Add Bluetooth Music Streaming to all Cayman Radios

I picked up my 2007 Cayman S last month and it came with the CDR-24 stereo with BOSE . It was ok sound wise but lacked Bluetooth streaming from my phone. Once you've had this in a car its hard to live without it. I looked at the aftermarket options and they all had downsides. Not to mention expensive when all I wanted was Bluetooth! I didn't want to hack up my wiring, install a bunch of wires for amps, and the Dension option looked like it was really made for iPhones. I don't need navigation, my Google Navigation on my Android is perfect. I didn't want to lose how the FM song titles stream by on the instrument cluster either. My biggest requirement was I wanted this to be stealth and look factory but still sound excellent, I'm also cheap so I didn't want to spend more than $50. What to do Enter the GoGroove SmartMini BT. I figured 4000+ positive reviews on Amazon for an FM Transmitter I would give it a try. My expectations were low as in the past those battery powered FM transmitter's I've tried were absolute garbage. Static, terrible sound reproduction, and hard to use. This thing is the real deal as everyone on Amazon stated, its powered by your car so its much more powerful, uses some digital signal processing, supports Bluetooth 2.1 Headset, Hands-Free, A2DP, and AVRCP!! In English that means it supports streaming audio + more. The best part is it slips right into the center console, plugged into the 12V accessory outlet, and the hood closes perfectly over it in the 987: Setup took about 30 seconds. Found an open station automatically in Northern San Diego which was shocking since we receive Baja California, San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles stations where I live, I can't think of a more crowded spectrum. I was very impressed with the sound. I listen to streaming 96k Digitally Imported app on my Android and its perfect. Pandora was 4 out of 5 stars, I don't think their free service is as good as DI. Some tips. Once you pair your phone, uncheck the Phone Audio option, sure you could use the handsfree of the GoGroove, but you would have to open your arm wrest which is akward. Next, on Android download the AutomateIt app. Then create a rule so whenever you enter the car and it automatically pairs with the GoGroove it launches Pandora or whatever app you use to listen to music. I also created a rule that when it pairs the Bluetooth to turn on GPS, as well as turn the volume to max so its consistent. I also downloaded an Equalizer called just that and actually found you are better disabling all aftermarket equalizers or in my case I chose FLAT in Equalizer and let the BOSE sort out the bass/midrange/treble. (Car stereo joke inserted: "If there are no highs, and no lows...it must be BOSE" j/k its actually pretty good in the Porsche). :dance: One other product I would recommend, actually it came out of Consumer Reports and several thousand positive reviews on Amazon, is to add the iOttie Easy One Touch to your dash if you like to see album art or skip songs or use navigation. It has a great suction cup that works on the Cayman textured dash and the thing is so nice and easy to use it really is one touch to put your phone on and take it off, all the other manufactuers think people like fiddling with plastic/foam arms everytime they sit in their car or screw with a suction cup on the windshield or they bounce on bumps. Not the iOttie. If you want a total package to update your Cayman how it should have come from the factory, get the GoGoove and the iOttie combo, best money I've spent on my car. I am purposely leaving the GoGroove plugged in to see if the Porsche at any time disables the power drain, I've heard its anywhere from 30mins to 2hours. I want to see if that drains the battery. If its on 2 hours later then I'll have to look at options to put it on a timer accessory or ignition accessory circuit like Japanese car manufacturers do, its a sin the Germans don't follow this approach. Links to these two products: GOgroove Audio iOttie Easy One Touch Universal Car Mount Holder for iPhone 5, 4S, Smartphone

I really thought about buying something like that, let me know if it drains you battery , and which location you plug into.

I plug into the center console under the arm wrest. The bad news is after 2 hours it was still on I really wish Porsche killed the power to the accessory plug and left the cig lighter always powered so we have a choice. Other than that its been perfect, seriously shocked how good it sounds. If I can find out an easy, reversible way to make the outlet shut off with the car (hacking up the car wiring is NOT gonna fly with me) I will post.

Great idea. Let us know when you figure out how to make the outlet shut off.

Thought I'd add my 2p in to this thread as I picked up my 2008 Cayman S Sport a few months ago and went through the exact same issues and arrived at a slightly different end result. I went through a few different FM transmitters before I found one that I like. Initially I went for the kind that you plug in to the headphone jack of your phone. but the interference from the engines was too much when the phone was plugged in to the power at the same time - which was great until it needed some juice. Then I decided to go for a Bluetooth device, but none of the ones which plug in to the electrical outlet looked good enough (they all seemed a bit fragile and looked crap) - after a bit more hunting I found another type of product which did the same thing and a load more - it sits on your sun visor and acts as a phone interface to making calls without having to touch your phone, it also supports FM & bluetooth and it's got a stonking great battery in it which means that it doesn't need to be plugged in and lasts for ages (with light use mine has lasted over 2 weeks with out having to charge it) - Jabra Freeway HD Ready Bluetooth Visor Speakerphone . The clip fits well on the Cayman sun visor and doesn't affect the functionality of the mirror. I also got this mount which fits right on to the air vent grill and works really well Kenu Airframe Portable Car Mount . I like this one better that the ones which attach to the window as it's so small that you can't really notice it when not in use and it doesn't affect my view out of the window, but it's still easy to see the phone screen. The grasp on the mount is very good and your device isn't going to be going anywhere. And then to top if off I got a USB charger which will keep my phone powered up whilst the screen is on all the time. Most USB charging devices which fit in to your electrical outlet have a poor ampage output, you really need 2amp output to keep a modern phone (Galaxy S 4, Nexus 5, HTC One etc) charged with the screen on, but this one has had some very good reviews - PowerGen Dual USB 4.2A 20W Car Charger Hope that helps someone!

