I received my Dension Gateway 500 and Bluetooth adapter yesterday. The customer service in getting the products from Eric has been great, and I'll continue to give him my business.

I immediately went to Rawlings Audio to have the devices installed. Unfortunately, the Bluetooth adapter not working so well.

The Gateway came with firmware version 1.0, so the installer had to upgrade the firmware to the latest version. I did not realize I needed a generation 4 or later iPod (I have a 3G iPod), so I'll have to get a new iPod to see how the iPod portion works. I'm sure it will work fine.

The Bluetooth Adapter, however, is a whole other matter. I'm having the following issues:

1. While I can place outgoing calls, the person on the other line receives an echo/feedback. I think it's the output of my speakers being picked up by the microphone, which is placed near the Homelink buttons. I'm not sure how to address that issue at all, as adjusting the Fader/Balance does not reduce the issue, and the speaker volume is only loud enough so I can hear the caller. Unfortunately, the echo issue alone makes it impossible to have a telephone call. I'm really surprised by this problem, as I'm sure no one else must have it for this product to have been released. I'm not sure, however, what the solution is.

2. There's a lot of background noise pickup from the microphone, so I need to talk much louder than normal in order to have a conversation. This also makes voice command and voice recognition systems very difficult, if not impossible, to use. I could not use my voice dictation service while driving. I do not have this issue with a bluetooth headset. I think I'll need to invest in a higher quality microphone with noise cancellation, and one that can be placed near the steering wheel, to possibly alleviate the problem.

3. I cannot receive incoming calls. When a call comes in, the PCM briefly displays an incoming call message (for less than a second), but quickly returns to its previous display. The sequence of keys I press to attempt to answer the call do not work. I believe this may be an issue with the "Mute" configuration in the back -- Jamey said he has it "all low", but he needs to play around with that to see if he can get it to work.

Since I'm one of the first to have the device installed, I understand that there will be problems. I'm hoping all of these issues will be fixed soon, as right now, practically speaking, I can't use the Bluetooth module.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Wow, Thanks for the info. I am assuming you contacted Eric. He is pretty good, maybe he can help. Maybe your unit is defective.

 

Neil, I'll put mine in after you!!

 

Yes, I let Eric know. Of course, it's not Eric's fault, he's been great. The echo thing is what really caught me off guard. I'm sure the mute/incoming call issue can be fixed, and background noise is probably a given.

 

I don't know the precise wording regarding 'Hands Free' requirements but the current functionality of the Dension BT adapter doesn't seem to fall into true 'hands free' if you have to push PCM buttons to answer calls.

I would think they should have enabled some form of 'voice actuated' answering via the supplied microphone. It doen't require rocket science software code to perform those actions.

Just my H.O.!

 

I don't know of any "voice actuated" answering in autos! Please clue me in!
You generally push a button!

 

I guess it was a just wishfull thinking on my part.

If I have to push menu and/or PCM buttons to answer a call while driving I think I'll forget the BT adapter for awhile. That push button scenario seems more distracting and dangerous than just answering my cell phone.

Does anybody know how many steps or buttons need to be pushed to answer a call on the Dension BT adapter?

 

How do you answer your cell phone? open it ? ,push the button? or do you just talk to it?

 

My phone is set up to answer when I open it. That process is far less distracting then reaching over to the PCM and pushing defined buttons. My Lexus has phone answering integrated into the steering wheel. Does the optional Porsche multifunction wheel do the same?

Do you know exactly what buttons and/or sequence of buttons need to be pushed to pick up a call?

 

My point is that you push a Button!!!!
My Supertooth 2, you push a button.
My cell phone, you push a button.
Yes, when you get a call you should Just push a button! with a minimum of eyes off the road!
Ideally voice announcement of incoming number or name and the SOS button on the PCM, but that won't happen!

 

More info on Dension Bluetooth!
What is does and doesn't do!!
http://www.automobilitydistribution....fo%20Sheet.pdf

 

I miss the Bluetooth in my 03 M5...always worked without a glitch and excellent sound quality. It seems that the Denison still has some issues to work out. For now, I'll continue to foward my calls to the porsche phone in the car.

 

I did some more testing, and my problem #1 is definitely from audio feedback. If the volume of my speakers is low (which is sufficient to hear the caller when the vehicle is off and/or stationary), this is a non-issue. However, at driving speeds, the volume necessary to hear the caller is causing the audio feedback. Any thoughts or ideas on this would be appreciated.

 

Sure Larry.

I think we need to let them sort through the issues first. If the function is going to be so limited it might not be worth the $ or effort. You know when I go to Porsche for the install it is gonna be at least $150.

That said, I do like the new FW upgrade. Thanks dension.

 

I believe we can do the install. I watched the glovebox reinstall and it didn't look too difficult!! No mute needed so just plug in module and reassemble!!
I want to know if the voice dial works through the module, if not it may not be worth it!