Related
1. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm. (I think one actually came with the HTC version, but not with the AT&T Tilt - although the Tilt manual insists that it's there!)
2. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm with a built in mic for handsfree operation too.
3. I've seen 3.5mm bluetooth adapters so you can eliminate cables completely.
I'll be mounting my phone above my dash and my aux-in port is in my center console. As such, I'd like a wireless solution (like #3), but I'd also like hands-free operation (like #2). I know such a thing exists (I found one on eBay), but surely there's a more elegant solution out there? Not one shamelessly parading around as a iPod shuffle?
Does anyone know of a hands-free device that connects to the phone via bluetooth and has a standard 3.5mm audio out? The only one I've found is parading around like an iPod shuffle - more than a little tacky.
i have one, it does look a bit like a shuffle though... works great though and even came with a BT transmiter that you can plug into anything with a 3.5mm jack and it will stream it with A2DP ( the receiver/headset is A2DP also) all for like $35 shipped. i monted it in my motorcycle helmet so i have wireless tunes plus the call come through both speackers so its actually intelligable while riding
IMHO its worth putting up with the shuffle-esque look for the price and features
This looks good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875156001
Tritton AX Bluestream
drokkon said:
1. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm. (I think one actually came with the HTC version, but not with the AT&T Tilt - although the Tilt manual insists that it's there!)
2. I've seen adapters from MiniUSB to 3.5mm with a built in mic for handsfree operation too.
3. I've seen 3.5mm bluetooth adapters so you can eliminate cables completely.
I'll be mounting my phone above my dash and my aux-in port is in my center console. As such, I'd like a wireless solution (like #3), but I'd also like hands-free operation (like #2). I know such a thing exists (I found one on eBay), but surely there's a more elegant solution out there? Not one shamelessly parading around as a iPod shuffle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it is a bit more expensive, but there are headunits with integrated Bluetooth stereo and handsfree capability.
Parrot makes one (relatively expensive). I think Blaupunkt does too.
Sony has two models with built in stereo and handsfree Bluetooth integration, the MEX-BT2500 and MEX-BT5000. The 2500 is probably the least expensive solution that still has a CD player, I have it in my car and love it, although I admittedly have not even attempted to use the handsfree functionality (due to the fact that it is installed in an incredibly noisy convertible). I use the headunit for BT stereo and a Plantronics 655 for handsfree conversations.
Entropy512 said:
Well, it is a bit more expensive, but there are headunits with integrated Bluetooth stereo and handsfree capability.
Parrot makes one (relatively expensive). I think Blaupunkt does too.
Sony has two models with built in stereo and handsfree Bluetooth integration, the MEX-BT2500 and MEX-BT5000. The 2500 is probably the least expensive solution that still has a CD player, I have it in my car and love it, although I admittedly have not even attempted to use the handsfree functionality (due to the fact that it is installed in an incredibly noisy convertible). I use the headunit for BT stereo and a Plantronics 655 for handsfree conversations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow - hadn't even considered that, but thanks! Sadly, I have a Mazda3, which I really don't think would play nice with a different head unit. The stereo is just really integrated.
I guess I might have to go with the shuffle look-alike. Does anyone else own this? Can you confirm that it's decent?
hrishi2das said:
This looks good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875156001
Tritton AX Bluestream
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheap it ain't, but that actually looks pretty good! Does anyone own it?
According to http://www.trittonsales.com/products/TRIBH102.html, it seems that the microphone is in the actual unit (necessary, since I won't be using the included headphones but rather hooking it to my aux), and I think it has the remote controls on it.
(On another note, as someone who has zero bluetooth/headset experience, I wonder what will happen when I'm listening to my music in the car and get a phone call - will the feedback just suck if the person is coming over the speakers and the mic is picking it up?)
iTech cheaper than Tritton
iTech makes several models, like Clip Radio or Clip R35, that are similar to Tritton. They run a little cheaper but are hard to find (try eBay). Might be sold as the HTC S100. Also, check out the Motorola S705 SoundPilot, which includes an LCD screen.
If you're thinking about an installed solution, check out my detailed review of the MK6000 in the Wizard forum. Also, Motorola T605 is similar to MK6000. Not as many features but much cheaper.
