[wjlyerly]

Hi All,

Just wanted to report the success of a Sony Ericsson HCB-30 install. This is a bluetooth car kit that works great with my t68i. Its supposed to be a generic bluetooth device (headset and handsfree profiles) so should work with any bluetooth phone.

I ordered a phone interface kit from MikeytheMini for the Boost radio. This piece made all the difference. This effectively integrates the HCB-30 and the stock head unit very smoothly. When using the phone, the head unit is automatically muted and the sound from the phone plays over the speakers from the sound system. The only visible pieces of the system are a small speaker attached to plastic surround of the sunroof control (its even the same color!) and a small remote stuck to the dash. The remote has 5 buttons -- answer, hangup, vol up, vol down, and mute mic.

The wiring kit from MikeytheMini plus directly into the headunit and has a matching plug to go into the vehicle wiring harness. It sits directly inline between the HU and the car. The unit, I believe, is actually a Nokia interface kit for their handsfree units. Ass supplied by MikeytheMini, it plugged directly into the Sony Ericsson kit, except for the actual speaker channel. I had to splice together the non-standard sony connector and the mono headphone style connector from the Nokia kit. Very simple and doesn't involve splicing any of the Mini's wires.

This handsfree unit connected via bluetooth. Once paired with the phone, it automatically connects when the car is turned on. This is the killer feature. I hop in my Mini, with phone in pocket and turn the ignition. That's it. All connected and ready to go. Nothing to remember to plug in and no complicated phone holder to mount on the dash.

One slight disappointment -- MagicWord dialing doesn't seem to work with this unit. That's Sony/Ericsson's name for have a keyword that the phone listens for and then enters voice dialing mode. That would allow for complete handsfree operation. Voice dialing does work though. You just have to hold the answer key on the little remote for a few seconds and then speak the name of the person you want to call. Voice recognition for the voice dialing is astounding. I've only had the chance to use it a dozen or so times, but it has only missed once so far -- probably my fault. Some Sony Ericsson head units will switch into the 'in car' profile when attached. This one, sadly, doesn't prompt that change.

That's the story. I very happy with the magical bluetooth of it all and I'm happy to have both hands free to steer and shift.

[Jim and Basil]

Would you be able to post the details on the adapter you bought from MikeytheMini? Cost, how you needed to splice the HCB-30 wiring into it, etc.? I've installed the same handsfree kit into my MCS, but I did it the hard way and spliced everything into the head unit harness directly. It works fine, but it's darn messy. I'd love to clean it up with a proper adapter.

[mikeythemini]

The adaptor plugs in between the radio & car harness, I now have the HCB-30 plugs to put on the end of it so it will plug in, power the phone kit, put the sound through the speakers and on the boost (not HK) will say phone in the screen of the radio.
Mike

[minijmh]

Hi, new to Mini2 but looks like a great forum with passionate people about all things Mini.

A question for Mikeythemini, I want to install the S-E HCB-30 hands free kit but have satnav with HK and phone prep. Does the phone kit just plug into the phone prep or will I need additional adaptors?

Thanks

[Jim and Basil]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

The adaptor plugs in between the radio & car harness, I now have the HCB-30 plugs to put on the end of it so it will plug in, power the phone kit, put the sound through the speakers and on the boost (not HK) will say phone in the screen of the radio.
Mike

Very nice, Mikey. But just so I'm clear, your adaptor also serves as a replacement for the "Advanced Mute" connector offered by Sony Ericsson for the HCB-30? Sadly, I've chopped off the plug from the HCB-30 base unit since I had to splice the wires, is it possible to splice the wires into your adaptor? This would still be much better than the hack job I have at the moment...

[mikeythemini]

Jim & Basil - yes it replaces it, and plugs straight into your phone box.

minijmh - WELCOME TO MINI2
I havn't worked on one with phone prep yet, trying to check what it has as there are a few issues with the aerial connector at the moment
mike

[minijmh]

[minijmh - WELCOME TO MINI2
I havn't worked on one with phone prep yet, trying to check what it has as there are a few issues with the aerial connector at the moment
mike[/quote]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the welcome and investigation. Let me know what you come up with.

