Car: Bluetooth to 3.5mm jack

Delvis · 15 Apr 2018 at 21:00

EDIT: Went for my initial option: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/31759775/

Hi all,

I have a Ford focus, it has no Bluetooth on a 3.5mm jackfor listen to music from a phone etc, rather than paying a small fortune to replace the inbuilt stereo just so I can get Bluetooth built in or USB connectivity, I was hoping I can find a Bluetooth to 3.5mm jack job.

I've seen the below and it seems to tick the boxes, but I don't need the voice call functionality:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-input/dp/B009NLTW60?th=1&psc=1

Before I buy this, has anyone else found something that works and is decent? There are a few reviews about hissing but overall reviews seems okay.

Anything else people can recommend?

HouR · 15 Apr 2018 at 21:30

It probably going to be a pain for most people but I am used to it now.
I use a chromecast audio in my car.
Issue is my car has built in bluetooth for phone but wont stream music.
So everytime I get in the car I turn my hotspot on and can then stream to the car.
Quality is very good however its probably not the easiest method to go with.

Delvis · 15 Apr 2018 at 21:51

HouR said:
It probably going to be a pain for most people but I am used to it now.
I use a chromecast audio in my car.
Issue is my car has built in bluetooth for phone but wont stream music.
So everytime I get in the car I turn my hotspot on and can then stream to the car.
Quality is very good however its probably not the easiest method to go with.

Ahhhh okay. I'd have to plug it into a usb off of a cig lighter hobby.

Worth considering though, thanks , it's also definitely a decent bit of kit!

HouR · 15 Apr 2018 at 22:01

yeah, I am lucky in the sense the V70 has a usb port and audio jack in the centre arm rest so its all in together.
Be warned when I looked this up people had mixed results having the same phone presenting the WiFi network and streaming to the chromecast. But it works from my iphone7 currently.

Raymond Lin · 15 Apr 2018 at 22:07

Delvis said:
Hi all,

I have a Ford focus, it has no Bluetooth on a 3.5mm jackfor listen to music from a phone etc, rather than paying a small fortune to replace the inbuilt stereo just so I can get Bluetooth built in or USB connectivity, I was hoping I can find a Bluetooth to 3.5mm jack job.

I've seen the below and it seems to tick the boxes, but I don't need the voice call functionality:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-input/dp/B009NLTW60?th=1&psc=1

Before I buy this, has anyone else found something that works and is decent? There are a few reviews about hissing but overall reviews seems okay.

Anything else people can recommend?

I have something similar but it has a regular USB lead as opposed to built into the 12v adaptor.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=546RNRJ3WNN55JTE3DJ8

It works, when you turn on the car it pairs and connects, the sound "device connected" comes on the car speaker. Then you press the middle button on the round thing and it plays whatever your media player on the phone is playing at the same time.

When you turn off the car it disconnect and the media on the phone stops playing too.

Also note that everything from the phone will come out of car speaker, like Waze or phone calls but obviously the mic is at the bluetooth unit, not your phone.

Delvis · 15 Apr 2018 at 22:13

Thanks @Raymond Lin - shall take a peak.

Wanted something that doesn't really require an extra 12v to usb, but it's worth considering.

Raymond Lin · 15 Apr 2018 at 22:32

Delvis said:
Thanks @Raymond Lin - shall take a peak.

Wanted something that doesn't really require an extra 12v to usb, but it's worth considering.

I have a 12v behind the arm rest where I put a 3 way USB and connect this Bluetooth adaptor and both dashcam to it, being facing the rear seats it’s out of the way.

Mart2912 · 16 Apr 2018 at 01:13

Delvis said:
Hi all,

I have a Ford focus, it has no Bluetooth on a 3.5mm jackfor listen to music from a phone etc, rather than paying a small fortune to replace the inbuilt stereo just so I can get Bluetooth built in or USB connectivity, I was hoping I can find a Bluetooth to 3.5mm jack job.

I've seen the below and it seems to tick the boxes, but I don't need the voice call functionality:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinivo-BTC450-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-input/dp/B009NLTW60?th=1&psc=1

Before I buy this, has anyone else found something that works and is decent? There are a few reviews about hissing but overall reviews seems okay.

Anything else people can recommend?

