Fairing and us mobile phone kit

[velomonkey]

Hello All,

A few weeks ago I posted a question on Fairings. After getting some responses I found it was fine to go out and purchase the newer Thule fairings. It's very easy to put on and drastically reduces the wind noise. I think it looks nice and it can be installed behind the sunroof which is very nice. See the attached picture.

My next question is for anyone who may have some expeirence with 3rd party mobile phone hands-free kits. Specifically I've purchased the Motorola car kit, Product link (http://commerce.motorola.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=249297&prmenbr=126&accessories_cgrfnbr=22&zipcode=&phoneID=&search_string=28&type=249117).

I'm wondering if anyone has this installed and can tell me how well it functions (e.g., I pressume the radio does mute while on a call), if the XC already has a mic (rather than using the one in the kit) and where the phone mounts.

Thanks in advance.

Velomonkey (aka, Patrick)

[Gundo]

Hey bro,

Just be careful with that fairing.  I've had several for different cars, and they DEFINITELY will scratch your clearcoat right down to the paint if left on long enough.  

My solution was always to mount them far enough forward that they rest on the glass.

Dirt gets under the rubber gasket and then scratches pretty efficiently.  One option is to put very thick clear tape on the paint where the fairing touches.  There are some special, heavy duty 3M products that promise to come off after being applied.

Good luck

[XCLloyd]

Hey Patrick!

I have the exact same phone and handsfree kit.  Did you install yours yet, and if so how and where?  I get my MY04 in a couple of weeks and will have to install my kit...somewhere!

Thanks,

XCLloyd   http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Low Tide]

Just an FYI- the new Thule fairing design now has 3 or 4 soft rubber bumpers on the base instead of the strip- and it comes with clearcoat protectors in the form of a dozen thin squares of an Xpel like material. Model 871 fits the XC, rather than the 872... I called Thule to confirm this today as the product literature and web page fit guide contradict one another....listing one, then the other... repeat: 871 fits between the roof rails for positioning anywhere along the roofline.) I haven't used it yet, but it was good enough of a design to convince me to switch. When I install, I will send photos and info relevant if someone else doesn't do it first.  It also fits both the Aero (Oval) bars and the Square ones.   Instructions show the conversion... Related, Thule will supply the conversion kit for the Aero bars Volvo sells that is needed to mount some of Thule's US accessory products- the part/kit number for the bike (Velo and V2) and kayak kits is 7533082.  Its $14- or possibly free if you ask nice enough and tell them how much nicer the Aero bars are- Thule thinks they are the best product design they make, problem is a lot of Americans are accustom to the square bars... I had a 20 minute conversation about it... Bottom Line:  If you go Thule for your XC, go Aero  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

LT

[wiz]

And if you don't have Thule, the 3M product is Scotchcal (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GS90WSXRSNbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_PKD7VS0CHGgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html), and you can buy the stuff online from Reflex Enterprises (http://www.xpel.com/bulk.html) who are the makers of X-Pel. It comes in a nice little kit with very detailed instructions and a squeegee.

[barrysharp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Low Tide @ April 14 2003,17:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">.
&gt;snip
.
Bottom Line: If you go Thule for your XC, go Aero http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
By &quot;Aero&quot; do you mean Volvo&#39;s Wing Profile cross bars ? These cross bars are aerodynamically shaped and their cross section is a symetric aerofoil about the chord line (a line from leading edge to trailing edge).

I have these and their construction is substantial compared to the square profile cross bars.

Thanks.

[Low Tide]

Aero = Oval Profile crossbars. The wings are not Thule. I thought about the wings- they are quite substantial and identical to the alum XC90 version, being black to match the roof rack... which I still do not understand since the XC90 rack is black too isn&#39;t it? &nbsp;The wings look great, but the problem is that they are limited in the standard accessories that fit them. &nbsp;Volvo plans to make a few or to get adaptations made to Thule OEM, but they overall availability won&#39;t be the same. &nbsp;

Anyway, the ovals are Thule spec and sold iun Europe and special order in the US as the Aero crossbar Rapid Railing pack 541xt. Thule makes adapters or includes standard parts to fit ALL of their accessories for the Aero bar. They are alum, and hollow core. According to Thule, it is the strongest and most secure bar they have produced. The goal at Thule was for them to replace the square bar- which they are doing in Europe, but in the US, the new design has met with some &quot;traditionalist&quot; resistance. If you are REALLY interested in knowing more, email me. Thule provided a wealth of info on the accessories and the conversion process as well as the structural design and its benefits for load support.