Experience with Dension 500S BT and Recommendation
#46
07-10-2014, 10:37 PM
Here are some screenshots from my PIWIS. The first one shows that the PCM is picking up the Dension phone and CDC and putting them in position 3 and 4. The second screenshot is showing double pluses for the CDC and phone which Eric said is a good thing. It seems like everything is set up correctly, yet it's still not trouble free.
#47
07-11-2014, 02:20 AM
limited testing has all but confirmed that having the bluetooth radio turned off on my iPhone 5s prevents the Dension from faulting on startup. After it has booted I have to enable bluetooth and then manually connect to the Dension via the bluetooth menu on the phone. I'll keep testing this over the weekend and then try with an android device.
I can confirm that enabling Bluetooth and pairing an iPhone 5 has resulted in issues. It now has to be reset and then switched off and on to work. This results in it working for one session, but the subsequent post shutdown/startup session(s) failing. Next test will be to disable Bluetooth on my phone and start the car before reenabling. If successful I will try pairing an Android phone instead to confirm if it is an iPhone centric problem. On the coding front; I would recommend enabling the CDC via PIWIS. Every example given of it working consistently is with this enabled.
Last edited by nzskater; 07-11-2014 at 02:24 AM.
#48
07-11-2014, 06:15 AM
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 94
Rep Power: 14 
After reading all the posts, it seems that there are people in 3 camps...
1. Those that have installed it themselves using unswitched power and have the issues.
2. Those that have installed it themselves using switched power who say it works, but only if the key is turned to the on position.
3. Those that have had someone like Jamey at Rawlings Audio install it and say it works 100%.
1. Those that have installed it themselves using unswitched power and have the issues.
2. Those that have installed it themselves using switched power who say it works, but only if the key is turned to the on position.
3. Those that have had someone like Jamey at Rawlings Audio install it and say it works 100%.
Thank you for pitching in. If I may add: there are at least two users, NZskater and I, who have an interesting finding: the unit works beautifully WITHOUT bluetooth. As soon as it autoconnects to an IPHONE with bluetooth, it does so during the handshake, or at shutdown (we haven't been able to diagnose past this point yet).
Are are you using an iPhone and does it autoconnect via bluetooth to your unit?
BTW, i had my car programmed, and while it worked very well at the garage (they didn't connect a bluetooth iPhone to it), as soon as I picked it up, it started crashing again.
I'd love to hear a suggestion how Jamie can install it to fix the bluetooth, when the unit operates very well in all other modes.
Nadim
#50
07-11-2014, 10:48 AM
I made a Bluetooth connection via 'phone' button on PCM initially (one-time)and now it always connects automatically when I start the car (or turn on the PCM, I suppose) The name of my phone shows up on the PCM screen.
The connection allows me to make/receive phone calls via Dension and play songs on my iPhone via Bluetooth.
It also allows for voice instructions from your phone navi (waze, google, etc) to play thru the car speakers.
#52
07-11-2014, 09:28 PM
Originally, yes.
It was taken out and replaced with Dension unit in its place.
It was taken out and replaced with Dension unit in its place.
#53
07-11-2014, 11:12 PM
I've had it for more than 6 mos now and it's been working fine so far. Bluetooth streaming from Pandora and hands-free calling both work fine. I didn't have a CD changer but fortunately it worked right off the bat without reprogramming the PCM. I suspect the previous owner had a Dension installed and pulled it out before selling the car. The only thing I don't like (or is not working correclty) is the ringer doesn't come out of the car speaker when there's an incoming call. Not sure if this is normal.
BTW, I used unswitched power, tapped into the passenger footwell outlet, just like the OP had done it.
BTW, I used unswitched power, tapped into the passenger footwell outlet, just like the OP had done it.
Last edited by Romysc4s; 07-12-2014 at 07:42 AM.
#54
07-12-2014, 06:57 AM
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 94
Rep Power: 14 I've had it for more than 6 mos now and it's been working fine so far. Bluetooth streaming from Pandora and hands-free calling both work fine. I didn't have a CD changer but fortunately it worked right off the bat without reprogramming the PCM. I suspect the previous owner had a Dension installed and pulled it out before selling the car. The only thing I don't like (or is not working correclty) is the ringer doesn't come out of the car speaker when there's an incoming call. Not sure if this is normal.
#55
07-12-2014, 07:29 AM
Yes, I'm using my iPhone 5 to stream. Thx
Last edited by Romysc4s; 07-12-2014 at 07:31 AM.
#56
07-12-2014, 03:19 PM
I think it may be worth confirming the iPhone version; I'm using an iPhone 5S with firmware 7.1.2. It is also probably worth stating that the startup/handshake (looking) issue happens with Bluetooth on, the source for streaming music makes no difference.
