[iCaptnSpaulding]

I've looked at these FM transmitters and heard many say they are poor.
I've also looked at the prices of head units from Argos and Halfords, and the ones that mention iPods are very expensive, but some cheaper models do come with AUX ports and USB ports. Would this work?

I only want to listen to music, and perhaps when I get a decent Sat Nav app, listen to the instructions through the speakers.

Can anyone recommend anything decent? Obviously want to spend as little as possible.

Thanks

[steved35]

a decent fm transmitter will set you back £30-£50 and they just plug into your cigarette lighter. Although a new head unit with AUX will set you back £70+ but the sound will be much clearer. also i would reccomend a cheap cradle/charger for the sat nav app (£5 off ebay).

[foxxes]

I would recommend going the head unit route. i tried fm transmitters and they were rubbsih and can be very expensive to get a half decent one.

I got a sony head unit from ebay for about £60, which has bluetooth and this works amazingly!

[iCaptnSpaulding]

So the iPhone can support audio via Bluetooth then? I wasn't too sure seeing as you can't transfer files.
Would this also work with Sat Nav apps?

£60 is really good. This is about the maximum I'd want to pay though for the amount we use the car.

[niall@inkything]

I've got a top of the range Griffin FM transmitter cradle and it is a pain in the ar5e to use, especially in London where the airwaves are crowded. Go for the Aux input option every time.

[Pistol1]

A head unit with aux input or Bluetooth audio will provide great sound quality, but if you can get a head unit with full iPod integration (i.e. a dock connector cable instead of just a headphone socket aux-in) you will also be able to charge the iPhone AND control the music via the stereo :D

[ste v p]

Originally Posted by Pistol1

A head unit with aux input or Bluetooth audio will provide great sound quality, but if you can get a head unit with full iPod integration (i.e. a dock connector cable instead of just a headphone socket aux-in) you will also be able to charge the iPhone AND control the music via the stereo :D

Any suggestions on these and probable cost? Parrot?

[Wee Steve]

I have this one

Sony MEX-BT2600 Bluetooth CD Tuner: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

And it works a treat with bluetooth audio and handsfree calling. Can't control the music through the stereo though, you still need to use the controls on the phone, which is the only drawback.

I also paid less than £100 for it so I'm sure if you shopped around you could get it for less than it's listed there.

[foxxes]

Originally Posted by CaptnSpaulding

So the iPhone can support audio via Bluetooth then? I wasn't too sure seeing as you can't transfer files.
Would this also work with Sat Nav apps?

£60 is really good. This is about the maximum I'd want to pay though for the amount we use the car.

yup the 3.0 firmware enable the bluetooth to work with car stereos

i have navigon satnav on the iphone and that plays through the speakers no problem.

Originally Posted by Wee Steve

I have this one

Sony MEX-BT2600 Bluetooth CD Tuner: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

And it works a treat with bluetooth audio and handsfree calling. Can't control the music through the stereo though, you still need to use the controls on the phone, which is the only drawback.

I also paid less than £100 for it so I'm sure if you shopped around you could get it for less than it's listed there.

thats actually the one i've got too, works great

[jerryjal]

I went down the double din unit route.

They are more expensive but once you have added the iphone connector you will (IMO) not need or want anything else


Audio 66: Kenwood DNX8220BT Only £899.99 Car Entertainment DNX8220BT


KENWOOD KCA-IP301V iPod Video Direct Cable*::*In-car accessories*::*In-car entertainment*::*Audio*::*ComWales

[iCaptnSpaulding]

Originally Posted by jerryjal

I went down the double din unit route.

They are more expensive but once you have added the iphone connector you will (IMO) not need or want anything else


Audio 66: Kenwood DNX8220BT Only £899.99 Car Entertainment DNX8220BT


KENWOOD KCA-IP301V iPod Video Direct Cable*::*In-car accessories*::*In-car entertainment*::*Audio*::*ComWales

Sod that!! That's worth more than the car!!!

[jerryjal]

Originally Posted by CaptnSpaulding

Sod that!! That's worth more than the car!!!

Being a cabbie i think it was worthwhile but you are right, it is not cheap!!

[iCaptnSpaulding]

Something like this?

Buy Panasonic CQRX300 in Car BT USB CD Radio. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

[mr starface]

I bought the Alpine CDE104Btii for exactly this purpose - Alpine CDE 104BTi Bluetooth iPod USB MP3 WMA AAC Car Audio Receiver -

Very happy with it and integrates perfectly with the iphone. Have full control over the phone from the stereo itself so can use playlists, search functions etc and also hear the voice for sat nav crystal clear with no interruption over the music/radio.

Can also make/receive calls via the built in bluetooth so the perfect solution for me

[sneeks]

Originally Posted by mr starface

I bought the Alpine CDE104Btii for exactly this purpose - Alpine CDE 104BTi Bluetooth iPod USB MP3 WMA AAC Car Audio Receiver -

That is the headunit I am planning on buying to replace my iDA-X001,

[hot-fuzz]

Originally Posted by mr starface

I bought the Alpine CDE104Btii for exactly this purpose - Alpine CDE 104BTi Bluetooth iPod USB MP3 WMA AAC Car Audio Receiver -

Very happy with it and integrates perfectly with the iphone. Have full control over the phone from the stereo itself so can use playlists, search functions etc and also hear the voice for sat nav crystal clear with no interruption over the music/radio.

Can also make/receive calls via the built in bluetooth so the perfect solution for me

Ive been lookin gat this stereo too.
Can i ask if you have got the extra cable that is iphone specific (KCE-433iv), or can you control it all from the HU using BT ?? The cable charges aswell which would be very iseful

I got a cheapo FM transmitter coming and if it doesnt work im going down this route. Basic HU in the punto is rubbish.

