Bluetooth 4.0 receiver now offered from Exile.

[liquid_acid]

I got a clarion m303 with bluetooth that works great. That way I'm not playing around with wires. I don't have to touch the ws420sq and my clarion mw1 and mf1 work fine. The USB also charges your phone.

[David Analog]

BT will likely not resolve the noise issue created by the charge port seeing a difference voltage reference then the BT and the rest of the audio.

That's the problem in some cases. BT transmission would break any loop between the phone charging supply and any reference to the rest of the audio system. Sometimes the cause is in the relationship between the BT module and the source unit, whether a HU, EQ or other. But the problem is entirely within the phone in other cases.

[trayson]

It depends. Some have the same noise using BT. The noise is gone when they go back to battery operation. So in this case the problem is not in the grounding relationship between the BT module and the HU or EQ input. BT won't help in this particular scenario.

Okay. Sounds like there's no one answer. Thanks.

BT will likely not resolve the noise issue created by the charge port seeing a difference voltage reference then the BT and the rest of the audio.

Gotcha. Figured it was worth an ask.

That's the problem in some cases. BT transmission would break any loop between the phone charging supply and any reference to the rest of the audio system. Sometimes the cause is in the relationship between the BT module and the source unit, whether a HU, EQ or other. But the problem is entirely within the phone in other cases.

Makes sense. No 1 cause = no 1 solution.

[bergermaister]

I got a clarion m303 with bluetooth that works great. That way I'm not playing around with wires. I don't have to touch the ws420sq and my clarion mw1 and mf1 work fine. The USB also charges your phone.

Same here - and the wired remotes will control the phone via bluetooth quite nicely. I still think the cable connection is a little louder and cleaner, but I'm half deaf so take that for what it's worth.

[parrothd]

Same, except I have a Kenwood..

[liquid_acid]

, but I'm half deaf so take that for what it's worth.

I played in a metal band for 9 years. I think I also fall into the hearing impaired category.

[bergermaister]

I bet... and it only gets worse.

How's the range on your BT? At first I swear I could get 30-40ft (line of site) away and it didn't drop - I was blown away. Now it seems like 10-15ft is the limit before it starts cutting out.

Maybe a broader question - does the newer BT provider a better distance or just clarity?

[trayson]

I bet... and it only gets worse.

How's the range on your BT? At first I swear I could get 30-40ft (line of site) away and it didn't drop - I was blown away. Now it seems like 10-15ft is the limit before it starts cutting out.

Maybe a broader question - does the newer BT provider a better distance or just clarity?

Exile put their BT module in a plastic case and gave it 18" of lead so that you could mount it in a strategic location for range. according to Brian, having the BT outside of a metal case (like the ones in a head unit). So according to Exile, yes, they get very good range from this as well as the ability to use the apt-x codecs on android phones.

[mmandley]

Exile showing how fare the new Bluethooth unit works.
Over 100Ft.



We have been receiving lots of questions about the new Exile BlueTooth unit - EXBT4.). We shot a quick video (below left), so you can check out the real world functional distance. The increased range is perfect for the controlling music at the sandbar or tie-up. You don't even have to be on your boat to be the DJ.

EXBT4 is plug and play and a quick install to add onto any head unit / preamp eq with a "AUX" input. Boat safe this summer. Powered by Exile!

[Brianinpdx]

I bet... and it only gets worse.

How's the range on your BT? At first I swear I could get 30-40ft (line of site) away and it didn't drop - I was blown away. Now it seems like 10-15ft is the limit before it starts cutting out.

Maybe a broader question - does the newer BT provider a better distance or just clarity?

Berg - There's no black and white answer here for you. Some of the BT modules on the market are pretty poor quality construction wise. I'm not sure which one you have or how it plays out within the build spectrum. This The Exile module is IPS marine rated and made from plastic. I opted to go this route because putting the circuit in a metal case effects range (think built into EQ's and head units). The BT4.0 offers lower latency than 3.0 and lower power consumption on your handset connection. As for the clarity... substantially yes if your synced with the Aptx codec. Marginally improved if your not.

If your happy with your unit clarity and range-- then no reason to change. If your shopping for a BT device, I would only consider a device thats BT4.0 LE / APTX enabled. Everything else at this point is legacy. Hope that helps.

-Brian