Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

[cbm8880 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cbm8880]

Hi All,

My GX was ordered with the upgraded 6 stacker CD head unit. Whilst overall the unit is fantastic, a lot of people I am talking to on the phone (using the bluetooth handsfree function) they complain that the audio is scratchy, and drops out a lot (even if they are not using a handsfree unit themselves). I can hear their audio just fine, but the problem seems to be at my end.

Thoughts ? ? ?

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

Hi All,

My GX was ordered with the upgraded 6 stacker CD head unit. Whilst overall the unit is fantastic, a lot of people I am talking to on the phone (using the bluetooth handsfree function) they complain that the audio is scratchy, and drops out a lot (even if they are not using a handsfree unit themselves). I can hear their audio just fine, but the problem seems to be at my end.

Thoughts ? ? ?

I have the factory 6 stacker disc head unit upgraded on my camry too. Not too sure if it's the same unit but anyway...

Scratchy .... Do you drive with your window open? or the aircon vent towards the mic? It's not a scratchy noise, but there can be distortion.

As for the drop outs, I've experienced these too. It always occurs around the same area. I usually drive across Melbourne from east to west and vice versa while on the phone the whole way. It could be the mobile carrier you are with. I usually get disconnected at Albert Park and the Westgate bridge. The mobile carrier I'm with is "Three".

If its bluetooth drop out, then that's another story. It could be to do with the phone's case (if you're using one). Other than that, it may either be the phone or the head unit. Perhaps you should try using a different phone, preferbly with a different mobile carrier such as Telstra.

Also, if its the same headunit as mine, you may want to be careful having the stacker fully loaded with CDs when going offroad or over bumps. I've had my unit replaced once already because the CDs got jammed up inside which stuffed the shuffling mechanism or something like that...

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[benjl Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close benjl]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

Bluetooth is a digital connection, meaning usually conversations will be there .. or not ... or garbled/paused like you get with digital TV these days on bad signal. Try moving the handset in the car to somewhere it may not get electro magnetic interference with the MIC or alternatively something interfering with the MIC physically. Eg. away from centre console or the radio units.

Other question is - where is the handsfree MIC for the bluetooth setup in the car? Maybe something went a bit funny in assembly? Eg. its not near something moving is it? like steering wheel column or fan?

Phone handsets are too smart for their own good these days, usually with separate controllers for all their different software and radio/rf functions. My general observation is making and handling a simple conversation these days seems to be a stretch beyond facebooking and tweeting. Connection/connectionless.

Good suggestion from William about eliminating the handset or the car.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

The Mic is in the head unit so like the GXL in the 120( same unit) it can be upset by the air cond on full bore I have found, just one option to try. I always turn it down to 2nd setting or less.

[cbm8880 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cbm8880]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

Hey guys,

Thanks to all for your replies. I should have given some more info in the original post :

I have tried lowering the aircon fan speed, though normally it just sits on the lowest setting. As the mic is in the head unit, the vent doesn't blow over the mic.

It is not the bluetooth connection as such, as I can hear the other party perfectly even whilst they complain that I am scratchy and dropping in and out. Being able to hear them, this rules out the network service problem as well.

I have tried turning the volume down to avoid the old simplex/duplex problem.

I really do suspect it is the head unit mic/processing and am wondering if anyone else has experienced similar?

Regards,

cbm8880

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

I have the same unit in my 09 120, although it seems to be working OK for now ( touch wood ). However, I do know of a number of friends that have had their radios replaced under warrenty because of issues with the phone/bluetooth opperation. All the ones I know of relate to mic issues. This problem is well documented on many forums. Friends with the after-market bluetooth radios with remote mics dont seem to have the same problems.
Bazza.

[benjl Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close benjl]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

So sounds like something for Toyota? If often makes you wonder how hard some of these basic things can be for car manufacturers. Hence why I don't upgade the audio systems as options or buy satnav in the car. They charge more and do a crappier job (this goes for all car manufacturers - equal prejudice).

Just out of curiosity, what has the phone recognised the bluetooth as? I've noticed with some phones they pair with a "hands free kit" and some pair with "external speakers" .. I'd also consider doing a software upgrade on your phone if that is possible. Even if it doesn't appear to be the problem, worth doing anyway.

[cbm8880 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cbm8880]

Re: Phone Bluetooth Scratchy

It shows up as Car Multimedia. Has always functioned normally except the poor quality of audio that my callers hear.

Thanks for the info all!