[mr starface]

The unit comes with the full speed iphone/ipod cable meaning you have no need to touch the phone at all for music/calls.

The bluetooth part is for calls only, rest is controlled through the cable.

[simon69c]

Yeah the 104BTi comes with the cable. The 103BT (which is basically the exact same unit just with a different trim colour and different lighting) doesn't come with the cable but is cheaper than the 104BTi by about the cost of the cable - so just get which of them you prefer the look of and if it's the 103BT then get the cable too and it should be the same price as the 104BTi. Functionally they are identical (though where the 103BT can change lighting colour, I'm not sure the 104BTi can).

Very pleased with mine though (103BT + the cable).

[hot-fuzz]

Well, i just took delivery of the AllKit from Ebay (£16 deliverd in 3 days) and it is brilliant.
I set it up, snug fit in the cig socket and bendy enough to be able to put is going away from my knee and up toward the stereo.
It is in line with my old Brodit mount which i can now sell and stays in position very well.
It also fits the iPhone with my Switcheasy Rebel case.

I then tuned my radio into Radio 2 as i thought that might have one of the strongest signals in my area.
Then tuned the AllKit into the same station and BAM the iphone started playing. I turned it off and Radio 2 started blaring out, so the strength of the FM transmitter is incredible.

Put the ipod on and put the volume right up and was extremely loud even when my stereo wasnt, so am able to turn the iphone down so save the crackling of my speakers and have my stereo at "normal" volume.

And to top it off it also charges the iPhone.

It is by far and away the best accessory i have bought for the iPhone and at £16 has definatley put me off a new HU.

[Pistol1]

Originally Posted by Spaced_K

Well, i just took delivery of the AllKit from Ebay (£16 deliverd in 3 days) and it is brilliant.
I set it up, snug fit in the cig socket and bendy enough to be able to put is going away from my knee and up toward the stereo.
It is in line with my old Brodit mount which i can now sell and stays in position very well.
It also fits the iPhone with my Switcheasy Rebel case.

I then tuned my radio into Radio 2 as i thought that might have one of the strongest signals in my area.
Then tuned the AllKit into the same station and BAM the iphone started playing. I turned it off and Radio 2 started blaring out, so the strength of the FM transmitter is incredible.

Put the ipod on and put the volume right up and was extremely loud even when my stereo wasnt, so am able to turn the iphone down so save the crackling of my speakers and have my stereo at "normal" volume.

And to top it off it also charges the iPhone.

It is by far and away the best accessory i have bought for the iPhone and at £16 has definatley put me off a new HU.

If you're selling your Brodit, give me a heads-up as I'm looking to buy one for my 3GS!

[peter_betts]

Hi Spaced_k,

What is the username of the ebay guy you bought it off?, it looks just like what I need.

Pete

[hot-fuzz]

Originally Posted by Pistol1

If you're selling your Brodit, give me a heads-up as I'm looking to buy one for my 3GS!

OK mate, PM replied too. Not sure if its the one you want though, its specifically for a Reanult Scenic 03 plate.

Originally Posted by peter_betts

Hi Spaced_k,

What is the username of the ebay guy you bought it off?, it looks just like what I need.

Pete

There are loads of sellers that do it, but the one i got it from is called "mobilecables0132". 3 day turn around and good comms.

[wormvortex]

I use an FM transmitter with my old iPod and while it works well, the sound isn't amazing and whenever I drive near to or around London I have to keep retuning it to different frequencies. But then it did cost £10 so can't complain and can't really customise my work Van with a new head unit

[neuty]

What about the Motorola T505

Seems this will stream Bluetooth music and calls to your radio.

Neuty

[hot-fuzz]

Originally Posted by neuty

What about the Motorola T505

Seems this will stream Bluetooth music and calls to your radio.

Neuty

Hey, would that work with the new TomTom Mount which only allows music to be played through your speakers via a 3.5mm jack? As my stereo doesnt have a socket for that.

[ash]

OP what car do you have, exact model and year? I can have a look to see if there's a solution for the factory fitted head unit.

[rockstar6662]

Originally Posted by mr starface

I bought the Alpine CDE104Btii for exactly this purpose - Alpine CDE 104BTi Bluetooth iPod USB MP3 WMA AAC Car Audio Receiver -

Very happy with it and integrates perfectly with the iphone. Have full control over the phone from the stereo itself so can use playlists, search functions etc and also hear the voice for sat nav crystal clear with no interruption over the music/radio.

Can also make/receive calls via the built in bluetooth so the perfect solution for me

Can I just clarify if I understand this correctly please. With that unit, do you get the voice directions from your iphone sat nav app coming over the speakers even if you were just listening to the radio or cd, or do you have to have it on an input where your streaming music from the phone?

Sorry if I'm being thick, just want to be sure. Most of the FM type solutions require you to be listening to music from the phone. I'd quite like something that allowed you to listen to any source and then it breaks in to that which if I understand right, the parrot stuff does. Just not clear if that's how this unit works.

thanks.

[plaver]

I've been looking at picking up one these, Sony MEX-BT5000. Anyone have an opinion on this one, good or bad. Thanks

[smithersmk]

My car has an Aux in. But its in a rubbish location and I'm not happy running the cable half away across the car. Is there some sort of bluetooth adapter i could plug into the aux and use bluetooth audio? Maybe bluetooth headphones would do the trick?

[hot-fuzz]

Ive also been looking at the IO Play Kit and the Motorokr T505, but both are around £60 and id need to upgrade my HU for that which is another £100 +.
Think im going to stick to the £16 Ebay jobby til the TomTom mount comes along and re-assess it from there.

Neither need a aux cable, but run off bluetooth.