This is the unit on my desk. Schmiko box, the unit, instructions, 2 harnesses (one to the ipod/hpone and one to the stereo) AND with the bluetooth ones A MICROPHONE which can be mounted anywhere giving TOTALS HANDS FREE!
We will have reviews on all 3 units soon. But all have exactly the same appearance and are no bigger than a nokia mobile, say 6310 etc etc.
Installation was easy, once the headunit is out it just plugged into the CD Changer port, I ran the Cables and then used sticky backed Velcro to attach the unit to the back of my glove box.
I pre-loaded a SD card with 5 albums and named the folders CD02 CD03 CD04 CD05 CD06 (CD01 plays the entire SD card in one file). Once powered up the unit switched from "CD" to "CD" with about a 1 second delay, it cued up the first track on each "CD" after about an other second. The sound quality was excellent, literally CD quality. No complaints. Head unit random, +/- Disk and +/- track buttons functioned as did the steering wheel buttons.
Pressing the "repeat" button triggers the toggle between SD and Aux mode on the DMC unit.
I plugged a 3.5m stereo lead into tha Aux port in the DMC unit and led it from behind the dash into the car, and to the 3.5mm on my blackberry. This allowed me to us my blackberry in handsfree mode (the BB detects handsfree mode and increases mic sensitivity, the minister for finance/war/misery and 2 clients I spoke with had no complaints over sound quality and nor did i from the car speakers). I then tested the BB media player and it was fine.
So, when listening to and SD card and your phone rings, simply hit "repeat" to switch to aux mode (in my case the BB) and answer the call. Once finished hit "repeat again" and the unit switches back to the CD/USB drive and continues where you left off.
The only thing that would make this better would be bluetooth and an external microphone - exactly what the IPOD model the armthehomeless will be testing this weekend.
Well I have this unit installed and I thought I'd jot down a few of my thoughts so far...
Very easy to install!
It took me about 2 minutes to remove the head unit from my car and put the plug in the back! Those who are scared to do it...don't be...it's easy!
Sound Quality
So far, I'm very happy with the sound quality when my iPod is plugged in to the unit. I am having difficulties with the quality on my iPhone though, as I am getting earthing problems and getting static through the line. (I used to get this with the iPhone when charging and using the regular aux input, so it might be my iPhone). Because it is a full digital signal, you don't have to adjust the volume on the iPod/iPhone to maximum like you do on the aux input, which I am very happy about!
Ease of use
It's pretty easy to use. Track up and track down do as advertised, which is a great feature. Unfortunately the track time and track numbers don't correspond to the actually track time and numbers on the iPod, so don't rely on it. I do like the feature that when you turn off the car or change to the radio, it pauses playback and resumes when you turn the car back on or go to the iPod interface again. I didn't really test out the playlist function (pressing disc up/down) as I don't have any. You retain access to the iPod controls when connected.
Bluetooth
I had issues pairing my iPhone with it as it wouldn't accept the auth code. But eventually it worked. Making a call was easy enough and paused playback when I dialled. Call quality seemed to be ok. Receiving a call was another matter. Whilst playing, and a call came in, it first tried to pause playback but then resumed and wouldn't allow me to hear the call. I had to change the iPhone to regular handset to take the call. I am still testing bluetooth. I'm not sold on it just yet - but it might be worthwhile after iPhone 3.0 software comes out and you can stream to it using A2DP stereo bluetooth connection.
Positives
Track up and down is good, however there is a short delay
Pausing and resuming upon vehicle off or stereo input change
Digital quality on iPod
Call quality on bluetooth was satisfactory thanks to ext mic.
Easy to install
Negatives
Track time and numbers aren't accurate, mostly wrong
Bluetooth was hard to pair
Bluetooth wouldn't allow me to answer a call
Cumbersome cabling.
'Not Official Apple Accessory' warning on iPhone is annoying
Thanks Rowan. I haver now rectified all the issues you had except the inaccuracy of the timer. Our conversation this pm was clear from my end.
**********************The Iphone must be paierd by bluetooth to enable phone calls to be made without static*************as it says in the instructions that neither of you read
I'm looking forward to hearing from Duglet how the non-bluetooth unit is performing.
I can say that the USB version is working extremely well both for music and my phone via the 3.5mm aux port.
Forum Regular
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
