F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Navigation, iDrive, Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics > don't buy the cradle
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-31-2012, 12:54 PM   #1
jzcrna
Captain
165
Rep
975
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

don't buy the cradle

for those of you on the fence, the cradle is unnecessary. I be been able to do everything with just the white cable including album artwork etc.

I just wasted $268
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 12:57 PM   #2
jzcrna
Captain
165
Rep
975
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

pandora artwork, thumbs up etc are there.
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 01:05 PM   #3
Raspartan
Captain
Canada
41
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: F15 X5
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Did the cable come with the car?
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 01:22 PM   #4
ric124
Colonel
ric124's Avatar
Jamaica
452
Rep
2,148
Posts

Drives: F87 M2 BSM MT
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2017 BMW M2  [0.00]
What about facebook, twitter, etc
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 01:27 PM   #5
PrinceBarin
Major
United Kingdom
83
Rep
1,322
Posts

Drives: F82 CP (sold)
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Birmingham, UKWest

iTrader: (0)

Thanks, good to know! Does it charge your phone too?
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 01:36 PM   #6
Zirenz2006
Brigadier General
Zirenz2006's Avatar
United_States
1532
Rep
4,553
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US - NE

iTrader: (0)

You need the cradle to take advantage of the shark fin antenna. The cradle is so over priced it's ridiculous.
__________________
Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green
Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue
Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i | 2012 328i | 2009 335i | 2007 335i Coupe | 2005 545i | 2001 325i
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 02:06 PM   #7
vineeth
Enlisted Member
United_States
2
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: Honda
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

can u play video from iPhone without the cradle?
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 02:29 PM   #8
jzcrna
Captain
165
Rep
975
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Actually haven't tried video yet, and yes it does charge the phone. I'm talking about the white Apple cable.

yes the functionality of the shark in for reception would be okay but I really don't have any connection problems. Now if it drastically improves bandwidth I could see it being beneficial, but it's something that should come with BMW Apps.
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 06:58 PM   #9
Blake P
Kinda Like A Big Deal
United_States
10
Rep
390
Posts

Drives: F31 on order
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Fresno, CA

iTrader: (0)

I was wondering if the cradle is specific to one iPhone model (4/4S, I assume) or somewhat universal because it would suck when they inevitably change the shape of the phone and you have to buy another cradle.
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2012, 07:12 PM   #10
lewishamilton
Private
lewishamilton's Avatar
Canada
3
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: 2012 F30 335i SL MR
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (0)

Cradles are specific to the model of phone. When the next iPhone comes out and the shape changes, your cradle will be obsolete

The Apple USB cable works just fine, Facebook, Twitter, Web Radio etc... All seem to work perfectly. Unless you have major reception problems I think most can go without the cradle.
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 10:03 AM   #11
lucamatblu41
New Member
United Kingdom
3
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 G01 2019 M SPORT 30D
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: EAST SUSSEX UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I presently use the white Apple lead to charge my phone in the E90, however, it doesn't track list or Genius play from my phone, purely charge up, Bluetooth sorts out my phone calls.
Have just ordered the F30 320i with Pro Nav but wondered if the cradle comes with this package or do I need to order it specifically, looking at the forums suggests I still need to purchase a 4S cradle (Ebay £80.00) can someone who has the F30 with Nav confirm whether I need to purchase this. Thanks
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 10:28 AM   #12
PrinceBarin
Major
United Kingdom
83
Rep
1,322
Posts

Drives: F82 CP (sold)
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Birmingham, UKWest

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by vineeth
can u play video from iPhone without the cradle?
Anyone able to confirm this? Thanks.
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 11:07 AM   #13
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1311
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

The cradle converts the Iphone video into a usable format for the BMW system, so I believe it is required for Video from Iphones.

It also allows improved reception through its connection to the shark fin antenna.
__________________
BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 11:27 AM   #14
pcbrew
Captain
pcbrew's Avatar
29
Rep
784
Posts

Drives: 2012 335i 6MT
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

Right. The cradle is the only way to access all the signals on the 30-pin apple connector. Otherwise you only have a simple USB data link.
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 02:02 PM   #15
blindmule
Registered
Canada
7
Rep
61
Posts

Drives: 2012 F30 335i sport
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by lucamatblu41 View Post
I presently use the white Apple lead to charge my phone in the E90, however, it doesn't track list or Genius play from my phone, purely charge up, Bluetooth sorts out my phone calls.
Have just ordered the F30 320i with Pro Nav but wondered if the cradle comes with this package or do I need to order it specifically, looking at the forums suggests I still need to purchase a 4S cradle (Ebay £80.00) can someone who has the F30 with Nav confirm whether I need to purchase this. Thanks
I have an F30 with nav,assist, apps. I have a cradle, and have not tried the cable. But you NEED to buy the cradle as it is specific to your iphone, 3GS or 4GS etc.

Yes it's a pain to buy, but the phone clips in nicely and quickly. Also the release is quick and well designed, so the phone releases with a snap and can be done with one hand.

Also I can't say for sure but the sound should improve as you likely have less data compression by not using the USB and Aux jacks. For Web radio some are broadcast in high bandwidth. It still takes me about 10 seconds of buffering for these stations but the sound is great. Sound form the phone with the newer large size audio files from Itunes REALLY REALLY good. Good bass, definition, soundstaging all that. I have played with many of the HK settings, but truly default is good. HK has already put in alot of bass for the surround tuning. Just keep it on default. If you go rear bias for the speakers you may want to boost the treble a bit as your dampening the front tweaters. If you do that go into the equalizer.

