Adding Bluetooth audio streaming (A2DP) capability to TomTom Eclipse II

The Navigation/ Audio/Visual unit (Eclipse AVN4430) that came with the RT has a built-in Bluetooth but with no audio streaming capability (A2DP). I bought a Bluetooth bridge (Sprint Anycom A2DP receiver) from ebay for $19, this was several months ago. I was shock to find out that this receiver is now selling for over $90 (Amazon and Ebay).....wow. Anyway, there are other cheaper Bluetooth bridge available out there, just look around. The things that I like about this receiver is it doesn't need an external power and it uses an Ipod connection, which Eclipse has. I do not own an Ipod or Iphone, so the Ipod dongle adapter is useless for me (until this).

*Note to Iphone users: Iphone4 connected via Ipod dongle adapter works really well with the  Eclipse head unit (thanks to Trekker of Sprinter-Forum for the info).  Iphone music playback can be controlled within Eclipse.*

Anycom Sprint A2DP BT Receiver

One big warning though, the Sprint Anycom A2DP is not compatible with Eclipse head unit...but...I figure out a way to make it work.


If you look at the picture below, Eclipse senses if an Ipod via cable iPC409 or external audio/video source via RCA is connected and the unit switches between sources accordingly. VTR mode (RCA connection) uses this input.

Here is the fix, by covering pins # 12 and 13 (Ipod receiving and sending line), Eclipse recognizes it as a VTR input not an Ipod. The Ipod connector pins are really small, so you might need to try it several times. I use a small piece of duct tape about 2 or 3 mm's wide to cover the pins. If you have plans of using this Ipod connector other than the Sprint adapter, it's not a good idea to use my "duct tape" approach (as pointed out by a fellow forum member), you have to figure out another way to disable pins 12 and 13 or use some kind of thin plastic sheet to cover it.

Ipod connector pins layout

Anycom Sprint A2DP Bluetooth receiver connected

Secured with velcro

Now I can stream music from my Android phone via Bluetooth connection. All you need to do is change Eclipse source to VTR. The BT connection is crystal clear. I can now control the music playing from the back seat while DW is driving. Another great use of "Pandora" while on the road.

Note: If you decided to try a different BT bridge that uses RCA connection, you can make use of the VTR input by unplugging the Ipod cable adapter.