short review of.aftermarket blueooth adapter for car audio

[eclypsecl]

I bought the Kinivio btc450 hands free car kit on amazon for 40 bucks because my car doesn't have any bluetooth at all. I got tired of a million cords sticking out of my phone while navigating waze, online radio, and trying to drive.

The audio it's super clear, I was actually amazed. For some reason it sounded clearer than a regular stereo cord in the aux port. Unit connects in the armrest to cigarette lighter, other end into aux. The wire is pretty long and actually comes with an extension cord. I am definitely going to think about mounting it somewhere, maybe near the sunglasses box.

It has controls to skip, go back etc, phone calls are finally clear. No more speaker phone. The only negative I have is with the cord. I feel like it's very delicate and will tear easy or melt in hot weather combined with direct sunlight. It's so thin a nick could tear it. But for 40 bucks who cares.

 

[Skorpio]

I bought that exact same bluetooth for my last car, and still carry it around in my backpack, just in case. I actually tried it out on my Bose bluetooth. Here's what I found different than the OEM bluetooth- it's seemed a lot louder at the same volume and had good sound, but no artist or information showed up in the display. But, here is one positive it has over the stock Mazda unit- it starts playing the music RIGHT AWAY after it connects (5 seconds or so). It's a good lil bluetooth for the money for those without a factory version.

 

[eclypsecl]

I agree with the volume part, definitely noticed I wasn't cranking the volume up as high anymore. That resulted in a lot less electric hissing and noise for me. I heard some cars require a ground loop isolator, luckily our cars don't. My phablet is usually mounted on the dash and the screen is always on, so anything I need to see is displayed.

 

[danieljw]

Probably not a big deal for this kind of device but just be aware the the 12V under the armrest does not switch with ignition. It is always live and could hypthetically drain your battery if the vehicle sits for long enough.

 

[Skorpio]

I agree with the volume part, definitely noticed I wasn't cranking the volume up as high anymore. That resulted in a lot less electric hissing and noise for me. I heard some cars require a ground loop isolator, luckily our cars don't. My phablet is usually mounted on the dash and the screen is always on, so anything I need to see is displayed.

I hear ya. I had an ipad mini retina mounted in the Honda with the Kinivo. That solved my display problem too (thumb). I was just experimenting in the Bose equipped CX-5 because I had it available and wanted to see what differences between it and factory. The Kinivo seems to be better than factory as far as connectivity, sound and speed (ugh)

 

[eclypsecl]

 

[eclypsecl]

Thankfully in between the cigarette lighter and audio jack in arm rest is a square opening and requires no cutting to fish cord through..so I just fished the audio cord extension through that slot. If anyone else wants to try it, toss the bluetooth adapter through the cuby hole and fish it up through the kickpanel. It's much easier than trying to fish the tiny audio cable and cigarette jack cord through the cuby hole.

 

[Skorpio]

Thankfully in between the cigarette lighter and audio jack in arm rest is a square opening and requires no cutting to fish cord through..so I just fished the audio cord extension through that slot. If anyone else wants to try it, toss the bluetooth adapter through the cuby hole and fish it up through the kickpanel. It's much easier than trying to fish the tiny audio cable and cigarette jack cord through the cuby hole.

Thanks for the "how to", that's exactly where I put the Kinivo in my Civic. Easy to control and reach. Have you used it for a phone call yet?