Better microphone for MediaBridge?

[jimbob_sf]

Is the microphone that comes with the DIC MediaBridge the "best" quality you can get your hands on? I've tried it in a few locations in my E46 M3 Conv and it really becomes annoying to the other person above 60 mph even with the top up.

1. In the overhead light unit as BSW recommends for the Z4: too quiet for the other person.

2. Affixed to the outside of the overhead light unit with the microphone pointing directly at my face: can hear me much better, but it picks up much more ambient noise. I put my hand behind it to see if noise was coming from the windshield, but that only helped a bit.

Is this a reality of car microphones or is there a higher quality unit one can buy?

-Phil

[big bob]

The E46 OEM cabrio mic location is on the steering wheel cowel.

[petertn]

Jimbob_SF,

I have the same issue in my x5. I mounted the mic in the ashtray as I've seen others do it too. It's a clean look, but even at 40 mph, the other party can't hear me. I called Dice and they recommended mounting in the steering column too. I'm going to try it this weekend.

On the other hand, streaming pandora via bluetooth is awesome!

[jimbob_sf]

I just moved mine this past weekend, but haven't driven it yet. I pulled out the instrument cluster and ran the cable under and through the back of the dash to the MB sitting behind the glove box. You really can't see the cable at all.

The latest firmware 4468 on the MB is a big improvement over the previous one 4360. I had all kinds of volume / static issues. I still can't get the same, large font used by the rest of the Nav unit.

[petertn]

My MB is behind glove box too. How hard is instrument cluster removal? Can you post pics of how you mound the mic?

[jimbob_sf]

Honestly, I'm too lazy to take pictures. If you look under the hood that covers the cluster (tach, speed...), there are 2 torx screws. Unscrew them and the whole pod pops out. Lower the steering wheel to get good clearance.

You can slide the cord between the bottom of the hood and the bottom of the pod. The pod just screws right back in.

Now, for the cord... I removed the brushed aluminum long panel that runs from the steering wheel to the stereo. Get some of the plastic trim pry tools to get it out. Run the cord from behind the dash and out through a hole you'll see to the right of the steering wheel. I was able to push it back behind the dash in a small gap between the Nav unit and the dash (there wasn't a clear path from behind the pod to the glove box) and then it easily runs down to the glove box.

Basically, if you're comfortable getting that trim out, you'll see how to run the wire. I had to unscrew where the Nav was screwed in to get some room. Oh, I think i pulled out the trim to the right of the Nav unit and pulled out the center vents.

Sorry, a picture really would make this easy, but i'm not going to pull it all out again....

I hope this is of some help. I just had it all out, saw holes and looked for ways to get the wire through.

[petertn]

Thanks...but I was just asking where you mounted the mic on the steering column. Sorry, I should have been more clear.

[jimbob_sf]

Not on the column, but on the base of the pod. The column moves.