Hands free Link

[2008_EXL_Navi]

With the Navi comes the Bluetooth hands freek link

However, I noticed that at this moment, the list of supported cell phones are limited: http://automobiles.honda.com/handsfreelink/?from=handsfreelink.honda.com

My Cell {Samsung a900m} is not supported. The Motokrzr K1m seems to support the most features.

They list the iphone as "we're working on it"

The Blackberry Pearl seems to be the model that I might switch to to get compatibility

[accordd08]

Is the bluetooth not availible on models not equipped with the navigation system?

[VTECaddict]

have you actually tried it or are you just going by their list?

wow...looks like HFL really like Sony Ericsson. every SE model supports every HFL feature.

[08exl]

So I saw the bluetooth accessory on the collegehillshonda site, is this the same as what you have in the exl with navi model? Also, I'm assuming you get the whole setup by purchasing this because it's completely different from what's in my exl with the sunglass holder etc which means I'd get the garage door opener too. At any rate, I want it!

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/honda_accord_4dr_accessories/2008_accord_electronics.htm

[stevencrosbie]

You need to try it first. My Nokia cell phone isn't supported either....but it still works. You just don't get to view Battery life, signal strength, or download the phone book to the car.

It still worked great for the phone conversations. To me, the Handsfreelink is worth 1,000 bucks alone. I have it in the Tundra now as well.

[viscott]

Is the bluetooth not availible on models not equipped with the navigation system?

Correct the Navi is the only version that has Bluetooth.

[2008_EXL_Navi]

I did try my samsung with the HFL. I could pair it to the system, but could not do anything else.

Tried making a call and would not work.

I don't have the garage door thingy, just the handsfree link

[08exl]

I did try my samsung with the HFL. I could pair it to the system, but could not do anything else.

Tried making a call and would not work.

I don't have the garage door thingy, just the handsfree link

So you don't have any sort of garage door opener built in to your car? I thought the ex-ls with navi had them? Hmmmm, maybe it's just the v6 w/navi then?

Looking at the pic some more, it looks like the handsfree part would just fill in where the sunglasses holder is now, so I would still wouldn't have the garage door opener. I'll have to wait and see how much the homelink upgrade is, but I'll probably just stick with the garage door opener I have if it's pricey.

Another quick question, does the 4 cylinder exl w/navi have the phone buttons on the steering wheel and does the handsfree feature work without them? Hopefully they are included in the kit too?

BTW, looks like the handsfree supports my razor for all features EXCEPT call waiting..I could live with that

[abmn]

So I saw the bluetooth accessory on the collegehillshonda site, is this the same as what you have in the exl with navi model? Also, I'm assuming you get the whole setup by purchasing this because it's completely different from what's in my exl with the sunglass holder etc which means I'd get the garage door opener too. At any rate, I want it!

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/honda_accord_4dr_accessories/2008_accord_electronics.htm

That do-hickey is just a "oops I bought the wrong car" attempt to still have some sort of Hands-Free utility (when in reality, you have to put your hands on the ceiling just to operate it!). The proper handsfree system is integrated with the dash and radio, thus eliminating the audio system when calls are intercepted and using the speakers and microphone OF the car itself to produce calls. That add-on device is something you'll likely see dozens of on ebay in the coming months - its simply a piece of plastic shaped to fill the sunglasses hole with a speaker, bluetooth antenna, microphone, and 75% of the proper color. I would entirely remove recommendation of this product as it will produce audio out of its own 2" speaker and not interface with the factory equipment whatsoever.


edit:
what he meant by "garage door thingy" was that his sunglasses holder was not lost to insert that device. on navi models, its integral with the entire dash system.

[08exl]

That do-hickey is just a "oops I bought the wrong car" attempt to still have some sort of Hands-Free utility (when in reality, you have to put your hands on the ceiling just to operate it!). The proper handsfree system is integrated with the dash and radio, thus eliminating the audio system when calls are intercepted and using the speakers and microphone OF the car itself to produce calls. That add-on device is something you'll likely see dozens of on ebay in the coming months - its simply a piece of plastic shaped to fill the sunglasses hole with a speaker, bluetooth antenna, microphone, and 75% of the proper color. I would entirely remove recommendation of this product as it will produce audio out of its own 2" speaker and not interface with the factory equipment whatsoever.

It's definitely not an oops I bought the wrong car, it's an I didn't want the navi but I would like bluetooth. I didn't know it wasn't the same as the original honda installed part, thus the questions. It is made by honda though right? If so, the colors should match...So the bluetooth equipped models just have the sunglass holder there and the controls on the steering wheel I guess? That changes things for me...but it's not that bad to have to touch the button to answer the phone, it's still better than opening up your cell and turning on speaker etc.

