Auxiliary Input for 2006 Solara w/Factory Nav

[JimGo]

I've been searching and reading up on this topic, but a good bit of the information available seems to be out of date. Does anyone know of a good, inexpensive solution for adding a hard-wired Aux input to the 2006 factor nav HU's? I have a Bluetooth stereo gateway that allows me to wirelessly stream music from my BlackBerry (via the Internet) to the car radio, but it only has a stereo jack built in. I miss being able to listen to some of my favorite radio stations, so I'd really like to get a good solution relatively soon. However, I don't have a lot of money (i.e., hundreds of $$'s are out of the question) to throw at this "problem". Does anyone know whether the inputs on the back of the HU are expecting line level or speaker level inputs? Could I simply create a wire to hook up the output from the Bluetooth gateway (which is a speaker level output, IIRC), or do I need to use a powered solution to reduce the output levels of the Bluetooth gateway?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

[simplysolara]

Did you ever get an answer for this. I have a 2005 with navigation and Im at a loss for an affordable solution! Please help!

[JimGo]

No, unfortunarely I have not. I wound up going with an FM transmitter for now. I hook up to it via bluetooth.

[gmendonc]

No, unfortunarely I have not. I wound up going with an FM transmitter for now. I hook up to it via bluetooth.

I had Best Buy wire in an FM transmitter when I still had my factory NAV system head unit in. The sound quality was way better then those over the counter FM transmitters that they sell but it was still lacking. I ended up removing the NAV system and bought a Dual xhd7714 head unit that has everything but the kitchen sink built into it. I also bought a PAC TATO adapter so I could retain the JBL factory amp. The sound quality is miles ahead of what it was with the FM transmitter but I am getting ready to remove the JBL amp and factory speakers and replace them all with aftermarket upgrades.

[ThurzNite]

How's the quality on the Dual headunit? Mine's about 3 years old and every once in a while, the display goes whacko. Also the 'mode' button on the remote no longer works.
However, having multiple inputs rocks: usb, 3.5mm stereo, bluetooth, ipod. w00t!
Dr J

[JimGo]

Yeah, I'm not happy with the FM transmitter, either. Ideally, I'd like a Bluetooth module that handles A2DP or something like that. If I could get the pinout for the back of the factory head unit, I could at least go with a wired connection.

[gmendonc]

How's the quality on the Dual headunit? Mine's about 3 years old and every once in a while, the display goes whacko. Also the 'mode' button on the remote no longer works.
However, having multiple inputs rocks: usb, 3.5mm stereo, bluetooth, ipod. w00t!
Dr J

It's ok. You can tell they have cut a few corners to lower the price. The display is all but impossible to read with the top down during the day and people tell me it's hard to hear me when I make a phone call so the mic is not great. Despite all these short comings it's hard to complain when you've got HD radio, bluetooth, aux port and usb all built in. I love the fact that I can play music from my bluetooth enabled phone with no wires and still not miss a phone call.

[gmendonc]

Yeah, I'm not happy with the FM transmitter, either. Ideally, I'd like a Bluetooth module that handles A2DP or something like that. If I could get the pinout for the back of the factory head unit, I could at least go with a wired connection.

The pin outs are somewhere on this web site. Do some searches and you'll find them, I know I've seen them before. The Dual HU I have has bluetooth built in and plays music via A2DP. I sometimes hear a slight engine whine between songs if I've got it turned up really loud. There is no comparing that with the sound quality I used to get via FM transmitter. I could avoid it by using the aux port but the fact that no wires are required more than makes up for the sound quality.