[taroliw]

This is a sort of call for experiences using the Treo 650 and MHI bluetooth adapter together. I am particularly interested for people to report their software version, firmware version, whether phone is branded (and/or unlocked, if GSM), and what features they have observed to work or not work with the MHI handsfree setup.

Part of my interest derives from the fact that I am still experiencing audio problems even after the dealership installed two microphones that were missing from the factory/VPC. At this point I'm not entirely sure if this is a firmware compatibility problem or still a residual issue with the microphone installation. The dealership says that they successfully tested with a V60 using the BT adapter, but I'm not entirely convinced yet.

In my case, I'm running an unbranded GSM model running ENA-1.20 and 1.71 firmware. This is the lateset available, and actually introduced fixes to the bluetooth implementation to increase compatbility to many existing car kits. Naturally, Mercedes' entry is a major latecomer and so I'm sure hasn't been compatibilty tested -- nor do they seem inclined to test any other phones than Motorola for some reason.

I have observed that several functions do work fine... signal meter, caller ID (no name, just number), basic call handling. I'm just having the aforementioned audio issue -- I can hear the other party speaking but they can't hear me speak.

 

[kinghong]

taroliw,

I also have an unbranded Treo 650 but have not upgraded to 1.20 yet (I think I have 1.13). I'll try testing my Treo 650 out this weekend (both before and after the upgrade) and post back.

Just a quick question: can the other party not hear you at all or is it muffled/quiet?

Michael

 

[taroliw]

kinghong - 4/14/2006 2:28 PM

Just a quick question: can the other party not hear you at all or is it muffled/quiet?

They cannot hear me at all. I've even run several tests to my home voicemail system, and it never detects any sound at all coming from the other end, not even static.

 

[taroliw]

OK. My issue with audio is resolved. It was a wiring issue. Turns out that the missing microphones (a particular R171 issue that a DTB will be issued for soon) was just the first step. It seems that the MOST configurations actually have different microphone plugs on the wiring harness depending on which part is installed up front. So one need be sure that the correct microphone plug is used or you may experience audio issues (though it seems to mostly result in not being able to be heard when speaking on the phone).

Once this was fixed, audio worked perfectly with my 650 running ENA-1.20 and firmware 1.71.

Enjoy!

 

[smalk]

Hi taroliw-

If I understand correctly, you are using the official "Bluetooth puck" which will be available through either/or Mercedes or AWS. Are you satisfied with the unit? Does your phonebook on the Treo 650 download? Does your phone function completely and normally? Was there a reason why you did not use the Argos system?

Sorry for so many questions!

Thanks taroliw!

 

[taroliw]

Well, let's clarify one thing, since I see your G wagen is 2002. The MHI was introduced in 2004/2005 (depdending on model, IIRC) with the use of the MOST ring for integrating audio and telematics in the car. Previous to this, Mercedes used a D2B setup.

The MHI bluetooth adapter will only work with a MHI / MOST configuration. You must have the handsfree kit installed, and that may (depending on model) require COMAND. It has been shown that this module supports many more bluetooth phones than AWS or Mercedes will acknowledge. The only function that seems to be affected (when there is an issue) is the phonebook download... which seems to have been tweaked especially for how Motorola phones store that information.

As for my own experience with compatibility between the MHI adapter and the Treo 650, it's done quite well. The only functions I notice variances in are the phone book (it doesn't download) and caller ID is just the incoming number, not the name. I gather these are linked, since it usually only shows name for people in your phone book. I think there may be other things like voicemail icon, SMS... but those don't bother me one bit. My personal needs for this were to have an integrated bluetooth handsfree solution so that I didn't have to always wear my BT headset in the car.

Another huge benefit with the SLK implementation is that the handsfree kit uses three microphones for noise cancelling... and it works MARVELOUSLY. I've had normal voice level conversations with my top down up to 55MPH! I mention "SLK implementation" because I understand that handsfree kits for different models can employ as few as one and as many as five microphones. This is one area where more is definitely better.

There is also a bluetooth "puck" that AWS resells, which applies only to supported cars with the D2B configuration. The number of phones supported with this puck is so small that most I've heard write about it consider it pretty useless.

I would have considered Argos or MikPhone but neither had a bluetooth solution for MHI/MOST at the time (and I'm not sure they do even at this moment). But since your car most likely has D2B, they both already have integrated alternatives that would do well.

 

[smalk]

Hi taroliw-

Thanks so much for the note and clarfication. There is just so much information out there right now it is a bit over-whelming. I just want to make an informed decision and make my purchase ONE TIME!!!

Thank you again!

 

[taroliw]

Learned something interesting today and wanted to know if others have tried this and found that it works OK, or fell flat on its face...

