Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (Black)
by Sony
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (Black)
Customer Review: Best A2DP solution for iPhone - other than having it built-in
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been using this adapter for less than a week now, but I have to say that this is by far the best stereo bluetooth solution I've used with my iPhone (come on, Apple - what's the holdup with native A2DP?). I've tried out numerous other adapters, and have been underwhelmed with most of them. Previous offerings have been so poor that I've returned a large number of them after less than a day of use.
Before I bought the Sony, I had been using TEN technology's naviPlay adapter (no longer manufactured). Although good compared to many of the others I've used, its sheer bulk and the need to constantly charge it (with it sometimes "forgetting" that it had been charged) made it a far-from-perfect solution.
Sony's offering, on the other hand, is about as close to perfect as you can get. It's small, fits in the iPhone's docking port securely (my naviPlay didn't always keep a good connection), and uses the iPhone's battery for power. Of course, using the iPhone's battery raises concerns about having to charge the phone more. So far, I've been able to use my 1st generation iPhone and the adapter all day, without having to recharge. It was ridiculously easy to pair with my Motorola S9, and the range is actually better than the self-powered naviPlay. As is the case with other solutions, there is some occasional dropout when outdoors. This is more a limitation of A2DP, and not the device itself. Its black color makes it very unobtrusive, and its small profile makes it easy to use with a number of different case solutions (something I could not achieve with the naviPlay).
All in all, until Apple finally decides to enable A2DP natively, this is the best stereo bluetooth solution out there for the iPhone.
Customer Review: Compact and capable
Summary: 5 Stars
Among a few options, I chose this model because of (1) low physical profile and (2) no need to charge the adapter.
(1) This unit has very low profile (1.0 inch width), and it can be connected to the iPod in a protector case. I am not sure whether other less expensive adaptors have similarly low profile around the connector, but this unit easily connects to my iPod in a heavy duty case (iPod 5G in a Speck rubber case).
(2) This unit has its power supplied by the iPod's internal battery and it has no need to charge.
One observation. The bluetooth signal strength from this unit is pretty strong, about comparable to that from iMac, or a tad stronger. In my experience, bluetooth signal from MacPro is the weakest, followed by Macbook, and then iMac. In this scale, the radio signal from this unit is pretty strong. (There are several websites describing how to boost MacPro's bluetooth signal strength, but this mod was not applicable to my 2008 model, and so my MacPro is unmodified.)
Besides, this unit is very easy to use and pair with my headphone (Sony DR-BT50, which I also recommend, and have written a positive review on Amazon) and it provides excellent system together.
The negative points:
This unit sticks out from the iPod for about an inch. The connection is firm but it is not latched like the iPod USB cable, so it pulls out straight without having to push the unlatch button. This hasn't been an inconvenience but it could potentially be a source of annoyance.
Overall, this adapter will be very useful until a new model of iPod with built-in bluetooth support is released. I hope Apple will do so soon.
Customer Review: Who knew compact could be so powerful?
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this item with some trepidation. I have long been a connisuer of bluetooth technology, but none of the literature on this said for CERTAIN that it would work with iPhone. I have an old iPhone that I have unlocked and jailbroken, and I wanted a wireless way to listen to my music. I already had a pair of bluetooth headphones that worked as a voice portal, too (they would pause the music to let you recieve or make a call), but I worried that the two year old Motorola headset wouldn't work with this. Knowing Amazon's great return policy, I purchased anyway, and boy, am I glad I did. Now, for an extension to my iPhone about the size of a quarter, I can listen to streaming music and go about my household or workplace chores without getting any annoying cords caught on anythig. I highly recommend this product, but remember that you'll have to have or purchase other headphones.
Incidentally, since I got this, I have purchased the Plantronics Voyager 855 bluetooth headset. On one ear, it looks like a normal bluetooth, but you can plug in an earhook that has a short cord going to an earbud you place in your other ear for stereo sound. This is much more discreet than my old giant Motorola headset, and I don't get the strange looks when I'm using it. For something so small and lightweight, something so utterly mundane-looking, I think the sound quality of the two together is great. I can live with the occasional 1 second skip, and I know that I've made the right purchase for my lifestyle and budget!
Customer Review: Tiny BT Miracle
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this as a Mother's day gift earlier in 2008. I use with my iPod classic 160G in black. I originally paired it (delighfully easily) with the Motorola S9 stereo headset and loved the sound quality. I have since paired it equally easily with several different stereo heasets.
Having paired it with multiple stereo headsets (I break stuff easily, so I got through bluetooth headsets quickly), I note that the sound quality does vary by manufacturer, and even less so by model, so I am thinking that most sound quality issues are related to the headset, not the adapter.
Having said that, I do note that there is some latency for music to initially transmit to the headset even when paired. Once the music is on, you can pause, forward, repeat, etc with no problem as long as that is supported by your headset. Other than the latency, I have had no other issues that I can relate to the adapter and not back to my headset or my quirky little iPod. I do wish that I could fine tune volume on the iPod while the Bluetooth is on, as some headsets dont have the most sensitive volume controls, but maybe the next version will allow that! All in all, this has been my coolest, tiniest mother's day present EVER.
I travel frequently, leave this thing plugged in my iPod, and it has survived the bottom of my 'mommy purse' as well as drops and at least one spill (oops). Kudos to the maker of this thing.
Customer Review: Tiny Dynamo
Summary: 5 Stars
If you've tried another Bluetooth transmitter for your iPod, you may be stunned at just how small this one is (see my product picture relative to coins).
As others have said, it pairs very easily and since it draws power from the iPod, it doesn't require charging.
Some additional notes:
The size of the button is very convenient for any size fingers (many units feature extremely small buttons).
The unit fits securely in the iPod and does not break connection if you shake the iPod, and I mean SHAKE it. Great even for robust exercise.
The power it draws from the iPod is minimal, having only a negligible effect on the battery charge. In this configuration, it outlasts the charge of my Motorokr S9 Headphones
The sound quality is excellent. My previous Bluetooth transmitter was never so clear.
The range is the best I've come across for a Bluetooth device. As an experiment, I connected the device to my iPod in my bedroom and then went downstairs to do some laundry. The sound was clear and uninterrupted until I got to the laundry room door, about 30-35 feet from my iPod.
You really can't go wrong with this unit. It's more expensive than some of the others, but you'll love the convenience and level of performance.