redcab

Hi all.... I'm going to install an aftermarket radio / headunit today and am thinking through the best place to put the bluetooth microphone in a cabriolet?

Headliner near mirror? - seems like I'll pick up road noise.

Top of steering column? - will I get good voice pick up?

Sticking out of center column - unsightly?

Please share your experience with placement and the voice quality you get (in a cabriolet with the top down at highway speed!)

Thanks!!

Dennis C

I don't have a cab, but I'll share my experience with you. I have an aftermarket head unit and I had the mic installed in the factory location in the instrument cluster. Even in my coupe with the windows up, the sound quality isn't great. At highway speed, it's not good because of tire and engine noise.

Before the head unit was installed, I had a Motorola Bluetooth kit installed (now removed). I had that mic installed on the a-pillar, up near the roof. Even though it was closer to my mouth, the sound quality was poor. It picked up lots of cabin noise.

I don't believe you will find a great location for a hands-free phone mic in a 996. There's just too much cabin noise. It's okay for a quick call or for checking voicemail, but anything more is too difficult.

Good luck!

tnj100

There is a spot for it in the dash/instrument cluster, though I have heard that it's not a great spot from a sound perspective.

ivygreen

I have mine on the top of the steering column. People complain about not being able to hear me with the top and windows up. I don't even try to use it with the top down.

CabrioArtie

I have mine in the instrument cluster where Porsche puts it when you get their PCM. It works well when the top up and windows closed, however with the windows open or the top down you can forget about it. The you put it in a friends coupe.

petonic

I use a Jawbone 2 or newer with noise cancellation. I can talk on the phone going 70 mph with the top down and still be understood. I wouldn't use it to attend an important conference call that I need to be a primary speaker on, but it is good for quick and casual conversations.

redcab

Thanks all.... I have a BlueAnt speakerphone that believe it or not is very usable at highway speeds with the top down! I was hoping that the Kenwood unit's mic would have noise cancellation, but it sounds like my expectations may be too high.

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The very top left corner of the windshield. I drove around with a piece of tissue or some light piece of paper to see where the least amount of wind blew. The downside is the windshield wiper noise.

NZ951

Anyone got pics of their installs? I have the same issue!

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Basically at the top right angle of my windshield on the driver's side. I used velcro attached to the glass to hold the mic in place.

jordanturbo

I mounted my mic in one of the dead buttons beside the head unit. You can see it inserted in the button below the PSM off switch

SSST

There is no good spot in a cab. You're better off with an earpiece with good noise cancellation.

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I tried the whole earpiece thing. The radio bluetooth units works better, IMO.