My Treo is an unbranded/unlocked GSM 650 running ENA-1.20/1.71. One of my dealer friends has a Verizon branded 650 with 1.04a (E911 code) -- which appears, very sadly, to be the latest code Verizon has blessed.

Even worse, he reports that he has been unable to get this device to pair with the MHI BT module in a 2007 S-class. Seems odd it wouldn't even pair, but then this code is old. So I'm curious if other Verizon-toting Treo users have tried and had success with bluetooth with the MHI module...

 

[430convertible]

Treo 650

So what do you need to buy (did you buy) so that you can use the Treo 650 with the steering wheel phone features?
Thanks

 

[taroliw]

So what do you need to buy (did you buy) so that you can use the Treo 650 with the steering wheel phone features?
Thanks

Me? Well, consdering that my car is a 2006 SLK 350, it is equipped with the MOST network. As such, I needed only the following:

• Handsfree Kit (ordered with car)
• MHI Bluetooth Adapter (plugs into armrest outlet)

These two things are basically all that is required if you have a car that uses MOST. Cars before MY 2005 will have D2B networks, so the options there are a little different, and have been discussed many times over throughout the forums.

 

[430convertible]

I called the MB dealer yesterday and they said that at this time, they don't have anything that will work with Treo 650 Sprint...They referred me to wireless4mb.com.

There are so many gagets out there. I'm sort of confused. Like I said, I have a 2000 clk430 cab. and I have a treo 650 sprint. Please tell me what exactly I need to buy so that I can use the treo 650 with my car. I have read all the posts of this forum and still confuse. Help please. Thanks.

 

[taroliw]

... I have a 2000 clk430 cab. ...

Then this is the wrong thread for you, as you do not have a MOST ring and wouldn't have MHI at all. You need to go find a thread about D2B (and additionally "handsfree" or "bluetooth"). A lot of the confusion that winds up happening in these threads is that we mix together discussion of MHI, D2B, MB vs third party solutions... after a while no one can make heads or tails of it.

But... if you're looking for an integrated solution, the advice your dealer gave you to call AWS (wireless4mb.com) was correct. Dealerships no longer sell telephony equipment for the cars... that has been outsourced to AWS.

 

[smalk]

Hey 430-

I just received and installed the bluetooth V60 adaptor (puck) ordered through Mercedes. My cell provider is Sprint and I have a Treo 650. Everything is working fine so far although the phonebook does not download.

 

[430convertible]

so you said the V60 bluetooth adaptor will work with Treo650 as well?

 

[taroliw]

so you said the V60 bluetooth adaptor will work with Treo650 as well?

Yes, I believe that's what smalk said...

 

[430convertible]

yeah...I'll go out and buy one to try. Thanks everyone.

 

[splib]

If you'd like to see how I setup the BT puck in my 2000 CLK430 convertible, check this link: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208-clk-class/1262196-finally-got-mb-bluetooth-adapter.html

 

[smalk]

Yes 430, the bluetooth puck is working just fine!

 

[rula18]

Curious

Hey ya doing.. Just purchased a SLK 350.. about 2 days ago ..
Was wondering....... why do you need the extra connection for the phone which fits into the middle armrest.. i mean.. firstly.. the car has Bluetooth, therefore you should be able to interface with the car normally.. which i can with my phone(Motorola V3). but unfortunaly i cant do anything once i am interfaced... I mean the initial idea behind bluetooth is that u have flexibility to interface all bluetooth devices!... what i dont get is why i need to purchase that xtra kit which i must then change each time i change my phone.. i mean is this just $$ making process or something?.. i say its just inconvienent.. each driver has a differnet, which can not be used unless the appropriate kit is installed, that is just ridiculous! My question is, am i missing something.. is it possibel to interface with the bluetooth functions of the car and use the phone features without having to buy the xtra kit.

Confused,

Rula

 

[taroliw]

Well, the factory integration that MB offers today does not actually have bluetooth built in. Period. Instead, it is designed to offer a generic cradle interface to support (theoretically) any number of different types of phone. MB took the approach of offering a BT module that plugs into this cradle interface (MHI or UHI, depending on your region) and adds bluetooth functionality to the phone integration. I guess the BT module is what you're referring to as the "additional kit"? It's really just a part, like any other cradle you'd purchase if you weren't using BT.

That said, there are indeed solutions (Argos comes to mind) that can be fitted to MOST and D2B cars that have integrated BT, and thus don't take up space in the lower console for the dock connector and module (when fitted). But these are third party integrations (good as they may be). The official solution from MB requires the BT module to be inserted in place of what would normally be jsut a phone cradle.