2006 Bose - Simple Options to Add Bluetooth or AUX Input?

I am currently using an FM transmitter, but it gets static sometimes, which is annoying. So the question is if there is yet a simple option to add Bluetooth or AUX input. I am OK with getting any sort of optical adapter, but I don't really want to change the head unit. I know there is an option to change the head unit + optical adapter, but don't really want to take that route. I am hoping there might be a mid-range solution (better than an FM transmitter but not a head unit change)?

A mid range solution would be something like one of the NAV-TV units that hook up to the optical loop in place of the CD changer.

Simple answer; no.

Do you know the unit it would be? Seems like they have a lot of items and its a bit confusing.

I had good luck with the Tranzit Blu adapter. It's a small box that hooks up in between your antenna and the CDR antenna input. You connect your phone's bluetooth to the Tranzit box and the signal is injected into the CDR. Works really well and is quite inexpensive.

iSimple ISFM2351 Tranzit Blu HF Bluetooth Enabled FM Transmitter iSimple ISFM2351 Bluetooth Enabled FM Transmitter with HFP, A2DP and AVRCP Support Product Description Stream your music directly from your iPhone or Android smartphone through your vehicle’s sound system. The ISFM2351 includes a convenient, low-profile, dash-mountable control button for... www.cartoys.com Is this the one you are talking about? Its still an FM transmitter, but maybe a higher quality version and less static? I know the frequency range can be lacking, but I can probably accept this if there is not static. Do you know of any install instructions or how difficult it is to do?

I have a Dension gateway 500s BT installed which works well with PCM 2 in my 06 CS, provides usb & aux ports in the glovebox, and Bluetooth.

Not sure if it works for the 987, but have a read. Cheap solution that I still use. Bluetooth streaming with base audio - $40 So I finally got to installing BT solution for streaming music from my phone. There are multiple BT adapters available, but RedTango tested and recommended this setup and I went with it: Amazon.com: Miccus Mini-jack RX: Bluetooth Music Receiver pair it with Phones, Tablets, PCs and Apple... www.planet-9.com

Lots of good options here and I need to investigate them all more. In the meantime, I took a chance on another FM transmitter, linked below. I also took a picture of the setup (the transmitter is mounted with double stick tape towards the upper left side of the head unit - can easily miss it). On the bottom link, I already had an FM transmitter setup that was very discrete, so I only needed to swap this one. The major difference is this new transmitter is very powerful. I had zero static when set to 88.3, but didn't drive it enough to see if there is interference in other regions. However, I tuned it to the most powerful station in the area and the transmitter had not problem overriding it, which is something I have not seen before. So I suspect this might work pretty well and I won't have to fiddle with stations. I also checked to see how the microphone was for making calls and the person on the other end could hear clearly. So I will see how this performs over the next few weeks/months and report back. If there is no static, then this may be sufficient. One of the nice things about this you have skip and play/pause controls right where your hands are naturally positioned. The major downside for me is that the numbers are in blue and I don't care for that at night (they can be turned off). It points downwards so that helps and the steering wheel mostly covers it up, but its still a little annoying. I might try a better attachment approach that points it down a bit more. Obviously a spherical joint interface will solve this, but its a bit bulky for my taste. Amazon.com: Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car,Bluetooth 5.0 Radio Car Adapter QC3.0 & LED Backlit with Dual USB Ports Bluetooth Car Lighter Adapter Hand-Free Calling MP3 Music Player Suport TF Card AUX: MP3 Players & Accessories Amazon.com: Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car,Bluetooth 5.0 Radio Car Adapter QC3.0 & LED Backlit with Dual USB Ports Bluetooth Car Lighter Adapter Hand-Free Calling MP3 Music Player Suport TF Card AUX: MP3 Players & Accessories www.amazon.com New Bluetooth FM Transmitter Setup I recently got a new stereo for my Cayenne, but to be honest, I am not that impressed with the aftermarket volume controls (looked at quite a few). So instead of spending a lot of money on a MOST-HUR and loosing my nice volume knob, I decided to hold off and just upgrade my bluetooth FM... www.planet-9.com EDIT: I took a couple longer trips and there was just a bit of static in some spots, but I may not have noticed it if I wasn't paying attention. Overall, it is a much more powerful transmitter than the previous versions I used (and that last one was better than prior iterations). I then changed it to different frequency and had zero interference for a 30 mile trip. I believe this one had a broader bandwidth than the previous so I was able to go to 87.7 (lowest on the PCM). Anyway, it works really well with regard to interference. I still has a bit of "static" at times, but I think that is a function of the FM in general (I believe the broadcast songs are slightly adjusted to eliminate certain wavelengths that may cause issues for FM). The point is that it seems to be consistent for a given song even if there is no interference (leading me to believe it is just a shortcoming of FM capability and any FM transmitter will have this issue). I am not sure about that yet, but will ping an EE friend.

