Technical 2013 radio

[andystratton]

Hi all,

I have spent countless hours searching through here and the internet in general to try and resolve my dilemma. I bought my 2013 Ducato (I'm in France BTW) which has "Bluetooth", only to discover that I can't stream music or podcasts through the van's audio system. So I tried plugging my phone into the USB port via it's 3.5mm jack but that doesn't work either (even using a USB stick works in a very rudimentary way, with no folder hierarchy). There is no 3.5mm input in the van itself so I believe my options are therefore:

1. If it is possible (and my preferred choice), to plug a 3.5mm cable directly into the rear of the radio. Can this be done, how, and where are there such cables available?
2. Replace the radio with a 2 DIN unit but I won't need the screen as I prefer to use Google Maps for navigation as the maps are constantly updated forever.
3. Stream to a pair of bluetooth speakers that I will have to mount somewhere.

This really does spoil an otherwise excellent van.

All advice on the above, or other solutions, would be greatly received.

 

[Ducato Hell]

Option 3 sounds cheap and simple

 

[CDK]

Bluetooth is implemented for hands free phoning, the usb port is just for playing the contents of a memory stick. Both are DIGITAL, the output of your phone is ANALOG.
What you need is an FM transmitter like those present in many navigation tablets.

Or use earphones!

 

[Eklipze3k]

Depending on who manufacturers the OEM headunit, you may be able to get an AUX cable which would connect to the rear of the unit where a CD changer may normally connect, but whether such a thing is available will depend on which unit your van is fitted with. Get some stereo removal keys (or borrow some from your local Halfrauds), whip the unit out, get some model numbers etc and see if you can find an AUX cable for it.

If not, you could get a stereo similar to the one I bought recently which does allow Bluetooth music streaming, as well as taking calls, has a USB and AUX connector, but loses the CD player (because let's be honest, who needs that anyway?). It only cost about £70, and a single DIN fascia adaptor is less than a tenner.

 

[Eklipze3k]

Or use earphones!

I really hope you're joking.

 

[Mohojo]

A Bluetooth adaptor (£10) plugged into the aux jack will stream music through the head unit ok from your phone etc.
Google maps will use all your data and really cost you abroad. Get excellent free satnav by using 'here maps' app.

 

[Eklipze3k]

A Bluetooth adaptor (£10) plugged into the aux jack will stream music through the head unit ok.
Google maps will use all your data and really cost you abroad. Get excellent free satnav by using 'here maps' app.

It doesn't have an aux jack, and you can download Google maps to your phone before you go (via wifi) so you don't have to use mobile data.

 

[Mohojo]

Mine has aux and usb sockets under the radio in the dash?
Why mess about with Google when you've got free dedicated apps?

 

[andystratton]

Thanks for the suggestions. Perhaps I should have clarified but I actually live in France and have a French mobile contract with 50Gb of data. I only bought my Ducato two weeks ago and it has a TomTom GPS installed, however:

1. It has a tiny 4" screen that I can't read (blooming eyesight)
2. Using it is so cumbersome, as an example I spent 10 minutes trying to locate a particular shop in a town and then gave up and used Google Maps which took 30 seconds.
3. Even if the above weren't issues, the maps are already out of date as I have encountered 3 new roads it doesn't know about.

I shall get some removal keys and investigate the head unit further to see if I can buy an AUX cable that could plug into it (mine definitely does not have an AUX in the dash or next to the USB in the glovebox).

 

[CDK]

For less than 100 Euro you have an 8 inch tablet with "Igo" truck/camper navigation and the latest maps of Europe! The maps are "open-street-map", updates are free. The tablet has an audio/video input and an FM transmitter connection to your radio.

I crushed the glass in the mirror and modified the tablet holder a little bit to attach it to the mirror frame; that way it doesn't clutter the dashboard.