I'm trying to sort out an inexpensive head unit for my wife's venerable '10 Civic.
The bottom line is that I want to be able to pair her iPhone SE to the head unit via Bluetooth and have it automatically connect when she gets in the car reliably and without intervention from her. Once connected, I want to be able to play any and all audio through the Bluetooth connection. Podcasts, audible, Spotify, music stored on the phone, everything. Crutchfield seems to indicate that, for all the stereos I looked at, you need to plug an iPhone into USB.
I don't care about controlling the phone from the head unit. We're really not audiophiles, I mostly listen to podcasts and she mostly listens to audio books, so I don't really care about sound quality. I would like a head unit that will last a few years.
I just bought this, it works surprisingly well and it has about 8 hours of battery, I just charge it at work every few days. The only step to get it to connect is, pressing a button on the device, it takes 2 seconds and my phone is connected. Bluetooth
Yeah, you don't need to replace the head unit. Just get one of the Bluetooth modules that plugs into the aux port. I have an hb01 that I bought a few years ago, and it works great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GJFGE0K/ref=psdcmw_1293687011_t1_B0176G5TRO
After initial setup it connects automatically.
What works even better is an AUX jack. I've got a few vehicles with Bluetooth and a couple of new cars at work have it as well. Especially with the newer cars, I'll often get to the point where it's just easier to jack the classic 1/8" cable into the car because Bluetooth or Pandora or something has got its digital knickers in a twist. If ease of use is a factor, this is probably the way I'd go.
Keith Tanner wrote:
What works even better is an AUX jack. I've got a few vehicles with Bluetooth and a couple of new cars at work have it as well. Especially with the newer cars, I'll often get to the point where it's just easier to jack the classic 1/8" cable into the car because Bluetooth or Pandora or something has got its digital knickers in a twist. If ease of use is a factor, this is probably the way I'd go.
Not with an iPhone 7, though.
I have a preference for Aux jacks due to sound quality if the system in the car is good enough so you can hear the difference. Most aren't.
IMHO the main advantage of having Bluetooth is that it'll also take care of calls if that is a concern.
I've also run into issues with USB connections to iPhones, mostly with factory fitted systems - neither the system in the Evo X nor the one in the ND MX-5 can deal with the fact that a) I have a lot of music on my iPhone (Evo was hopeless for that, the Miata is somewhat better) and more importantly b) that I use a separate app for Podcasts. The latter appears to confuse the hell out of all of them. Navigating the Podcasts on the separate app only works if you put together a play list first and then only within that playlist, though.
iPhone 7 should still work via Aux, you'd just end up with adapters everywhere. One thing I don't particular like is that I've experienced issues with ground loops in several cars when charging the phone and using Aux at the same time. That's an issue one doesn't tend to run into with a simple USB connection.
Keep in mind that an iPhone is actually two audio sources, the phone itself and the iPod inside. I have found that connecting via wire with iPod control is more reliable, but that often taps into the iPod only, meaning that turn-by-turn directions and Siri won't work. Conversely, Bluetooth is very convenient when it works, but often takes over everything and is hard to turn off. You are trying to listen to NPR and your kid's videos keep taking over the system.
In reply to pinchvalve:
Actually I think the dual audio source part is true for pretty much any phone, at least from a Bluetooth profile perspective - they usually have both phone and audio profiles.
Tom_Spangler wrote:
Keith Tanner wrote:
What works even better is an AUX jack. I've got a few vehicles with Bluetooth and a couple of new cars at work have it as well. Especially with the newer cars, I'll often get to the point where it's just easier to jack the classic 1/8" cable into the car because Bluetooth or Pandora or something has got its digital knickers in a twist. If ease of use is a factor, this is probably the way I'd go.
Not with an iPhone 7, though.
Use the doohickey that comes with it.
Are you guys having trouble with your Bluetooth connectivity? I've never had any issues at all either in OEM or the two aftermarket head units I've installed.
I installed a pioneer x6700bt unit in the old Volvo. Less than $100 - Very happy. Key on, phone in pocket, and audio works every time. I do lots of podcasts, iTunes playlists, and even calling and I've never had an issue. You have to pair it the first time you use the combo of that unit and your phone but after that everything is automatic. My non-tech savvy wife has no issues with her Sony unit either.
USB input is also available on most receivers, even the cheap ones.
red_stapler wrote:
Yeah, you don't need to replace the head unit. Just get one of the Bluetooth modules that plugs into the aux port. I have an hb01 that I bought a few years ago, and it works great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GJFGE0K/ref=psdcmw_1293687011_t1_B0176G5TRO
After initial setup it connects automatically.
I did not know this existed. This seems like a really good solution. Thanks!
Keith Tanner wrote:
Tom_Spangler wrote:
Keith Tanner wrote:
What works even better is an AUX jack. I've got a few vehicles with Bluetooth and a couple of new cars at work have it as well. Especially with the newer cars, I'll often get to the point where it's just easier to jack the classic 1/8" cable into the car because Bluetooth or Pandora or something has got its digital knickers in a twist. If ease of use is a factor, this is probably the way I'd go.
Not with an iPhone 7, though.
Use the doohickey that comes with it.
But then how do you charge? I love my 6, and have had a long series of iPhones, but now I'm scared to upgrade.
joey48442 wrote:
Keith Tanner wrote:
Tom_Spangler wrote:
Keith Tanner wrote:
What works even better is an AUX jack. I've got a few vehicles with Bluetooth and a couple of new cars at work have it as well. Especially with the newer cars, I'll often get to the point where it's just easier to jack the classic 1/8" cable into the car because Bluetooth or Pandora or something has got its digital knickers in a twist. If ease of use is a factor, this is probably the way I'd go.
Not with an iPhone 7, though.
Use the doohickey that comes with it.
But then how do you charge? I love my 6, and have had a long series of iPhones, but now I'm scared to upgrade.
Don't be scared. Have courage! 
bastomatic wrote:
Are you guys having trouble with your Bluetooth connectivity? I've never had any issues at all either in OEM or the two aftermarket head units I've installed.
I installed a pioneer x6700bt unit in the old Volvo. Less than $100 - Very happy. Key on, phone in pocket, and audio works every time. I do lots of podcasts, iTunes playlists, and even calling and I've never had an issue. You have to pair it the first time you use the combo of that unit and your phone but after that everything is automatic. My non-tech savvy wife has no issues with her Sony unit either.
USB input is also available on most receivers, even the cheap ones.
I only have one bluetooth enable car at the moment, my '14 FR-S which has an optional navi head unit. I have frequent problems with getting it to pair with my phone, sometimes requiring me to restart the phone to fix them. I've tried the suggested fixes on the forums and it makes no difference. :-(
I've paired various phones with various cars, and while it's not flawless, it's certainly good enough that I can rely on it. Beats having one more cable hanging off the dash, IMO.
jstand
HalfDork
11/27/16 8:39 p.m.
I'm not sure how it would be on the civic, since my last Honda was a mid 80's accord hatch, but it might be worth investigation into which years and trim levels had the Bluetooth as a factory option. The wiring may already be there for adding a factory head unit.
I know on our Sedona I was able to replace the factory head unit with a Bluetooth capable one from a model year newer, install the microphone, and plug in the steering wheel buttons to add Bluetooth. The head unit plugged right in, the steering wheel harness was already there so the controls were easy, but the microphone took a bit of work to install in the headliner and route the wires.
Even with the microphone it took an a Saturday afternoon/evening to install.
