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Bluetooth help on my new Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Patman36, Jul 17, 2004.

  1. Patman36

    Patman36 New Member

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    Hey folks. Just picked my Prius up today and love it. I am fairly handy with Bluetooth, been using it for over a year and it is a great "gadget." Anyways, I have a Nokia 3650 and am having trouble using it with my car.

    I can pair the car and phone easily. Making/receiving calls is like normal. The only problem is that people on the other end of the line can hardly hear me; maybe 90% of what I am saying gets drowned out by static/misc. "gurgling" noises (not scientific, I know). I can hear them perfectly.

    I know my phone works with the Prius. Before I picked this one up, I had driven a Toyota TRAC Prius, EXACTLY like mine. I was making calls like a pro with no problems at all. Now with mine, people can't hear me... or can barely hear me.

    Any ideas on what this might be? Hopefully it is a simple fix, but most likely not. Let me know what you think, I appreciate it.

    Patrick
     
    #1 Patman36, Jul 17, 2004
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    First thing I'd try is turning down the volume of the speakers for the incoming calls. Start at 2-3 dashes. That solves 90% of the sound quality problems for the reciever as it decreases feedback.
     
    #2 efusco, Jul 17, 2004
  3. Patman36

    Patman36 New Member

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    Man I didn't think of that... great idea. I should have realized feedback would be a problem.

    I linked the two this morning, made a call and turned the volume on the "car phone" to two bars. The caller said it still sounded "like a jackhammer."

    Any other ideas? This is so weird, they can hear me but it sounds like I am at a construction site. Am I pairing them wrong? I noticed that in the Prius's menu that you can change the name of what your phone discovers (i.e. 'Bluetooth handset' or 'Hands Free' were two of the options I notices). Does one of those matter?

    Patrick
     
    #3 Patman36, Jul 17, 2004
  4. Darkmage

    Darkmage New Member

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    The name used to pair your phone and your car doesn't matter. It really only effects what the phone displays when it attempts to discover Bluetooth devices.

    Do you have any problems placing calls when you are not in the car?
     
    #4 Darkmage, Jul 20, 2004
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Ok, there is a super-secret diagnostic screen you can go to and adjust the sound quality.

    From the FAQs
    How do I get into the diagnostic screens?

    Start the Prius. While pressing and holding â€INFO†switch, operate light control switch, OFF, TAIL, OFF, TAIL, OFF, TAIL, OFF. The diagnostic mode starts and the service check screen (â€System Check Modeâ€) will be displayed. Service inspection starts automatically and the result will be displayed after a short pause. You’ll be able to see how many satellites are currently being received as well as Greenwich Mean Time, among other things. Press “Menu†to see the menu. To exit either turn the power switch off, or press the â€DISPLAY†switch for 3 seconds.
     
    #5 efusco, Jul 20, 2004
  6. Patman36

    Patman36 New Member

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    Not at all, very clear reception.

    I have a friend who has a newer phone with Bluetooth. He came over last night, we paired the phone and car and made a phone call. The exact same problem happened; we could hear the individual but it sounded like a jackhammer to them.

    I wonder if it is something wrong with the microphone? I'll check that diagnostics screen to see what I can find.

    Patrick
     
    #6 Patman36, Jul 21, 2004
  7. Jonnycat26

    Jonnycat26 New Member

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    This may be a dumb idea, but I'd try picking up a can of compressed air and blasting it into the microphone. If there's anything in there, it should blow it out.

    And as another diagnostic route, how does the voice command work for you? Is the car understanding what you say when you give it commands?
     
    #7 Jonnycat26, Jul 21, 2004
  8. Patman36

    Patman36 New Member

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    Good idea, but where is the microphone located?

    The NAV recognizes me fairly well. I do occasionaly get random results. I will say "FM" and it has brought up everything from Ski Resorts to Banks. But isn't that common for it to misunderstand you? I would say my NAV/Voice success rate is 70%.

    Patrick
     
    #8 Patman36, Jul 21, 2004
  9. Darkmage

    Darkmage New Member

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    Look up, my son. :) It's located just in front of the interior light switches on the ceiling.

    Yeah, I have problems with it, too. Instead of saying "FM", try saying "FM1" or "FM2". I find that works better.

    The latest nift feature I've found is that you can jump directly to a desired temperature when the AC is in Auto. "76 degrees" works pretty well. :)
     
    #9 Darkmage, Jul 26, 2004
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