nextime

Anybody ever have issues with these units and Bluetooth KCA-BT200 and KDC-X492?

My phone either gets locked up or the Bluetooth works when it wants too.

pentavolvo

upgrade the firmware

C7-Beast

Make sure you have the latest firmware which is 1.70. Unfortunatly this may not solve your issue. The BT200 has issues with several phones. Mostly I have heard of complaints from Blackberry owners. I have a Storm that so far has worked fine with both my DNX5120 and DNX6140.

nextime

How is that done, VIA usb or cd?

C7-Beast

I believe it is via CD only.

nextime

So it is like download and burn the cd and throw it in the car?

C7-Beast

yes

nextime

Thanks!

nextime

So how do you update it via CD?

I keep reading about using Parrot Bluetooth only since the last post about upgrading it by CD.

hattitude

I would start by upgrading the software.

I had a problem with the BT-200 attached to my Kenwood 5120.

I contacted Kenwood customer support via internet and they sent me the proper updaters and instructions.

I updated the software in the Kenwood Unit, done by making a CD, and upgraded to version 2.4.0

I updated the BT-200 unit, must be done on a PC computer (laptop) via bluetooth, and upgraded to version 1.7.0

It still would not work properly with my Verizon LG, Chocolate 3 (VX-8560). Kenwood sent me the list of compatible phones. It showed the Chocolate 2 (VX-8550) and I was told any of the 8500 family should work.

My VX-8560 would pair to the unit, show my phonebook, allow me to make or receive a call, but whenever I would hang up, it would freeze the Kenwood at that screen. I would have to shut off my phone and "restart" it and the Kenwood would work properly until I hung up from another call......

I ended up dumping the LG phone and getting a Motorola from the Kenwood list. The Motorola and my girlfriend's Samsung work well with the system, although the Motorola does take about 3 minutes to show the phone book.

Good Luck....

nextime

I am on a Macintosh hard to upgrade that way.

I know a lot of Windows users and they do not have Bluetooth and find it funny how they make it so difficult to upgrade the stuff they sell.

Probably the last Kenwood I will buy and recommend.

hattitude

I'm on MAC too, I went to a local shop that was a Kenwood dealer and they did the upgrade for me. Since I didn't buy the unit from them, they charged me 1/2 hour labor.

I really love the Kenwood other than the initial glitches........

Their Garmin NAV system is great......

nextime

I cant even find a person with Windows and Bluetooth that can do this for me.

scofolo

Unfortunately that's what happens when you team up with other companies to produce your products. The Parrot bluetooth software is a proven leader in the industry and now Kenwood and Alpine have chosen to use Parrot's software instead of their own. But now they have to play by Parrot's rules. Parrot has a certain way to update their software and Kenwood can't do anything about it. If it were up to Kenwood, I'm sure it would all be USB updates like they do for their own firmware updates.

pentavolvo

I can do it but im sure I am a solid hour from you. You can pick up a usb to bluetooth dongle for a pc for pretty cheap thats how i do it

nextime

I dont have a PC to even do this. I think I found a guy with a laptop and Bluetooth. If not I can cruise on down to you.

I just remembered I have virtual PC on my Mac laptop, I am going to see what it can do.

nextime

Virtual PC does not see my Bluetooth on my Mac, it is asking for a port to use. Still waiting for email reply from friend with lap top.

pentavolvo

worst case i will mail u the usb to bluetooth dongle as long as u promise to send it back

nextime

Kenwood just emailed me back and said people with Macintosh have been able to update with their Bluetooth. I just went through my Bluetooth program on my Macintosh and it looks like it may do the job.

Later in the week I will give it a shot.

Thanks for the help offering to help me with the programming or sending me the dongle, I will let you know if I need it or not.

Thank you!

nextime

Just looked at my firmware and it is 1.4, hopefully I can upgrade this Thursday.