FM Transmitters and Bluetooth

[chasingracecars]

I have an old car which is completely standard with a cassette deck, I would like to keep it this way but still use my phone for audio. I thought about an FM transmitter. However I also have a SatNav that I connect to on Bluetooth for calls. I have a feeling this will be superior to what an FM transmitter would offer and would also mute the NAV during a call.

Has anyone got a reliable solution?

iPhone7 and Snooper Nav.

[chasingracecars]

Anyone??

[Esders]

If I was in your shoes I would be getting one of those Bluetooth Cassette Adaptors. That way it even looks just like you just have a cassette in the deck. I have never used one so don't know how good they are but I would have thought that Bluetooth is going to be better than FM.

[chasingracecars]

Not quite what i was thinking,

I want the FM transmitter or similar to handle the audio/music, but any calls etc to still go via bluetooth to the satnav. Not sure if it is possible though as i have a feeling if the headphone jack will auto route the audio from it even if bluetooth is connected.

I guess my best route is a separate audio player, and leave the phone connected to the NAV. just have to mute the stereo when a call comes in I guess.

Edited by chasingracecars on Friday 10th November 17:48

[deckster]

Those in-car FM transmitters are rubbish. Not worth considering even for a second.

[Hoofy]

I would be seeing if the BT system can pick up music via the satnav as you have described.

deckster said:

Those in-car FM transmitters are rubbish. Not worth considering even for a second.

Yes and no.

They're rubbish but only as bad as normal FM radio.

[chasingracecars]

Hoofy said:

Yes and no.

They're rubbish but only as bad as normal FM radio.

Given my limitations are a 20 year old stereo or small speakers on the sat nav I'm not too bothered about audio quality. I have a system for that at home.

There is not an aux in and no means of adding cheaply.

Tempted to try one of the £15 fm transmitters with bluetooth and see how it goes. Will mean muting the sat nav which is much harder.

[jas xjr]

i have a cheap fm / bluetooth transmitter. i listen to music from phone on the car stereo. it also allows me to answer calls. works well enough until i can afford a car with a built in solution.

[chasingracecars]

What one did you get. Worried more about Phone audio quality as most calls are business calls. My other car is fine for Bluetooth and stereo but need to use the old car from time to time. Hence need a solution.

[jas xjr]

i bought it through amazon , it is sold by soonhua and is described as a 5in 1. it comes with a remote that is pretty useless but it all works fine. everybody i have asked says the call quality is fine , but i am not talking about anything too complex. just buy one and try it out. it is less than £10 deliered.

[Hoofy]

I bought some cheap FM transmitter on sale in Sainsbury's for about £2. Does the job fine for getting music on my phone to come out of the car speakers. Sounds like it's on the radio.

[gmaz]

chasingracecars said:

Given my limitations are a 20 year old stereo or small speakers on the sat nav I'm not too bothered about audio quality. I have a system for that at home.

There is not an aux in and no means of adding cheaply.

Tempted to try one of the £15 fm transmitters with bluetooth and see how it goes. Will mean muting the sat nav which is much harder.

Is there an Xcarlink device that will fit? You will probably need a CD changer interface on your stereo

https://www.xcarlink.co.uk/

[Wait Here Until Green Light Shows]

If you live in the southeast, forget an FM transmitter. The FM band is so congested that it's almost impossible to find a spare frequency. If you do, they're fine until you start driving and soon other radio stations start bleeding over your incar signal.
I would go with a cassette bluetooth adapter, or just a basic cassette aux lead adapter.
Use the iPhone for both music and navigation - music is muted while navigation commands are read out, music and nav is muted for calls etc which is a much better solution.

[SouthHamsGaz]

Did the car have a CD changer option at all?

If it did there should be an input in the back of the headunit, that a 3.5mm adapter cable can be plugged into.

I did this on my old Audi Cabriolet, but had to leave the cable connected to the cd changer to be able to select the correct setting on the H.U. and then splice a cable into the left and right channel inputs.

[Jimi.K.]

deckster said:

Those in-car FM transmitters are rubbish. Not worth considering even for a second.

Wait Here Until Green Light Shows said:

If you live in the southeast, forget an FM transmitter. The FM band is so congested that it's almost impossible to find a spare frequency. If you do, they're fine until you start driving and soon other radio stations start bleeding over your incar signal.
.

I know views like these are fairly common on in car FM transmitters, but I'm wondering if they might be a bit outdated and based on experience of FM transmitters from 10+ years ago when they first hit the market?

I'm assuming the most recent devices are more powerful. Does anyone have recent experience with one in the south east of England?

The top selling one on amazon averages 4.5* from 2,500 reviews, so surely they can't be that bad?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transmitter-VicTsing-Blue...

Cheers,

Jimi

[chasingracecars]

I got a £12 one that does Bluetooth and FM soo far it’s been really good. Streaming music, skip buttons on top and answer call buttons. 2 USB chargers is been excellent.

FM Transmitter, Cootway Bluetooth FM Transmitter Wireless Radio Audio Adapter Car Kit with Handsfree Phone Call, Dual USB Car Charger, TF Card, U-Disk, Bluetooth Music Transmision to Car Stereo System https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075LFSXR2/ref=cm_sw_r...

[Hoofy]

That looks good and sounds like it does the trick. Liking the SD card slot, too. If you cba to connect your phone, you can just play stuff from that!

[chasingracecars]

Yep plays Spotify and phone calls. Side buttons do skip to next song. Wasn’t that great on the motorway today but my diff is playing up so it’s a bit noisy inside.

[Jimi.K.]

Do you get much FM interference when driving around? Trying to decide whether to get one of these or a cassette adaptor.

[chasingracecars]

Drove from South Wales to Heathrow and no problem on default frequency.

Edit: For £13 it’s worth it.