Vizualogic Bluetooth....... looks OEM!

[CookieRoe]

ConVerse Bluetooth....... looks OEM!

Hey Guys,

I gave up trying to get my E7009's bluetooth to work. My 05 isn't prewired for the steering wheel BT controls. ANYWHO.....

Found this. The ConVerse (by Rostra) Bluetooth kit for 4Runner. Looks the size of our buttons on our dashboards and center consoles. Price doesn't look to be too expensive and best of all, looks OEM.

Anybody ever try it? If not, it's cheap enough that I might try it.

2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner Bluetooth Adapter - Rostra 250-7500-TY2

EDIT: Its a ConVerse, not a Vizualogic like I orginally posted. Sorry.

 

[CookieRoe]

More Info:

hello again, Here's a video of this product. I think it's very promising. For those of us who DO NOT have bluetooth and LOVE the OEM look/function, this could be "the one".



This is a Prius, but you get the picture...............
So what do you guys think?? I just MIGHT make the plunge! From what I understand, it also does BT music streaming! :biggrin2:

 

[MATTSSSV2004]

I had this installed in my gf's mazda 3 and it works great!!

 

[Jonny1309]

It looks very intriguing.

Cookieroe, post up if you decide to go this route. I'm looking for some sort of "built in" bluetooth.

 

[CookieRoe]

I had this installed in my gf's mazda 3 and it works great!!

Thanks for the response! Certainly encourages me!

It looks very intriguing.
Cookieroe, post up if you decide to go this route. I'm looking for some sort of "built in" bluetooth.

Will do! :thumb3:

 

[matthewkristof]

this looks really promising. i would definitely do this, since i am all about the oem look. i have a jabra that attaches to my visor but this would be way easier.

if you end up doing it, a writeup would be great! awesome find!!!

 

[morphius909]

I got an 2007 Sport WITHOUT the Bose/JBL sterero. Will this work?

How exactly does this work? Will you hear via the stereo speakers?

Yes Writeup would be awesome!!

 

[CookieRoe]

I got an 2007 Sport WITHOUT the Bose/JBL sterero. Will this work?

How exactly does this work? Will you hear via the stereo speakers?

Yes Writeup would be awesome!!

Because the holiday weekend, I don't expect to hear from them about having a JBL or not. MANY times when you do mods to it, it influences alot. I'm sure it has to do with how they are wired (differs greatly from non JBL). Here is what is apparently features:

Product Description
Introducing an array of customized plug'n'play, hands
free communication kits featuring the latest in Bluetooth® technology!

Features:
* Custom vehicle specific (See Application Guide) Plug-and-Play
harness for quick installation (15 minutes)

• Plug -n-Play Harness for quick installation
• Features voice dial*, manual dial and redial
*Cell phone must be compatible for voice recognition
.Latest Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) streaming for Music
• Volume control utilizing vehicle’s stereo speakers
• Links automatically to handset when vehicle’s ignition is
turned on and Transfer to handset when vehicle is turned off
• Highest quality sound features full duplex DSP (digital Signal Processing)
Allows both parties to converse simultaneously
• Private call selection will transfer the call to your handset
• Excellent echo cancellation to prevent callers from hearing feedback
• Upgradable software
• Easily pairs up to 5 phones in 4 quick steps
• Ability to reject an incoming call
• Full color packaging
• 3 Year/36,000 Mile warranty

According to their applications sheet, it specifically lists Toyota WITHOUT the JBL, http://www.rostra.com/pdf/ConVerseFlyer_ApGuide.pdf Some have models with the same model and year, but doesn't say if its for JBL (I think it so). Like I said, if so, this is sooo sold. I'll report with a write up. My rig is STILL at the dealer, so figure in a week or so time.

EDIT: Yes, you will/should be able to hear conversations thru your speakers

 

[morphius909]

I might just order one...

seems like installation is snap..
I'd rather have the Button in one of the two free slots where my DAS button is on the shifter assembly instead of where the DIFF Lock is....

