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Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 23rd 17, 04:01 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

I'm thinking of installing a Gromaudio device that, if your car radio
has a CD changer input jack, allows for USB input, AUX input from a
cellphone, and for another $50 Bluetooth use of the cellphone through
the car speakers and an add-on microphone (in addition to the first
$150).

The most important feature for me is the USB input.

Do any of you know anything good or bad about Grom audio? Do any of you
know a competitor you would recommend (instead?)?

For example, Crutchfield sells a similar device that is only $70 for
everything (except the microphone and I can't even figure out how to
plug a microphone in). But assuming a microphone would work, would you
assume the one that sells for $200 is better than the one that sells for
70?


I've read as many reviews as I can find, but I wanted your opinions, and
I wanted to let you know such things are available. I never heard of
them before 4 days ago.

Their webpages will tell you if your car factory radio is compatible.
They say they even retain the use of SWC, steering wheel controls.

There are one or two other companies that sell devices that have
everything but the USB input, and I found something on ebay that had
everything and was only $18. At that price it's worth trying it just in
case it works, but based on the pictures, I don't think I could find one
that fit my particular jack. Hmm. Now it says "Only 4 available" and
the price has gone up to $20.
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  #2  
Old September 23rd 17, 06:30 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
Paul in Houston TX[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 201
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

micky wrote:
> I'm thinking of installing a Gromaudio device that, if your car radio
> has a CD changer input jack, allows for USB input, AUX input from a
> cellphone, and for another $50 Bluetooth use of the cellphone through
> the car speakers and an add-on microphone (in addition to the first
> $150).
>
> The most important feature for me is the USB input.


Forget the input jack and use FM wireless. Search Ebay.

IMO, bluetooth phone in a vehicle does not work very well.
The outgoing sounds are muffled, distorted, and hard to understand.
However, if you want to send music from your ipod to the vehicle
audio it works well enough.

  #3  
Old September 24th 17, 02:00 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 11:01:57 -0400, micky
> wrote:

>
>There are one or two other companies that sell devices that have
>everything but the USB input, and I found something on ebay that had
>everything and was only $18.


Correction: It only has USB and AUX. When I came across it, totally by
chance, I didn't think I could add on even that much. I thought I'd
have to buy a newer radio, and I certainly hadn't considered Bluetooth.


> At that price it's worth trying it just in
>case it works, but based on the pictures, I don't think I could find one
>that fit my particular jack. Hmm. Now it says "Only 4 available" and
>the price has gone up to $20.


Correction, now for this particular car, it says 0 available but good
news, the price is down to $18.


If you want to look for more, the search terms are car kit .
I find that amazing considering there must be kits for all sorts of
things, but apparently they don't get to use the term car kit.

Crutchfield has 13 things, not all with good reviews:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-gdyc2k...free-Kits.html
I can't find the one I looked at before, unless it was the one for 89
dollars

but there are loads of other by lots of companies running from $40 to
270. the last one includes HD radio, but for that you have to mount an
antenna a little smaller than a bic lighter inside the windshield or so.

  #4  
Old September 24th 17, 03:50 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 12:30:27 -0500, Paul in Houston
TX > wrote:

>micky wrote:
>> I'm thinking of installing a Gromaudio device that, if your car radio
>> has a CD changer input jack, allows for USB input, AUX input from a
>> cellphone, and for another $50 Bluetooth use of the cellphone through
>> the car speakers and an add-on microphone (in addition to the first
>> $150).
>>
>> The most important feature for me is the USB input.

>
>Forget the input jack and use FM wireless. Search Ebay.


Do you mean something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Mus...AOSwImRYjlr j

Or this one is ridiculously cheap
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3818484...=ps&dispItem=1 ? this
uses a 3.5mm input from a cell phone, but I don't think I'll be using a
cell phone. I can't afford unlimited data. Most likely I'll be dl'ing
podcasts and putting them on a flashdrive. Although I have to say it
might be worth buying this anyhow. It's only $2.85 with free shipping!
OT3H I found a half dozen seller who'd sold over 1000 and only 1 review
came back! He said it broke after a month. ;-)

How can cellphone makers consider getting rid of the 3.5mm jack with so
many things that use it?
>
>IMO, bluetooth phone in a vehicle does not work very well.
>The outgoing sounds are muffled, distorted, and hard to understand.
>However, if you want to send music from your ipod to the vehicle
>audio it works well enough.


