Add bluetooth streaming and/or AUX to 3G AMI and KEEP iPod interface?

[MaverickX]

My current setup: 2011 A5 with 3G AMI with iPod interface cable. I keep an old iPod in the glove compartment at all times and this works well. What I want: add ability to listen to streaming audio (Pandora, Spotify, NPR, etc), preferably with Bluetooth streaming, but would accept an stereo AUX-IN solution. However, in either case, want to KEEP the iPod in the glove and ability to control via AMI. Problem: All Audi-solutions (bluetooth streaming module, AUX-IN cable) as well as any "hacks" I've seen require you to give up the iPod interface cable in. I don't want to give it up and would prefer to have the flexibility of having an iPod in the glove for the majority of my music, but being able to throw on an iPhone when I want some streaming audio or a passenger wants to share their tunes. Solution: Anything (Audi-certified, aftermarket, DIY hacks) that would allow me to "split" the iPod interface cable so that I could use it with an iPod but also allow "toggling" to either a bluetooth stream or to to an stereo AUX-IN cable. I'm happy to put together some sort of Frankenstein setup to make this work - have looked into CableJive, but doesn't look like they play nice with Audis - but haven't found anything as of yet. Possible? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

[Primea]

I found this product at Best buy online and it works great. It is a wired FM modulator, sounds decent because it is wired in, but wireless to the phone. Since it is wireless through Bluetooth, it keeps you from having the ugly wires hanging out. It took me 2 tries to get it to pair the first time, but pairs easy every time after that. Cool part is that my Pandora music works, but i had to go into the Pandora settings to let it send the audio out through the Bluetooth. Install took me 45 minutes, but I kind of knew what I was doing.

The only thing I don't like about the iSimple ISFM21 is that it doesn't do charging, but i guess the benefit is no charging wire. I fixed this by pluging a charger into my cig plug.

Note: This is the only FM mod that I know of that works with Audi. Audi uses an amplified antenna which will blow up most wired FM mods, but this one is made to handle the power and transfer it through so that it doesn't mess up your FM reception. You will need to purchase 2 antenna adapters, one for in and the other for out, to make this work.

[JonDeutsch]

Hey, this sounds very promising!

I currently have a TuneLink system that plugs into a cig charger and sends the output over FM to any frequency, but since it's not in-line FM, I get a lot of background static which is frankly annoying me.

So, this looks like it resolves this issue. A few questions, though:

1. How/where did you install it?
2. You say it requires power? Is there a way to make it completely hidden in the install?
3. It says it is "app controlled" with 4 FM stations to pick from. I live in a very busy radio market... how can I be sure that one of the 4 will work for me? Or does it barely matter since it's an in-line FM transmitter?

Any info appreciated!
Thx.
Jon

Originally Posted by Primea

I found this product at Best buy online and it works great. It is a wired FM modulator, sounds decent because it is wired in, but wireless to the phone. Since it is wireless through Bluetooth, it keeps you from having the ugly wires hanging out. It took me 2 tries to get it to pair the first time, but pairs easy every time after that. Cool part is that my Pandora music works, but i had to go into the Pandora settings to let it send the audio out through the Bluetooth. Install took me 45 minutes, but I kind of knew what I was doing.

The only thing I don't like about the iSimple ISFM21 is that it doesn't do charging, but i guess the benefit is no charging wire. I fixed this by pluging a charger into my cig plug.

Note: This is the only FM mod that I know of that works with Audi. Audi uses an amplified antenna which will blow up most wired FM mods, but this one is made to handle the power and transfer it through so that it doesn't mess up your FM reception. You will need to purchase 2 antenna adapters, one for in and the other for out, to make this work.

[JonDeutsch]

Found the manual for the iSimple: http://www.pac-audio.com/PACProductD...ons_080911.pdf

Looks pretty promising. Might need a professional installer, though, to do it right? The good news is that there is a switch for 'app controlled' station frequencies, which is good.

This looks more promising than the TuneLink I already invested in, however, professional installation probably adds at least another $100 to the $70 for the unit...

For installs like this, would any stereo installer shop (like at Best Buy) do? Or would you take it to Audi?

[DaveCarr]

Originally Posted by MaverickX

Solution: Anything (Audi-certified, aftermarket, DIY hacks) that would allow me to "split" the iPod interface cable so that I could use it with an iPod but also allow "toggling" to either a bluetooth stream or to to an stereo AUX-IN cable.

I posted almost the same question over on the C6 A6 forum. Best answer I have found so far (balancing hassle vs. cost) is the spec.dock (http://specdock.com/) which is a wired ipod dock (genuine Apple as far as I can tell) that connects to your AMI in the glove box and mounts in place of the ash tray on the center console, then you can dock ipod or iphone at your leisure. (Assuming iphone is your other source).

DC