 

[matthewkristof]

morphius...you took the words right out of my mouth! after i posted my original comment, i was driving to work and i thought, "it would be so much more convenient if this was by the shifter knob." i have the 07 sport and those three buttons are empty. i figured that might be more accessible than the side, especially if someone else is in the car, they can use it too!

one of the best oem looking finds i've seen. i hope the installation is easy, cause i want to do this but afraid to disassemble my interior.

 

[morphius909]

morphius...you took the words right out of my mouth! after i posted my original comment, i was driving to work and i thought, "it would be so much more convenient if this was by the shifter knob." i have the 07 sport and those three buttons are empty. i figured that might be more accessible than the side, especially if someone else is in the car, they can use it too!

one of the best oem looking finds i've seen. i hope the installation is easy, cause i want to do this but afraid to disassemble my interior.

I read the instruction manual online and seems very simple.

I need to pull the driver information panel out anyways because the left bulb burnt out...might as well wait, order the kit and do it all at one.

And it just makes sense for the button to be near the shifter...it's more natural!

 

[matthewkristof]

I didn't see the instruction manual online. Can you post a link?

 

[CookieRoe]

I contacted rostra today and they tell me that no kit is available when equipped with JBL. So that blows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is what the application sheets says (page54):
http://www.rostra.com/pdf/ConVerseFlyer_ApGuide.pdf

4Runner: 1984-2006
4Runner: 2007-2009/without JBL sytem
4Runner: 2010-present/without JBL sytem

So for those of us with JBL, this apparently will not work for us. Back to the drawing board.................. UNLESS someone finds something to the contrary???

 

[beatadrum]

Damn, good thing I held off. Was really looking forward to this being my answer. ROSTA hear our crys!! The people who have JBL want bluetooth too!

 

[riverwolf]

If you can get Rostra to give up the wiring diagram, I'm sure it can be made to work with the JBL system similar to the way I insalled the T605 (see sig for writeup).

These integrated units (Parrot/Rostra/Moto/etc.) work by using a relay to disconnect the speakers from the head's amp. They then have their own onboard amp to play the caller's voice through one or more of the vehicles speakers. This creates a problem with systems like our JBLs, where the amp is external to the head unit. Due to the amp being external, the speaker outputs are not in the wiring loom at the back of the head, making a plug-n-play harness impossible.

To install the T605, I put a relay in front of the center channel speaker. The mute lead from the T605's brain triggers the relay to switch the center speaker from the JBL amp to the T605's amp. At the same time, the mute lead also triggers the mute line on the JBL amp itself, making it go quiet so the other speakrs are also muted while the phone connection is active. This same technique should work with the Rostra if they'll give up the wiring harness layout. The biggest concern is someone in a Pilot forum said the Rostra simply shut off the head unit entirely when using the phone connection, suggesting the relay is on the head's power line instead of the speaker outs. While it effectively does the same thing as switching the speaker outs, I wouldn't want my head power cycling so frequently...for instance, both my Parrot and Moto will cycle the relay 2-3x each time they pair to the phone when the vehicle is started.

My personal opinion is $150-160 (going rate for the Rostra) is a lot to pay just to get a control button that looks OEM. The T605's control pad doesn't fit in a button knockout, but it's color scheme and shape matches the 4th Gen interior pretty well IMO...and they can be had for $50ish. For increased versatility, one can pick up an aux audio input, say the Grom for $45, and add both BT audio streaming and a line level audio input for $100.

-Brent

 

[cclaufer]

I contacted a distributor for Rostra today and he said that while there is no kit for the 07-09 with JBL there might be for those with JBL older than 07.

I just bought an 04 with JBL and am hoping to get bluetooth integrated into it. The distributor said that if I sent him a picture of the back of the JBL stereo unit and the cords and plugs that feed into it, that he could let me know if they make a kit that fits my 4runner.

Before I tear about my car to take the pictures, does anyone know if they already exist somewhere else on this site, in your own person picture directories, or elsewhere on the internet?

 

[riverwolf]

I contacted a distributor for Rostra today and he said that while there is no kit for the 07-09 with JBL there might be for those with JBL older than 07.

I just bought an 04 with JBL and am hoping to get bluetooth integrated into it. The distributor said that if I sent him a picture of the back of the JBL stereo unit and the cords and plugs that feed into it, that he could let me know if they make a kit that fits my 4runner.

