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Bluetooth phone call quality?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by nola_Prius, Jun 28, 2009.

  1. nola_Prius

    nola_Prius New Member

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    Anyone have the Bluetooth-ready stereo and use it for phone calls?
    How is the quality?
    Where is the microphone located in the car?

    I have a Kenwood DNX8120 in my current car, and an iPhone 3G.
    My only complaint about that stereo is the quality of the Bluetooth phone calls. It sounds great inside the car, but to the person on the other end, it sounds like I'm talking through a megaphone across a verrrrry long hallway. In other words, it doesn't sound that good to the other person.

    This may be resolved by an update for my stereo's firmware, or maybe since I installed the new 3.0 iPhone software, maybe that improved it. (I honestly haven't tried again since I updated to 3.0)

    I'm getting a model IV Prius with roof/nav sometime soon hopefully, and I'm just wondering what to expect with the phone call quality.

    When at the dealer yesterday, I tried syncing my iPhone with one of their nav units. It saw my phone, but when I tried transferring my contacts list, it just sat there saying "transferring"... but it never moved beyond that.
     
    #1 nola_Prius, Jun 28, 2009
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I'm using a Treo 800w right now with my 06, and used it as well as a prior blackberry in my old 2006. I've had no one complain about voice quality, and after I sold my 06' and the person who bought it called me from the car he sounded good to me.

    The mic is mounted in the overhead console where the maplights are. Only problem I have ever had someone complain about is when you have the face vents blowing at a fast speed and they are pointed up (the center ones) they blow into the mic and all people hear is them blowing into the mic... Other than that, I love the bluetooth in the car.
     
    #2 Paradox, Jun 28, 2009
  3. nineinchnail1024

    nineinchnail1024 New Member

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    I have the facory bluetooth in my '10 and haven't had any complaints. The mic is right by the switch for the interior lights.

    Good to see a fellow new orleanian on the forums. Which dealership are you trying out? I had an excellent experience with Lakeside (salesman was Milton Watson).
     
    #3 nineinchnail1024, Jun 28, 2009
  4. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    The BT sound quality for the receiving party leaves something to be desired. It's been discussed a bit, and there was a post with a hack, that I tried and did increase the volume, but the quality still isn't great.
     
    #4 stream, Jun 28, 2009
  5. nola_Prius

    nola_Prius New Member

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    I guess it is somewhat a matter of opinion and what you are used to experiencing.

    I know that with my Kenwood, it doesn't sound very good at all. :( Not unless you are within 6" of the mic. However, it is an external mic/wire that can be replaced with another mic... but I doubt that is the problem... although I never tried out another mic.
     
    #5 nola_Prius, Jun 28, 2009
  6. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Of course, everything is relative--I'm comparing it to the BT quality in my past few cars, which was much better. Never had any complaints before--now I do.
     
    #6 stream, Jun 28, 2009
  7. krisirk

    krisirk Junior Member

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    I find the Bluetooth to work really well. One thing that seems odd to me though is that the sounds only come out of the driver's side front speaker. I've never had a Bluetooth system in my car before, so perhaps that's the norm?

    The volume is great and it is adjustable separate from the music volume. The microphone seems to pick up my voice quite well. I've even had complaints on the other end of me talking too loud.

    I've had the car full of people with all of us talking through the Bluetooth and the other end said everyone came through clearly.

    FWIW I have a HTC Mogul with Sprint and a Prius IV without navigation.

    Kris
     
    #7 krisirk, Jun 28, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  8. dsviv

    dsviv Member

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    Have used the BT several times and seems to be working fine. I did increase the BT volume b/c road noises etc can get loud at times, especially with the SR open.

    Now I just have to remember to use the switches on the steering wheel instead of scrambling to find my phone!
     
    #8 dsviv, Jun 28, 2009
  9. greylar

    greylar New Member

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    I have the GIII PKG3 without nav and was worried that I wouldn't be able to make the volume adjustment as posted here for units with nav but at least with the non-nav BT it appears that the sound quality is as good as my 08. No complaints from anyone on the other end. I suspect the problems are only with the nav BT.

    You phone will likely make a difference as well. I have a motorola razr

    G
     
    #9 greylar, Jun 28, 2009
  10. wfolta

    wfolta Active Member

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    I have a Prius III without NAV and I've been told that the call quality at the other end is good and, like you, to talk more softly. I use it with an iPhone 3GS.
     
    #10 wfolta, Jun 29, 2009
  11. jmac4582

    jmac4582 Junior Member

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    On the bluetooth setup in the 2010s does anyone know if you can use call waiting if you have another call coming in while you are on the phone or do you have to hang up on the first call to answer the second incoming call? I have an 07' Infiniti now and I dont have call waiting on my bluetooth setup.
     
    #11 jmac4582, Jun 29, 2009
  12. Coastie

    Coastie New Member

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    BT phone quality is excellent. Better than in my Gen II Prius--there's more volume on my end, and reception seems better for the person on the other end.
     
    #12 Coastie, Jun 30, 2009
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