Actually, the radio itself has plenty of music and I just want to send
talk, downloaded podcasts. That requires even less quality, iiuc.
  #5  
Old September 24th 17, 05:37 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
Paul in Houston TX[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 201
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

micky wrote:
> In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 12:30:27 -0500, Paul in Houston
> TX > wrote:


> Or this one is ridiculously cheap
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3818484...=ps&dispItem=1 ? this
> uses a 3.5mm input from a cell phone, but I don't think I'll be using a
> cell phone. I can't afford unlimited data. Most likely I'll be dl'ing
> podcasts and putting them on a flashdrive. Although I have to say it
> might be worth buying this anyhow. It's only $2.85 with free shipping!
> OT3H I found a half dozen seller who'd sold over 1000 and only 1 review
> came back! He said it broke after a month. ;-)


What is a "flashdrive"?
If it is a usb stick then there are devices to play usb music with fm.
My son had one in his last car but I don't know which brand.
It worked pretty good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Wi...75.c100623.m-1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Wi...IAAOSw~e5ZQEdu


  #6  
Old September 24th 17, 11:29 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
Bruce Esquibel[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In sci.electronics.repair micky > wrote:

> Do any of you know anything good or bad about Grom audio? Do any of you
> know a competitor you would recommend (instead?)?


No comment on them but a general 2-cent comment.

Keep in mind that most of these "adapters" need power, usually by a
rechargeable battery built into them and that is the major pain in the ass.

I had a 97 Lincoln that had a non-replaceable radio (amps and other parts of
it were scattered all over the car), it had a cassette player and 10 disc cd
changer but since you can get like 1400 mp3's on a cheap 16GB ipod, I wanted
to use one of those.

They probably are still made (maybe) but there was a cassette to bluetooth
adapter and it really worked well, provided it was charged up. Battery life
was only 4-6 hours and it really sucked when 15 minutes into a 2 hour drive
it starts beeping at you to charge it up. Back to the radio.

I'd really recommend if whatever you are looking at isn't wired into the
car, forget it.

My overall recommendation is screw all these adapters and replace the radio.

I don't know what kind of car or truck you have but you should be able to
find from Crutchfield, a radio, wiring harness that supports the steering
wheel controls and if needed, the adapter plate (bezel) for $150 or less.

Most of those under $100 radios they sell have at least 1 usb port (the dual
ones are front/back, the back if you want to run a cable somewhere), usually
bluetooth and have a aux input.

My point is, it's a little more expensive than it seems you are planning on,
will take at least an afternoon of work to install but once it's done, you
just don't have to worry about anything. Provided you remember to bring the
phone/ipod or usb stick with you, it just works.

I put up with that cassette adapter for 4-5 years and although it was worth
the $35 or so it just wasn't dependable. I replaced the car earlier this
year with another used Lincoln, but the at least the radio was more
standard. I wanted to try that apple carplay and although it ran almost $500
for everything, I'd never get another car without it.

I'm pushing 60 and the last car radio I installed was back when dashboards
were still made of steel and although it took me 3 attempts over 3 days to
get everything to work right (who would of thunk to attach the tripwire for
the amps to the power antenna lead from the radio), I'd do it again in a
heartbeat.

I stuffed all the wiring via the shift tunnel into the center console thing
and don't have any wires or plugs exposed. If you go on a short trip and
don't plug the phone/ipod in, the radio does a search for a bluetooth
connection automatically and off ya go. Can still switch tracks and control
volume from the steering wheel and make hands-free phone calls.

All those adapters have their place but for long term enjoyment, replace the
radio.

-bruce


  #7  
Old October 3rd 17, 05:14 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In sci.electronics.repair, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 22:50:26 -0400, micky
> wrote:

>In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 12:30:27 -0500, Paul in Houston
>TX > wrote:
>
>>micky wrote:
>>> I'm thinking of installing a Gromaudio device that, if your car radio
>>> has a CD changer input jack, allows for USB input, AUX input from a
>>> cellphone, and for another $50 Bluetooth use of the cellphone through
>>> the car speakers and an add-on microphone (in addition to the first
>>> $150).
>>>
>>> The most important feature for me is the USB input.

>>
>>Forget the input jack and use FM wireless. Search Ebay.

