BlueSTAR FAQ
1. What
is BlueSTAR and why do I need it?
5. What’s the difference between the
BlueSTAR and the BlueSTAR PnP?
6. Will it work in my car/truck?
7. Will it work with my phone?
8. Will it link to multiple phones?
9. Can I stream Bluetooth stereo audio
(A2DP)?
10. Can I use a different Bluetooth kit
(i.e. Motorola T605, IHF1000, or Parrot device)?
11. Do the steering wheel controls work?
12. Does the NAV screen display caller ID?
13. Will NAV voice commands still work?
19. What is your warranty / return
policy?
20. How can I contact you for more
information?
PRE-PURCHASE
1. What
is BlueSTAR and why do I need it?
The BlueSTAR is a
device that allows you to use your Bluetooth enabled cell phone hands free in
your car. Many states have now passed
laws that do not allow cell phones to be used while driving without some form
of hands free device. This includes
headsets, both wired and wireless, as well as hands free car kits.
Bluetooth is a
wireless communications protocol. It has
a typical range of about 30 feet, and is good for low data rates found in audio
type applications. Wireless devices such
as headsets and keyboards and mice can use Bluetooth. Most cell phones support hands free
communications using Bluetooth protocol.
The BlueSTAR module
interfaces vehicle electronics including the onstar microphone, the onstar
keypad, and the vehicle radio, to a Motorola HF850 Bluetooth junction box. This allows you to use an industry proven
hands free device without any external peripherals and unnecessary wiring. It also optimizes the performance of your
hands free kit by using the quality onstar microphone and vehicle stereo
system.
A vehicle with
onstar, a Bluetooth enabled cell phone, a BlueSTAR and an HF850 module are
required. If you cannot use the PnP
version, you will need a cable to interface the BlueSTAR to the vehicle.
5.
What’s the difference
between the BlueSTAR and the BlueSTAR PnP?
The BlueSTAR is
intended for older vehicles (pre-2002) that do not have the white PnP
connector. It typically replaces older
onstar modules that have RED and BLUE connectors. This unit requires a custom harness to
interface to the vehicle. The PnP
version has the same connectors as the onstar module and simply plugs in its
place.
6.
Will it work in my
car/truck?
If you car has
onstar, and communicates using class2 data, then the BlueSTAR should work. To determine if your car has class2 data, you
can look at the application guide. Most cars
between 2001 and 2007 have class 2. I often
refer customers to vehicle-specific forums.
They are an excellent source of information for your vehicle, and can
tell you where your onstar module is located, how to get to it, and if it is
Class2 or not.
7.
Will it work with my
phone?
The Motorola HF850
junction box is what interfaces to your phone and it will interface to almost
every phone on the market today. This
includes Blackberry’s and iPhones as well as phones from other manufacturers
including Samsung, LG, and of course Motorola.
8.
Will it link to
multiple phones?
The HF850 junction
box can link to up to four phones, but as with any Bluetooth link, only one
phone can be linked at a time.
9.
Can I stream
Bluetooth stereo audio (A2DP)?
Currently, A2DP is
not supported. We are looking into
utilizing the T605 module which does support this feature, but it will not be
available through the onstar interface.
In other words, it will have to be wired in separately.
10.
Can I use a different
Bluetooth kit (i.e. Motorola T605, IHF1000, or Parrot device)?
No, the BlueSTAR
currently supports ONLY the HF850. It
has proven to be the most reliable and universal Bluetooth kit available on the
market today.
11.
Do the steering wheel
controls work?
Currently, the volume
controls on the steering wheel are supported.
We are working on the ‘talking mouth’ and ‘end’ steering wheel buttons,
but they are not yet functional.
12.
Does the NAV screen
display caller ID?
No, the NAV screen
will simply say onstar as if you had pressed the Blue onstar button.
13.
Will NAV voice
commands still work?
Yes, NAV voice
commands are NOT affected with the BlueSTAR installation.
Due to the complex nature
in which the BlueSTAR communicates with the radio, it is not currently possible
to have both devices on the Class2 data bus at the same time. There are several other issues including
interfacing to the audio of the microphone and radio as well as sharing both
the buttons and LED. The BlueSTAR
product is recommended for owners who do not currently subscribe to onstar.
No, the BlueSTAR has no
impact on XM radio or other satellite reception.
The BlueSTAR PnP
complete kit is $249 and includes everything needed for installation in
vehicles from 2002-2007
The BlueSTAR complete
kit is $259 and it includes everything needed for installation in rpre-2002
vehicles.
Once the onstar
module has been located, you can simply unplug the onstar module, and plug in
the BlueSTAR PnP. Depending on the
location of the onstar module, this can be as little as 5 minutes, and as much
as about 20.
Installing the
BlueSTAR should have NO impact on your vehicles warranty. You should always save your original onstar
module for re-installation, should you decide to go back to onstar for some
reason.
19. What is your warranty / return policy?
CoSTAR technologies
stands behind all of its products with a full lifetime limited warranty against
any manufacturing defect.
We also provide a
full refund for any purchase up to 60 days from date of delivery, in the
unlikely event that you should change your mind for ANY reason.
20. How can I contact you for more information?
Email us at techsupport@costartech.com if you
have any questions. We pride ourselves in
our customer support and will usually return emails within the same business
day.
POST-PURCHASE
After installation,
the first thing you need to do is link your cell phone to the Motorola
HF850. This can be easily accomplished
by pressing the Blue button for a few seconds and setting your cell phone into
“Discover” Mode. Select the HF850 module
and enter the pairing code “0000” if necessary.
(Some phones will automatically enter the code)
To change the default
volume, link the phone than press the RED mute button for three seconds until
the LED goes RED. You can than quickly
press the White or Blue buttons to change the volume Down or UP
respectively. You should hear “beeps”
corresponding to the default volume level.
If you hold the White or Blue buttons down longer than a second or so during
this procedure, you might be kicked out of onstar mode. Simply press the RED button again to exit the
volume mode and repeat from the beginning.
You can also use the steering wheel controls as well as the cell phone
itself to change volume. Note that the
radio volume knob will not change the volume because like the onstar module,
the radio might be off during a call.
You can use your cell
phone to dial, or if you have voice dialing, simply press the white button and
listen for your phones prompt such as “Say a command”
You can answer a call
with the cell phone or by simply pressing the Blue button.
You can mute a call by
pressing the RED button when on a call.
The LED indicator will flash RED/GREEN to indicate the mute status. Press the RED button again to unmute.
fin