Phone Integration Confirmation - Benzworld.org

pjd8406 · 07-09-2008, 07:52 PM

I should start by thanking you all for the great material on the topic of mobile phone integration options. I read most of them and would like to confirm a few things with you and get some advice.

The car is a 03 s500 4matic with Command and v60 hard wire. I have already installed a Euro Car Phone blue tooth system. I would like to make use of the external antenna. I drive along a route that has spotty mobile coverage and the glass in the car seems to interfere with the native antenna. I am also willing to get a new handset to get better results.

Research done on this forum makes me think I have a few options.

1) Use an antenna adapter from SmoothTalker for a supported mobile phone to connect the device to the external antenna. I would do that by removing the v60 cradle and connecting the new adapter. I couldn't find a picture of this anywhere so I wanted to confirm that thought.

2) Has anyone used a Wilson Electronics antenna adapter? They have broader phone support.

3) I did not find a good way to integrate the external antenna with a BlackBerry Curve. I did find a few options for Moto SLVR's. I found one option for an iPhone based on a Wilson universal antenna adapter.

4) I am assuming the MHI Cradle is not an option for me because I have a '03 with the CD based Command system. Hence why I need to figure out alternatives.

Do any of the local guru's have any additional insight or input on my analysis?

Thank you in advance,
Patrick

Skylaw · 07-10-2008, 04:42 AM

The following won't answer all of your questions, but may help a little.

1) Your EuroCarphone system (possibly an Argos unit) is working together with your cell phone in a Bluetooth mode. You could replace your V60 cradle (since it isn't being used, if I understand your setup correctly) with a SmoothTalker cradle that will only connect to the external antenna, and also to power (for charging the phone). Your cell phone would continue to use the EuroCarPhone unit, but your signal strength would be boosted as long as you had your phone plugged into the SmoothTalker cradle.

2) I haven't used the Wilson unit, cannot address its performance. SmoothTalker makes something similar, but unlike the Wilson, you must make a connection to the phone itself. However, I am not certain whether you could tie either the Wilson unit or SmoothTalker into your existing external antenna; while it would be physically possible, I don't know if the small external antenna that comes with these systems has electronic components necessary to make the system work. Perhaps you could contact the manufacturers.

3) I didn't see a cradle for a Curve either.

4) You are correct, MHI cradles are not an option for your car.

pjd8406 · 07-10-2008, 05:17 AM

Thanks Skylaw. That helps point me in the right direction. I also appreciate all the earlier posts you did. That made this process a lot easier.

Jaro · 07-10-2008, 08:39 PM

Patrick , If I were you I would look into repeater insted of adapters . Nowdays you can get good quality GSM or CDMA repeater for as low as $200 and you have a great advantage of mobility - no need to plug your phone in something and when you are ready to trade your car you can just pull it out and install it in new one .
With quality repeater you will have better signal in your car than if you are outside standing on the roof .

pjd8406 · 07-11-2008, 07:17 PM

Thanks for the idea Jaro. Ill look into that option. You're right that might be a good option.

For those of you that might be looking for a SmoothTalker update... they are updating their website so the product list is out of date. They have a BB Curve option available now and iPhone should be released on Monday (just in time for the 3g buyers to want to plug it in).

I was wondering about the actual installation of that unit. You can get it with a hard wire power adapter or a traditional cig lighter adapter. I am not sure how the install works. Skylaw or one of the other folks here might be able to elaborate on how these units interface with the existing system. If they don't interface... a new connection would need to be made to the fuse panel for power. I need to look into how to connect the antenna. the smoothtalker uses an FM3 adapter (i think).

Ill keep everyone up to date on the progress i make. I'm sure a few folks would consider a iPhone or BB Curve for this car.