Just a word of warning if you use Voice Command with A2DP: once A2DP is connected, Voice Command audio prompts no longer work via Bluetooth (commands still work, just no feedback). Apparently, I am not the only one with the problem.
BennTech said:
iTech makes several models, like Clip Radio or Clip R35, that are similar to Tritton. They run a little cheaper but are hard to find (try eBay). Might be sold as the HTC S100. Also, check out the Motorola S705 SoundPilot, which includes an LCD screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just want to thank everyone very much for all their help! I guess it's down to deciding between three models. So if anyone has any experience with any of these, I'd love your feedback!
Motorola S705 SoundPilot
Tritton AX Bluestream (TRI-BH102)
i.Tech Clip R35
Thanks!
I have been using 2 scenarios in my car for years now:
1. Direct connection via audio plug, mic in the middle, then AUX to car stereo.
2. Bluetooth connection using the itech R35 with a short cable connected to the AUX car stereo.
Though I'm using Prophet, not a Kaiser, but you can draw the same lesson learned.
Direct connection is always clear, and you do not consume more battery on your phone. And when its connected, you are always ready to pick up incoming all. But this configuration requires 2 steps to pick up the call: one press from your car stereo to switch the input to AUX, then one press on your green button to pick up the call, unless you also play the music from your PPC.
BT connection, you always need extra step to enable the BT on the phone, and then switch on the BT adapter. If you forget to do this, you cannot pick up the incoming call. Also, the BT adapter (my experience with R35 with WM6) most of the time the connection was not established automatically, you can reestablish the connection by pressing the blue button once and then look at the phone to make sure the connection now is okay before start driving).
And you also carry one more new routine: to take the BT adapter for charging.
My experience after using it for a while, not very confinient. I'm looking into better solution, which is replacing the stereo unit with integrated BT one.
lie_ui said:
Though I'm using Prophet, not a Kaiser, but you can draw the same lesson learned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much! Unfortunately, my phone is mounted on the dash, but my AUX is inside my center console. Therefore I can't use the wired solution.
However, both locations have 12V ports, so I CAN keep the both phone and BT adapter powered. Sounds like that's the way to go.
What has your experience been on the i.Tech Clip R35 as far as quality is concerned?
Thanks!
I just ordered the Sonorix C3 to test out myself. Was between that and the Moto S705. The range on the Moto seems too good to be true. Lots of bad reviews. Haven't heard much of the Sonorix but the few reviews I have found are positive.
itech R35
i.Tech Clip R35, whenever you plug in the power plug (very tiny pin, I wish it is a mini USB like the PPC so I can reduce charger to bring along for travel), and it starts charging, it will turn off the BT during the charging period.
If you can find the one with mini USB charging port, that will be better.
It might not sound annoying for you if you have not used it, but after using it for a while, you will find that extra job everytime you enter and exit the car, ie: switching it on and then off, checking the BT connection before start driving, will eventually become problematic as well, or you can call it laziness. =)
In term of quality, the sound will be very loud and clear, as you use your car speaker. Very nice while driving. But the mic quality is not very good, people will say their barely hear you. I use a short cable and hang the chip R35 just below the rear mirror to get it closer to me.
And remember, to press the R35 to accept call, not your phone anymore. =)
My wish is something like this one (see the picture attached).
I ordered one, the BT connection is perfect. It turns on whenever you switch on your car, and it draws power from the car, so it never needs to be charged. It initiates the BT connection automatically to your phone.
The only draw back is it uses FM to feed to audio to your car stereo. I wish it has an output that I could connect to the car AUX.
In my city, all of the FM frequencies are used, so its very hard to get a clear transmission using any channel. Otherwise, this is the best choice.
I just checked their website (www.satechi.com), its kind of weird, now they do not have this product any longer. They used to have both flavors, with and without A2DP. Most people concern about the FM transmission quality and the mic performance. Otherwise, its an excellent idea. No wire at all.
lie_ui said:
In term of quality, the sound will be very loud and clear, as you use your car speaker. Very nice while driving. But the mic quality is not very good, people will say their barely hear you. I use a short cable and hang the chip R35 just below the rear mirror to get it closer to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for your input! I actually ordered one the other day, so I'll report back soon with my own thoughts.
