Iphone 4 Cradle - Do I need it?

[PHPsauce]

Thanks for the pics. I take it that it replaces the ipod connector in the glove compartment - i.e. you can play music off your iphone via the AMI?

That would make it worth while for me. Does anyone know the answer?

[MFGF]

Thanks for the pics. I take it that it replaces the ipod connector in the glove compartment - i.e. you can play music off your iphone via the AMI?

Nope - the cradle is just for charging and connection to the roof antenna. You do not get any connectivity to the AMI from the cradle.

MF.

[spellsinger]

Thanks for the pics. I take it that it replaces the ipod connector in the glove compartment - i.e. you can play music off your iphone via the AMI?

You can still have the AMI for iPod, whilst using the phone via the cradle (remember the cradle isn't hard wired for phone use, it still requires bluetooth).

Mike

[Eddo1968]

Aside from the charging and aerial connection capability I can't see any benefit. The only way it would help me is to save me from leaning across to the glovebox to plug it in

My AMI works perfectly with the phone via bluetooth so I think I'll give it a miss. Thanks anyway!

[NickH A4]

Aside from the charging and aerial connection capability I can't see any benefit. The only way it would help me is to save me from leaning across to the glovebox to plug it in

The benefit is the improved reception and continuous charging via the cradle rather than using one of the 12v sockets, that's it I'm afraid. There's no additional phone functionality as that's done via the bluetooth.

[pitch3110]

Anyone got the part number for the iphone4 holder for the B8??

ta
Picth

[scoobmw]

Hi there, the part number is 8T0051435F.

Ordered mine from Edinburgh Audi over the phone and picked it up two days later.
£107.23 i think it was.

Reception is noticeably better in terms of number of 'bars'. When in average reception areas (two bars), it goes up to five. That's not the whole story of course as bars aren't always accurate, but it's working for me. Like having the phone locked in it's holster out of the way too and no need for cable to charge it any more.

[Almur]

I bought an iphone cradle off ebay that I now realise wasn't written up very well. But I did get it quite cheap!
It said it was 'Compatible with iphones from 3G to 4S'. It has arrived and is a 3g/3gs cradle -8P0051435HC
I have the iPhone 4.

I have an A4 Executive S line which I understand has the phone preparation low. I don’t have Sat Nav or AMI
The cradle fits fine in the car and the phone fits ok in the cradle.
I thought I was going to be able to turn off Bluetooth now I have the cradle, or is this only available on later cradles - 4 cradle?

I have tried it out and it works and charges, but I cannot now remove the cradle from the car as it came without instructions?
Can anyone explain how to remove it?

Would I be better off with the correct iPhone 4 cradle?

[Derby]

Sorry guys, you're all wrong - phone cradle does not improve signal (im curious about people who wrote it does ).

Well at least with iPhone. The antena coaxial cable in rest arm is for old phones, where was direct output (pins) to external antena on phone.


New phones doesn't have this.. Why? Because they has SAP profile on Bluetooth.

SAP profile means, cell phone "built" inside your car use bluetooth to access SIM card in phone, but all stuff like loggin to network, making calls etc. is make by your car, not by your phone. This also means antena built in your car is used.

This is often misunderstood, because on older phones bluetooth works just like handsfree, you have buttons to accept or reject call, and actual voice was transfered via bluetooth, now is bluetooth used to communicate with sim card, to read phonebook etc.

You can read more here, on page 5
https://www.bluetooth.org/docman/han...?doc_id=263510

[Almur]

Audi state in the MMI Operating Manual 2007 - page 20

When your mobile phone is in the mobile phone adapter, call signals are sent and received via the external car aerial.
This ensures good transmission quality and reduces radiation emissions in the interior of the vehicle.

Information from Audi Belfast selling the cradle state:
This Audi phone cradle allows direct connection to the roof aerial on all equipped cars.
This produces a direct network connection to the phone outside of the car when vehicle insulation and glass can limit reception.
More importantly the direct exterior connection reduces any harmful radiation sources within the car.

In car Bluetooth connections are notoriously power hungry when connected,
the cradle will also charge your phone whilst on the move and making/receiving calls.


As I am using an old phone (iPhone 4) with an old cradle I guess I am connecting to the external aerial as Audi state?

I have yet to see if my reception is better in the cradle.