I've narrowed my issue down to 2 separate scenarios resulting in the same outcome/issue:
1. If the iPhone Bluetooth radio is turned on and the iPhone/Dension are paired, the Dension fails to initialize/startup/handshake correctly, resulting in the PCM not finding any devices on the MOST bus (this happens regardless of the Dip Switch 6 setting, my tests were with it off).
2. If the Dension has Dip Switch 6 turned ON, the Dension fails to initialize/startup/handshake correctly, resulting in the PCM not finding any devices on the MOST bus (this happens regardless of any Bluetooth device being paired/present).
I've tried Dension firmware version 52, 53 & 54. All have the same issue. The only test I have left to complete is using an Android phone with Dip Switch 6 turned OFF.
I've narrowed my issue down to 2 separate scenarios resulting in the same outcome/issue:
1. If the iPhone Bluetooth radio is turned on and the iPhone/Dension are paired, the Dension fails to initialize/startup/handshake correctly, resulting in the PCM not finding any devices on the MOST bus (this happens regardless of the Dip Switch 6 setting, my tests were with it off).
2. If the Dension has Dip Switch 6 turned ON, the Dension fails to initialize/startup/handshake correctly, resulting in the PCM not finding any devices on the MOST bus (this happens regardless of any Bluetooth device being paired/present).
I've tried Dension firmware version 52, 53 & 54. All have the same issue. The only test I have left to complete is using an Android phone with Dip Switch 6 turned OFF.
#57
07-12-2014, 07:52 PM
I am thinking about buying the 500S with the dual FOT, so I am watching your progress hoping you find a solution. good luck
For those who have this device working, was it a diy or professional install?
For those who have this device working, was it a diy or professional install?
#58
07-12-2014, 09:46 PM
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 94
Rep Power: 14 . I have two scenarios with problems: if the iPhone5 connects automatically with bluetooth, no matter what source I play, the Dension crashes.
. While Eric confirmed that the iPhone5 should connect well with a lightning-USB cable to the USB ports, I tried both using the USB port on the control module and the one on the main unit. The system does not crash, but the iPhone's playback stops every 15 seconds and has to be restarted manually. This problem did not occur during the first week of usage, and I cannot figure out why it happened, and why it keeps happening. I seem to be the only one with that issue. I suspect a capacitor issue, or something related to the power, because the charging of the iPhone also disconnects every 15 seconds.
Needless to say, I am very unhappy with the system, and cannot recommend it for now. If someone is interested in the unit, keep reading until you see a resolution, it is not worth your time and money to mess with a system that works only for some people, and not for others.
#59
07-13-2014, 12:56 PM
I tested with an Android phone. Results were interesting; it paired successfully. I then tested by playing a track successfully. Powered off and locked the car, and returned 20 mins later. Powered on, and the PCM turned on but immediately generated the Devices Not Present error. It then showed the CDC as present and jumped first to AUX, then to BT and attempted to restart the track it had been playing, indicating the Dension had started successfully.
Strange thing was, the phone wasn't properly connected. It never received the Play command from the Dension and didn't show it as connected in its Bluetooth menu.
I tried to connect manually on the phone but this failed to complete. I then tried to play the track from the phone, which played it through the phones speaker.
Tried skipping tracks with the PCM which didn't work.
Tried removing the pairing from the phone and reconnecting to the Dension, but this failed.
If any of you with the bluetooth issues has access to an Android phone, it would be really helpful if you could test. In fact if anyone with an Android phone that is working as it should chimes in and lets us know it would be much appreciated.
Strange thing was, the phone wasn't properly connected. It never received the Play command from the Dension and didn't show it as connected in its Bluetooth menu.
I tried to connect manually on the phone but this failed to complete. I then tried to play the track from the phone, which played it through the phones speaker.
Tried skipping tracks with the PCM which didn't work.
Tried removing the pairing from the phone and reconnecting to the Dension, but this failed.
If any of you with the bluetooth issues has access to an Android phone, it would be really helpful if you could test. In fact if anyone with an Android phone that is working as it should chimes in and lets us know it would be much appreciated.
#60
07-13-2014, 03:39 PM
Hi
New 997 owner, and forum member, from the UK here with the exact same issue.
Car is 2005 C2 with DVD Nav & Phone. I've installed the Dension at the end of the loop and its power is taken from the PCM unit (i.e. non switched). CD Changer was coded 'in' by local specialist. Dension unit has phone mode dip switch set to 'on'.
My phone is a iPhone 5 on 7.1.2 but my wife has a Samsung S3 which I will experiment with tomorrow and feedback result.
New 997 owner, and forum member, from the UK here with the exact same issue.
Car is 2005 C2 with DVD Nav & Phone. I've installed the Dension at the end of the loop and its power is taken from the PCM unit (i.e. non switched). CD Changer was coded 'in' by local specialist. Dension unit has phone mode dip switch set to 'on'.
My phone is a iPhone 5 on 7.1.2 but my wife has a Samsung S3 which I will experiment with tomorrow and feedback result.