"The HandsFreeLink utilizes Bluetooth wireless technology in a hands-free profiled cell phone and eliminates the need to hold a handheld cell phone, wear a headset, earpiece, or use an in-vehicle mounted handset adapter. The system provides easy voice set up and one-touch activation featuring industry leading voice recognition/dialing, multiple phone pairing (up to 7 phones), industry leading noise reduction/echo cancellation, fully integrated speaker, call transfer feature, and the ability to store up to 32 names (name tag) with 4 numbers per name."

It's still a good feature to have if you are a business man like me constantly answering calls in the car IMO. But I don't know if I want to pay $388 for it knowing this is how it works.

[Terps_Fan]

That do-hickey is just a "oops I bought the wrong car" attempt to still have some sort of Hands-Free utility (when in reality, you have to put your hands on the ceiling just to operate it!). The proper handsfree system is integrated with the dash and radio, thus eliminating the audio system when calls are intercepted and using the speakers and microphone OF the car itself to produce calls. That add-on device is something you'll likely see dozens of on ebay in the coming months - its simply a piece of plastic shaped to fill the sunglasses hole with a speaker, bluetooth antenna, microphone, and 75% of the proper color. I would entirely remove recommendation of this product as it will produce audio out of its own 2" speaker and not interface with the factory equipment whatsoever.


edit:
what he meant by "garage door thingy" was that his sunglasses holder was not lost to insert that device. on navi models, its integral with the entire dash system.


Actually somehere on this forum has a similar bluetooth device called blueconnect installed in a 7th gen. and I believe that they seemed to be pretty happy with the results.

I'm guessing that this bluetooth device available from Honda is also made by blueconnect because they look similar, but I'm not sure of that. Another device that is available is cigblue, which some people here have also installed so check that out too.

Here is a thread to get you started: http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12203&highlight=cigblue

[08exl]

Thanks! Useful info in that thread, it really does look clean installed, like it was supposed to be there.:thmsup:

[abmn]

The idea and purpose behind the factory hands free link is to operate the phone from the steering wheel, providing a safer driving experience by keeping ones hands where they ultimately belong: in control of the vehicle. Having to operate the phone from overhead seems asinine in regards to safety. Curious why Honda didnt include BT in EX models by default, though...

[08exl]

I sure wish my ex-l had the factory version. It seems to me that it would be worth the effort to make the handsfree work in the non navi model, but I had no say so in the matter lol. I do think that the aftermarket peice is better than none though. I mean, it is just one touch and you have to agree it's safer than trying to hold your phone in one hand while driving with the other, or driving with one had while putting your phone on speaker etc. The button would not be far away and super easy to reach, not as easy as the steering wheel controls but no worse than pressing the button to open or close the sunroof. It's definitely a worthy add and much safer than the alternative which I admittedly do all the time (don't lynch me).:paranoid:

[Terps_Fan]

The idea and purpose behind the factory hands free link is to operate the phone from the steering wheel, providing a safer driving experience by keeping ones hands where they ultimately belong: in control of the vehicle. Having to operate the phone from overhead seems asinine in regards to safety. Curious why Honda didnt include BT in EX models by default, though...

Oh c'mon now, how many people actually drive with both hands on the wheel anyway? How else would we adjust the temp controls, open the sunroof, or even change gears??

However, if you are truly concerned with safety you can pick up either the Parrot CK3000 evolution or CK3100 along with the steering wheel control module. This will allow you to control the bluetooth module from the stereo controls already mounted on your steering wheel (don't worry they are able to control both the bluetooth and the stereo, no functionality is lost), thus allowing your hands to remain on the wheel. Check it out.:thmsup:

Depending on what set-up you go with, I believe it will cost somewhere between $200-$300.

[marinakorp]

Just bought hte PARROT MINI kit... works surprisingly well... while not integrated, I can transfer from car to car...

For 80.00 ... it work well

If their integrated kits work like this one... sounds like a winner

[viscott]

I was playing around more with the HFL and found that when I added the car as a "Always" Trusted device in my Blackberry Bluetooth options that the phone book imported all of my contacts, Including all of the alternate numbers that I had imported from Outlook into the phone.

(According to the HFL site it's not supposed to work :) ) Honda HFL Customer Service told me that they won't list it as a compatible option unless it works perfectly. And they are right a few numbers got messed up.

http://automobiles.honda.com/handsfreelink/?ModelName=Accord

Making the HFL Always trusted avoids a prompt on the phone every time you get into the car. It's seamles and works very well.

How odd to be talking about having your Outlook contacts list syncing with your car :)

The 3 differnt ways of storing phone numbers can be confusing and hopefully will be more cohesive in an update.