BlueStar

danno58 · Sep 29, 2011

I'm thinking of adding the BlueStar handsfree module to my car. Does anyone have a pic of where the OnStar VCIM (Vehicle Communications Interface Module) is so I can hook to it?
http://www.costartech.com/pb/products/bluestar.html
Thanks

TED · Sep 29, 2011

Does the onstar have to be active to have this work ?

danno58 · Sep 29, 2011

No. Using this module makes your OnStar not work. I have 04 with the old analog OnStar and I'd rather spend the money for this than upgrade to the digital version.

Phrede · Sep 29, 2011

danno58 said:
I'm thinking of adding the BlueStar handsfree module to my car. Does anyone have a pic of where the OnStar VCIM (Vehicle Communications Interface Module) is so I can hook to it?
http://www.costartech.com/pb/products/bluestar.html
Thanks

I have the latest unit and can say it is a bit buggy. It discharged the battery when installed as delivered and I had to change the firmware to an older version using a free utility and a downloaded file via USB.

Sometimes it does not switch over correctly when answering calls. Something I am trying to troubleshoot now.

It took some adjusting (using a PC) of the settings to get rid of an echo problem.

Certainly not a plug and play install. On my 2008 the module can be accessed from the trunk. It on the right side near the front of the trunk behind the trunk liner.

HTH

monepit · Sep 29, 2011

I bought a bluestar last year. Same problems. Dead battery, connects sometime, sometime it doesn't. disconnects sometime, sometime it doesn't. many firmware updates. a lot of my time. Don't waist your money, or you will waist your time. I really wanted it to work but I finally sent it back.

TED · Sep 30, 2011

Thanks for the info. I WAS going to pull the trigger but happy to learn from others. Im feelen the love ! Thanks again

danno58 · Oct 3, 2011

Thanks....am going to reconsider now.

HOMEGAMEROOM · Oct 3, 2011

Ditto here. Bought it, installed it, and was sorely disappointed. Its uninstalled and sitting in a cabinet now.

XLRJIM · Feb 10, 2015

bluestar

Been along time since I have seen any posts on the bluestar replacement for the onstar. Costar has it on their website. Has anyone ever gotten one to work properly on an XLR.

I am still looking for a good Bluetooth system for the car that doesn't add external jacks, mics. controls, etc. Would really like to be able to use the on star buttons.

Thanks Jim

Phrede · Feb 10, 2015

Good luck. I ended up removing mine. I'll live with the very small sized push button unit for a quality system that works.

GizmoQ · Feb 10, 2015

XLRJIM said:
Been along time since I have seen any posts on the bluestar replacement for the onstar. Costar has it on their website. Has anyone ever gotten one to work properly on an XLR.

I had to hack the hell outta Phrede's to keep it from draining my battery. Never got my audio in hack to work so went another direction with that.

Kennadian · Mar 31, 2015

Bluestar, continued

Most of the posts about this unit are from 2011, so I am not yet ready to give up. They have an updated unit and claim that it works better. Is there anybody with any recent experience with the NEW and IMPROVED Bluestar unit. Still reluctant.

Phrede · Mar 31, 2015

Kennadian said:
Most of the posts about this unit are from 2011, so I am not yet ready to give up. They have an updated unit and claim that it works better. Is there anybody with any recent experience with the NEW and IMPROVED Bluestar unit. Still reluctant.

In order to answer your question the date when they changed the design is needed. Mine was "new and improved" according to them when I bought it.

cubby558 · Mar 31, 2015

Don't know of any companies that upgrade products for a vehicle that is not even made anymore? I would guess their new improved unit is the same one Phrede received and couldn't get it to work satisfactory. If you check Phredes other solution for Bluetooth, I think you'll find that a better solution.

Phrede · Mar 31, 2015

This link provides a lot of info on a good bluetooth solution.

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...ussion/7948-mp3-ipod.html?highlight=bluetooth

Kennadian · Apr 1, 2015

Phrede said:
This link provides a lot of info on a good bluetooth solution.

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...ussion/7948-mp3-ipod.html?highlight=bluetooth

Hey, thanks very much. This looks like a really great solution. I have emailed Ray and will see what I can learn.

68barracuda · Apr 10, 2015

Blue Star

I just bought my 2005 and I have a friend that owns a radio store and he is looking in to a unit that will work with our radios when he finds what works I will let y'all know :wave:

have a nice night Y'all

Phrede · Apr 10, 2015

Good luck. Many have tried many different things for many years. Be sure to not get sucked into the thinking that what works for a Corvette will work on an XLR. The best working solution to add bluetooth (including A2DP) so far is the BTC455.

If you choose to go with the blue star unit might as well buy a battery now and have it ready. There are other similar units to the BTC455 that will work with the Kawai interface. IMHO they are inferior with lesser audio quality.