if you need something hidden from sight, here is an option best 15 dollars I spent on my Cayman so far...

In my case, the transmitter could easily be hidden, but then I would lose playback functionality, microphone (calling), and ability to adjust the FM frequency. There is no need to hide it, but I will try to come up with something angle it down a bit (maybe a wedged piece). Alternatively, I found the original manufacturer and they can make a custom one where all the lights turn off (that is ideal, but I have to see what the price would be).

You might want to consider an Android head unit. The one I installed this year has everything included. It is custom fit for a 987, with a sound decoder for Porsche Bose amp included. The total cost was $400. As you might have known, an Android head unit includes GPS nav, BT phone, BT music, reverse cam (if you buy a rear cam [$15]), dashcam (if you a dashcam [$15]), TV (if you add a TV antenna), ... you can even play video via USB. If you spend another $40 for a dongle, you can have Apple Carplay and Android Auto . My Cayman S is so much easier to live with now. A couple of years ago, a sound decoder for the Bose amp alone would have cost $600.

Could you provide specifics about the unit and installation ?

For now, I am pretty happy with the new FM transmitter. Its not perfect, but much better than my old one and probably as good as any FM transmitter (I give the sound general quality 8/10 and interference seems to be a none issue so that is 9.5/10). For reference, I would give my old transmitter an interference rating of 7/10. I used two magnets (epoxy coated so they are less brittle). One attaches to the silver trim via double stick tape (the standard white foam tape) and the other to the back of the unit. This is shown in the top two images. The bottom image shows it when stuck on (make sure to slide off and not pull off). No wires are visible since it can be pushed into the crease. and it is very benign. The magnets are not necessary (was previously just stuck right on), but gives a little flexibility if you want to take it off and do a FM adjustment or plug in an AUX cable...or just hide if for some reason. Because I did the wiring modification before, it turns on automatically (and doesn't remain on after removing the key). After it pairs automatically, I can just press the play button and music is playing. So there is no fiddling with anything to get it going since I leave it on the the FM station...just press one button. So this will satisfy my immediate needs of having better quality audio, but I will still look at some of the other options to see if something better can be done.

I bought a Mr 12V bluetooth adaptor for mine... works great, although you loose the CD changer function and phone function. It replaces the CD changer in the opticalnliop and does everything you'd expect of a bluetooth link... except show a track listing... I'll find a link to it... Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

Bluetooth USB Adapter For Porsche 911 Boxster Cayman Cayenne PCM 2.0 2.1 Car Kit | eBay <li> </li> <li> </li> <li>Description:</li> <li>This product is installed on the OEM radio via professional Fiber Optic wire harness without interference. It delivers Hi-fi quality sound rivaling original CD. This product achieves handsfree phone call (make and receive calls, sound through the... www.ebay.co.uk Here it is... really simple to install, just whip the head unit out (easier than expected) and put this in the optical link.... find power and put head unit back.. Has USB charging, USB read micro sd and bluetooth... Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

I am happy that I have hands-free Bluetooth for phone calls, a reserve cam, and more importantly, Android Auto / Apple Carplay . I don't use any of the built-in functions from the unit such as Googlemaps navigation after I connected the dongle for AndroidAuto / Apple Carplay . I do navigation and music streaming from my phone to the unit via AndroidAuto . I don't even use the built-in amplifier since I have a built-in Bose amplifier . If I do it again, I'd look for a unit with 1) buttons! 2) built-in Android Auto / AppleCarplay and 3) higher screen resolution.

Thanks for the update, built in Android Auto (wireless!) would be convenient. Glad yours is still going well. Doesn't seem to be any other Boxster specific fitment options available though.