Bluetooth Phone Prep on vRS

[dArK5HaD0w]

can someone tell me for sure if the vRS comes with Bluetooth phone as standard?
i had a look on the brochure, n its doesn't mention anywhere, either as standard, or as an option.


i noticed its standard for our NZ counterparts.

i tried doing a search on the forum, but can only find aftermarket discussions.

[bobski]

It was a rather expensive option when I bought in Feb. And I haven't seen anything to suggest that it'll come standard with the free Navigation in the MY11's.

[Bayford Skoda]

Bluetooth isnt standard on any Australia spec Skoda... There is a genuine kit that can be fitted, but as its a dealer fitted accessory it depends on how nice your dealer is as to what they will charge for it.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Bluetooth isnt standard on any Australia spec Skoda... There is a genuine kit that can be fitted, but as its a dealer fitted accessory it depends on how nice your dealer is as to what they will charge for it.

does that include the phone kit?

basically i'm trying to find out if i'll b able to hook my phone to the car - make calls, hear, talk through the car's system.
the two possible options i gather r:-
1. via a phone kit
2. via bluetooth

i've spec'ed my build with the columbus sat nav system (when i ordered in mid jun).
it shows that it has "phone" communication capability - but i wasn't sure if this is via bluetooth or phonekit.

[Jake02]

Bluetooth isnt standard on any Australia spec Skoda... There is a genuine kit that can be fitted, but as its a dealer fitted accessory it depends on how nice your dealer is as to what they will charge for it.

I find this a little silly if I'm honest... Maybe in the MY11 changes? That'd be nice .

[Bayford Skoda]

Personally I think Bluetooth should be standard but unfortunately it isn’t and it’s not a change for MY11 cars either.

There is 1 kit available through Skoda which is only compatible with DSG RS's as they have the multifunction steering wheel unlike the manual version. The kit allows you to pair your mobile system with your audio system and you can then use the steering wheel mounted phone button to answer calls - that’s about it. You still need to dial using your mobile handset.

The "genuine premium" kit isn’t available in Australia as yet... There are other companies who make a parallel kit meaning it works exactly the same. The most popular aftermarket premium kit would be Fiscon but to my knowledge it’s not compatible with iPhone version 4 software and some Blackberry phones as the firmware in the system is old. The only way this can be updated is via the manufacturer.

We source another premium kit which is upgradeable via the diagnostic plug in your car. We have fitted hundreds and they work great. We are the only dealer able to access the kits but given your interstate it will be hard to install it for you.

I hope this helps...

[bobski]

There are other companies who make a parallel kit meaning it works exactly the same. The most popular aftermarket premium kit would be Fiscon but to my knowledge it’s not compatible with iPhone version 4 software and some Blackberry kits as the firmware in the system is old.

Blech. You're kidding? That would annoy me (and I'm already annoyed that version 4 has ruined my perfectly good iPhone 3G). Maybe you need to buy an iCarKit...

Does the premium kit you source have full support for iPhones? Do you have a link to its compatibility? The bluetooth kits have in the past been a bit confusing as to what works etc. Seems to be up to the members to work out how good or bad the experience is (which sucks given the cost of an integrated kit)

[dArK5HaD0w]

yes, tis a bummer that skoda australia don't offer bluetooth as standard.

how much r the dealer fit kits?
wat about the premium kits that only ur dealer can fit?

[dodgey]

I had the Skoda bluetooth kit (729E), installed by Derek (at European Autotech) for me in my Columbus equipped VRS. The Columbus fitted VRS already had a mic installed in the proper place, so there's no need to install that part. (It was not cheap, but it all works well, and took a couple of hours) No A2DP though.

Derek sourced the kit for me too, although it is more expensive than getting it from elsewhere. Apparently VW now has a cheaper kit, factory fitted, but I don't know what that one is.

You can access the phonebook from the Sat Nav, or through the MFD. The buttons on the steering wheel works, and the Dialled, Received, and Missed call works too if you don't own a Symbian Series 60 phone. iPhone, Android, and Windows 6.5 all work with it.

Most people have had success with the Fiscon units (other than the iphone bit) though but they are much cheaper...