I have a very similar device. The GoGroove Flexsmart X2. It's the goose neck version of the one the OP shows in the first post. Mine has a power button at the base of the goose neck where it plugs into the lighter socket. Because of the goose neck however, I didn't like it in the arm rest so I plug it into the sock in the passenger wheel well and the goose neck reaches out enough for me to reach it when I need to power it off. As for your picture, I'm guessing that's where the lighter socket is on a 987.2 ? Mine isn't in the arm rest box. I'ts by the ashtray in my 987.1 so the design of the OP's version would stand straight up for me and I would likely snap it off with my elbow. It works very well and with my Mountek Snap magnetic phone holder, I can change songs with a swipe of the screen or voice command playlists. As the OP says...very inexpensive compromise to gutting the whole stereo system.

great suggestions guys I like that Jabra Freeway even more. It looks very nice, and you can use the hands free well on the visor. I'm a little worried the FM transmitter isn't as good since its battery powered. On a scale of 1-10 what would you give its sound quality? I've read many reviews of it that say the sound quality from the FM transmitter is very poor vs the Go Groove which everyone praises its FM transmitter. For Ottawa, what are you referring to as the passenger side "sock"? Maybe this is for the tire inflator? My car is a 987.1 I think it has a convience package or something which adds the extra 12V outlet in the arm rest. I do know that GoGroove Mini had its charging power increased I want to say to 100ma to replenish the larger devices from when it first came out, I have the later one. I run a Galaxy S4 but haven't tried charging it yet, it is kinda nice it can charge right in the armrest too. That phone holder even has a picture of the Porsche Cayman air vent!

sorry, I meant "socket". I think faster than I type. I have two cigarette lighter style sockets...here by the ashtray And here in the foot well on the passenger side by my Bose subwoofer.

^^^do you not have the outlet inside the armrest?? I have a 987.1 with it and I just swapped to a 987.2 console and it has the same socket as well.

that's a really good question. I never use that storage because it's so rediculously placed for driver access. Makes for a great armrest though. I'll check tonight when I get my car back. My car is currently in the shop AGAIN! (my mechanic has more seat time than I do in this car).

agree it is not at a good angle for easy access, but it's actually perfect for running a charging cable out of that you won't have to mess with really.

I have an '08 C Base w/ Bose upgrade. No socket in the passenger well, but one socket next to the ash tray and one in the armrest. Thanks for this post. I've been looking for a similar solution.

Hi guys, I found an even better one than the GoGroove. This one uses the same chipset so the FM transmitter is perfect like the GoGroove, but this one has a power button AND it uses RDS to show the caller id right on your Cayman 's instrument cluster/radio! Totally cool. It will also plays songs loaded from a usb stick or sd flash card. I'm returning the GoGroove. This one also matches the interior colors better. This model also has the plugs on the left side which is better for the Cayman armrest and it includes an external mic which I will fish out of the armrest box and clip on something. Amazon.com: Soundfly BT Ultimate Bluetooth Car Fm Transmitter WMA/MP3 Player for SD Card, USB Charger for iPhone 5S, 5C, 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G, Samsung Galaxy S4, S3, S2, Note 2, Note, Nexus S, HTC One X, S, Motorola Droid Razr HD, Maxx, Nokia Lumia 920,

^^^yeah ppl have reviewed this in the electronics section.

SoundFly Bluetooth Ultimate arrived today as did the vent mounted Kenu Airframe. The SoundFly I would say would be an 8 out of 10 for sound quality and the GoGroove Mini a 9 out of 10. Not enough to warrant keeping the GoGroove as the SoundFly Ultimate has a power button AND the manual says it shuts off after 1 hour of no music, so it works better for the Porsche . The microphone it came with according to my testers I called made me sound like I was in a tunnel, little echo, I tried the visor and the cubby under the air conditioning controls. I tested this vs just straight speaker phone and speak phone won. Therefor I disabled call audio on my android and will just use the SoundFly for music. FM transmit power is excellent, so strong I can "take over" a real live station if I want. I seriously doubt this thing is FCC legal it works so well, so get it while you can before they ban the import from China. I also think this is why the name brands like Jabra have really weak FM transmitters, they likely follow the law. The RDS function that shows caller id on the Porsche instrument cluster and radio will only work if you re-enable call audio. It does broadcast the unit's manufactuer to your cluster so you know its working. Playing MP3s from the SDCARD slot should show the song title streaming on the instrument cluster I have yet to try it. One thing I do not like and have to address is the SoundFly bass is too much. There is a dynamic and normal setting both the bass is too much, you have to reduce it at least with the BOSE system . The GoGroove had perfect equalization and like I said perfect sound quailty. The Kenu AirFrame blade for the vent is top notch, well made, holds well, not as easy to use as the iottie but to get the phone off the dash its great. It has a tiny bit of flop you don't get from the IOttie but that's expected as the vent moves back and forth. I'm happy http://www.mobilefun.com/40103-kenu-airframe-portable-car-mount-and-stand-for-smartphones.htm

