Technical Advice needed about USB / MP3 stuff

[16818]

Hi there, I'm in the process of making up my mind about options for a new Panda that I'm about to buy through my work leasing scheme. I have what is possibly a dim question to ask....

I'm going for the Panda Lounge and just wondered....will I be able to play AND charge an iPhone in this model or do I have to have the 'Blue & Me' option? I just cannot quite work out from the Fiat website and other bumf whether I can play and charge my phone without having that. Obviously it's a fairly pricey extra and I'm not bothered about having the hands free calling facility, but will I still be able to play and charge without it - or just play, or just charge?

Very excited to own a Panda again - I had one from 2004-2011, it was lovely and now that my daughter is learning to drive this feels like a cost effective and easy-to-drive car for us to share. THanks in advance for your advice!

 

[MickG]

I own a model with the blue & me system so I can't say 100% but my understanding was that to get a USB port you had to have blue & me.

Of course you can buy a USB port cheaply to sit in the lighter socket but that would only cover charging. To play stuff you'd need to know the car came with an AUX port/ headphone jack and I'm not sure it does.

Hopefully someone with a lounge will be around soon or you could ask your dealer if it has a aux port as standard.

Pretty sure to get the USB port (to cover both with just one cable) you need b&m though (or an aftermarket adapter wired into the stereo).

All the best,
M

 

[aussiepanda]

I've got a standard Panda Easy. It has the Blue & Me, a USB port (which I haven't used) and an Aux port (which I use all the time with my MP3 player).

 

[MickG]

Might be worth pointing out that the Australia spec may be different from the uk spec.

M

 

[smittict]

As far as I know, you'd need to spec the Blue & Me option to get the USB and Aux jack. Well worth it in my opinion. I like driving to my music.

The radio head units are ported to retrofit an Aux jack, as far as I know. If the radio has a media button it should be able to be wired for an Aux jack. Something that can be done afterward. Fiat foolishly thinks an Aux Jack is a privilege, something that is basic in most other cars.

You can charge and play music from your phone if it is plugged into the USB port. Works with an iPhone and Samsung in my Panda.

You cannot play over the air via Bluetooth.


1.2 - are you mad?

 

[oyumurtaci]

Keep in mind that the amperage of the USB port is really low. Because of this, it will charge phones if all they're doing is playing music (albeit slowly), but if you've got a phone doing nav duty with music in the background and a few background apps running it will probably use more energy than it's getting and continue to discharge.