Anyone installed a microphone in the instrument cluster location?

I've got a 2000 Carrera in which I have installed a Kenwood Bluetooth head unit. Right now I've got the microphone located on the upper part of the driver's side A pillar, but I'm not thrilled with having it there. It functions just fine there, but it tends to fall off regularly, and I just don't like looking at it there. I'm considering putting the mic in the instrument cluster, in the spot on the left where I believe a mic is supposed to be. Has anyone here done this? Any hints? Will it require removing the instrument cluster?

Mine is installed in the instrument panel but I had the work done so I can't comment on any tricks or best practices. I can tell you that's it's virtually useless because it's so far from your mouth and the P-Car noises make it really tough for the person on the other end of the line. Maybe it would be better in the coupe ..... I have a Cab but even with the top up and sitting still I get complaints.

If you look under the cluster hood, you should see a some screws. The tricky location is a screw behind one of the trim caps. Other than that, both hood and cluster are straight forward as you will be able to see the screws. I don't think you'll need to remove the cluster to run the mic. This is all from memory from having replaced an instrument cluster bulb a few years ago. I will probably be doing the same this this summer as my mic is currently clipped to the manual holder. I've just been too lazy to relocate it thus far.

On another thread I was warned that the microphone in that location will pick up too much noise. The comment came from someone who had tried it.

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Part of it is dependent on the mic and the installation. Most of the general mic's that come with these are omni-polar but also have the rubber/poly insulation that can introduce microphonics into the stream. Best bet is to make sure the wire is secure and isn't rubbing on anything when you're driving. I plan on secure the wiring with tape and foam strips to minimize this.

I put mine there and it works fine. The receptacle is a little smaller than the mic, so i had to squeeze it in there. I then used some electrical tape wrapped around the back to make sure it stays in place. Completely hidden, and people say they can hear me fine, even with the top down. This is on a kenwood single din.

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Did you remove the instrument cluster to get the mic in?

I originally had my mic mounted on the a-pillar. The sound quality was terrible. Now it's mounted in the factory location in the instrument cluster. It's still terrible, but at least I don't have to look at it any more.

its true mine is mounted on the a pillar,about as close to me as possible and when im driving and trying to talk,most people cant really hear me,so i have to pull over and put the windows up etc,to bad but i can live with it. i guess the car is a little to loud,there are some adjustments on the head unit for the mike sensitivity ,ill have to check and see if that helps,so there for the factory position would be even farther away,i cant see any advantage ,except you could conceal the mike.

Fiddling around yesterday I was able to clip the mic into the top edge of the A-pillar. At least this way I don't have to worry about it falling off. Sound quality of the mic is not that big a deal for me. I'm not much for talking while driving. At least if someone calls I can figure out who it is and tell them I'll call them back later. Maybe at some point if I'm looking for a project I'll try to relocate to the IC. I'm a bit OCD and don't really like having the mic stuck there on the A-pillar. Thanks for all the comments!

Me too. An alternative and easier place would be to just run it to one of the left blank switch location in the center console and drill a series of tiny holes in the switch plate and hot glue the mic from behind. This way it is also situated further from the window too.

I think the combination of wind noise, tire noise and engine noise makes it difficult to use a hands free connection, regardless of mic placement. Mine is fine for a quick call, but not good for an extended conversation.

I have an original fitment mic. in the dash, no complaints from callers.

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I did, but its really easy to do. If you search, you can find several diys. I think its only 2 screws that hold it in place. Hardest part was popping out the hazard switch...

Dennis C , youve sed it great,i was trying to express that in my post.its just the nature of the beast,if i have to talk,i mean really have to talk,then i will pull over,turn the motor off,and then the hands free works fine.