I have a 2005 ES 330 with the navigation system. I would like to have a bluetooth system installed or get a portable one compatible with the car. My phone is an iPhone 3G. Any advice? Thanks!!!

 

The key is to find a Bluetooth kit or portable device that is as compatible as possible with the iPhone. If you have looked at the compatibility information on the Lexus corporate website, you may have noticed that the iPhone has very little compatibility with the Bluetooth systems in newer Lexus cars. Those zany guys at Apple implemented Bluetooth on the iPhone in their own peculiar way.

Some aftermarket Bluetooth product makers have apparently engineered their kits to handle the iPhone ... not unusual ... the aftermarket is usually way ahead of OEM.

A friend recently installed a Parrot 6100 Bluetooth kit in his 99 LS400 and he told me that his iPhone address book downloaded perfectly to it. He called me while driving on the highway and I could hardly tell that he was using a handsfree system. Unfortunately, the quality of Parrot components can be a little flakey ... he said that some of the cables weren't long enough to place components where he wanted. I've read that some people have spliced in wires to lengthen the cables on Parrot kits.

QuickConnect lists one or more harness adapters to make it easier to install a phone kit in a 2005 ES: http://www.quickconnectproducts.com/Find/find.php You can view kits for Parrot kits there too.

In the U.K. and Europe, Lexus and Toyota dealers sell the Motorola IHF1000 Bluetooth kit as an official dealer installed accessory... but I don't know if it is compatible with the iPhone. The ES isn't sold in Europe or the U.K. but you can seen the Motorola IHF1000 in the accessories section for the IS on the Lexus UK website: http://www.lexus.co.uk/range/is/acce.../interior.aspx The optional charging cradle is from Bury and rebranded with a Lexus logo. The Bury charging cradles are available on eBay and there is an insert for the cradle that accepts the iPhone 3G. The Bury cradles includes an external antenna connection.

BTW, a harness adapter is not needed to install a Bluetooth phone kit although it can make it a lot easier. "Nicestuff" also shows harness adapters for your car: http://www.nicestuffonline.com/files...GUIDE_0109.xls

I looked at the wiring diagrams for both the ML and non-ML nav audio system for the 05 ES ... the mute points are clearly marked. It is possible to connect a phone kit's mute wire directly to the audio system without using an adapter harness. IMO, the most important part of installing a phone kit is to have the audio system automatically mute when a call is received or placed.

I suggest you look at websites of the various phone kit manufacturers and see if they have a compatiblity chart that lists the degree of compatibility of their phone kits to the iPhone 3G.

Search the ES and other forums and you should find quite a few threads about installing Bluetooth kits. Several ES owners installed Parrot and Motorola kits fairly recently.

 

I took my car in to a quality radio shop and they recommended a Parrot.
I use a Nextel and from the very first time, this system worked flawlessly.
The only complaint I have is that it takes about 5 or 7 seconds for the radio to kick on due to all the communicating between the radios. I will get used to it, but it seems like an eternity waiting for the radio to kick on.
They also hooked up an Ipod cable in the center console. It sounds fabulous and there are no visable wires anywhere. A class act radio shop.
The Parrot seems like a great device and I do not what the competition is like, but I am very happy with it. There is a volume control and lighted on-off switch.
I would do it again.

mark

 

Thanks guys. I am looking to purchase the Parrot. Your info helped tons. Will post how it works!
LAS