I'm sorry to hear about the miniUSB port - I was hoping to cut down on chargers too. Worse, it seems, is that it isn't useable while charging - I suppose it's not a deal-breaker, but I would have liked to just be able to charge it while I used it.
Glad to hear the audio is good, and I hope the mic works somewhat well, as it will be beside me in the center console.
I want to hear your thoughts on the R35 as well drokkon. I am curious to see what you think about mic quality so I can decide if I really want to get it or not!
kpaznb0i said:
I want to hear your thoughts on the R35 as well drokkon. I am curious to see what you think about mic quality so I can decide if I really want to get it or not!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received my R35 yesterday (I ordered it from a Hong Kong-based ebayer, so keep in mind that it takes quite a while to get here).
Started using it right away after charging it for 3 hours. Initial thoughts:
Charger isn't MiniUSB, so I'll have to find some kind of car charger solution. Although, it's been pointed out that it doesn't play music while charging anyway, but I'd still like to leave it in my car at all times.
Music quality is superb! Also one little snag: unlike my bluetooth stereo headset, this thing doesn't automatically pair back up every time you power it on. You have to power it on, and then "click" the power button one more time to actually connect it to your phone again.
Called voicemail and it was cool to hear my phone over the car speakers. Unfortunately, I have yet to actually take a real call, so I'll have to get back to you on the mic quality. My Mazda3 will also make a great test bed, as it has "pronounced road noise" (but that was the only "con" listed in tons of otherwise great reviews, so I got it anyway!).
That is a bummer to hear that it doesn't automatically pair back up every time. But I guess it won't be that bad once it becomes habbit.
Let us all know when you find out about mic quality and final thoughts.
kpaznb0i said:
That is a bummer to hear that it doesn't automatically pair back up every time. But I guess it won't be that bad once it becomes habbit.
Let us all know when you find out about mic quality and final thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay - so here are my final thoughts:
You're right - it does become habit: hold for two seconds to power on, click once to re-pair. Pretty simple.
The sound quality shocks me - I'm no audiophile, but as far as I'm concerned, this isn't "near" CD quality, it IS.
The connection drops once in a while between phone and R35. After a call, sometimes the music is paused, sometimes it picks up where it left off, and sometimes it re-starts the song. This must be due to something I'm doing wrong or just the clumsy nature of what I perceive to be a fairly young technology. It's most likely the Tilt rather than the R35.
On to mic quality! I've only made two calls. Both times, people could hear me fine, despite that the device was in my center console, somewhat blocked by my shoulder. I was definitely speaking up, as my car is pretty loud on the highway. However, both times the callers asked to be taken off of hands-free because of pronounced echo (no small feat while driving, considering that turning off hands-free, as far as I know, involves clicking "menu").
Potential mic solutions: My device is pretty stationary, being attached to my console with a 4- or 5-inch audio plug. I'm thinking about getting a longer cord, so I can maybe turn my stereo down and hold the mic closer to my mouth... so much for hands-free, but maybe it would help the echo. More likely, I think I'll just let the R35 handle the "wireless stereo" and my headset handle "headset," since WM6 allows me to choose between those two bluetooth modes. That way the phone will ring while listening to my stereo, I take the call with my headset, and then resume listening to my stereo... I presume.
Finally - battery life. It boasts standby time of 16 hours and 6 of talk (I believe). I know you're not supposed to leave batteries in the cold, but my R35 was in the car overnight during the cold snap in Colorado last week - it probably was in the upper teens Fahrenheit. The day before, I fully charged it and listened to it for no more than an hour (and that's a generous estimate). The next day, I got 20-30 minutes before it went dead. I didn't realize that cold zapped batteries that dramatically. Since I always want to leave this thing in the car, that's another case for a car charger.
Speaking of car chargers, I guess I will post again, asking if anyone knows how I can get a "custom" one. There's this ridiculously tiny plug, plus the voltage/wattage listed on the wall transformer - surely I can find a custom solution...?
