Bluetooth FM modulator thing

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Welly
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Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Welly »

Hello, I've never posted in this section before because I don't do technology but looking for advice:

I (my Kids) want to be able to play i-Phone type music through my car stereo. The car is a 2005 Volvo and has no Bluetooth or any Aux inputs. I believe I can use the stereo's FM tuner to pick up a signal from one of these 'ere Bluetooth things?

I've seen this little bobby-dazzler but will it be any good or does anyone else have any suggestions? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geartist-GB01-B ... TTCF9XAYGC

So to recap I want* to play music from an iPhone or iPad >>> to a traditional car stereo.
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steve_earwig
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by steve_earwig »

Does it have a CD changer port thingy? I have one of them there FM modulator things but there's so much garbage floating about here (aka Croatian music radio stations) that I had to disconnect the aerial and I still had to tune it to a bit where it wasn't picking up distorted garbage, sorry, music.
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Welly
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Welly »

CD changer port thingy? the multi-changer is buried behind the dash and has recently started acting up and not reading discs properly hence the move to an alternative music playing solution. I realise it may be a compromise but removing half the cars interior and sending the unit off for "repair" is not something I can be bothered with.

I'm sure I saw somewhere that traditional FM Radio is being turned off next year? or something.
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steve_earwig
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by steve_earwig »

Ah, maybe in the modern world. Here in the 1950's, on the other hand...

If the CD player's skippy then you have a port you're not using...

I've got one of those Connects2 things on the way for yoyoII, be interesting to see how it's better than the Yatour (i.e. a little or lots).
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benczuk
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by benczuk »

I had one of the fm thingies. Bloody awful. A faff to find clear frequency (radio 2 takes up a HUGE spectrum) then when you do find one the volume and sound quality was diabolical.

Some of the above may have been due to the price point, but I wouldn't recommend them.

They have been talking about turning FM off for years, and keep moving the date as the adoption level is so low.
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Welly
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Welly »

Oh, they sound sh*t.

Someone on the friendly* Volvo forum has a 'proper' hard wired doo-dad FM thingy which 'injects' straight into somewhere. Or something.

It's second hand and he wants 60 sheets for the whole kit, but reckons it's the bogs dollocks of FM/Blueteeth solutions. Might tap him up for more informations.
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Welly
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Welly »

Someone's only gone and made a modern replacement plug & play entertainment touch-screen thing for my car.

Check this out: http://www.bluepower.se/en/product/audi ... t-arm.html

Comes with a DVD player, rear camera, can pre-load up to 12 CD's into its brain and does a sh*t load of other stuff.

How much is 590 Euros in proper money?

I R TEMPT.
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jonsowman
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by jonsowman »

Wow that's nice. Euros are cheap at the moment, good time to buy!
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by steve_earwig »

590 Eurines is 412 squids (mid price, usual fees apply and all that). At that price I'd expect it to dispense fresh coffee as well :shock:
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Doggy
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Doggy »

.....enjoy your ride to the fullest. :supafrisk:

Looks good, but it also looks a bit like they're taking advance orders for something that's still under development.
(Makes me wonder what it will cost once they've got a few they haven't shifted).
Also the TV / Video bit could get you into trouble if it's not disabled while you're driving.

Tempting tho, as you say.
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Welly
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Welly »

I have to say over on the Volvo Forum they are *very* excited by this unit, one of whom even dropped their digestive biscuit after dunking it for too long in their Tea :shock:

One chappy has order one and has been told he's in 'production batch 3'. If I was a betting man and considering how many of these cars are in the USA etc I'd say they'd sell 'sh*t loads' of them.
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DaiRees
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by DaiRees »

That there bit of kit looks very good. If you're keeping the Wellymobile I'd be tempted too.

I also had one of them FM Modulator things, used to use it in the Suzuki which was so loud that I couldn't tell if it was any good. Tried it in the Pug, it was indeed shyte. I thought it was because the aerial was at the back of the roof so a long way from where it was transmitting, but in retrospect it probably was just shyte. Of course both of those there vehicles had tape decks so the old "cassette adapter with the wire hanging out of the slot" used to provide much better results.

I don't believe they'll actually turn off FM for a very long time yet, I know 2 people with 15 plate cars that don't have DAB radios (that amazes me!). I had a rented brand new Renault Megan for a few days last week, nice spec, half levvers, climate, cruise, nav.... no DAB! :roll:
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Doggy
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Doggy »

Come to think of it, I haven't heard anyone making positive comments about DAB in cars. Anybody know different?
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
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DaiRees
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by DaiRees »

Use mine all the time, there are a few spots around the Valleys where you lose reception but that applies to FM too. I believe it's a bit like digital TV where they broadcast different channels with different power levels, so you're likely to be able to pick up the national stuff such as the BBC channels where you might be out of range of the lesser, commercial channels.

Generally though, I'm a big fan, lovely sound quality and reception issues are very rare. In fact I hadn't listened to FM for a very long time before last week.
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Doggy
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Re: Bluetooth FM modulator thing

Post by Doggy »

Thanks, Dai.
Good to have a balanced view on these new fangled gismos. :D
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
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