This is my review of the Discount Car Audio Blu-C5 Bluetooth adapter.

This is the new version that does not require a six disc changer. You can get several versions. One plugs into the changer harness in the trunk. You can get one that plugs directly into the radio behind the dash.

I went with the trunk as it was easier to install and should I want to use my changer I can just plug it in. They do mske a harness that you can keep the charger hooked up but if the changer breaks no MP3s.

I just had to plug the module into the rear harness and run one power wire to the fuse panel on the passenger side floor. They give you a quick connect fuse wire that plugs the fuse and wire in together. They recommend fuse 22 or 11. I recommend 11 as it will work on accessory .

I also opted for a USBc port to charge. I used 22 for it as there was no power once the key is out of ignition.

They have another option for a wireless remote. It works well. You get a mount with it to hook it on the steering wheel spoke. I put it just below the shift **** on the shifter. I also saw if you remove your active suspension the hoke for the adjuster **** is the same size.

Everything links when you start the car and this did not take long to hook up and no wires cut and nothing to modify. Plug and play.





This is all that is exposed. The Bluetooth is on the Aux button and will say disc 6 track one.

So if you want a stock system with factory sound and Bluetooth this is a good and reasonable option.

 

Sounds like a good product to bring the C5 up to date.

 

it is a good option. If you want to keep the factory radio and add bluetooth music this is a great non invasive way to add it.

Note it will not do calls but they do have that option.

 

I have had my C5Z torn down waiting on the A2DIY-C5 since February because I want the handsfree calling option. I was #6 in the original notify me queue waiting for the product launch date.

That launch date has long since passed and now there are 27 people in the queue and the part is "Out of Stock". I was pretty low in the queue, so if it did launch, they never got to #6 and I was certainly never notified of its availability.

They don't take phone calls anymore, and they have not responded to two emails from me. Are they still in business? Anybody out there had any communication with DiscountCarStereo since March or so?

 

I was able to get someone on the chat regarding the calling option, but they didn't give me a straight answer. I just went and bought the lightning hardwire option.

 

I never got notified. I just watch around the date they had it released and it was available just a few days after.

Text has always got me the answers I needed.

Now that I have had this several months I am pleased with it. No issues works well, sounds good and links every time.

I did make one upgrade. The wireless control I went to a JBL Click. to is mo

re expensive but it works much better and made much better. I put it on the E brake handle. It is at hand and still let the E brake work.

It is one click to play or pause. two clicks to advance track and three clicks to reverse. The outer ring also does phone volume.

It just has a rubber strap that fits over the handle. I think they are discontinuing them as most places have them on sale.

 

Drifter, I believe you have the Blu-C5 which has launched, not the A2DIY-C5 handsfree phone version that I am referring to. DCA have not responded to me by email, text, or voice for many months.

I will say that I have corresponded with Discount CarAudio for years and have always been impressed by the knowledge and customer service of certain folks, but not all. That being said, I always felt their products were solid and never worried. Hopefully everything over there is okay, but my instincts hint otherwise.

 

I do have the Blu C5 and they always respond to me? Don't know what to tell you. They even sent me an extra plug in at no charge.

The one you have is out of stock and they post no date like they normally do so this may mean they have no idea. It is either wait or use another option. Things coming from China are a real crap shoot anymore ands delays at the docks are even worse. I know at work we have issues with this all the time. You hate to give dates of availability as there is no real date to give.

 

I was hoping that maybe DCS was monitoring this channel and would reach out because I have tried every other means. They have not responded to ANY of my inquiries (text, message, email) for the last couple of months - which is extremely unusual for Jay.

 

Drifting, do you use an iOS or Android with the Blu-C5 kit? Also, how is the play volume streaming off of your phone when compared to a CD or FM radio station?

 

I have the latest Apple phone and the volume and sound is CD like off the phone. It is better than the radio.

Keep in mind the sound is subject to the quality level of the material in the MP3.

I can play Ozzy's Never Gonna Stop and it will shake the car with good sound and range. It shakes the mirrors.

Now other recordings that were done cheaply the sound may not be as good. But it is not good on anything.

The good thing with this unit is there is no station drift like the ones that are played off the radio signal. We have a ton of stations here and it is hard to find open channels. They often drift in and out if you drive much.

This is a perfect way to keep the stock set up and not have to hack up the dash. I don't want GPS and or back up cameras or touch screens. I have that in my other cars. I just want something that plays the 20K songs on my phone in Radom play. The Clicker from JBL keeps me legal here as the State is cracking down on using a phone while driving.

Note my CD player still works but I prefer the MP3. The player can still be used if I just plug it in if needed. I just did not want to run it all the time as it will die at some point so the kit that works with no player is the way to go.

 

I'll add a bit on my experience with the BLU-C5. I chose the "behind the radio" version for my '03; the 12-CD changer had died in during the stewardship of a previous owner, so it currently resides in a box in the attic. Still, I thought it would be cleaner to install the BT module behind the radio rather than have it back in the large storage cavity in the trunk. As with @hyperv6, I find the BT streaming quality to be CD-level, and I've tried it with a wide variety of music ranging from classical piano solos through jazz trios to Led Zeppelin. The C5 is our road trip car as well as my daily driver, and my wife is delighted that she has Pandora available for our trips.
Now I need to attenuate the road noise. Fix one issue and the next one pops up, LOL

 

So on a Z06, you can install in trunk and use the AUX button to switch to Bluetooth, and plug&play plus powered by harness in trunk?

 

Only if you have a harness lead for a 12 disc cd. I don’t know if they are on the Z06 harness. If not get the one that goes right into the radio.

 

I do not believe that Z06s were available from the factory with a trunk CD changer. Mine is an all original 2003 and there is a tire repair kit in the passenger side well.

 

You may need to look under the carpet and see if you have an open plug on the harness. I am not sure if GM used a special harness out just left the plug on and hid it.

If someone knows feel free to check in.

 

Not in trunk for Z06, that is why I asked, because I thought you said it worked in the trunk even without the 6 disc changer. (trunk= Z06/FRC/vert hatch= coupe)
There have been units to connect behind HU for years. I was hoping for something new, where they made a special wire harness for something else in the trunk (not hatch), that would be plug and play. Would be nice to have the BT for now, but if I have to take apart the dash, I will wait to do a full HU/speaker/amp conversion.
I had something similar in another car that worked well, but it had an AUX 3.5mm input, so it was easy.

 

when it says no changer it means it does not need the changer for support. You take the CD changer plug and plug in the Bluetooth.

the other needs the changer to work and you have yo have it working with at least one disc in it. If the changer dies then the Bluetooth dies.

My changer works but I did not want it running without listening to it. If I want to use it I just plug it in again.

 

Thanks hyperv6 . This sounds exactly what I'm looking for. I'll give it a try to see if I can get it.

 

Just a follow-up to my comments 4, 7, and 9 above, I was able to make contact with Austin over at DCS and he hooked me up with the A2DIY-C5, which is the behind the radio version that includes the microphone, remote control, and a 3.5mm cable for a wired auxiliary if I want to have one as a backup to the bluetooth. It arrived today, looks solid, and I plan to install it this weekend.

I will let you know how things go!