[Farty_McCrablegs]

I've also installed the HCB-30, but I am disappointed with the outgoing sound quality. At first, I put the mic in the compartment to the right of the sunroof. Then I moved it outside this compartment to the surrounding area of the sunroof, and this seemed to help a little. But overall, I don't think my voice sounds very clear to those on the other side of the conversaiton. There's lots of background noise. So much so that the voice dialing feature rarely works for me. I'm using a Sony Ericsson T39m phone. Anyone have any ideas?

[Jim and Basil]

Quote: Originally Posted by Farty_McCrablegs

I've also installed the HCB-30, but I am disappointed with the outgoing sound quality. ...

I've been happy with the sound quality both directions, but not with the sunroof open. I also have the mike mounted on the roof close to the sunroof, and the wind naturally makes quite a racket for the listener. Not bad on city streets, but forget it on the highway. I tend to close the sunroof when I make or receive a call.

I don't use the voice dialling (always feel like I'm doing a lame imitation of a Star Trek episode), so I can't speak to how well/badly that works in my car.

[TDBearCT]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

The adaptor plugs in between the radio & car harness, I now have the HCB-30 plugs to put on the end of it so it will plug in, power the phone kit, put the sound through the speakers and on the boost (not HK) will say phone in the screen of the radio.
Mike

Mike,

Any particular reason why it wouldn't work with the HK head unti? Will you be coming out with one for the HK units?

Thanks!
Jim

[mikeythemini]

Hi, jim, my plug and play interface - boost does work with the HK but doesn't say phone in the screen. I do have an interface that will say phone but it isn't plug and play (you have to insert a few pins into existing connectors)

The pic below shows an interface (for wave but the boost one is similar) that I fitted this morning.
The small box at the top is my interface module, the large box is the sony ericsson phone box.
My interface supplies power etc to the phone box & plugs straight in (I now have versions for for motorola (some), ericsson, & nokia) it also plugs into the speaker socket on the phone. The Large plug to the right plugs into the back of the radio & the plug that was into the radio plugs into the plug on the left.
SO there is no wiring to do.
Mike
Want to put a tutorial on my website but my home computer won't open windows (anyone advise me please)
Mike

[Jim and Basil]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

Hi, jim, my plug and play interface - boost does work with the HK but doesn't say phone in the screen. I do have an interface that will say phone but it isn't plug and play (you have to insert a few pins into existing connectors)

No problem, I don't have an HK unit, just the standard unit that comes with the '03 MCS.

The bigger box in this picture doesn't look like the HCB-30. The one I have is smaller and more rounded. Is this a different Sony Ericsson handsfree kit?

This sounds perfect, though, assuming it works with the HCB-30 handsfree unit - I sent a separate email to make an order!

[mikeythemini]

The one in the pic is the hcb20, but the plug fits both

[gazah]

all that stuff fits behind the HU without a prob?

wow... i'll have to take mine out & have a look for myself!

[Jim and Basil]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

The one in the pic is the hcb20, but the plug fits both

Great - still waiting for an email with the ordering details, though...

Quote: Originally Posted by gazah

all that stuff fits behind the HU without a prob?

Nope, only the wiring harnesses themselves. The bluetooth handsfree box needs to be located elsewhere. I have mine tucked under the knee bolster on the driver's side.

[gazah]

is there any way to have caller id info displayed [ie. through the HU] if your phone's out of sight?

[mikeythemini]

Gazah, sorry, no. I can do it on BMW & get the mfsw to control it, but not on the Mini.

P.S. I am not getting any e mails via Mini2 so please e mail me direct or ask me in these threads.
AOL is blocking the e mail facility

[gazah]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

P.S. I am not getting any e mails via Mini2 so please e mail me direct or ask me in these threads.
AOL is blocking the e mail facility

maybe you should turn-off the mini2 feature through your preferences, then nobody will try to use it!

[mikeythemini]

good idea, thanks, done

[gazah]

never thought i'd be able to give mikeythemini some technical advice!

also... why have you got a in your sig mikey?!?