Ok, I've been in some give and take with Andrea technical support as to the use of their DA-350 mic with any of our AVIC Z units.  The key issue is (cut and past key parts):

"after doing some research on the Pioneer devices it looks like the DA-350 will not work with the" Z1-3 or Z110-140 "as they are showing a mic level in and the 350 is a line level in device."

"The problem with this is that you are going to have a digital in signal and analog output."

"What I was meant by converting the signal was to take the DA-350 plug which is line level and convert it to mic level"

Ultimately they suggested a solution so the DA-350 could be use.  Final cut and paste:

So basically the DA-350 as is won't work on our units.

I guess since my system is only in my "pleasure" car it's not a big deal, and I can live with the shitty mic for the times I drive it.

So basically the DA-350 as is won't work on our units.

 

I guess since my system is only in my "pleasure" car it's not a big deal, and I can live with the shitty mic for the times I drive it.

 Maybe not "as is", but for another $20 not that big of a difference to as needed.

Found a source for a DA-350 that wasn't so out there, so will order the adaptor and will report back.

Found a source for a DA-350 that wasn't so out there, so will order the adaptor and will report back.

You bought the one that sold for $20 on ebay didn't you? That damn ebay app didn't send me a reminder, otherwise it would be mine. I checked the auction and it had ended 20 minutes prior.

I have a z130bt with firmware app v3.001 and specifically am not having issues with my stock mic.  My mic is mounted on the rear view mirror mount up at the top of the windshield, on the left side of the mount pointing towards me.  So far everyone I've spoken to on the phone says I sound fine.

Where is your mic mounted that is giving you problems? 

Do you have the rear and/or sides of the mic enclosed?  If so, as in cupping your hands around the sides of a mic, it will really screw up the sound -- so make sure the mic is on a flat open surface before you assume it's bad.

If you still think it is bad and want to try out some replacements, if you cannot easily get to the back of the radio to plug/unplug the mic cord, I suggest buying a short extension cable for the mic to allow you to plug in new mics somewhere outside of the radio cavity.  Then try different mics and different mic locations, leaving the cord loose for now until you find an arrangement that works best for your car.

As for mics to try, if you want to go higher end I suggest you consider the Countryman B3 omni, for a but under $200 new and probably < $100 used.  I do a lot of sound for theater and schools and this is one of the body mics of choice due to level and natural voice response, as well as it's small capsule size.  It is by no means the top end (you can spend over $500 on DPA) but it is the best "bargain" mic.

I too am looking for a much better mic solution so my work calls can be done using the stereo rather than an earpiece.  I found an Olympus ME-51S Stereo Microphone that looks promising to me, but I don't know much about what will work with the system.  Has anyone tried anything like this mic?

I was looking at the Z150BH mainly because I dont want to put 800$ on a Bluetooth upgrade when I can have a full car deck with GPS for a little more.

It's still a problems? Would it still be a problems if I use the OEM Mic from Volkwagen in my Tiguan ?

So, to date, there was never a solution around the stock issues? I tried a replacement stock mic and callers still report unrecognizable voice. After all this time, I just can't believe there was never a real solution.

It's been a while since I've posted.

I've sold my two cars and kept the DA-350's after swapping in the stock mics.

Anyone who wants one, I can let each for $40 shipped to the lower 48 states.

I'll take one,

Do you want to do paypal?

It's been a while since I've posted.

 

I've sold my two cars and kept the DA-350's after swapping in the stock mics.

 

Anyone who wants one, I can let each for $40 shipped to the lower 48 states.

Hey Dahozzman, how did you get these to work with the avic z's? I'm debating buying one and putting it in my car (I have a z-140bt). The stock pioneer mic is just utterly useless. Also, do you still have any mics left?

Hey Dahozzman, how did you get these to work with the avic z's? I'm debating buying one and putting it in my car (I have a z-140bt). The stock pioneer mic is just utterly useless. Also, do you still have any mics left?

You have to buy an adaptor from Andrea that goes between the DA350 and the head unit itself.  Ever so often I ask the caller if I sound ok, and have been getting consistent thumbs up.

I purchased a Z140 for one of my cars, so I'm going to withdraw my for sale offer.