That's it - hope it helps! Can anyone review any of the other devices similar to the R35?
I don't own a Kaiser "yet". But I tried the Sony HBD-DS220 (or DS200) recently on my car w/ Axim X51v and Asus P525, and it works perfectly. Sound is perfect and you can't really notice it's over BT. And one nice thing about this headset is you CAN charge it while listening to music. But like all A2DP device, you will notice 1-2 sec out of sync if you use this for movie or MTV.
Is it possible to get the radio to run without having to plug in the headphones?
I know they act as an antenna but I'd still like to be able to demo the device and try for local radio in strong signal areas without having to carry round a set of headphones.
is this possible?
No, must have earphones plugged in.
...actually, FM radio switches off automatically 30 seconds after you disconnect the cable....very handy....
Hi,
I'm considering to buy a seperate antenna.. But I'm not sure this will work.
Any suggestions?
http://cgi.ebay.nl/TMC-Kurzstab-Ant...9523848QQcmdZViewItemQQptZNavigations_Zubehör
if you use HD tweak you van set the audio booster on, if thats on, you wont get the message that your headset must be plugged in, but i hardly get a reception then
Trying to plug a dummy (just a socket?)?
your antenna is in the earplug-wire, so you need it.
BSmart said:
Hi,
I'm considering to buy a seperate antenna.. But I'm not sure this will work.
Any suggestions?
http://cgi.ebay.nl/TMC-Kurzstab-Ant...9523848QQcmdZViewItemQQptZNavigations_Zubehör
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work, it seems to be using the same pinout as HD headphone, assuming the Mic still doubles as antenna, like before on ExtUSB
Just tried it with a 3.5 mini-extension cable (about 10cm long with a 3.5 plug on one end and a 3.5 socket on the other).
Works fine ! Reception is perhaps a little weaker.
A 3.5mm plug with some thin black insulated wire connected to it should make a nice unobtrusive antenna.
but why bother, some earbuds are just as easy to bring
Thanks for this idea! I cut an old (bad and low-cost) earphone, plugged-in the 3.5-connector (with a cable of about 45 cm), activated audio booster with HD Tweak and - voila!: I'm able to hear FM Radio!
I think it's useful when you want to hear news for a short time; to hear music earphones are better of course!
And can the radio be switched to bluetooth A2DP in this case?
mnuapel said:
And can the radio be switched to bluetooth A2DP in this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No - bluetooth does not seem to work here. I tried this with a 3.5 extension. I could get sound out of the speaker no problem but no chance on diverting it to bluetooth.
We probably need some app to make that work.
Not sure if it will work in this case, but these apps are similar: BTArouter or BT Audio
stylus=antenna
You can use stylus as antenna!
Just have to hold it in place and make sure headphone symbol appear on top fo the screen.
jjow said:
You can use stylus as antenna!
Just have to hold it in place and make sure headphone symbol appear on top fo the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I was just about to check if anyone had ever metioned this before. I noticed it tooday when I was playing around with the phone
cybermaus said:
Not sure if it will work in this case, but these apps are similar: BTArouter or BT Audio
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could somebody try this apps? To play radio through bluetooth is quite imoprtant feature for me, I use to listen to radio on bicycle on my sporty bt headset. Thank you.
I've was on the market for a high quality audio recorder but they seem way more expensive than they should be (£100+) yet the only difference between price ranges is the options offered to the consumer.
I was wondering if the HD2 works with a microphone such as this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-ECM-DS70P-Microphone-Stereo-Plugin/dp/B00005QBV2 If so, it could probably equal the high end recording devices. 200 bucks worth. See I have the above microphone and I'm trying to record in notes but despite the microphone being read and distinguished by the headphone symbol in the HD2, it's not picking up the sound.
Does anyone know if the HD2 can support external microphones? If maybe a certain program needs to be used to activate it? It could be a great solution for high quality gig recordings and dictations.
The HD2 uses a jack plug with 3 rings, which you can see on the stock headphones, and the mic is wired to the "inboard" ring your mic doesn't have. That's to keep compatibility with any standard headphones.
So yes it can take an external mic, but it needs to be wired correctly to such a plug. And can obviously only be mono.
