Octavia Bluetooth options?

[schneller]

Hi Guys,

As mentioned in a previous thread we got our vRS late last week and we are absolutely loving it.

I ordered a Bluetooth kit to be fitted at the factory when I ordered the car back in Jan, but it seems that one has not been installed.

So my question is what kits have people ordered for their cars?

I know Skoda dealerships were installing a system for free ( a few months back) but am worried that this wont have a lot of integration into the Bolero unit...

From my readings on other forums and this one a their is a VW/Skoda Bluetooth kit that will integrate nicely with the Bolero unit and MFD. As in it will display phone book and bluetooth stereo.

The dealer will be getting the kit and installing it - so probably be best that it is a VW/Skoda part.

any help would be appreciated.

[K1W1]

Do you have a manual or auto trans?
AFAIK there is no factory Bluetooth kit for the manual trans models. I also ordered what I thought was a factory Bluetooth kit but ended up with a Fiscon unit. In a lot of ways I'm glad as the Fiscon unit is straight Bluetooth and will operate will most if not all phones including iPhones. The Factory fitted kit uses the RSAP protocol and only works with RSAP compliant phones which essentially means Nokia.
My phone integrates perfectly with the Bolero. I have the pre-programmed 6 buttons on the Bolero screen plus access to the phones contact list for making calls. It is possible to have numbers come up on the MFD but I don't bother. As I have no steering wheel controls calls are made or answered on the Bolero screen. A2DP music works but again I don't bother, a 16GB SD card is easier.

Cons for Fiscon;
Very small mic in the top right corner of the windscreen (doesn't worry me but does bother some people).
Takes maybe 30 seconds to load my contacts each time I start the car (I have hundreds in my phone).
When calls come in the show as "unknown number" until you answer then show the name of the caller or number depending on whether they are in the contact list. Call screening is effectively not possible (again doesn't worry me.

[aslsw]

Based on K1W1's recommendation, I went to our local car stereo shop who was listed on the website as a reseller of Fiscon units. He started off trying to sell me a 'parrot' but I said I was interested in the Fiscon because it fully integrates with the car.

He said he hasn't installed one for a few years, so wants to do some research before calling me back. Fingers crossed...

I've also asked him to move the MDI box from the glovebox to the centre console. We've discovered that the current location is a real pain to (1) connect the phone when you get in and (2) do anything if the phone rings (and I don't mean answer it on the go!).

[K1W1]

From what I have read the actual Fiscon unit just clips onto the rear of the Bolero. The fiddly stuff is the mic wiring.

[aslsw]

But I'm not sure if there is some recoding required. I thought I read somewhere that MY10 cars required coding, so that will depend on whether they have the right equipment for it.

[schneller]

What Brand unit does the dealer usually install then? if there is not an OEM one?

[K1W1]

What Brand unit does the dealer usually install then? if there is not an OEM one?

You will have to ask your dealer. In my case it was Fiscon but I'm sure it varies.

[aslsw]

My understanding was that the dealer's OEM version didn't work so well with the iPhone, which is why I investigated alternatives.

[K1W1]

When calls come in the show as "unknown number" until you answer then show the name of the caller or number depending on whether they are in the contact list. Call screening is effectively not possible (again doesn't worry me.

I was wrong about that.
I had four calls this morning in the car and I have found that if I leave it a second or two later before I answer the number or name does come up on the Bolero screen before you answer. I guess in the past it's been my quick trigger finger (I hate unanswered ringing phones) and the slow nature of the way the Bolero does things.

Scratch inability to do call screening as a negative.

[schneller]

thanks for the follow up K1W1.

I think that the FISCON Plus unit is the one that I want to get now.

[dodgey]

It is probably the best of the lot. I checked out the official (non Australian) Skoda OEM (non RSAP) kit that Derek at EA is selling. It's going to take 10 days to get here, and it's more than double the price of the Fiscon Plus fitted. The plus side is that he's fitted them before.

[schneller]

So the latest from my dealer is that they can fit the Skoda Genuine kit for free (because it was originally on my order) or pay an extra $269 for the Fiscon Plus unit.

I have been told by the service department that the Skoda unit only gives real basic control. As in hitting the Phone button does nothing and all it does is simply mute the radio when a call is coming in.

And we now know that Fiscon does lots of stuff...

I am thinking that I will probably still go the Fiscon route...

[dodgey]

Does not sound like the Skoda Genuine kit is really a Skoda kit. Sounds more like a Nokia kit. The Genuine Skoda kit (afaik) isn't sold here by Skoda, and does everything the Fiscon unit does, while the Premium Skoda unit does RSAP as well (not worth it)

In your position, I'd pay the extra 269 and get the Fiscon unit.

[aslsw]

Just got a call from the car audio guy. The Fiskon unit is $790, $100 for him to fit it but he says the car might have to go back to Skoda for recoding which would add $60. All up, $950 - fractionally less than the deposit on the car that I got back when the financing came through.

Seems to be a lot for the functionality, but I do like the idea of everything integrating with the car and being able to use my iphone.

I wonder if anyone does it cheaper in Sydney? Wouldn't mind a drive up and we could combine it with a trip to Ikea!

[K1W1]

You could always buy a Fiscon unit from a well known auction site then just pay the $160 to have it fitted and coded.

When you think that those all in one Chinese Sat Nav/ DVD / Radio / TV/ Bluetooth unit were only in the $600-700 range the asking price for the Fiscon sounds somewhat excessive.