[RapidLotus]

This is a follow up to the thread "New Blaupunkt Bluetooth headunit saves 2 lbs and costs $13" https://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f133/new-blaupunkt-bluetooth-headunit-saves-2-lbs-costs-13-a-468392/ where a number of us tried the Blaupunkt Toronto TRT1049. We all seemed to be very happy with the unit and the features were great, BUT when the warm weather came the display failed. I think this is largely due to most of us going topless (the car, not us, get your mind out of the gutter) and the fact that our dash boards get very hot. I was lucky enough to be able to send both my Torontos back to Amazon.:smile2:

So now I was hooked with the idea of a Bluetooth speaker phone, digital media, and streaming off my Android! I started the search for a replacement and came up with the Dual brand XDM16BT. The only thing it does not have is the rear USB socket for phone charging and a Micro SD slot. It DOES have a screen that does not fail in the heat. I have tested it for 30 days now and all is good!:clap:

I got mine from Walmart so I could easily take it back if it did not work out. I also used my American Express to buy it and double the Guarantee period from 1 year to 2 year. It is available from Amazon for $27.76 and from Walmart for $17.98. Prices on these low price units seem to swing with the days of the week and where you get it! I got mine off the shelf at my store in Melbourne, FL, they had 12 of them sitting there!

I will follow up with specific installation items and photos.

I hope this is of interest to our readers. I find it interesting how we progress in our auto sound.

AM radio -> AM/FM radio -> AM/FM radio/8-Track -> AM/FM radio/Cassette -> AM/FM radio/CD -> AM/FM radio/DVD -> AM/FM radio/Bluetooth/Digital Media.

BTW, does anyone have an 8-Track in their Elise? -eek-

 

[WMBL]

Good to read this update, hopefully this unit continues to hold up! The display on the Toronto unit in my car hasn't malfunctioned yet, fortunately.

I also now appreciate Bluetooth functionality in this car and would upgrade the headunit in any Elise/Exige to something modern.

 

[raggedy1]

this unit looks like it could have been manufactured on the same assembly line as the Blaupunkt!

Does this unit use the same harness? any difference in sound quality? I know, they all sound like crap. hahahah


thanks for posting this

Oh, one thing i find cheesy about the Blaupunkt is the fake LED light show display. It doesn't actually move in step with the music or sound. But, what can I expect for 12 dollars...?

 

[RapidLotus]

I don't think it came from the same line, box is bigger without heat fins, different (better) build quality IMHO, and sound is comparable. I think the hands free phone works better and most important.... The display actually works!!! ... I do miss having the USB on the back for charging devices but I could not find any other unit that had that feature. Oh, the display is not nearly as pixilated and is much easier to read. I will be following up with more installation info soon. So far, so good...

 

[Ryno]

Following.

 

[RapidLotus]

So tonight I will continue with the installation info. It has been 2 of the hottest weeks in Florida that I can remember and the display is still as bright and readable as the day I put it in, even after a 90 minute drive with the roof off.

So some background on the installation. I always looks parts over very well before I install anything, probably the rocket scientist in me. I noticed that there were no holes to insert a removal tool through if I needed to depress the tabs which lock it in following installation. I called Dual and they confirmed that to remove the radio, you will need to push the tabs in by reaching up behind the dash. That will not work for our cars so I called back and got a second opinion from a second support person and his suggestion was to take the dash apart. No BS here..... So I decided to add my own holes for inserting the removal tool. Pictures that follow show what I found during the process. This group of photos shows the exterior shots of the radio before my mods.

 

[RapidLotus]

The following shots show the removal of the faceplate by removing 2 screws on each end. I pulled out the ribbon cable to make it easier to work on. The next 2 pictures shows how empty the "box" is. All the electronics are on the faceplate and the connectors are on the back of the box. The second to the last photo shows the hole drilled to accept a coat hanger or a long 3mm T-handle Allen wrench. Last photo shows the installation.

