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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
(Update: 2/23/10: To replicate the problem, use a bluetooth headset, make a call, then walk away from the phone until you're almost out of range. That's exactly the problem I have when I'm holding the device, it doesn't matter where I am distance wise, the best audio call quality I get STARTS where most phones get when you're too far from the device. Ideas?)
After weeks (3 straight) of searching, I have to finally ask.
Does anyone else have an issue with the quality of their bluetooth connection (calls only) regardless of brand and distance from the phone?
I've purchased nearly 13 different bluetooth devices trying to fix this. Changing the distance from the actual handset (experimenting if there's a different to if the Hero is plugged in or not), the price of the bluetooth unit, what type it was (speaker phone unit only, carkit, headphones, ad2p or not, etc etc), and I still have a poor call quality call.
Reception isn't an issue, I've tried from full bars to almost no bars, and in every instance, when I disconnected the bluetooth and went back to using either speakerphone, headphones, or directly on the device, the noise went away.
You can only hear the noise when the remote party speaks, and it really sounds like the old analog bag phones in bad reception. Is there anything as far as changing settings on the bluetooth to improve the audio quality?
not really. the BT module sends information to the receiver and the receiver decodes that into audio. so you cant really set an EQ for BT with android at least so it basically depends on the receiving unit. while music is playing turn the volume down to 75% on the phone and thats the best quality you will get. im an audiophile and it works for me.
I have a Plantonics Stereo BT.
It works great on my Hero... Much better than my HTC Diamond!
Haven't had any trouble from my Jawbone 1. The sound quality isn't as good as it was on my TP, TP2 or Pre but it's ok. Haven't had any weird noises. But it does randomly disconnect from my Hero. Well the phone says it is still connected but I get no call notifications through it and when I answer, the audio is through the handset. Even right after I finish talking to someone through the BT. Gonna have to chalk it up to the Hero cause I've had no issuse with it on any other phones. Best BT ever in my opinion.
Yeah, I don't know. I have used the Jawbone II, Jawbone Prime, Moto H12, Moto H790, and Plantronics Voyager Pro all with no problems in sound quality, also audio quality is very important to me because I do have some hearing loss. My call quality with the Hero isn't quite as good as with my old Blackberry Curve, but it is still very functional as I use it at least an hour everyday. If you have gone through that many headsets it is quite possibly the device itself.
I don't know, I have 3 Hero's and I honestly don't like the quality of sound on any of them. One of them is just straight stock. I just wish I could get it with a clear quality as my old dumbphones have. I think I've been helped to discover the answer to my question, thank you all!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Oh I'm so sorry I wasn't trying to to that..... but as I was saying when playing my music throgh my car radio with bluethooth my music plays like a cd and it skips? I don't know if its the car radio or my G2 anybody else have this problem???
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Try turning off WiFi, if it's on. Otherwise it may be a compatibility issue with the bluetooth receiver in your car.
Try some google searches for "music skipping bluetooth" and you'll find TONS of information on this problem. It's probably not your G2, because I use bluetooth in my car everyday and never have ANY issues with music skipping.
What type of bluetooth receiver / stereo are you using?
Don't know if it's related, but I get the same issue with a stereo BT headset, listening to music and just walking. If the phone is in my hip or thigh pockets, the music will skip while I'm in motion. If in my inner jacket pocket or breast pocket, it's fine. Also if I simply stand *still* the skipping goes away. Eliminated 'a loose component' from the mix by just holding it in my hand.. soon as my body passes between the phone and the handset (swinging smoothly with each step) the skipping starts. Also, if it's just playing through the built-in speaker it has zero problem (aside from being tinny and quiet).
I suspect that the signal strength management may be overly-aggressive in cutting down on transmit power as fast as possible to save battery, and doesn't ramp back up well.. if the phone is stationary, I can get a good 60-100 feet from it before the sound starts to drop out/chop. You may just be going through patches of RF interference on the BT band level, and getting similar interference/attenuation as you drive.
Hoping the new radio version with the upcoming OTA may fix this problem (and maybe the wifi attenuation issue too, while we're hoping for things).
Is there any way to fix the bluetooth audio quality other than switching to a CM-based ROM?
My old phone over bluetooth sounds fine. My S4 via a wired connection sounds fine. My S4 over bluetooth sounds like everything was sampled at 32 kHz. All other equipment is the same, so I'm relatively sure it's a bluetooth-specific issue. My girlfriend's S4 does the same thing.
So, any fixes? I'd really like to avoid switching to an aftermarket ROM right now.
Edit: L337 on AT&T
Tourney3p0 said:
Is there any way to fix the bluetooth audio quality other than switching to a CM-based ROM?
My old phone over bluetooth sounds fine. My S4 via a wired connection sounds fine. My S4 over bluetooth sounds like everything was sampled at 32 kHz. All other equipment is the same, so I'm relatively sure it's a bluetooth-specific issue. My girlfriend's S4 does the same thing.
So, any fixes? I'd really like to avoid switching to an aftermarket ROM right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Random guess: Could this issue be caused by the adaptive sound feature? I'm not a true audiophile, but I haven't noticed a problem through my receiver in the car or at home.
Try playing something with cymbals and a lot of treble. Turn the volume up a bit higher than normal while still maintaining a reasonable level. The cymbals sound like someone is smacking a plastic grocery bag with a stick instead of being crisp and clean like they should be. I can then disconnect the S4, connect my old phone, and play the same mp3 without any sound distortion. Or I can play the same mp3 from the S4 via aux and it sounds fine.
Try it on both bluetooth and aux. If you truly don't notice a difference, I guess it must just be my phone. If it does do it however, you definitely don't need to be an audiophile to hear it.
My old phone had the exact same problem until I moved to JB on a CM build. The problem there is well-documented as existing on the S3 (try looking up bitpool settings), but I kind of figured they would have fixed it by now. I'm coming from the world of HTC, so I was hoping there is a fix for Samsung.
Sorry to revive this thread, but I have an update.
My car has built-in bluetooth for phone only, so no a2dp. I have a third-party bluetooth adapter that I'm using for music.
I've found that when both of these are connected, the audio quality (especially on trebles and guitars with distortion) is absolutely terrible. That was the point of my original post. Since then, I've determined that this happens ONLY when I am paired with both my car and my third-party bluetooth. I can actually pair and unpair from my car in real time and hear the audio quality immediately get better/worse. The quality gets worse immediately when it pairs, even if the car bluetooth is not in use (but still connected).
I've verified this is the case with both my phone and my girlfriend's S4. Can anyone with such a setup verify this does or does not happen for them? I'm thinking this is a bug with the bluetooth stack, and it'd be nice if it could be fixed. If anyone can try pairing to two different devices and confirm my problem, I'll start a bug report with Samsung. Otherwise I'll try another bluetooth adapter for a2dp.