Before I tear about my car to take the pictures, does anyone know if they already exist somewhere else on this site, in your own person picture directories, or elsewhere on the internet?

Based on the way these bluetooth units integrate, and I'm speaking generically, they cannot be made plug-n-play* with audio systems using separate amplifiers, which includes the JBL in our 4Runners. To make our JBL systems even more challenging, the head sends digital data to the amp instead of low level analog audio. This is also the reason adapters are required to use aftermarket head units with the factory amp...the adapters are digitizing the aftermarket units' preamp outputs.

*The single exception being certain OEM head units that have an auxiliary input dedicated to a phone input...some Saabs, Volvos, BMWs, probably others. The Toyota JBL and non-JBL have the external 6CD option, but this input has to be manually selected. On the units with a dedicated input, as soon as the correct pin is triggered, the head automatically switches to the bt line.
One could conceivably wire a bluetooth unit's output into the 6CD input via an aux input adapter, but you'd have to manually switch to the 6CD input when your phone rings. Actually, Grom offers this as an option for their aux input adapters.

Rostra doesn't need pictures of the back of a head unit, they just need the wiring diagram/pinout. Most likely, Toyota has an official process to provide aftermarket companies with wiring diagrams, they just have to ask nicely. Or, for $15, you/Rostra can sign up for a 2 day subcription to TIS and download any model year Toyota vehicle's wiring diagram you want.

-Brent

 

[CookieRoe]

Ok, changing gears,

So the Converse bluetooth doesn't work with JBL equipped yotas. Riverwolf explains why and it makes perfect sense. Anyway, one fault with the Converse is that no caller ID is available on the radio/NAV display. That's a deal breaker for me (even if it DID work on my JBL NAV).

Back to one of my original ideas:

1) Mediabridge (remember, it's the 1500 model you want with Blutooth, the 1000 doesn't have it! DICE Electronics LLC - DRIVE | LIVE | ACCESSORIZE - MediaBridge
2) Bluefusion by Scosche BlueFusion for select Toyota Vehicles

Still researching...................

EDIT: I'm considering Parrot products, but I don't care for the some of displays some models have, it screams "aftermarket". I'm concentrating on the "integrated" look.

 

[tkr128]

CookieRoe: I'm curious what went wrong with trying to get bluetooth to work on your E7009. I've had my E7007 with bluetooth working with no problems for over a year now.

I used the mic kit from here: Carson Toyota TRD Parts, Replacement parts and accessories for Southern California. You just need to extract the wires from the plug and install them on the 24-pin connector. You need to purchase the right side steering wheel controls and the ribbon cable that connects the right side to the left side.

 

[CookieRoe]

CookieRoe: I'm curious what went wrong with trying to get bluetooth to work on your E7009. I've had my E7007 with bluetooth working with no problems for over a year now.

I used the mic kit from here: Carson Toyota TRD Parts, Replacement parts and accessories for Southern California. You just need to extract the wires from the plug and install them on the 24-pin connector. You need to purchase the right side steering wheel controls and the ribbon cable that connects the right side to the left side.

I got the steering wheel controls and the ribbon cable and are installed. When I turn the lights on, the bluetooth bottons are supposed to light up.... mine don't. I can't return the parts so I'm stuck with them. I got the OEM Toyota mic for the overhead console. This mic plugs into a harness that is supposed to be there. Apparently, only 2006+ 4Runners have them so this mic is now worthless b/c mine is a 2005.

Where I am:
1) extract wires from the mic to the 24 pin connector.... I understand that, but doesn't the BT buttons (on the steering wheel) activate the mic?? Apparently my BT buttons don't work. When I press them, nothing happens.
2) I have YET to run a couple of wires from the rear of the NAV to the rear mounted AMP to get the voice NAVI to work.
3) I bought an OEM backup camera, I have yet to mount it. I do plan on installing it.
4) FYI: The bluetooth function on the headunit does work and does pair with my phone...........

Because of items 1-2, I became unmotivated to continue b/c I thought to finish the BT functionality would be impossible. So these products I listed seem to be my best bets for me to have BT.

In your expert opinion, with this information, is getting the bluefusion or Mediabridge my best route?