>
>Do you mean something like this:
>
>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Mus...AOSwImRYjlr j


Yes, I'm sure you do. I bought it. And I've tested it in the car with
a little MP3 player and it works well afaict so far. Now to load up the
MP3 player before my trip in November.
>
>Or this one is ridiculously cheap
>http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3818484...=ps&dispItem=1 ? this


I think for $3 I'll buy another one, for when I break the first one.

>uses a 3.5mm input from a cell phone, but I don't think I'll be using a
>cell phone. I can't afford unlimited data. Most likely I'll be dl'ing
>podcasts and putting them on a flashdrive. Although I have to say it
>might be worth buying this anyhow. It's only $2.85 with free shipping!
>OT3H I found a half dozen seller who'd sold over 1000 and only 1 review
>came back! He said it broke after a month. ;-)
>
>How can cellphone makers consider getting rid of the 3.5mm jack with so
>many things that use it?
>>
>>IMO, bluetooth phone in a vehicle does not work very well.
>>The outgoing sounds are muffled, distorted, and hard to understand.
>>However, if you want to send music from your ipod to the vehicle
>>audio it works well enough.


Very interesting. I have one that plugs into the cig lighter, but I've
only made one call and, at my request, received one call. I was able to
talk and drive that time, because of the route, but I'm not sure I could
other times.

>Actually, the radio itself has plenty of music and I just want to send
>talk, downloaded podcasts. That requires even less quality, iiuc.



  #8  
Old October 3rd 17, 05:17 AM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In sci.electronics.repair, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 23:37:31 -0500, Paul in
Houston TX > wrote:

>micky wrote:
>> In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 12:30:27 -0500, Paul in Houston
>> TX > wrote:

>
>> Or this one is ridiculously cheap
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3818484...=ps&dispItem=1 ? this
>> uses a 3.5mm input from a cell phone, but I don't think I'll be using a
>> cell phone. I can't afford unlimited data. Most likely I'll be dl'ing
>> podcasts and putting them on a flashdrive. Although I have to say it
>> might be worth buying this anyhow. It's only $2.85 with free shipping!
>> OT3H I found a half dozen seller who'd sold over 1000 and only 1 review
>> came back! He said it broke after a month. ;-)

>
>What is a "flashdrive"?
>If it is a usb stick


Yes, that's it.

>then there are devices to play usb music with fm.
>My son had one in his last car but I don't know which brand.
>It worked pretty good.
>
>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Wi...75.c100623.m-1


It's amazing that they have a remote control for a car. Maybe the
people in the back seat will use it.

>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-Wi...IAAOSw~e5ZQEdu
>

Thanks.
  #9  
Old October 3rd 17, 06:50 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In sci.electronics.repair, on Sun, 24 Sep 2017 10:29:35 +0000 (UTC),
Bruce Esquibel > wrote:

>In sci.electronics.repair micky > wrote:
>
>> Do any of you know anything good or bad about Grom audio? Do any of you
>> know a competitor you would recommend (instead?)?

>
>No comment on them but a general 2-cent comment.
>
>Keep in mind that most of these "adapters" need power, usually by a
>rechargeable battery built into them and that is the major pain in the ass.
>
>I had a 97 Lincoln that had a non-replaceable radio (amps and other parts of
>it were scattered all over the car), it had a cassette player and 10 disc cd
>changer but since you can get like 1400 mp3's on a cheap 16GB ipod, I wanted
>to use one of those.
>
>They probably are still made (maybe) but there was a cassette to bluetooth
>adapter and it really worked well, provided it was charged up. Battery life
>was only 4-6 hours and it really sucked when 15 minutes into a 2 hour drive
>it starts beeping at you to charge it up. Back to the radio.
>
>I'd really recommend if whatever you are looking at isn't wired into the
>car, forget it.


Yeah it is. I'd forgotten about your answer and Houston Paul's and I
started a new likely-to-be short thread.
>
>My overall recommendation is screw all these adapters and replace the radio.


