Plug phone into stereo?

[LukeLog]

Hello folks,

My 04 berlingo has the original cd player headunit, i like it as it's simple and works with the steering wheel controls, however I'd love to be able to listen to my downloaded music and podcasts from my phone when on long journeys. 

Is there any way of retrofitting a cable to achieve this? In a perfect world something that would also charge the phone but not a necessity,bluetooth perhaps?

Cheers,

Luke

[cancunia]

For the original RD3 radio you need something like the 'Connects2' unit that plugs into the CD Changer socket at the back of the radio. You'll also need to get someone to configure the radio via Lexia so that it thinks it has a CD changer. The volume on the Connects2 is not very high though.

TBH, you'd be as well to look for an after market radio with BT & SD / USB slots. The downside of an aftermarket unit is that the steering wheel controls & station info display no longer work unless you buy another box to make the car think it still has the original radio. Since most radios come with their own display & you can use your left hand, the loss is not too great.

[LukeLog]

For the original RD3 radio you need something like the 'Connects2' unit that plugs into the CD Changer socket at the back of the radio. You'll also need to get someone to configure the radio via Lexia so that it thinks it has a CD changer. The volume on the Connects2 is not very high though.

TBH, you'd be as well to look for an after market radio with BT & SD / USB slots. The downside of an aftermarket unit is that the steering wheel controls & station info display no longer work unless you buy another box to make the car think it still has the original radio. Since most radios come with their own display & you can use your left hand, the loss is not too great.

Thanks for the reply Cancunia. I do actually have a single DIN Sony stereo with bluetooth etc etc sat in a box from my last car, however I do really want to keep the screen and steering wheel controls. Sounds like finding an adapter that allows them to keep working is my best solution.

Cheers.

[shedpete]

My girlfriend uses one of those adaptors which plugs into the lighter socket and connects to the phone by Bluetooth. It then broadcasts the music (or whatever e.g. satnav app directions) on FM radio on a particular frequency, so you just tune the radio to it.

It works OK but sounds quality is not the greatest, has a bit of an annoying buzz under the music so I never use it. Then again it was just a cheap one from China. Googling 'car bluetooth adaptor' should get you reviews etc.

Guess the advantage is it's cheap enough to try and requires no surgery to the car. Not 100% sure but I think it also has a USB port built in so you can charge your phone at the same time.

[LukeLog]

My girlfriend uses one of those adaptors which plugs into the lighter socket and connects to the phone by Bluetooth. It then broadcasts the music (or whatever e.g. satnav app directions) on FM radio on a particular frequency, so you just tune the radio to it.

It works OK but sounds quality is not the greatest, has a bit of an annoying buzz under the music so I never use it. Then again it was just a cheap one from China. Googling 'car bluetooth adaptor' should get you reviews etc.

Guess the advantage is it's cheap enough to try and requires no surgery to the car. Not 100% sure but I think it also has a USB port built in so you can charge your phone at the same time.

Cheers Pete, I bought one a while back and it was a bit rubbish so I'd ruled them out. However, youtube convinced me they were much better nowadays and at £14 I took a punt, I've done 600 miles in the last 3 days and it's done exactly what I wanted so thanks for making me think of them again. 

It even allows me to make and take calls through it handsfree which is a bonus.

[Blackshuck]

Hi Luke
Which one was it you got ?

[LukeLog]

Hi Luke
Which one was it you got ?

This one...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01K...UTF8&psc=1

Best to experiment with the radio frequencies to get the best sound quality but it's been great for listening to podcasts and audiobooks.

[killie77]

Just ordered this one. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NULAXY-transmit...B01K4R8RLM
Hope it does the Job.

[cancunia]

Looks interesting.