Good review. Thanks for this. Regarding the bass in your Bose . Have you done the sub-woofer pillow hack? Best thing I ever did to my Bose system . Here's the link to the article. Bose Sound System - Articles

Another reason I'm concerned about using the Soundfly is bc since I live near Atlanta, it's hard to find an unused FM station.

I PM ed you, but as I usually don't see those myself...What is the phone holder you are using in the ashtray that holds it at a slight angle? That looks like a good solution to laying it on the seat, or under the radio. I just ordered the goGroove x3 flex mini and am hoping it is actually better than the one I got two years ago. Thanks!

after more time with the SoundFly I am going to have to ding it another point in the sound quailty department vs the GoGroove. So my final rating is a 7 of 10 for the SoundFly and 9 of 10 for the GoGoove. You have to decide if you want sound quailty or a power button. I went with the power button but am not sure if it was the right decision to return the GoGroove

So, a car behind/beside/in-front of you can tune to your "station" and not only listen to your music, they can listen in on your phone conversation? Is that right?

Got the go Groove minix3 gooseneck, and so far it works amazingly well. Standard Chinese quality, so don't expect it to hold up for too long, but it sure is nice having all the music and podcasts on my phone play with reasonable fidelity and plenty of volume through the CD-R 24. Made a couple of phone calls, Bluetooth pairing was simple, and the audio quality on both ends was good. Nice to not have to hold the phone, and be able to dial up the volume through the radio. Also got the Kenu airframe phone holder- this is a beautifully designed, simple, quality piece that holds the phone well, and is minimal enough to travel easily between vehicles. This setup will be perfectly adequate until I someday upgrade to a 987.2 and it's more modern sound system.

I'm going back to the GoGroove myself, the Satachi sounds quality just wasnt' good enough. I'm gonna do the GooseNeck since I discovered thanks to this forum, I have a 12V outlet in the passenger footwell that will be perfect for it. I found a neat tip for the KENU air frame, if you put it in the middle air vent closest to the driver, close the air going to the flap, then move the flap so its pointing UP, then slide the airblade directly into the lowest center portion of that vent. The provides extra stability because the vertical control on the air vent becomes a "tri-pod" when your phone is in the airblade, it also minimizes the flopping back and forth in this lowest position as compared to if you mounted it in the middle of the vent.

I think I found out why the GoGroove sounds so much better, stronger xmitter. Its too bad they don't do streaming RDS on the go groove, the view will even do it for Pandora , not just SD cards like the Ultimate. Hopefully the next gen GoGoove will have RDS Bluetooth FM Transmitter Reviews | Source FM Transmitter | Broadcasting With Confidence

I have been looking for a good holder for my phone and decided to purchase the KENU. I haven't received it yet but am having a little trouble visualizing how it connects to the vent. would you mind posting a pic of your installation?

Have you guys considered the Mountek Snap? It mounts in your CD slot. These little butterfly wings spread out and hold it securely. Of course you lose usage of your CD drive but who cares if you're using your phone as an MP3 player. The Snap uses magnets and includes stick on metal plates for your phone. You can either stick them to your phone or slide them inside between your case and your phone. They also offer other type that clamp your phone in a vice but I like the magnetic system because I just jump in and slap my phone on the stand it and it literally pulls it from my hand. nGroove Snap Multi-Use Car Mount for Smartphones and Mini Tablets It's hard to see it in this photo because it's behind my phone but the website explains how it works.

i use the regular mountek since i have a case on my phone.

went ahead and got the GoGroove Flex 2, def the best for our cayman , the silver and black really matches the interior, the passenger footwell is the perfect place to reach it yet its partially hidden so it isn't distracting. Sound quality is not only perfect, no static or that slight hiss of the Satachi, but they got the volume to match the porsche stereo, like switching between radio stations and the bluetooth streaming with the satachi you had to crank up the volume. This is so much better and you can actually use the hand free for calls in that location. Also like that is has a power off button. Picked it up locally at Fry's in the cell phone accessory section. Someone asked about the kenu air blade, here is I found the best position, its not perfect, still a slight flip/flop but much better than if its in the middle

holy giant pic batman! can you pls resize and rotate?