If you are adventurous, you can get the unit from overseas and install it yourself. (You will need access to VCDS to do the coding though)

[Maverick]

yes, tis a bummer that skoda australia don't offer bluetooth as standard.

how much r the dealer fit kits?
wat about the premium kits that only ur dealer can fit?

Yeah and it's a bummer they don't offer bi-xenons, sunroof, 18" alloys and dynaudio standard as well. Sure many people don't want them but let's force them onto them and I'm sure they will be happy to pay the increased cost of the car.

In case you didn't notice all of these are options, if people want them they will order them and the price will be added onto the base car price just like if you want bluetooth which believe it or not the majority of people don't care about.

[Jake02]

Yeah and it's a bummer they don't offer bi-xenons, sunroof, 18" alloys and dynaudio standard as well. Sure many people don't want them but let's force them onto them and I'm sure they will be happy to pay the increased cost of the car.

In case you didn't notice all of these are options, if people want them they will order them and the price will be added onto the base car price just like if you want bluetooth which believe it or not the majority of people don't care about.

Sorry to correct, but the 18" wheels are standard equipment here .

[K1W1]

The most popular aftermarket premium kit would be Fiscon but to my knowledge it’s not compatible with iPhone version 4 software and some Blackberry phones as the firmware in the system is old. The only way this can be updated is via the manufacturer.

In my experience that's wrong.
My Fiscon and iPhone running iOS4.0.1 pair perfectly.
I had some initial problems with iOS4.0 transferring the phone book during pairing but after a reset of the phone and Fiscon so that they forgot about each other then found each other as a new pair everything works great again.
I updated to iOS40.0.1 the other night and they continue to have a happy relationship I made at least 6 calls from the car earlier today.
Based on my experience so far I'm happy to recommend a Fiscon.

[K1W1]

In case you didn't notice all of these are options, if people want them they will order them and the price will be added onto the base car price just like if you want bluetooth which believe it or not the majority of people don't care about.

I think that you are wrong as far as Bluetooth is concerned. The reality is that the vast majority of people driving cars have mobile phones in the car with them and the majority of those phones in 2010 are Bluetooth equipped. As it's now illegal in Victoria to even touch a phone that isn't in a cradle offering Bluetooth as standard should be considered a safety issue rather than a convenience or lifestyle option. Human nature means people do not ignore ringing phones. Plenty of other manufacturers from Europe (including VW group products), Japan, Korea and the US are now offering Bluetooth standard sometimes on even fairly low spec models so why not VW / Skoda?
For a company that prides itself on it's vehicle safety status the VW group really have dropped the ball here and will ultimately be dragged to the party as a late comer following the pack rather than as the leader thet pride themselves in being.

[Bayford Skoda]

In my experience that's wrong.
My Fiscon and iPhone running iOS4.0.1 pair perfectly.
I had some initial problems with iOS4.0 transferring the phone book during pairing but after a reset of the phone and Fiscon so that they forgot about each other then found each other as a new pair everything works great again.
I updated to iOS40.0.1 the other night and they continue to have a happy relationship I made at least 6 calls from the car earlier today.
Based on my experience so far I'm happy to recommend a Fiscon.

As I said, Its only to my knowledge and I wasn’t 100% sure. I have had 3 customers now who have had this issue with their Fiscon unit as it uses an earlier version of the Parrot chipset. 1 with iPhone and 2 with Blackberry handsets. We swapped a Fiscon Bluetooth system from a customer’s R36 and replaced it with our system because it wouldn’t pair with his iPhone 3GS. The company who fitted his Fiscon unit said it needed to go back to Germany to get updated.

Now whether that’s right, wrong or in-different I’m not sure but that’s what I’m led to believe.

[K1W1]

The age of the chipset in the Fiscon may have something to do with it mine was installed in Jan 2010 but my iPhone is an early 3G that is just on 2 years old now. My wifes 3GS also pairs and so do the kids late mode 3G phones so I actually have a 4 out of 4 success rate with iOS4 and Fiscon on my car.
My advice to anybody with issues is to delete the pairing then reset both devices and re pair them. Until I did that mine only worked so so after I did it it works perfectly. I suspect that the OS update screws up the pairing. The good thing is that it cost no money to do it.

The sending the Fiscon back to Germany for a firmware update bit is a pain when it's shown as a menu item. Why they can't do it off an SD card or a CD I have no idea. I guess Fiscon have their reasons.