I just got a 2005 S-Type Jaguar. I want to upgrade to streaming radio and hands free phone. I can find some modules on Ebay and even the entire navigation and radio set up. My question is if this is the best way to go? I've read some posts regarding better alternatives in the after market.

Should I go after market anyone with some products/suggestions for me to look at?

All advice much appreciated.

 

Call these guys...

Crutchfield: Car Stereo, Speakers, Home Theater, LED LCD TV, Cameras

Sales people can answer any question you have about car audio & will help you find a system that's within your budget.

 

I just put in the iSimple Transit Blu HF that gives you hands free and Bluetooth connection to your cell phone (iPhone or Android) in my 2003 STR that does not have the Nav system. Pretty cheap ($85). Not too hard to install. You hook it up to the antenna (switches), you run a microphone, and you install a button to activate Siri. You also need switched power. I tapped into the 12 plug in the center console storage box. You will need to get two adapter cables to go from the antenna connector type used by the Jag and the one used by iSimple. The only gotcha was that I had trouble getting my iPhone connected. Then found that a thread where it said that he iSimple device doesn't like phone names with an apostrophe in them. Changed the name of my phone and has been working well the last couple of days. Calls seemed to work fine, Siri will give audible directions, music plays through it, ... You can also use the controls on the phone if you want to control what is playing. You should have no trouble stream with Pandora or whatever apps you have on you phone as long as you have a good signal coming to your phone. The name of what is playing scrolls on the console. You can pick the FM station that it plays on, but it switches out the normal antenna when switching to the phone, so it sounds good on any station and you don't have to change frequencies as you drive around. Not the fanciest solution and some will want something that connects via optical, but for the price and level of effort this is a good solution for me and might work for you too.

 

Nice write-up.

 

Called Crutchfield. Helpful in chat but couldn't figure out what I need. Site down for some reason.

 

Just call them & tell them what you're looking for. They should be able to even direct you to specific web pages that will allow you to visually inspect the piece they're recommending. I gave them a price range and list of features that I wanted on a CD player; the salesman gave me a page to go to and there was the one unit he was recommending that had every feature I told him I wanted, within my price range. IMHO it really does not get easier than Crutchfield, and the beautiful thing is that if you have install problems or questions, they answer your call immediately and talk you through your problem. They're the only online audio outfit I've ever dealt with.