 

[RapidLotus]

Just another note on the connections. I followed the wire list included with the Metra 70-1784 and the wire listed with the radio cannot be followed exactly. The Metra "12V Ignition/ACC" (Red) needs to be connected to the Dual "12V Battery/Memory" (Yellow) and the Metra "12V Battery/Memory" (Yellow) needs to be connected to the Dual "12V ignition/accessory" (Red). I know it seems backwards but this is my 3rd time encountering this and I am sure the Metra power leads are reversed in their documentation. So yellow to red and red to yellow, all other cable colors match up.

I hope this is helpful. I am enjoying the new radio, especially since I can see the display!

 

[raggedy1]

hey RapidLotus, how is your Dual holding up? Display still ok?

 

[RapidLotus]

Yes, still working great! I'm positive the heat killed the Blaupunkt and this one does not seem to be effected. Overall a great radio for very little money. I just wish it had a USB charging port on the back. I routed a USB cable to back for the Blaupunkt and cannot use it on this one.

 

[raggedy1]

no, it's not the heat that killed your Blaupunkt. I have my car garaged and only had it out a few times since I installed that POS Blaupunkt. Today it freaked out and it's only 60 degrees. It's just a piece of cheap garbage, heat or no heat. hahahaha

 

[RapidLotus]

Your probably right. POS. I drive my car every weekend, as long as it's not raining, and probably have 100 hours on it and still going strong. If you do decide on this radio, pay special attention to my mod to be able to get it back out if I every need to. The way they designed it, it will only come out if you depress the locking mechanism from the back and we do not have access from the back. Very poor design on this aspect but I pulled it once using my mod and it worked great. This is something you should verify on any radio you decide to buy.
Good Luck!

 

[raggedy1]

thanks for the tip. i see you drilled the holes. good idea. I'll probably just put the stock unit in until i decide what to get next. this one has solid reviews:

Amazon.com: Kenwood Bluetooth USB MP3 WMA AM/FM Digital Media Player Dual Phone Connection Pandora Car Stereo Receiver/Free Alphasonik Earbuds: Car Electronics

Buy Kenwood Bluetooth USB MP3 WMA AM/FM Digital Media Player Dual Phone Connection Pandora Car Stereo Receiver/Free Alphasonik Earbuds: Car Stereo Receivers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[raggedy1]

Hi RPL, how is your Dual holding up? I still have the garbage Toronto in my car since I rarely drive it, but I do need to trash that POS.

So the Dual uses the same Metra harness as the Blaupunkt and the same red/yellow reversal, right?

Is the same Metra harness the one to use for any new head unit I want to try?

 

[RapidLotus]

Reggedy,
Yes, still working great and I drive every weekend. You will need the same Metra harness regardless of which head unit you use. The Metra plugs into the car side harness and has wires hanging out of it that you connect your new unit to. I did the red/yellow reversal because there is a documentation issue. Best way to confirm is to get a voltmeter and test ground, always hot positive, and switched positive to assure you connect everything correctly. The Metra documentation did have the speaker connections correct. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[raggedy1]

Yeah, I remember I went yellow/yellow and red/red on the Metra and discovered I screwed up; I should have read your post more carefully (on that garbage Toronto)!

So the red and yellow is a Metra document mixup, got it.

Not decided if I'm going to get the Dual or something else yet. Looking at other options. I just need a reliable BT receiver, and it would be nice to get radio presets since I do still listen to the radio, and a unit where I can stream Spotify easily through iOS

take care and glad to see we are still enjoying or Lotus (plural for Lotus is Lotus according to Lotus). hahaha

 

[RapidLotus]

Yes, just remember it is probably not Metra's fault. This adapter fits a number of different (higher production) cars and probably is correct for them. If I were a betting man, I'd say Lotus deviated from the standard... Fits mostly Audi/Volkswagen. Click this link https://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-1784-Wiring-Harness-Volkswagen/dp/B0002BEQKM
Yes, still driving!

Others are enjoying too. This was 2 weeks into the lockdown...

 

[raggedy1]

I just installed this last night:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CG8N0H8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I threw the Blaupunkt Toronto in the trash today.

LOL

 

[RapidLotus]

Looks like a nice alternative! Keep us informed how it works.

 

[lawdog91SE]

I was going to politely suggest you were over-doing it with the Covid precautions, and the I saw the second pic. Proceed with all caution...