison

[Brecon]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

it's an inventive way of looking at it I will give you that, but even it's connected up for you already (for example if you have the CD changer option but you're not using it because it's the 21st century) I would have assumed that it's a male plug at both ends. and the new adaptor will be male too. therefore finding the right 8(?) pin female to female connector is unlikely and you'll end up having to snip the ends, bell out the pins (unless the colour scheme matches) and solder all the cores together (or find a new connector on rs components maybe..)

taking out the head unit really isn't that big a challenge in comparison

Thanks, I thought it sounded too simple - my (limited) history of removing HUs is not great, but I will give it a bash. It is a good opportunity to move this 12v plug for the dashtop reversing camera my father had installed several years ago to an inline socket tucked in behind - looks awful and has been annoying me for years.

[stuart bowes]

good shout, i just hijacked the back side of that ciggy lighter and wired my dash cam from that

not sure how much you read above but it bears repeating - don't disconnect the heating panel. or if you do, have the battery disconnected.

Volvo in their infinite wisdom wired the airbag system through the heating panel (go figure) so disconnecting it throws up a fault you can't get rid of without VIDA

the 12v socket has a separate +/- connections you can disconnect at your leisure that bit is fine

[Brecon]

Yes I had read most the thread so saw that - I did wonder if I would need to disconnect the heater controls at all, but if much safer/easier to disconnect power then will just do that. I was thinking of taking a piggyback fuse off something under the driver's side fusebox if room, and running a cable from there under the wheel, then down in behind the trim to the right of the HU. I could use the spare USB socket on the existing plug to run a phone charging cable back under the wheel to sit at the base of the A pillar trim where I normally sit my phone on a mount. Two birds, one stone etc. Just annoying the microphone version of the adaptor doesn't seem available just now.

The adaptor is a very neat solution though - the Volvo sound is a world apart from my normal car so I may as well enjoy it - getting more than 3 radio stations (or indeed any in remoter parts of Scotland) is a revelation
It has got me thinking of finding a similar solution for my own car.

[Robiron]

Great bit of kit. Took me longer to mop up the coffee I spilt than fit the device!
The only thing that I was not expecting was the plug on the Bluetooth was 'upside down'!
No biggie really as the plastic shroud on the back of the HU850 did not interfere with the plugs fit into the socket.
Thanks

[Nick0]

Just thought I'd add my experience - installed OK - initially forgot the y cable to attach alongside the satnav, took much longer installing the microphone than the adapter itself. In case anyone is struggling to get hold of these, email the maker direct info@bluemusic.net