That's the very one I use. Audio quality is very good and it will automatically connect to your phone once setup and in range. There may be better/more ideal solutions, but for the price, I can't complain!

jpaul · 16 Apr 2018 at 08:20

HouR said:
Be warned when I looked this up people had mixed results having the same phone presenting the WiFi network and streaming to the chromecast. But it works from my iphone7 currently.

did you need a particular app to stream your home media from iphone ?
(was thinking you may need plex for a windows tablet, anyway)

if your phone supports sending it, for BT solution, I would be looking at 3.5mm receiver with apt-x, or ability to receive aac/mp3(&m4a?) bitstream, since vanilla quality via BT is poorer(like sub 200kbs mp3) avantree have/had some models

AndyCr15 · 16 Apr 2018 at 08:31

Raymond Lin said:
I have something similar but it has a regular USB lead as opposed to built into the 12v adaptor.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=546RNRJ3WNN55JTE3DJ8

It works, when you turn on the car it pairs and connects, the sound "device connected" comes on the car speaker. Then you press the middle button on the round thing and it plays whatever your media player on the phone is playing at the same time.

When you turn off the car it disconnect and the media on the phone stops playing too.

Also note that everything from the phone will come out of car speaker, like Waze or phone calls but obviously the mic is at the bluetooth unit, not your phone.

This is what I have, love it -

Cleisthenes · 16 Apr 2018 at 08:45

I bought one of these, albeit in black: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01HXXJPWK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works brilliantly and nothing else comes close for being as discrete! I thought it was a bit steep but given the good reviews I thought it was worth a punt, and it was

jpaul · 16 Apr 2018 at 19:10

(had not heard of) firefly looks good if you have an iphone, and must have aac BT codec support, conversely for android need aptx,
but apparently android will soon support aac.
... is there a car 3.5mm car dongle that supports both ?

Cleisthenes · 16 Apr 2018 at 22:10

jpaul said:
(had not heard of) firefly looks good if you have an iphone, and must have aac BT codec support, conversely for android need aptx,
but apparently android will soon support aac.
... is there a car 3.5mm car dongle that supports both ?

I use it with my Pixel 2, I'm not sure what you mean

HouR · 16 Apr 2018 at 22:42

jpaul said:
did you need a particular app to stream your home media from iphone ?
(was thinking you may need plex for a windows tablet, anyway)
...

I just stream music from google play music to the chromecast so no special app. Apple apps are hit an miss, the podcast one wont stream to the chromecast but i could probably d/l a 3rd party app that would.

jpaul · 16 Apr 2018 at 23:11

Cleisthenes said:
I use it with my Pixel 2, I'm not sure what you mean

when you use the firefly what codec does your pixel use eg. see below

If you have a Pixel, if you look at your bluetooth devices you can click the gear and it'll show "Use HD Audio" as an option, if your device is connected it'll also show the codec in use. https://imgur.com/a/vzwlA
Alternatively you can look in developer options, it'll also show codec in use there too.

also see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bluetooth_profiles#Advanced_Audio_Distribution_Profile_(A2DP)

HouR said:
I just stream music from google play music to the chromecast so no special app. Apple apps are hit an miss, the podcast one wont stream to the chromecast but i could probably d/l a 3rd party app that would.

will it cast in flac, if the source media is in flac, or does it transcode ? - if it streams flac that will be exploitig the chromecast to the maximum

Raymond Lin · 16 Apr 2018 at 23:20

Cleisthenes said:
I bought one of these, albeit in black: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01HXXJPWK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works brilliantly and nothing else comes close for being as discrete! I thought it was a bit steep but given the good reviews I thought it was worth a punt, and it was

How long is the cable? I need probably 30cm.

I guess the downside is the one I got, I don't need to get my phone out, if I was listening to a podcast, get out of the car, get back in, my phone can stay in my pocket and Press play on the adaptor and it'll play the podcast again.

Cleisthenes · 17 Apr 2018 at 11:08

Raymond Lin said:
How long is the cable? I need probably 30cm.

I guess the downside is the one I got, I don't need to get my phone out, if I was listening to a podcast, get out of the car, get back in, my phone can stay in my pocket and Press play on the adaptor and it'll play the podcast again.

It's literally about 10cm, perhaps even less. ideal for me as the power and aux are right next to each other. I think there's an extension though, I'd have to check

DAIR · 17 Apr 2018 at 11:55

What phone are you using these with?

I currently have this - ViseeO Tune2Air WMA3000B Bluetooth Adapter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00R3ABHXY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YhD1Ab5DCQWH5

Worked perfectly fine with my Pixel 1. Not so well with my new Pixel 2. So im now on the lookout for an alternative.

DAIR · 17 Apr 2018 at 11:56

Cleisthenes said:
I use it with my Pixel 2, I'm not sure what you mean

Pixel 2 user!

Will give this a try.

enkoda · 17 Apr 2018 at 20:29

I got this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0...L65&keywords=taotronics+bluetooth+transmitter and does the job.