Fm Car Audio Transmitter

LPharos5 on 15/04/2017 - 15:55

Recently my Belkin Car Audio Bluetooth transmitter stopped connecting to Bluetooth (http://www.belkin.com/au/support-product?pid=01t80000002wC3t…)

Belkin support says it's dead and I need to buy a new one- only problem is it's discontinued and they have no newer model. Of course I can just but another off ebay or something but I thought it'd be a good time to find something better.

Anyone have good experiences with something they can recommend? Just needs to be Bluetooth with acceptable audio quality.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • dylanando on 15/04/2017 - 16:19
    +2

    upgrade your headunit?

    • Pharos5 on 15/04/2017 - 18:38

      Yeah I've thought about it but I don't think the cost is worth it for just a bluetooth connection. Will be selling it within the next couple years.

      • spackbace on 15/04/2017 - 19:32

        $300 fitted for 2yrs of use sounds worthwhile to me

        • Pharos5 on 15/04/2017 - 21:52

          Really? I guess I might keep an eye out for deals in case I can't find a well-priced quality transmitter.

        • spackbace on 15/04/2017 - 22:59

          @Pharos5:

          Well it'd probably have better functionality, better microphone (as it's separate), and not to mention you'd also get USB, which I doubt your factory deck has

        • Pharos5 on 15/04/2017 - 23:59

          @Spackbace:

          All good points. You've definitely tempted me.

        • spackbace on 16/04/2017 - 00:16

          @Pharos5:

          What sort of car?

        • Pharos5 on 16/04/2017 - 01:07

          @Spackbace:

          Toyota Aurion. Mid-size 2007 sedan.

        • spackbace on 16/04/2017 - 01:23

          @Pharos5:

          Lol yeah I know the car :P

          I'm sure the next owner would appreciate the better deck, but you might need a fascia kit

        • Pharos5 on 16/04/2017 - 09:56

          @Spackbace:

          Noted

      • Shopaholicdesi on 16/04/2017 - 09:40
        +1

        I fixed the head unit myself which costed me ~130 by watching a YouTube video.
        I think its worth paying for the head unit than getting fines for holding a mobile to take a call while driving.

        • Pharos5 on 16/04/2017 - 09:57

          Well the alternatives aren't 'swap headset' vs 'hold phone'. With the transmitter I had I could answer calls hands free.

          Good to know about the pricing though. Thanks.

      • dylanando on 16/04/2017 - 10:28

        Defiantly worth it and the sound is much more clear. Ive spent my time fiddling around with fm transmitters and that pissed me off so much I purchased a new car lol. Jumping in your car and it connecting automatically is great. There fairly easy to install especially if you can find a plug and play headunit. Keep an eye out for one, They'll last much longer than a transmitter.

  • australiasquare on 15/04/2017 - 16:32
    +2

    You could google "Xiaomi Roidmi S2" - I had exactly the same requirement as yours, so ordered 1 from Zapals… 2 months later and still no parcel, so I ordered another one from eBay. (Zapals asked me to wait for 75 days before they will refund, so I am patiently waiting another 2 weeks).
    This product seems to do Bluetooth Audio to FM radio + hands free calls + USB charging sockets.
    However some cars' 12V sockets may be incompatible with this unit, where you may have to use multi-socket extensions. I still haven't received this unit so I can't comment on the quality yet.

    • InternetExplorer on 15/04/2017 - 17:40
      +1

      ^ This

      I have the first Roidmi and it has been going great for an year now. Its powering my GPS constantly and charging my phone. You need to have a cigarette lighter socket to power it though. Doesn't work with the cars which just have 12V output like my Ford Falcon. I had to build a adaptor to power it.

      • Pharos5 on 15/04/2017 - 18:39

        Oh okay sounds alright. I'll have a look in to it. Thanks for the suggestion.

  • Zoop on 15/04/2017 - 21:10

    Just received my Roidmi from a recent Gearbest deal.

    Sound quality is decent but still sounds like an FM radio.
    Slight static in the background constant. This is despite changing FM frequencies around and eventually settling on what I think was the best (99.9 mhz).
    Melbourne btw, please let me know if anyone has had better success with another channel.

    • InternetExplorer on 15/04/2017 - 22:00

      FM will be FM so don't expect AUX quality.

  • Stewardo on 15/04/2017 - 23:40

    I had an fm transmitter for a long time, ended up getting a long AUX cord from Jaycar
    Is annoying but more reliable

    • Pharos5 on 16/04/2017 - 10:00

      Unfortunately my car's radio was designed by the Amish so it doesn't even have an AUX. Just has a weird opening for something called "CDs"?

  • SharedSugar on 16/04/2017 - 13:19

    I've had a plantronics k100 for a long time now and it works well. The head unit upgrade or the roidme probably is a better option though. I did the head unit upgrade on a single din old car last year and it is a fun project. You can learn on YouTube and there can be a little soldering involved if you want.

  • HeWhoKnows on 16/04/2017 - 17:14

    Anything over $7-$8 on eBay is OK except for the one that Kogan sells. Piece of crap.

  • Brainwhacker on 14/07/2017 - 14:11

    Op - not sure if you have managed to find a solution; this might be an option for you without changing the whole unit:
    http://www.gtacarkits.com/product/toyota-camry-2007-2011-iph…

    • Pharos5 on 14/07/2017 - 18:06

      Ended up with a Xiaomi S2 and I'm happy with the quality. Thanks for the suggestion though, I'm sure it'll help anyone searching through forums.

      • Brainwhacker on 17/07/2017 - 12:15

        Thanks OP, and how do you find the audio quality via FM; Iam have the dash changed in the next two weeks so might go for this if the quality matches MP3. PS - I have the Belkin product and dont like the sound quality.

        • Pharos5 on 17/07/2017 - 14:07

          The sound quality is acceptable. Faaaar better than the Belkin, but IMO still not as good as a built in system or good aux.

          That said, it's super cheap and can be moved between cars.

        • Brainwhacker on 18/07/2017 - 14:43

          @Pharos5:
          Thanks

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