Has anyone tried using the built in SIM card reader on the older 997's? I've thought about going the Mobridge or Dension route, but instead wonder if it's possible to buy another (second) cell phone, remove the SIM card and leave it in the Porsche all the time.

Side note: a professional installer in my area heavily favors the Mobridge over the Dension. Say's reliability and call quality are better. Any suggestions?

 

On my 08 997TT, I use a second cell phone sim card and leave it installed all the time. The add on phone to our plan is only $9.95 per month. Works flawlessly.

 

Did you purchase the "phone option" from Porsche? Based on previous posts it appears you need to have it added too? Appx cost $2,000... Would be REALLY nice if it were just plug and play.

 

My 2005 997S had the first edition PCM without phone buttons, but due to a malfunction while under warrantee I was fortunate that they replaced my PCM with version 2.0, with the tel buttons. I use them with Dension quite happily.
CATTMAN

 

Hey Cattman what malfunction did you have with your PCM?

 

You need two sim cards. If you have ATT or T-Mobile you just need to ask for two sim cards..... one for the car and one for the phone ( which you should already have). This is how it works in Germany. You may want to check with your dealer first to enusre that it will work in the US also in this way.

 

FWIW, I inquired about an add'l SIM for my car before going for the Dension 500 and BTA1500 combo. US AT&T will not issue 2 active SIM cards for 1 device. Only 1 can be active per each line.

The PCM malfunction I had was that the clock on the PCM 1.0 lost about 1 minute every couple of days. They replaced it for free under warrantee with the newer 997.1 PCM with the tel buttons. And guess what: I still lose a couple minutes per week.

While it doesn't really matter, nor trouble me, I do find it bizarre, since it's digital, and I drive the car daily. I am due to see the dealer tomorrow, so I will inquire once again.
CATTMAN

 

Most likely you do not have phone module itself, just telephone buttons on PCM. It is easy to check - just look at list of software module versions in PCM.
Plus after installing Mobridge you will get iPod interface as well what makes a lot of difference as you do not need to worry about music in the car anymore.

 

"just look at list of software module versions in PCM"

How would I see this data?
CATTMAN

 

RTFM?
Just a sec - need to get down to garage for this...

OK, you press MAIN+TRIP buttons together whenever PCM is up - it will show list of modules and then you can press on `em to see details.
Mine shows 4 records, with nothing but bare PCM it shows only 2 records I think. Mobridge shows up as 'Phone', navigation as 'Navigation'.

 

One other thing: for Dension BTA 1500, you MUST have the tel buttons on your PCM (the 2 small buttons with phones on them in the upper left corner of the stack) or BTA 1500 isn't an option. However, you cannot use the BTA 1500 if you have the phone software module activated. If that module is activated, you would need to have it disabled in order to properly use the BTA 1500.

So, while I have the PCM with the tel buttons at the upper left corner, the specific phone software module was not installed, which is ideal, as it allows for simple plug and play with the BTA 1500.
CATTMAN

 

Would you still go with mobridge if you did it over again? I'm a couple days away from getting the unit. Getting cold feet based on some of the other reviews I've seen. There just doesn't appear to be a silver bullet out there..

 

I do not think it makes major difference what unit to use - mobridge or dension. the way how they operate is set by PCM so any inconvenient aspects of how those units work are mostly due to the way how integration with PCM can be done.

As I never tried dension or other products I cannot say if it they are better than mobridge. only reason why I have it is becouse i spotted auction on ebay and got it relatively cheap.

 

I have the Mobridge now in my 997TT. I started with the dension unit. The ipod functions are much more intuitive on the dension and the display of song names and artist is more robust on the dension. But sound quality is the same.

The bluetooth is the issue with dension. The sound is not that great and I have many people tell me I sound far away and too much echos. We tried more updated BTA 1500 but to no success. So I went with Mobridge and the bluetooth is fantastic. Sound is clear, crisp with now echos, and dont need to yell.

I am still having some issues with phonebook download from my Iphone 3g onto the unit. It is a bit unpredictable.
+1 Mobridge

 

That clock should speed up after you install Stacy's SC.