Car FM modulator with bluetooth

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zerkms

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#153484 28-Sep-2014 20:36

Guys,

do any of you use some FM modulator that can connect to mobile via bluetooth?

I've noticed that usually they only use bluetooth to accept calls (to act as a hands free) but not for music broadcasting.

So, do you know any particular (and not extremely expensive) model?

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#1143112 28-Sep-2014 20:44

I have tried FM before in a car when it had the crap factory stereo with no aux in, and it has always been aweful. You didnt say where in the country you are, but at least in Auckland there is only one spot that is far enough away from anything else to have a chance of working - 103.00 Mhz, and even then there is still quite a bit of noisefloor which makes it barely work with the low power output that any legal FM transmitter has.

Now, if you get one from DX or aliexpress etc that is not legal because it is way too high power, then it will work ok, but that is entirely up to you to choose to go that route.

Richard rich.ms

zerkms

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#1143117 28-Sep-2014 20:56

Now, if you get one from DX or aliexpress etc that is not legal because it is way too high power, then it will work ok, but that is entirely up to you to choose to go that route.

Oh :-S I'm not going to break the law intentionally. From the other hand - tried to check random lots on ebay and they don't specify the transmitter power :-S

Yabanize

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#1143168 28-Sep-2014 22:00

Does your radio have a tape player?

zerkms

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#1143170 28-Sep-2014 22:02

Yabanize: Does your radio have a tape player?

nope. Doesn't have AUX either.

Yabanize

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#1143212 28-Sep-2014 23:31

Just get a new head unit, with bluetooth, aux and usb :P

zerkms

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#1143213 28-Sep-2014 23:33

Yabanize: Just get a new head unit, with bluetooth, aux and usb :P

I expected this as a first answer actually, haha :-)

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chevrolux

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#1143233 29-Sep-2014 07:52

I put in a 'GTA Car Kits' Bluetooth/ipod/aux adapter in to my Accord because Honda wanted $400 to get a new piece of dashboard that removed the non-standard stereo/AC control to give a DIN socket.

Was about $200 for the kit a d was extremely easy to wire in. Works very well too for both music and hands-free. They have kits for heaps of different models.

afe66

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#1143467 29-Sep-2014 12:00

I bought one from China for $20 so I could bluetooth music from my phone to FM radio.
But for some stupid reason it would only transmit phone audio not media so not useful.

I could plug the phone into the adapter via 3.5km plug but that would be too far from phone holder.

Stuck with old school AAA battery powered transmitter.

A.

Wade

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#1143567 29-Sep-2014 14:23

I'm not sure what there is in the way of FM modulators that allow aux in but surely there will be something, as far as getting bluetooth handsfree and streaming audio to it I would thoroughly recommend the Kinivo BTC450, works just as you would expect, has a simple button to answer calls & skip songs back and forth, and is one of the few of its kind to support Apt-X

My car has Aux in w2hich simplified matters and other than havign to switch to aux input to answer a call it functions and feels like a built in solution, it seamlessly hands over calls between phone and car without problem... really i cant fault it for the price (was about NZD70 or whatever it cost to ship from USA)

richms

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#1143585 29-Sep-2014 15:02

Many factory stereos have an aux in which the proper kits will activate with some propriatory protocol, parrot are one of the better ones at having a lot of integration with factory stuff.

A true FM modulator goes behind the dash inline with the antenna and will switch over when needed so that there isnt any need for a particually clean channel. The problem is all the $10 aliexpress stuff call them modulaotrs when they are really just FM transmitters.

Richard rich.ms

1eStar

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#1145212 1-Oct-2014 23:08

Jabra Freeway. Pbtech still had some in stock last time i looked for $150. The inbuilt speakers are sensational given their size. I've used mine more on its own speakers rather than the fm transmit cos it sounds better

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afe66

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#1219436 21-Jan-2015 20:12

Last month I bought one of these devices. After a month or so, its working well.

Primary use is to stream Spotify/podcasts from my htc one (m7) to my radio via blue tooth. I particularly like how its plus into the cigarette lighter socket so no chance of flat batteries. Its also got a 3.5mm socket and a USB to power/charge phone. (although by phone sits in a separate charger/car kit).

Doesn't ship to nz so bought from re seller on US eBay for about $NZ110.

http://www.gogroove.com/GOgroove-FlexSMART-X3-Bluetooth-FM-Transmitter-for-Wireless-In-Car-Handsfree-Calling-Audio-Music-Playback-USB-Charging-pid10389

adida101

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#1219600 21-Jan-2015 23:44

Another decent option is the belkin: http://www.belkin.com/au/p/P-F8M117/

Can buy it in NZ too for a bit cheaper than the gogroove.
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=1282297

afe66

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#1219763 22-Jan-2015 09:02

Yes, other options are available, but I thought I'd update the post as I had found a device I was happy with.

Cost difference between the one I bought at $110 (postage included) to the Bekin device is small enough that it wouldn't sway me, but the long cable on the Bekin is a definite turn off.

A.

ubergeeknz

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#1219784 22-Jan-2015 09:11

afe66: 3.5km plug

Now THAT'S a plug!

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