Bluetooth or no bluetooth

[ivawart]

that is the question!

I'm looking to get a new car stereo (to replace my micra's bog standard cassette radio) and was wondering if it's a good idea to get one with bluetooth built in, i.e to make calls?

anyone have any experience with bluetooth stereos? if so, is it worth shelling out the extra money or should i just get a half decent stereo and get a separate bluetooth kit?

also, what brand(s) would people recommend? I'm not too keen on the alpine range, just don't like the look of em.

and the chaps over at audiocar (local ice specialists) said to steer clear of sony stereos. I was told that they are too expensive and not any good; don't know if they were trying to steer me towards a brand that made them more money :suspect:

anyway, sorry for nattering on...and thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[Seb_]

Bluetooth devices use some dedicated FM waves to transmit sound, so you will have a rather bad quality compressed sound; like when you listen to the radio.
I think a good old cassette to mp3 (some suck badly, some deliver an ok sound, depending of the components inside and the quality/lenght of the jack wires) it would be easier, cheaper and even "superior" in audio quality in my humble opinion.
I recommend this brand:
http://www.hqproducts.com/eng/products/audiovideo//page_1/artl_CLP-003

Hope it helps

Seb

 

[ivawart]

I think a good old cassette to mp3 (some suck badly, some deliver an ok sound, depending of the components inside and the quality/lenght of the jack wires) it would be easier, cheaper and even "superior" in audio quality in my humble opinion.
I recommend this brand:
http://www.hqproducts.com/eng/products/audiovideo//page_1/artl_CLP-003

that's a good alternative, but all my audio is digital (mp3) and i'd sooner just plug in my usb stick with all my fav tracks on instead of burn a whole load of CDs; besides i should have also mentioned that the existing cassette radio is on its last legs so i'd sooner buy a usb based player instead. I was just wondering if i ought to look into getting a bluetooth one.

Bluetooth devices use some dedicated FM waves to transmit sound, so you will have a rather bad quality compressed sound; like when you listen to the radio.

but judging by what you're saying about the sound quality i might just go for a separate bluetooth kit

anyone have any ideas as to what brand/model might be good? maybe something you have personal experience with?

 

[Hugh]

You get what you pay for. Bluetooth for phone calls is fine, audiowise it depends on the quality of the sound source. I've used bluetooth enabled hu's on several ocassions as well as car kits and it all depends on what you pay. You won't get that much of a noticeable different is SQ unless you've got decent kit.