Then, whether it can record full quality or applies a "telephone" filter to the input needs testing.
Mono would be suffice, but as there are two mics on the external device, wouldn't there be any way to allow stereo?
What kind of plug are you talking about in regards to wiring it to one?
Thanks kilrah for your very useful post.
Just look at the headphones you received with the phone, and compare the plug with the one on your mic, you'll quickly understand
No way to get stereo as the HD2 only has a mono mic input.
kilrah said:
The HD2 uses a jack plug with 3 rings, which you can see on the stock headphones, and the mic is wired to the "inboard" ring your mic doesn't have. That's to keep compatibility with any standard headphones.
So yes it can take an external mic, but it needs to be wired correctly to such a plug. And can obviously only be mono.
Then, whether it can record full quality or applies a "telephone" filter to the input needs testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the Axim X50 / X51 PDAs there was an adapter that took a 3-connector mic jack and rooted it to the correct ring on the 4-connector Axim socket. I tried to find an example with not much luck, but here is a link to start with:
(I am not allowed to post a link; sorry) go to mobilitysite and look up "seidio-audio-adapters".
Unfortunately, the seidio product does not seem to exist anymore... Anyway, would an adapter like this work on the LEO? I would think so, same concept.
Another alternative would be to use the USB port with sthg like the griffin imic but with a micro-USB adapter. Any chance for this?
Good question.
Anyone offer any enlightenment or an idea on adapters?
p34cdc2 said:
For the Axim X50 / X51 PDAs there was an adapter that took a 3-connector mic jack and rooted it to the correct ring on the 4-connector Axim socket. I tried to find an example with not much luck, but here is a link to start with:
(I am not allowed to post a link; sorry) go to mobilitysite and look up "seidio-audio-adapters".
Unfortunately, the seidio product does not seem to exist anymore... Anyway, would an adapter like this work on the LEO? I would think so, same concept.
Another alternative would be to use the USB port with sthg like the griffin imic but with a micro-USB adapter. Any chance for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a slightly different question: if I plug standar eraphones with no mic, when receiving a cal, can i talk into the device's mic?
Yes!
filler
EDIT: found out if you put in a regular 3.5mm headphone, the FM transmitter should also work guess you can do it any way you want!
so let me get this right, if you get a 3.5mm jack off some headphones, i can plug that in and the radio will work?
jonyid said:
so let me get this right, if you get a 3.5mm jack off some headphones, i can plug that in and the radio will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I just tried it on a Sony headset and an ipod headphone set and they both triggered the FM to work. I think the FM can be triggered with software to work but the reception will be crappy without extra wire coming out to catch the signal.
Great experiment ! Easy solution ! Can now uninstall all internet-radio apps and get my local radio station w/o headset.
Tx !
Personally I think it's just a gimmic to buy HTC's headset, don't fall for it guys! Use your own equipment that will sound better and fit more comfortably!
I could only pick up a couple of local stations like this,and we have a huge transmitter only a few miles away.
Went back to a full length set of headphones and did a rescan
and they were all back....
NW UK based.
The whole wire acts like an antenna. There is no dedicated antenna for FM. That's how FM works since it's short range and hig frequency unlike the older AM low freq signals which need a more specialised antenna.
For good FM reception, a good wire will suffice.
Nice i'll give it a try, but first thing i would like to know is how did you get your sound so high, been lookin every ware for a cab file or a hack, any info would be GR8
Hello to everybody,
I'm looking for a smartwatch that could be paired with a couple of bluetooth earphones, acting as music player and that could works without a phone.
I found a lot of cheap device that has a TF (microsd) slot and that could be paired with bluetooth earphones, and this is good.
But I would like to have also Radio FM and I was unable to find a device that could work with bluetooth earphones because all the devices I found with radio FM needs to have earphones jack inserted because they act as antenna.
So I started looking for a device that could run app without a phone, something like "tune in radio", that streams music via data connection, but I'm not sure if someone has already developed something similar, I've seen that Samsung has created the Gear S that has a 3G and wifi connection but I'm not sure of what are its capabilities, if it could work alone (without a phone) for the task I need.
