Bluetooth connection with Kenwood BT200

[Angelracer]

I got another email from Kenwood earlier after numerous emails going back and forth on the issues i keep finding with the BT200, they stated the FW 1.6 is available, but not set for public release yet. it's very frustrating since so many people are effected by this.

The rep said" There is an update for the BT200 out, however it has not been officially released at this time. When the unit is released, you will be notified via email."


Hopefully the update that's circulating is one that will work for all of us. I went to Kenwood's site, they now list how to check firmware for the Bt200 and they have 2 manuals now available for the Bt200 for version 1.4 and 1.6.

but no updates are available from the site.

[spongerd82]

I have the pre-release 1.6. Just got it last night. PM me With you e-mail and I will send it to anyone who wants it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChrisS]

I just talked to Kenwood tech support regarding this issue. The person I talked with said he was the one in charge of replying to questions about this issue. I asked when the update would be ready. He said and I am quoting him "it will be ready when it is ready". He would not tell me if it would be ready in a week or a year. I think this type of response is totally irresponsible and unacceptable and I told him so.

[Angelracer]

well thanks to dlarej15 the 1.6 is working, he's been a definite help compared to kenwood themselves. i think the clarity has improved, because the prior firmware had alot of issues with quality of how one sounded. the connection is better now for my bf's blackberry. my nokia n95 8gb has always been working great. but the "TEL" icon is still not consistently turning on when i start or turn off my car, that problem has not been fixed yet. I believe this problem was also found on a few more forums i researched in the last few months. it is overall better than what it was. the beta version is working better. I think the problem still lies in the software where the dnx7100 that i'm using isn't connecting with the bluetooth properly. Kenwood tells me the dnx7100 is 100% compatible with the bt200 but the numerous emails to Kenwood has not really gotten me any help with them. It seems i am doomed to continue to have connection problems. The best way i've dealt with the "TEL" bluetooth not turning on is to turn the unit off (via the NAV button) then wait 10-15 seconds then turn it back on. Then the "TEL" icon usually appears after. Kenwood keeps insisting i check the dip switches, but it is set correctly.

if i get any more updates i will post. Hope the official release version fixes all the problems.

[AvidTech]

After months of "Non Connection", and even lots of help from my dealer, the system still wouldn't connect consistently. They upgraded my firmware as follows: DNX-7100 to 1.0.9, the NAV to 2.60, and the BT200 to 1.6. Still no luck. An e-mail to Kenwood Customer Service, entitled, "I've got A Lemon", got a swift response. They suggested swapping out the BT200, which my dealer did the next day. All better now.

[bander]

I realized yesterday that there are now files and procedures on the Kenwood site to upgrade the DNX8120 with the v1.6 bluetooth software from Parrot. The upgrade procedure went smoothly. I used the remote upgrade procedure through the bluetooth connection on my laptop. After the upgrade my Blackberry 8320 now connects much better and auto connects when I enter the vehicle. It is early days to know whether this fixed all of my issues but I am getting much better usability so far.

[plmk2007@gmail.com]

MY BT200 is Fixed!!!! With no help from Kenwood...... You can fix yours too.

and... with no help to this damn site... i cant post the links for the update... so here are the instructions:

1. goto kenwoodusa site
2. hover mouse over "support" and then click on "car entertainment"
3. click on the right side, bottom of screen where it shows a bluetooth firmware update box
4. click english
5. then scrool down to the bottom of the screen to click on "Bluetooth firmware version 1.60"
6. ignore everything and goto the bottom of the screen

all of the updates are there under the correct heading.... just pick which one is for your receiver. the manual is super easy to understand as it is step-by-step. you will need a laptop with bluetooth for this to work. if your computer does not have bluetooth... you can pick up a blue tooth dongle at wal-mart (that is where i got mine)

[parmas]

I have the same problem , how you fix that?

Originally Posted by ChrisS

I am having a different problem with a Kenwood Receiver. I just installed a Kenwood KDC-BT838U receiver that I purchased from Crutchfield. My Curve connects fine. I can stream music to the the reciever no problem and I have downloaded my phone book to the receiver. However, each time the receiver and phone connect, the receiver immediatly starts trying to download the phone book again and won't let me use the phone function. If I upload the phone book to the receiver, using the Curve, it works fine and will then let me use the phone function. Crutchfield has been of very little help with the problem. They say it is a phone problem. I changed the setting on the Curve that disables address book transfer. No success.

I called Kenwood today and they were also of very little help other than telling me there was a software update pending and it should be out in about a week. They could not tell me if the software update would solve the probelm. They only stated it would address some of the blackberry-related issues. They took my email address and promised to notify me when the update was ready.

I am now thinking of trying another brand of receivers - maybe Pioneer (DEH-P7000BT). Although, I have read of similiar Blackberry-related issues on Amazon.com with the Pioneer products.

[Cyberbilly]

I know this is an old thread, but does anyone know when the BT200 will be upgraded to support the Storm? Kenwood, as usual, replied with a standard non-answer answer then I enquired.

[Cyberbilly]

Anyone? Anyone? .....Bueller?