txmomof2

Hi
We just purchased an amazing RX300 (2001) and would like to update the Radio System to have bluetooth. We would also like to have a backup camera

Any advice on how to achieve this?

Kim
Texas

trhs75

I think gromaudio has a bluetooth adapter. I don't have that, but I have their iPod adapter. There are some new backup cameras that send their video feed to your phone, which sounds like it might be a good way to go rather than running wires through the car. You'll love your RX!

Lexmus

I have a Grom bluetooth adapter and it works great. There are many RX300 threads on bluetooth adapters, just search the forum.

As for backup cameras, I installed one recently in the RX and it is very good for the amount I spent, but took some time over several days to get it how I wanted it. Wired it to a dedicated screen that sits on the dash. Make sure you get a camera with 170 degrees of horizontal field of view, not 170 diagonal (which is only 120 degrees horizontal). Many of the cheap cameras have the narrow field of view and it is not good enough (I tried one). I would only attempt this if you are comfortable removing lots of trim to run the wires. Even with the wireless camera, you have to mount the camera and pull off the trim on the back lift and get the wire from the outside to the inside of the hatch, and connect to the reverse light + wire for power.

joetifosi

Try one of these for your bluetooth. it works great on my RX

xiang

Be careful which bluetooth adapter you buy if it splices into the stereo. The $150 ones apparently work. I went cheap and bought a $40 one from Amazon and the plugs were completely incompatible.

I currently use one like the Amazon link posted above but I don't recommend it. The shifter always bangs into it because the power outlet is so close to the shifter. FM modulators were terrible. A tape deck adapter worked great.

Hgspine

With the thinking that the closer the Bluetooth fm transmitter is to the vehicle radio antenna than the better the fm signal strength will be at the vehicle radio antenna, I did the following:

I bought a 12V extension cord. I plugged that into the 12V socket in the rear of the vehicle and then ran the extension cord around so that the other end with the 12V socket is right by the interior side of the power radio antenna. I plugged a Bluetooth fm transmitter into the extension cord socket and it works great. The extension cord allowed me to get the Bluetooth fm transmitter to within one foot of the vehicle radio antenna.

There is no power to the rear 12V socket when the car is off, so there is no battery drain from the Bluetooth fm transmitter being plugged in back there in my 2001 RX300 AWD.

I am using this setup for Bluetooth audio listening through the vehicle audio system. With the Bluetooth fm transmitter so close to the vehicle's fm antenna, the audio quality is excellent.

I am not using this setup for phone calls.

I got both items on Amazon: