Cheap Bluetooth Options

[markeg]

My Nokia Bluetooth kit had recently given up working, so I was looking at alternatives (not for #108, but for the shed). In addition I thought that a thread that outlined other options would be useful for anyone that doesn't have music streaming or phone connectivity in their zeds.

I'll start the thread with an option I just took delivery today; a Roidmi Bluetooth 2S adapter and it's a great bit of kit. It's basically a cigarette lighter plug-in that gives Bluetooth connectivity and transmits on an FM channel - it also works as a dual USB charge point. It connected easily to my iPhone and allows music steaming (spotify worked a treat, as did Amazon, the standard music player and Tomtom's instructions ) but also gives phone connectivity - it has a built in mic with some decent noise filtering. The tuned FM Channel can be changed through the downloaded Roidmi app.

Looks like a cheap option for anyone without music and phone connectivity ... Link for anyone that's interested. The main site is here and the buy-it link will send you to the crowd funding page.

 

[Chris_D]

Dunno. Something about streaming through two protocols puts me off. Phone to transmitter via BT then relayed to radio via FM, kind of puts me off a bit. Can imagine it's hissy.
Somewhat pointless if you're streaming high quality FLAC or DSD files i think.
Whats the sq like?

 

[markeg]

Sound quality is surprisingly good - no hiss or distortion

 

[Ducklakeview]

I've always found the FM transmitter types to be poor, at best.

I fitted a Parrot CK3100 in mine, the one without the display, along with an SOT lead. Beauty of this being that the optional high range audio in mine feeds line level from the head unit SO the audio streamed from my phone is perfect, and utilises the car's amp rather than the weedy Parrot one, cost was less than £90 all in.

Mike

 

[Chris_D]

I suppose its a question of what you'd miss or not miss in terms of SQ.
Personally, I don't want to listen to anything less than 24bit 96kHz FLAC files and prefereably 32bit DSD files where I can. But the caveat to that is the SQ of the amplification, cables and speakers used in my zed.
I reckon the loss of SQ from the car's system would take away any gains from streaming/playing hi-res files.
What's the highest SQ you can stream TO your Parrot Ducklake? and whats an SOT cable?

 

[DPG]

I use one of those Parrot visor clip BT devices.

Sound quality is pretty good and the charge lasts ages.

Voice activation is pretty cool too.

 

[Ducklakeview]

I suppose its a question of what you'd miss or not miss in terms of SQ.
Personally, I don't want to listen to anything less than 24bit 96kHz FLAC files and prefereably 32bit DSD files where I can. But the caveat to that is the SQ of the amplification, cables and speakers used in my zed.
I reckon the loss of SQ from the car's system would take away any gains from streaming/playing hi-res files.
What's the highest SQ you can stream TO your Parrot Ducklake? and whats an SOT cable?

I generally stream 320k mp3's, an SOT cable is "Sound on Top" it's just an interface cable to connect the Parrot to the car's wiring without cutting anything.

Mike

 

[NeilP]

For a little more work (to fit) something like this would certainly give better quality and more convenience!