Does anybody knows if there's something that could fit my needs? (or mp3 stand alone with radio FM via bluetooth or mp3 with undependent streaming radio app)
If I could throw a bone...
I carry an iPod Nano 6G. Relatively cheap, doesn't have Bluetooth, but it has been my goto for music. I paid $10 for a stainless steel band, it has a week battery life typically, and its just a good device overall. If you're willing to compromise Bluetooth, it can't break the bank.
Sent from my 306SH using Tapatalk
Thank you, but I can't give up bluetooth, Nano was one of my first choice but it doesn't fit some of my requirements.
Probably some other little device like this small phone could be good. Does anybody knows it?
Basically any MTK6260 based smartwatch will do.
I listen to music at work straight from my GT08. Either via bt heaphones or via the sound system since it has a bluetooth receiver.
Yes but it also works with fm radio ?
All the reseller I contacted told me that in order to listen fm radio I have to plug earphones into the 3.5mm hole because earphones works as antenna.
Did you try to do it without
well, best I can think of is an actual headphone with built-in FM radio, kind of like the Sony MW1 - or if you prefer, there's sport-headphones with all kinds of options (SD card, FM radio, etc.) which don't require any kind of additional device/bluetooth/etc. and are pretty much just headphones with a wire between the two. Example: Sport Wireless+ by Jabra has FM radio.
problem is, that for FM radio you will always require SOME kind of antenna - if I remember correctly it has something to do with the wavelength of FM and needing a certain minimum antenna length to pick up the signal. In cases with no cable (e.g. big headphones (over-ear)), the antenna is built into the frame, while in-ear headphones require some kind of cable/wire (even if it's the one connecting the two headphones) to function as antenna.
I agree with you but I just received a pair of Plantronics beatfit bluetooth earphones, that are superbs in terms of quality, but that lack the embedded radio FM as Jabra ones!
About the antenna, it's strange, because I think that if it's possible to integrate it inside a couple of bluetooth earphones it should be possible to do the same also in an mp3 player or in a smartwatch, don't you think?
Caio said:
I agree with you but I just received a pair of Plantronics beatfit bluetooth earphones, that are superbs in terms of quality, but that lack the embedded radio FM as Jabra ones!
About the antenna, it's strange, because I think that if it's possible to integrate it inside a couple of bluetooth earphones it should be possible to do the same also in an mp3 player or in a smartwatch, don't you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is basically that the shorter the antenna (compared to the actual wavelength) the worse the signal (more or less, google "FM antenna length" - or anything similar - for the specifics involved). And considering that FM has MUCH larger wavelength than any other frequency used in a phone (iirc BT is more or less 12cm, FM is 3m), having an antenna small enough to fit in a watch or phone COULD work, but the signal would be really bad - so you'd have to make the receiver REALLY sensitive and probably use quite a bit of power.
Kinda like the difference between turning on a world clock radio with & without extending the antenna - it'll "work" with the antenna collapsed (and maybe even pick up a station or two if you're lucky), but it'll work much better with the antenna extended.
FYI: The larger the wavelength (and thus lower the frequency), the further the signal travels & less interference from objects in between - reason why in the middle of nowhere between trees and mountains you'll pick up an AM (approx. 1kHz, 100+m wavelength) signal much better than an FM signal (approx. 98kHz, 3m wavelength). Same reason as to why the lower mobile bands (700-800) are more suited for large area coverage than teh higher frequency ones (2100, etc.).
NOTE: You'll have to forgive me for any (probable) errors in specific numbers - it's been a LOT of years since I last used/checked them
addendum...
Ok, apparently a full-length set of headphones (to some extent) isn't even needed nowadays - basically phone makers being lazy. Check this thread over @ androidcentral.com about someone getting the radio (not through BT though) working by sticking a cut-off 3.5mm jack stub (of an old pair of headphones).
No test on how WELL it receives various stations, but at least something is picked up... now all you need to do is modify the ROM so it'll allow BT broadcast even with a 3.5mm jack plugged in :silly:
Or maybe (as suggested in the thread), plugging in a standalone BT transmitter into teh 3.5mm jack?