Limited functionality, outdated documentation.
Bought BT3 device to replace an iPod interface in my Honda Odyssey 2007. Although minivan does not have XM radio, radio can display text from an emulated XM receiver. I still use my iPod in the van, but wanted to add Bluetooth connection for handsfree calls and streaming music.
Doing a search on the internet, a few brands showed up; one feature that caught my attention was the hability to use the steering wheel buttons to change tracks.
Grom Audio BT3 seemed to have everything I was looking for: iPod interface, Bluetooth connection, handsfree calls support, steering wheel control, text support on radio... At least, that is what documentation in their website implies.
So, I bought the whole package: BT3 device, Aux Cable and iPod cable. Installed and began testing.
Bluetooth connection worked really well, no issues during ignition cycles, fast connection to an Android phone, steering wheel control worked as expected and time reaction to these controls was really low.
Then I tried iPod... Not able to control from radio buttons, but sound goes through radio speakers if controlling from iPod buttons... first flaw.
Then tried Aux cable and worked fine, but for some reason you can hear the last tuned FM radio station at a very low volume, like there is some interference. No big deal, since this sound is really low an only noticeable when there is no audio from another source.
Another missing feature was the text support.
Doing a search in Grom Audio's website, found out that I received the firmware for CD Changer emulation, while XM emulation is the one supporting text.
Contacted GromAudio support telling them iPod control did not work from radio, and I wanted song names displayed on radio. They instructed me to use the XM firmware, so I picked up the latest version for XM emulation.
Test results: song names are now displaying on radio (hurray!), but iPod control is still not working. Even worst, steering wheel controls are not working either for BT. But I can change song tracks using the Seek buttons directly on radio. Response on Bluetooth is still fast and text is updated almost immediately.
Contacted support again. Now they told me iPod support was disabled few years ago (2015), and steering wheel controls are a limitation for the XM firmware (meaning, they do not work). Regarding the outdated documentation, they said "sorry"; if I want iPod Control, I should go for a previous firmware version.
Tried almost every firmware version, the closest match I could find was XM emulation v19: iPod Control + Text support for IPod (BT does not support text) + Steering Wheel controls. Text support for iPod is too slow, you see the song's name after about 10 seconds. Bluetooth connections has flaws, sometimes when turning on the radio, iPod and Bluetooth start playing a song at the same time mixing sources.
Mixed sources issue is also present in CD changer emulation (v28).
Tried Google Assistant only in latest CDC firmware (v33), and it worked fine. Do not know how it behavies with another firmware version.
Was able to test with an incoming call. Could not check everything, but had no complains from other end regarding bad or low sound. Microphone was installed on roof, between map lights.
So, in conclusión: I would do recommend BT3 if you are looking only for Bluetooth integration, and perhaps an AUX connection. If you want Text display on radio, forget about steering wheel controls, and viceversa.
This device is not longer an option for iPod control, no matter what you see on the internet. If this is a decisive point for you (as it was for me), go for another brand.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
