Car Audio - specifically Bluetooth

[Electric_Andy]

Hi All,

we have a Renault Captur 2014 with the Media-Nav "entertainment system". It's very poor, but specifically the BT connectivity is very hit and miss. Sometimes it connects perfectly (albeit slowly but I can handle that), but other times it just says "problem connecting" and won't connect at all. My partner often needs it for calls in the car, and it will often connect for music but not for phone. With my phone (released in 2022 but bought new last year, it uses BT 5.2) it flat out won't connect 50% of the time. The Captur forum is full of complaints about it; and in summary Renault are saying it can't render streamed music very well so basically upgrade it to the newer media Nav system used in 2019 (IIRC) onwards, or use a cable. But that doesn't explain the initial conenctivity to the phone; the fix is just for better streaming performance. We've used it for about 5 years with at least 4 different phones of varying brands, and there is no notable difference in one being better than the other.

So I'd like to install an aftermarket 2 DIN head unit, most of which come with Bluetooth 5.0

My query is: Would a unit with BT 5.0 stand a better chance of connecting better to modern phones (which I assume also use BT 5.0)? Apart from the fact that an aftermarket head unit will have a better Amp and features in it, I don't want to go through all that trouble and experience the same issues. Is there a reliable compatibility chart anywhere, or will it just be suck it and see? Or should I prioritise getting a head unit that has the latest (5.2?) Bluetooth version?

 

[wiggydiggy]

Can you try a cable first? Might be a cheaper option than going full replacement. Try ordering one specific for in-car connectivity as well, I got a little 0.25m cable so my phone can sit in the 'random stuff hole' under the radio. Its slow to connect initially, but once connected seems to work fine.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Can you try a cable first? Might be a cheaper option than going full replacement. Try ordering one specific for in-car connectivity as well, I got a little 0.25m cable so my phone can sit in the 'random stuff hole' under the radio. Its slow to connect initially, but once connected seems to work fine.

Yes that would be a cheap workaround but my partner doesn't like cables. If I'm honest, nor do I. I think if you have BT then it should work all the time, and the stubborn side of me would like to get to the bottom of why this seems to be an issue with car stereos. We have 2 x BT speakers in the house, 1 x BT receiver that was £10.99 7 years ago, and various other BT audio things. ALL of them work seamlessly, every time, no exageration. So I can't understand why we've had so many issues with car stereos! So much so that I'm prepared to buy a new head unit and install it to try and get something that works

 

[markemark]

Local interference? Possibly badly placed or alongside metal casing. Probably very little you can do about it. I’d go cable and see how I get on as the cheapest solution.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Local interference? Possibly badly placed or alongside metal casing. Probably very little you can do about it. I’d go cable and see how I get on as the cheapest solution.

I hadn't thought of interferance. I was watching a chap on YT who installed a unit with reversing camera. He'd run the power line for the camera alongside the DAB aerial. He had no signal on DAB, and the minute he unplugged the reversing camera, it worked perfectly.

So maybe a major factor (and the main difference between that and my home audio stuff) is that car stereos are housed in a metal cage, surrounded by loads of woring....

Which makes me want to try a USB plugin BT receiver....maybe that'll work better and still be cable-less?

 

[wiggydiggy]

Which makes me want to try a USB plugin BT receiver....maybe that'll work better and still be cable-less?

Will that work in the way you want it to? Will your head unit recognize the receiver as a valid interface to use? Probably a cheap experiment and get from that jungle shop and return if it doesn't work.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Hi All,

we have a Renault Captur 2014 with the Media-Nav "entertainment system". It's very poor, but specifically the BT connectivity is very hit and miss. Sometimes it connects perfectly (albeit slowly but I can handle that), but other times it just says "problem connecting" and won't connect at all. My partner often needs it for calls in the car, and it will often connect for music but not for phone. With my phone (released in 2022 but bought new last year, it uses BT 5.2) it flat out won't connect 50% of the time. The Captur forum is full of complaints about it; and in summary Renault are saying it can't render streamed music very well so basically upgrade it to the newer media Nav system used in 2019 (IIRC) onwards, or use a cable. But that doesn't explain the initial conenctivity to the phone; the fix is just for better streaming performance. We've used it for about 5 years with at least 4 different phones of varying brands, and there is no notable difference in one being better than the other.

So I'd like to install an aftermarket 2 DIN head unit, most of which come with Bluetooth 5.0

My query is: Would a unit with BT 5.0 stand a better chance of connecting better to modern phones (which I assume also use BT 5.0)? Apart from the fact that an aftermarket head unit will have a better Amp and features in it, I don't want to go through all that trouble and experience the same issues. Is there a reliable compatibility chart anywhere, or will it just be suck it and see? Or should I prioritise getting a head unit that has the latest (5.2?) Bluetooth version?

Driving using a phone, even hands free is dangerous. Please don't do it.

See for instance https://www.bmj.com/content/331/7514/428

 

[markemark]

You could get something like this. Sure there’s one that suits your phone and car that means you just slot the phone in rather than messing with cables.

 

[fossyant]

Hmm, not liking cables. If you have Android Auto/Apple car play, you have to plug the phone in as it then disables the phone ! You can connect by bluetooth for music, but if I want maps/phone I have to plug in - it's a safety feature.

Does the existing head unit have any car settings in it - if it does, replacing the unit may bugger up access to them !

 

[Psamathe]

Local interference? Possibly badly placed or alongside metal casing. Probably very little you can do about it. I’d go cable and see how I get on as the cheapest solution.

I would expect you can test if it is interference by driving somewhere well clear of other "noise" away from houses, other cars, etc.), turn engine off and see if it connects OK.

That might indicate if interference or might be screening (eg things between radio and phone blocking signal which would be worse of BTLE.

If switching to a 2 DIN unit and depending on budget, the higher priced "Car Play" (Android,Apple) communicate over Wi-Fi which may or may not resolve screening/interference (I believe that BT use 2.4 GHz, same as a fair number of WiFi systems though WiFi might be better at avoiding narrower band interference?.

 

[Psamathe]

nb When I got my current car it had a reliable/reputable/higher end brand radio fitted that did flashy stuff with my iPhone but over a cable. But the cable link was unreliable and would not connect or drop out after a very variable time. I ended-up replacing it as I use it as a source of music when driving.

 

[markemark]

I have analysed the above and deduced your best course of action is to buy a better car….

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What version of BT does the car support?

 

[Electric_Andy]

Will that work in the way you want it to? Will your head unit recognize the receiver as a valid interface to use? Probably a cheap experiment and get from that jungle shop and return if it doesn't work.

yes good point, I have one already so will try it. It might only recognise it as an audio input but not communicate with the phone contacts

 

[Electric_Andy]

You could get something like this. Sure there’s one that suits your phone and car that means you just slot the phone in rather than messing with cables.

seems to be only for charging? Charging is not an issue...unless I have missed something (which is likely)