Identifying Factory Bluetooth

grbud · 02-14-2013, 04:01 PM

Does anyone know how I identify whether an OEM radio has factory Bluetooth? Does the factory Bluetooth "reside" in the radio or in some other electronic interface device? I currently own a 2011 Rav4 Sport, which of course has a non-JBL radio, but I was considering upgrading the factory radio and wanted to be sure I had the Bluetooth wiith it. I would buy it from a salvage yard. Final question does the JBL radio work without the amp? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Phrede · 02-14-2013, 04:23 PM

You can always search for a device with your phone while any radio is on. It is either there or not. Bluetooth is an integral part of the unit.

vanib · 02-14-2013, 04:51 PM

Most Bluetooth radios would have the Bluetooth logo on them.

grbud · 02-14-2013, 05:03 PM

Both of you agree that the factory Bluetooth "resides" in the radio. Is it true only the Nav and the JBL radios will have "factory" Bluetooth? I will need to be able to identify a Bluetooth equipped radio visually, since I'm buying it from a salvage yard. Will a JBL radio function without the amp? Any ideas? BTW Vanib, I just purchased a 2011 limited steering wheel from a salvage yard in Indiana for $100. You can probably see where I trying to go with this.
Regards, grbud

Phrede · 02-14-2013, 05:18 PM

My 2012 non-NAV unit has BT.

If there is a separate amp supplied from the factory on the JBL equipped units then I would say it is required. I can not offer 1st hand knowledge.

Why not just go with an aftermarket unit with Bluetooth? Usually salvage yards get a premium for OEM units.

grbud · 02-14-2013, 06:05 PM

Phrede,
Thanks for the reply. The OEM HU and amp would run about $400. from the salvage yard without any wiring harnesses. As for the after-market units, I'm looking for the number storage and display features the OEM units have, along with full steering wheel mounted controls. I'm not sure the aftremarket units have this. Are the 2012 HUs much different than the 2011s? I don't know if they are compatible with 2011 or not.
Regards,
grbud

richericks · 02-14-2013, 06:27 PM

The 2012 OEM unit is is of a different design than the 2011 and earlier. There is a bluetooth add-on that can be purchased for the 2011 and earlier units. The 2012 comes with it built in.

There are steering wheel adapters for aftermarket head units. Metra and PAC make them. Metra even makes a harness that connects to the factory plug so that you do not have to splice into the wiring.

Phrede · 02-14-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grbud

Phrede,
Thanks for the reply. The OEM HU and amp would run about $400. from the salvage yard without any wiring harnesses. As for the after-market units, I'm looking for the number storage and display features the OEM units have, along with full steering wheel mounted controls. I'm not sure the aftremarket units have this. Are the 2012 HUs much different than the 2011s? I don't know if they are compatible with 2011 or not.
Regards,
grbud

Not having done it but researched a bit. There is a change in the antenna connection and the main connector goes from 22 to 28 pins. I think that happened in 2012, but not sure. There is a thread here about making an adapter. Mechanically they fit.

I can't say that I'm a fan of the 2012 HU I have. It works fine for phone and A2DP but the interface is clunky and slow. I do not use the HU for number storage because it is much easier to use the phone or voice dial. Caller ID shows only the number not the name. I know others have used aftermarket units and maintained steering wheel switches. Sometimes there is an adapter required.

02-14-2013, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
grbud Junior Member Country: Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Identifying Factory Bluetooth Does anyone know how I identify whether an OEM radio has factory Bluetooth? Does the factory Bluetooth "reside" in the radio or in some other electronic interface device? I currently own a 2011 Rav4 Sport, which of course has a non-JBL radio, but I was considering upgrading the factory radio and wanted to be sure I had the Bluetooth wiith it. I would buy it from a salvage yard. Final question does the JBL radio work without the amp? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

02-14-2013, 04:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
vanib Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 3,267 Thanks: 78 Thanked 191 Times in 178 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Most Bluetooth radios would have the Bluetooth logo on them. __________________ 2008 Base Rav4, 4 Cylinder, 4WD My upgrades Allen Spare tire Bike Rack Currently listening to "Bozzio Levin Stevens - Black Light Syndrome"

02-14-2013, 04:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phrede Senior Member Country: Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: KY Posts: 246 Thanks: 29 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can always search for a device with your phone while any radio is on. It is either there or not. Bluetooth is an integral part of the unit.

02-14-2013, 05:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
grbud Junior Member Country: Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Both of you agree that the factory Bluetooth "resides" in the radio. Is it true only the Nav and the JBL radios will have "factory" Bluetooth? I will need to be able to identify a Bluetooth equipped radio visually, since I'm buying it from a salvage yard. Will a JBL radio function without the amp? Any ideas? BTW Vanib, I just purchased a 2011 limited steering wheel from a salvage yard in Indiana for $100. You can probably see where I trying to go with this. Regards, grbud

02-14-2013, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phrede Senior Member Country: Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: KY Posts: 246 Thanks: 29 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My 2012 non-NAV unit has BT. If there is a separate amp supplied from the factory on the JBL equipped units then I would say it is required. I can not offer 1st hand knowledge. Why not just go with an aftermarket unit with Bluetooth? Usually salvage yards get a premium for OEM units.

02-14-2013, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
grbud Junior Member Country: Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Phrede, Thanks for the reply. The OEM HU and amp would run about $400. from the salvage yard without any wiring harnesses. As for the after-market units, I'm looking for the number storage and display features the OEM units have, along with full steering wheel mounted controls. I'm not sure the aftremarket units have this. Are the 2012 HUs much different than the 2011s? I don't know if they are compatible with 2011 or not. Regards, grbud

02-14-2013, 06:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
richericks Member Country: Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 113 Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 19 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The 2012 OEM unit is is of a different design than the 2011 and earlier. There is a bluetooth add-on that can be purchased for the 2011 and earlier units. The 2012 comes with it built in. There are steering wheel adapters for aftermarket head units. Metra and PAC make them. Metra even makes a harness that connects to the factory plug so that you do not have to splice into the wiring.

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