Anyhoo....I like the cradle.
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 02:40 PM   #16
jzcrna
Captain
165
Rep
975
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

I do like the fact that it easily snaps in and out. Just one hand operation as opposed to using the cable. The disadvantage with the BMW apps in general is the lack of multitasking. I hate having to start pandora or mog from my iphone before plugging it in. It seems nonsensical.

Also, another thing that I noticed with the cradle is that the iphone battery charges super fast!

As far as video people mentioned, where is this video? Do you go through the itunes interface on external media? I have no desire to watch video, unless I was parked and waiting for my wife at the grocery store or something. Even then I would just call somebody.

Another cool thing with the apps is that it will read out your RSS feeds or facebook posts so you don't have to look at the screen. It is a robotic voice, so kind of hard to follow.
Appreciate 0
      04-07-2012, 03:21 PM   #17
ric124
Colonel
ric124's Avatar
Jamaica
452
Rep
2,148
Posts

Drives: F87 M2 BSM MT
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2017 BMW M2  [0.00]
LOL looks like this thread started out against the cradle and now moving towards pro cradle.

Anyway I was still going to get the cradle i figure it should help with data streaming with the external antenna.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2012, 02:30 PM   #18
tayra
New Member
United_States
8
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: F30, Sport 12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: miami beach, FL. USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
BMW App forum for F30 , 2012

Can anyone tell me where to get the bmw app coding? I have ZPS, ZTP, 615, 6AA, 6NL, 6UL and 6VA. The dealer forgot to tell me that I needed the BMW app(6NR). They wont even install it in my car after delivery. Im assuming it just some coding updates.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2012, 03:25 PM   #19
m5 guy
Brigadier General
m5 guy's Avatar
United_States
1662
Rep
3,198
Posts

Drives: 2020 M5 Comp
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hawaii

iTrader: (14)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jzcrna View Post
I do like the fact that it easily snaps in and out. Just one hand operation as opposed to using the cable. The disadvantage with the BMW apps in general is the lack of multitasking. I hate having to start pandora or mog from my iphone before plugging it in. It seems nonsensical.

Also, another thing that I noticed with the cradle is that the iphone battery charges super fast!

As far as video people mentioned, where is this video? Do you go through the itunes interface on external media? I have no desire to watch video, unless I was parked and waiting for my wife at the grocery store or something. Even then I would just call somebody.

Another cool thing with the apps is that it will read out your RSS feeds or facebook posts so you don't have to look at the screen. It is a robotic voice, so kind of hard to follow.
That is the one thing I don't like either. It would be cool if you just had to plug the phone in the cradel, go to connected drive, and then be able to choose what app to run based on what's installed on the phone.
__________________
2020 F90 M5 Comp Oxford Green Metallic II-Aragon JOURNAL
2016 F10 M5 Space Gray-Black SOLD
2012 E70 X5M Monte Carlo Blue-Silverstone SOLD
2001 E46 M3 Oxford Green Metallic II-Cinnamon SOLD
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2012, 07:11 PM   #20
SomeRandomer123
Colonel
SomeRandomer123's Avatar
England
301
Rep
2,612
Posts

Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK

iTrader: (0)

I would just cut the crap and buy it. It works beautifully and simply. Plus it brings PlugIn which is a much better interface than BMW's in the Multimedia section.
Allows for better reception as the shark fin is used (and therefore reduces cabin radiation levels BMW say).
Allows videos stored on iPhone to be played on iDrive.
Keeps annoying wires at bay.
Looks quite cool actually.
Plus it's cooled by a fan if the phone is too hot.

But I agree it's overpriced!
__________________

Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT
Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT
Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT
On Order: 2015 Audi A6 Avant Ultra, Black Edition (sorry!)
Appreciate 0
      08-08-2012, 01:03 AM   #21
Gerusarus
Private
Gerusarus's Avatar
South Africa
9
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: 2010 E90 323i Ex individual
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Pretoria, South Africa

iTrader: (0)

Here in South Africa, you will most definitely need the cradle, reception is only good in suburban areas and on major routes. In addition to that, the cradle has got a building fan to keep the phone cool. Technically speaking, your audio/video bandwidth is also better if you use a cradle. I’ve got film on both sides of my iPhone and slip it in a pouch when out of the car.

Besides, the iPhone is a beauty and should not be hidden away in a enclosure.
__________________
__________
F30 320i Luxury individual on order
Currently driving E90 2010 323i Exclusive individual
Previously - E90 325i Exclusive individual, E46 320i Exclusive individual, Hyundai csi 1.5
Appreciate 0
      08-09-2012, 10:44 PM   #22
Photoman
Major
Photoman's Avatar
Canada
131
Rep
1,065
Posts

Drives: 2012 F30, 2013 E70
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW X5 35d  [0.00]
2012 BMW 328i  [10.00]
I don't have BMW Apps ... So is a cradle just a glorified charger for me?
__________________
2012 F30 | IBM | SB | M-Sport Conversion | OEM 437M Wheels | MPE ++
2013 E70 | SBM | NB | Coming soon
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:55 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST