Problems with bluetooth mic
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 3:26 pm
I've done quite a bit of online reading on this topic before starting this long rant - and here's the summary of it:
- apparently the poor quality of the Nissan bluetooth mic and connection are known problems
- apparently Nissan switched vendors for the mic in 2009, and switched back in 2012
- apparently the mic used between 2009-2012 incl. is an incredibly crappy mic
- finally, apparently there are "random models" on the Xterra 09-12 that are missing the LED mic light
So mine, it seems, is one of the unfortunate models that has the miserable-quality bluetooth mic and the missing LED light module in the overhead unit. I've got a 2010 Xterra PRO, and I know the LED is missing because I popped out the dual-light console overhead and the bay where the LED light should be sits empty…
On the quality of sound issue, I've done some reading on packing the overhead console empty space with acoustic insulation - and I did that just the other day. I haven't had a chance to check out the "improved" quality yet, but I'll post an update once that becomes available - but based on what I read on the newXterra forum, some people have had marginal success with this, some have had stellar success, and some claim no improvement whatsoever. It is true that the space above the dual light unit was totally hollow, and I could only discern a small cube of rigid white styrofoam about half-way out above the driver's sun visor.. but nothing else anywhere up there. I packed it "lightly" with residential acoustic insulation.
The posts on the newXterra board suggest that the acoustics can be improved by reducing or replacing the empty hollow space in the roof with "denim" insulation (I didn't have any so I used residential yellow stuff) so that the reverb caused by the road wind hitting the wind deflector above doesn't continue to be exacerbated by the hollow gap in the roofing. This all makes sense, so I packed it. But the questions following remain:
1. why doesn't my truck have the LED light - and only has the small plexi "window" where the LED would be?
2. can the 2010 plug-in mic be replaced by another unit?
3. if YES to #2, are the bluetooth mice better in the 2013 and 2014 models..?
4. has anyone else had / experienced this problem in the Xterra?
.. and lastly, my wife's 2013 Murano has a very similar issue: at highway speeds, it's sometimes impossible to hear what she says. I checked online for documented issues or fixes on the Murano but came out totally empty-handed, so any advice on that front would be massively appreciated. Her model has the LED light when the bluetooth mic is active - but it also has a full sunroof right next to where the mic is positioned, so I don't think the idea of packing empty space with insulation would apply...
- apparently the poor quality of the Nissan bluetooth mic and connection are known problems
- apparently Nissan switched vendors for the mic in 2009, and switched back in 2012
- apparently the mic used between 2009-2012 incl. is an incredibly crappy mic
- finally, apparently there are "random models" on the Xterra 09-12 that are missing the LED mic light
So mine, it seems, is one of the unfortunate models that has the miserable-quality bluetooth mic and the missing LED light module in the overhead unit. I've got a 2010 Xterra PRO, and I know the LED is missing because I popped out the dual-light console overhead and the bay where the LED light should be sits empty…
On the quality of sound issue, I've done some reading on packing the overhead console empty space with acoustic insulation - and I did that just the other day. I haven't had a chance to check out the "improved" quality yet, but I'll post an update once that becomes available - but based on what I read on the newXterra forum, some people have had marginal success with this, some have had stellar success, and some claim no improvement whatsoever. It is true that the space above the dual light unit was totally hollow, and I could only discern a small cube of rigid white styrofoam about half-way out above the driver's sun visor.. but nothing else anywhere up there. I packed it "lightly" with residential acoustic insulation.
The posts on the newXterra board suggest that the acoustics can be improved by reducing or replacing the empty hollow space in the roof with "denim" insulation (I didn't have any so I used residential yellow stuff) so that the reverb caused by the road wind hitting the wind deflector above doesn't continue to be exacerbated by the hollow gap in the roofing. This all makes sense, so I packed it. But the questions following remain:
1. why doesn't my truck have the LED light - and only has the small plexi "window" where the LED would be?
2. can the 2010 plug-in mic be replaced by another unit?
3. if YES to #2, are the bluetooth mice better in the 2013 and 2014 models..?
4. has anyone else had / experienced this problem in the Xterra?
.. and lastly, my wife's 2013 Murano has a very similar issue: at highway speeds, it's sometimes impossible to hear what she says. I checked online for documented issues or fixes on the Murano but came out totally empty-handed, so any advice on that front would be massively appreciated. Her model has the LED light when the bluetooth mic is active - but it also has a full sunroof right next to where the mic is positioned, so I don't think the idea of packing empty space with insulation would apply...