Folks,
I've searched and searched but there seems to be a lot of variables on this topic. My Rangie is a 2001 Vogue with navigation and what I believe to be the upgraded HK stereo (at least that's what the advert said). It is all still working and I'd ideally like to keep it that way but is there a way to fit a bluetooth module to let me pair phones for hands free calling and music streaming? For the record our household is all Android, but that shouldn't make a lot of difference for BT. I hope :)
All bright ideas gratefully received! Although I suspect the answer is likely to involve a lot of scary wiring :)
Cheers!
Miles

There's a thing called a Grom unit which will do what you want to do. See http://gromaudio.co.uk/partfinder/product/list/?make=Landrover&model=Range%20Rover%20HSE&year=2000-2004 not cheap though.

I've done a LOT on the later HK system (since mine was supposed to have it and I found the amp was missing!) but I've gone the other way and fitted aftermarket as I didn't want to take the punt on a stupidly expensive amplifier!! Though one of my projects is working on a 'factory' style replacement to the DSP amplifier when they fail, so you can still keep the factory head unit (If only I'd thought of it 4 years ago!!)

But onto you problems more specifically... There are maybe a couple of possible options. 1 - there is a 'phone' connector in the boot somewhere which I believe was for the factory phone kit. There are audio input lines and a mute line in there - but how they interact with the system, I'm not 100% sure... IE I don't know if the audio comes through all the doors, or whether it just routes the phone in signal to the drivers door for example...

However, and external bluetooth unit might be able to be wired into there and get it working that way. Other options could include looking for a 'plug and play' kit that plugs into the head unit in place of the CD-changer, so that when you select CD, it then connects to the external input instead which would have your bluetooth device feeding into it... I think I've seen kits like this, but can't remember where at the moment. If I get some time over the weekend, I will look into it a bit more for you.

Also option 3 could be wiring in an external input to a 3.5mm jack connector (like is possible on the earlier Clarion head units) directly into the head unit - and then using that as an input to the stereo for a bluetooth unit.

I think that on the earlier head units, the external input that can be wired in overrides the radio/cd changer anyway - so if there's audio playing into it, then it blocks out radio/CD - and if there's nothing coming in then you can still use the other radio functions as normal. I am not 100% sure if there is a place in the Alpine head units to wire this kind of lead in, but it's something I've been meaning to look into at some stage aswell..

The final option would be to wire a telemute/bluetooth unit into the speaker wiring to the drivers door for example, so it would change over and route calls to the speakers in the vehicle - but this would have limitations on the bluetooth/music streaming side of things.

Let me have a look at the external adapters that plug in where the CD changer usually sits, as that's probably the best option - and I know I was looking at various things to do with that the other day, so hopefully I'll find a couple of links for you.

Hope this helps as a starting point...

Marty

Or as Gilbertd has just mentioned in a lot less space... something like the Grom will most likely do everything you need

Not 100% sure how it integrates with the HU/audio system - but I am sure it has been thought about!

I can vouch for the GROM .... I think the latest is something like "USB 3" (I have USB 2plus).

One thing to watch is that the USB music controller and Bluetooth are always on ...... I think they draw about 300mA combined. Although calculations show that this would take a considerable time to flatten a battery (Richard!), I remain convinced that it was taking the edge off mine.

I firstly changed the feed to the ignition side, but then the USB controller forgets where it was and always returns to CD 1. Most annoying, especially if you are listening to an audio book.
Now I intend to reconnect the USB part to always on but connect the Bluetooth receiver to an ignition feed.......

It works very nicely with phone call handling, navigation instructions from the phone, and also will play FLAC files.

If you need any help with the installation (on line that is) just shout.

I've been planning on replacing the cassette deck in mine with a bluetooth deelie for a while. I've just been paid, so that A2DP board might be getting ordered...

Interesting replies - thanks folks. The Grom unit looks ideal except it says "no navigation" in the compatibility lists so I guess that counts me out. I know the navigation is way out of date now but I can't really bring myself to break a working system. Strange really, since I swear by Google Navigation.

I have the DSP amp, I just went to fiddle with it and found the DSP options when I pressed the music button. It appears to be working just fine at the moment. I hope it holds in there as it sounds really nice to my cloth ears.

I'm sure Marty could get this to work, blindold, but my limit is soldering broken wires. Circuit diagrams tend to leave me with a big headache! I'll have to have a think....
Cheers!

I'll have a look at the compatibility list - but I don't see the difference with navigation/no navigation (I assume it's talking about the factory installed Nav) if this unit connects to the CD changer... The navigation on the DSP system feeds as an input directly into the DSP amp and it does the muting/switching over - so don't see the problem..

The only thing it would do.. is if you have the navigation on and are on the phone - it would mute the audio from the head unit (in this case phone call) and give you the nav directions. I don't know if it mutes all doors for the nav or just the drivers door - as I've never had a fully working system!!

line in in stead of CD changer : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTVLRX002-Land-Rover-Discovery-Range-Rover-Car-Aux-iPod-iPhone-Interface-Adaptor-/251414541767?hash=item3a897975c7:g:D2wAAOxyUrZSwgSV

all input connected BT carkit have a disadvantage.... the phonesound only works if that input is selected and other inputs don't get muted if a call is received..

Ive been using a Parrot MK6000 for the past 6 years. There is enough space behind the stereo to fit the module, No other adaptors were required.

Apologies if a minor plug post isn't wanted here, but it seemed relevant:

If anyone is after a Grom BT3 with a loom to plug into a P38 with an Alpine head unit, I have one to sell. Has the microphone and a 3.5mm auxiliary line in cable too with it. The BT3 literally just connects to the CD changer port of the Alpine head unit - no other connections necessary. Comes with a loom for an E39 BMW 5 series too.

Works well, but it turned out a metal clip had fallen into my head unit had shorted out some things and damaged it, so I've changed the lot now as the price of a second hand P38 Alpine unit wasn't worth it!

Hi Sloth,

PM system not working .... I'm interested.

e mail me please

peterroscoe2000 at hotmail.com