I looked at other radios but this one has GPS and a map and I know I'll
get bored by it in a while, but not yet, so maybe then I'll replace the
radio.
>
>I don't know what kind of car or truck you have but you should be able to
>find from Crutchfield, a radio, wiring harness that supports the steering
>wheel controls and if needed, the adapter plate (bezel) for $150 or less.
>
>Most of those under $100 radios they sell have at least 1 usb port (the dual
>ones are front/back, the back if you want to run a cable somewhere), usually
>bluetooth and have a aux input.
>
>My point is, it's a little more expensive than it seems you are planning on,
>will take at least an afternoon of work to install but once it's done, you
>just don't have to worry about anything. Provided you remember to bring the
>phone/ipod or usb stick with you, it just works.
>
>I put up with that cassette adapter for 4-5 years and although it was worth
>the $35 or so it just wasn't dependable. I replaced the car earlier this
>year with another used Lincoln, but the at least the radio was more
>standard. I wanted to try that apple carplay and although it ran almost $500
>for everything, I'd never get another car without it.
>
>I'm pushing 60 and the last car radio I installed was back when dashboards
>were still made of steel and although it took me 3 attempts over 3 days to
>get everything to work right (who would of thunk to attach the tripwire for
>the amps to the power antenna lead from the radio)


Not me.

>I'd do it again in a
>heartbeat.


It's easier now because you don't have to lie on your back with your
head under the dash. Things go in and out from the front.

But there are still other things that require one's head under the dash,
and I'm 70 y.o. now. That's not really a problem but they weight I
gained is.

>I stuffed all the wiring via the shift tunnel into the center console thing
>and don't have any wires or plugs exposed. If you go on a short trip and
>don't plug the phone/ipod in, the radio does a search for a bluetooth
>connection automatically and off ya go. Can still switch tracks and control
>volume from the steering wheel and make hands-free phone calls.


A lot of them, all that I saw, keep the SWC (steering wheel controls,
that's the abbreviation they use.) still working. It seems a challenge
to make the SWC, the radio, the adapter, and a cell phone all work
together.

>All those adapters have their place but for long term enjoyment, replace the
>radio.


Some day maybe. But for $10 I bought a Wireless to FM transmitter.
They sell them for as little as $3 but you have to wait until they come
from China. It seems to work pretty well with my little SanDisk Clip. I
glued a kitchen match to it to fill in the space and used a rubber band
to hold them together.

The Clip holds 4Gig and the SD card holds another 4Gig, but you can get
up to 8 plus 32gig. 3Gig holds about 2000 songs (I'm going to use Find
Everything to find and delete the duplicates, which have (1 , (2, or (3
in the title, buit there are about 1100 distinct 50's and 60's songs,
and there are even more on a different station.) I'm going to start on
podcasts science and history podcasts (Science Friday and Back Story) in
a couple days.

I thought the $18 item referred to in the new thread would not fit my
radio, but after a while I decided it should. It should come within a
week. So it's only 18 instead of 200. No bluetooth but no one calls me
anyhow. And I guess the USB jack won't accomplish anything, but the
3.5mm jack should plug straight into the MP3 player, so I won't need the
wireless then.

>-bruce

>


  #10  
Old October 15th 17, 04:29 PM posted to rec.autos.tech,alt.home.repair,sci.electronics.repair
micky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 383
Default Grom Audio, adding USB and Bluetooth to your car radio

In rec.autos.tech, on Tue, 03 Oct 2017 00:14:05 -0400, micky
> wrote:

>In sci.electronics.repair, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 22:50:26 -0400, micky
> wrote:
>
>>In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 23 Sep 2017 12:30:27 -0500, Paul in Houston
>>TX > wrote:
>>
>>>micky wrote:
>>>> I'm thinking of installing a Gromaudio device that, if your car radio
>>>> has a CD changer input jack, allows for USB input, AUX input from a
>>>> cellphone, and for another $50 Bluetooth use of the cellphone through
>>>> the car speakers and an add-on microphone (in addition to the first
>>>> $150).
>>>>
>>>> The most important feature for me is the USB input.
>>>
>>>Forget the input jack and use FM wireless. Search Ebay.

>>
>>Do you mean something like this:
>>
>>http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Mus...AOSwImRYjlr j

>
>Yes, I'm sure you do. I bought it. And I've tested it in the car with
>a little MP3 player and it works well afaict so far. Now to load up the
>MP3 player before my trip in November.
>>
>>Or this one is ridiculously cheap
>>http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3818484...=ps&dispItem=1 ? this


This seemed to work well the first time, but it might be that the
battery went way down even when I wasn't using it and after recharging,
the sound still wasn't as good as the first time. Maybe I picked a bad
vacant frequency. Maybe I'll find the same sort of thing for more money
and that will mean it's better?
>
>I think for $3 I'll buy another one, for when I break the first one.

 




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