• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Bluetooth stereo for older car?

Hylian7

Member
GAF, I come to you in need of a recommendation. I got a Pixel 2 yesterday, and of course as you probably know, it doesn't have a headphone jack. Before, I used one of those cassette tape headphone jack adapters to use my phone to play music over my car's speakers. If anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about, one of these:

4175si0HgwL._SY300_.jpg

I have seen that a bluetooth cassette adapter is a thing that exists, but it looks like it has it's downsides, such as you have to keep it charged as well.

The option I'm looking into is to have a bluetooth system installed in my car, a 2002 Honda Civic.

A few things that factor in my decision:

- I'm not looking to do something crazy, I just want something to install in the center console.
- I imagine I'll only have this car for a few more years, but really unsure at this point. As of right now, buying a new car is sure as hell not an option.

So, any recommendations for what I should do? If an installed stereo is the option, any specific reccomendations for that? Thanks.
 

Woffls

Member
I just bought a thing that plugs into the cigarette lighter and connects to a phone with blutooth and transmits over FM. Might be an option? I have not yet used it so cannot attest to the output power or signal quality.
 

Hylian7

Member
Why not get something like this? Just plug it in the cigarette lighter and turn it to the radio signal its outputting.

It's an option I'm considering, although I do question how good FM transmitters are these days. The last time I used one was back when iPods were relevant, and they were just okay back then.
 

nadozza

Member
It's an option I'm considering, although I do question how good FM transmitters are these days. The last time I used one was back when iPods were relevant, and they were just okay back then.

We've got one, it works well enough as long as you can find a good, open frequency.
 

dhlt25

Member
yea one of those bluetooth FM radio thing. I have one and it works great, the hard part is finding the frequency with no interference from other stations.
 

dcll

Banned
Fm transmitters are trash, just buy a basic single din Pioneer Bluetooth stereo for $75 or so, you can get a touchscreen for around $200
 

Fliesen

Member
i have something similar to this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0176G5TRO/?tag=neogaf0e-20

4104cVrc%2BoL.jpg

(only with a cigarette plug instead of the USB)

The USB is for charging, the audio jack plugs into your car's AUX.

and it works like a charm. just stick the black disk somewhere on the dashboard, it's both the "accept call" button, but also a microphone, has a skip-forward and skip-back button for music controls. So you can literally leave your phone in your pocket.

Make sure that you don't leave it plugged in when you're not using the car, though, as most cars don't cut the cigarette plug's power when the ignition's off, which can and will drain your battery.


Wait - your car doesn't have an aux jack, otherwise you wouldn't have needed that tape adapter. My bad. Disregard my post.
 
Install a new stereo.

None of the adapter options are going to have the ability for you to stick/change track without looking at your phone.

The FM transmitter will not deliver consistent quality and you'll be wasting a charge slot, and I believe there's only one in that Civic model year...which should go to charging your phone.. The cassette options is the same in the sense you have to make sure it is charged when you need it.

I self-installed mine on my old civic for around ~$120 and Crutchfield.com offers plenty of options if you don't want to solder or need tray kits
 

SpecX

Member
Holy shit, I haven't see a cassette deck in a car in forever!

Why not get something like this? Just plug it in the cigarette lighter and turn it to the radio signal its outputting.
Also go with this, used something like it in my vehicle that only had a CD player with no aux jack or bluetooth and it works wonders.
 

RuGalz

Member
A basic stereo with BT is pretty cheap these days imo. I bought one for my 2000 Celica a couple years ago for like 80 bucks for a decent JVC unit and the reception is also better than my OEM one. Crutchfield sometimes give you free connectors and bracket for your car model. I would take a look there.
 

Hylian7

Member
Appreciate all the suggestions guys! My thinking with this thread that the headunit would be the way to go, but I would like recommendations on which one there.

However the suggestion below might be the winner.


Hmm, this might be the winner. I can still use the cassette adapter with that and use my phone with it. On top of that I can take it with me and use my old wired headphones with my phone.
 

Ovid

Member
I have an older vehicle like you and I recommend this:
CD Receiver with BLUETOOTH® Wireless Technology

https://www.sony.com/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/mex-gs620bt

Awesome features:

•Your music sounds great when streamed from your phone.

•Bluetooth automatically connects when your turn your car on.

•It also allows for Siri or Google Voice Control when you press the tuning button (hands-free).

•Works great when you use your phone as a GPS unit by automatically lowering the music allowing turn by turn navigation.

•Has two USB connectors -- one on the front and one that can be hidden in the glove box (I have my iPod connected to that one).

•You can customize the color of the display -- I have it set so that it's white during the day and dark blue at night.

Your car will literally be just like all of the newer cars on the road (tech wise).
 
Top Bottom