tidmutt

Hi All,

I searched and couldn't find any threads that covered my questions in detail. If I missed it, please point me to the right place.

I recently installed an XCarLink adapter in my 8 which included the bluetooth accessory. I tried the microphone placed in those small slots down near the right drivers knee but found that the volume was insufficient for making calls. So I have a few questions regarding mounting it elsewhere:

- Would it be possible to run the microphone wire up the A-Pillar so that the microphone sort of just protrudes where the A-Pillar ends?
- Is this likely to interfere with the airbag in anyway?
- If it's okay to install it in the A-Pillar are there any DIY guides for this?
- Any suggestions for alternative placement?

Thanks.

WikkedOne

I have mine sticking out from the a-pillar right at the top of the plastic - it's about head level and out of the way. the only trouble I'm having is getting it to stay in there. I have it under the rubber and between the plastic and headboard, but it wiggles out when i open and close the door sometimes

I don't think that little wire could mess up the airbag at all - that thing deploys with TONS of force, the little wire isn't going to interfere much

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

That's where I have mine. You don't even need to remove the a-pillar. Just remove the weather stripping to run the wire up to it, then clip it on the edge of the a-pillar. And that airbag deploys with so much force, it would shred anything in front of it. Just watch what you're doing and you'll be fine.

parkstr8

How do you like the Xcar link? I have the Dice...but hate that I can only use the volume control on the steering wheel....i want to be able to forward thru songs, etc...

To our question...the a-pillar is one of the most common places...or past it to where the visor is. Have not done the install myself tho.

-s-

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

lol what he said.

And Wikked, my Pioneer came with a little mic clip

Just shoved one end of the clip underneath the a-pillar and it's held perfectly ever since. Pretty sure almost all the mics for all indash units are the same. You could probably use the pioneer one.... or just order the clip if your actual mic looks the same.

laythor

When i had my avic d3 i had the micophone mounted at the top of the A pillar, when i upgrade to my alpine INA-W900BT my installer moved it to the headliner right next to the rear view mirror.
I've never had people complain about being able to hear me in either location.

LunchboxCritter

tidmutt

Ah, I see what you mean, that could work well. How hard is it to remove the weather stripping?

tidmutt

I like this, I might try to find a clip.

tidmutt

Nice, how hard was it to run the wire up under the instrument cluster?

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Exactly where I have mine, except on the right side

tidmutt

Well, the XCarLink is not bad, although I've never been able to sort out a buzzing sound when I have my Ipod Classic connected. To their credit, the rpmstore were great about returning it and trying other units. They all had the same problem. I noticed if I connect my iphone there is no buzzing, so perhaps it's a grounding issue with my IPod. I decided to keep it because the bluetooth functionality is pretty good, the A2DP music streaming works well (no buzzing!). I've since replaced my iPhone with a HTC Inspire so I'm contemplating just leaving the iPhone in the car loaded with music or I might just put a 32 GB SD card in my HTC and stream music over bluetooth instead. Bought a phone mount to that end. Oh, Pandora running on the phone streaming over A2DP is pretty sweet too.

As for track selection, it works fairly well with the IPod, fairly fast, although not super responsive. I'd say overall it's worth the purchase, it doesn't work as well as the factory bluetooth/IPod integration in my wife's Hyundai Santa Fe though.

eftoy1

I am on the phone in the car a lot for work. And I need good call clarity with those who I talk to. I have had the mic by the rear view mirror and now behind the steering wheel and I still don't seem to get consistent call quality. Any suggestions. If my mic is "hanging" by the wire about 3 inches from the roof of the car by the rv mirror it sounds good but don't really want to have a mic hanging from the top of my car. doesn't the a-pillar location cause a lot of road/wind noise? Will it ever get as clear as a headset?

mbentley

iTrader: (1)

i have mine tucked up at the top of the a-pillar. mine is right at the corner of the windshield and where the top of the plastic meets. occasionally it does slide out of place but lately it has stayed pretty well. i have the cable ran pretty snugly so it doesn't allow for much slack to form at all. only time it seems to move these days is when i get my oil changed and they try to put their little sticker up in the corner of my windshield.