[TDi]

Hello everyone

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. We have a Q5 S Line coming and I'd like to ask about the aerial on the roof. We've ordered Tech Pack - High and I was wondering if this gives us the aerial at the centre rear of the roof, even though the bluetooth technology in this pack appears to match the lowest BT option?

I'd like to think it's there with such an expensive package, especially as I couldn't see any option to upgrade the BT within the pack?

Thanks in advance!

 

[q5s]

I too have the bt low but still have the sharkfin although it unused for phone (works for the radio though).
You can buy an adaptor for audi accessories range that clips in the socket in your armrest for about ?400? which can turn your bt low to rsap.
Then the sharkfin will be utilised and you will get the best signal and quality possible. This bypasses bluetooth and shutsdown your phone transferring only the sim and you car becomes your phone. There are many disadvantages to rsap primary your phone is dead so no sms/calling/playing/browsing/etc./etc. and your call is cut off when you enter/leave the car unlike bluetooth which keeps the connection active and transfers between car and phone accordingly. Bluetooth sucks for signal & quality though.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Q5S,

There are three flavours of Bluetooth.

1. Basic Bluetooth that links phone to Radio.
2. Mobile Phone Prep Low that links phone to radio, but with more features than option 1. It also allows use of the arial IF you purchase an adapter for your specific phone that sits under the centre arm rest. This adapter picks up the mobile phones transmission waves and sends them to the aerial. It also charges the phone.
3. Mobile Phone Prep High - Clones you phone via rSAP and sends the signal to the aerial.

Hope this Helps
Squirrel.

 

[q5s]

Secret Squirrel is correct. I only skimmed through the OPs post and upon reading "lowest" I wrogly assumed he had bt preparation low. I didn't mention the adaptor craddles as I think they are stupid. They only suit one phone so can ne only used by one person. In addition I change my phone every so often. The rsap adaptor though is universal (works with all rsap enabled phones). Part number 8P0051440A. Costs ?300. Looks like this:

.
Here's the blurb from the horses mouth:
Information
This adaptor is only compatible with Generation 2 phone preparation
Description
Remote SIM access profile Bluetooth adaptor cradle. An enhancement of the factory-fitted option "Mobile phone preparation - Low". It enables mobile phone handsets to connect to the phone preparation via Bluetooth Remote SIM Access Profile (rSAP). When handsets are connected, the cradle enables the use of the external GSM car antenna and deactivates the handset antenna in order to minimise GSM radiation in the car and handset battery consumption. The handset is put into standby mode so battery power drain is minimal. Once connected, the cradle connects to the handset automatically and details of up to four handsets can be saved. Only handsets with Bluetooth rSAP functionality are compatible with this adaptor

 

[Guest]

Q5S,

The gadget looks good, one concern is it states for 2nd Gen equipment whereas the Q5 is 3rd Gen - isn't it ?

Squirrel.

 

[q5s]

Secret Squirrel,

Well spotted. That was the case initially when I enquired about buying one (long time ago) but I believe audi later on released the 3g version. As I got accustomed to the mmi I decided not to order the rsap adaptor because it would render my phone useless. I find the whole audi mmi telephone interaction terrible. Voice commands don't work, there is no alphanumeric keypad and there is no touch screen. It is far safer to pick up my phone use the voice dialing, send a couple of texts, take pics/videos, browse the net than trying to use the audi system to make a call! That is my opinion of course, others will vary.

 

[Guest]

Regarding the sharks fin aerial located on the roof I believe that it acts as an antenna for the following signals:
GPS ? For the Sat Nav system
GSM ? For mobile telephone
SAT ? Used in some territories for Satellite Radio reception

It doesn?t act as an aerial for the AM/FM radio: the radio signal is received via an additional metal track located in the rear screen adjacent to the heating elements.

As stated previously the Q5 is Gen3 and, to the best of my knowledge, Audi still only offer a Gen2 rSAP adaptor which physically won?t fit on the adaptor plate located under the centre armrest.

It?s a real shame that rSAP (which is provided by the Bluetooth High option) is only supported by a limited number of GSM phones (such as Nokias & HTC but not the Apple iPhone) since it does offer many benefits over ?hands free? Bluetooth mode.

 

[TDi]

Thanks to everyone for their detailed replies (sorry, been offline for a few days!).

At the risk of being flamed, I come from years of BMW ownership. There, the sharkfin is provided as a BT ext aerial. A colleague was convinced it was for the sat nav which my previous car didn't have. He thought I'd stuck on an accessory (people do do this apparently!). My current BMW has DAB but no additional aerial; if we'd gone for it on the wife's 1er then it would have had a (stupid) additional aerial on the boot, a sort of mini sharkfin. Oddly, the car has BT but no sharkfin on the boot (it's a conv).

I agree with earlier comments that the cradles are a waste of time. It's good that Audi offer BT without it; there's no such option with a BMW and I've paid ?535 on each occasion for functionality I'll never use.

Really looking forward to the Q5. I had two TTs and both were shocking. It took a lot to return to Audi so fingers crossed ......

 

[Guest]

This isn?t a flame but I?d just like to add my own thoughts about mobile phones / cradles:

It?s important to remember that (except for rSAP) even when an Audi is fitted with a cradle for a mobile telephone the audio is still transmitted / received via the Bluetooth wireless interface (i.e. ?Hands Free? Bluetooth mode)
The Audi cradles provide:
1.) Power to charge the mobile telephone.
2.) Enhanced signal reception using the car?s roof-mounted antenna.
3.) A secure holder for the mobile

Because of the proliferation of new mobile phones it would be totally impossible for Audi to make cradle for each & every model. In the absence of universal rSAP support I believe that the cradles Audi supply are useful ? particularly for me with providing an enhanced signal reception.

I do agree that plugging a mobile into the cradle for each & every journey would be an absolute pain. For short journeys my iPhone3GS remains in my pocket and this usually works fine.
However for longer journeys the ability to plug the mobile into a cradle is absolutely great and I know that it is then able to receive the best signal possible. Furthermore I know that, on arrival, the battery will be fully charged up.

Just my ?tuppence worth"

TDi : I hope that your Q5 is worth the wait and that it fully restores your faith in Audi

 

[Secret Squirrel]

In support of JW_Q5, the mobile cradle is great idea. The inconvenience of lifting the arm rest and slipping the phone into the cradle is tiny compared with the benefits.

The lack of cradles for a wide range of mobiles is a drag, but you can appreciate Audi's perspective - they are a car manufacturer not a mobile phone accessory company. For me it is no problem as I rarely change my phone, and the benefit of charging and a vastly improved signal is well worth it.

Squirrel.

 

[TDi]

Thanks JW_Q5. Our car is awaiting ship so it shouldn't be long before we have an Audi again. I'll keep you updated on our ownership experience.