Bluetooth FM transmitter while travelling

[Ingwe]

Am looking to get a bluetooth FM transmitter so we can use ipad for playing audio books and music when abroad. We currently use a 3.5mm lead from ipad to Alpine head-unit but the lead is a nuisance at times when the navigator is looking at a map or whatever.
The question I have is you need to chose a FM frequency not currently being used. So supposing one selects 88.7 and it all connects ok. What happens when you drive through, for example, France where there are lots of local FM stations? Will you not have to frequently retune the transmitter to ‘spare’ i.e. unused frequencies as you travel?
If so, the device becomes less attractive than the lead connection.

 

[Landy Andy]

Not sure if I’m missing the point. By why not connect iPad to head unit via Bluetooth ?

 

[Manic]

Why can’t you just Bluetooth from iPad to Alpine by selecting Bluetooth source

 

[starquake]

Am looking to get a bluetooth FM transmitter so we can use ipad for playing audio books and music when abroad. We currently use a 3.5mm lead from ipad to Alpine head-unit but the lead is a nuisance at times when the navigator is looking at a map or whatever.
The question I have is you need to chose a FM frequency not currently being used. So supposing one selects 88.7 and it all connects ok. What happens when you drive through, for example, France where there are lots of local FM stations? Will you not have to frequently retune the transmitter to ‘spare’ i.e. unused frequencies as you travel?
If do, the device becomes less attractive than the lead connection.

THere are devices (I own one was about 15 quid from amazon) that just take bluetooth and output to 3.5mm -> that would avoid all the faff of the FM transmitter and retuning.

Bluetooth from ipad to converter, then a wire from that to the stereo, done.

The above devices do hvae a battery but they recharge from usb usually (mine does) and a single charge is good for about 18 hours of converting

 

[FrankNicklin]

There will always be a chance that a radio channel will be transmitting on the frequency you use, hence the ability to change that frequency. These do work but not 100% guaranteed for the this reason.

Doesn't your head unit have bluetooth builtin.

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[FrankNicklin]

THere are devices (I own one was about 15 quid from amazon) that just take bluetooth and output to 3.5mm -> that would avoid all the faff of the FM transmitter and retuning.

Bluetooth from ipad to converter, then a wire from that to the stereo, done.

The above devices do hvae a battery but they recharge from usb usually (mine does) and a single charge is good for about 18 hours of converting

They want to get rid of the cables which is what they currently use.

 

[starquake]

That said, as other mentioned, most stereos allow a media bluetooth connection from phone/ipad to van these days, unless the stereo is > 10 years old I'd expect it to have that -> My 2019 Bailey has it, but it's hidden under "sources"

They want to get rid of the cables which is what they currently use.

I read it as they want to be able to USE the device by a passenger as it's the cable that is cumbersone causing the issue.
You don't even see the usb device I have (which is used to connect a non-bluetooth audio player to the car -> as the devices also work in "reverse" too) to support cable -> bluetooth. It works both ways via a toggle switch.

 

[FrankNicklin]

According to the Apline model in the Bailey Alpine INE-S900R it has bluetooth built in.

 

[Ingwe]

Doesn't your head unit have bluetooth builtin.

It does, but limited to phone calls.

 

[Ingwe]

According to the Apline model in the Bailey Alpine INE-S900R it has bluetooth built in.

See post #9

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[Ingwe]

Not sure if I’m missing the point. By why not connect iPad to head unit via Bluetooth ?

The bluetooth on the Alpine does connect to iphone (and probably ipad) but it permits only phone calls.

 

[FrankNicklin]

It does, but limited to phone calls.

OK, a small battery powered Bluetooth adapter would work through the 3.5mm jack

Amazon product ASIN B09ZTBZHCN

 

[Ingwe]

Doesn't your head unit have bluetooth builtin.

It does have bluetooth built in but it’s limited to phone calls. starquake said in #7 a 2019 Bailey’s Alpine unit has the facility. Our Alpine was fitted by the previous owner, probably in 2012 when the van was bought by them. So it’s 11 years old.

 

[FrankNicklin]

That said, as other mentioned, most stereos allow a media bluetooth connection from phone/ipad to van these days, unless the stereo is > 10 years old I'd expect it to have that -> My 2019 Bailey has it, but it's hidden under "sources"

I read it as they want to be able to USE the device by a passenger as it's the cable that is cumbersone causing the issue.
You don't even see the usb device I have (which is used to connect a non-bluetooth audio player to the car -> as the devices also work in "reverse" too) to support cable -> bluetooth. It works both ways via a toggle switch.

Yes sorry mis-understood your post. I've used the devices you suggest. They are great.

 

[starquake]

OK, a small battery powered Bluetooth adapter would work through the 3.5mm jack

Amazon product ASIN B09ZTBZHCN

Yeah thats the kind of thing we use for a non bluetooth car in the family. 18 hours ish battery, just dont forget to charge it before any trip.

You can get more expensive ones with mics built in so you can ALSO do calls via the stereo, but I'd go with the £6 one linked.

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[Ingwe]

Received the transmitter today and tried it out in the car (the van is in storage and I won’t go there until next week). I tuned the radio to 87.5 and set the transmitter to the same frequency. It all worked very well.

I saved the frequency as a pre-set on the radio.

However, while the transmitter was connected but another frequency was selected on the radio, there was quite a lot of hiss from the transmitter which disappeared when turned off. I may experiment with other frequencies and see whether I still get interference.
But overall, I give a to the transmitter. No more leads.

This was the model I ordered. A bit more expensive than other similar gear but this one had the later Bluetooth.

 

[Lenny HB]

What happens when you drive through, for example, France where there are lots of local FM stations? Will you not have to frequently retune the transmitter to ‘spare’ i.e. unused frequencies as you travel?

Yes, a pain in the butt in France.

 

[Ingwe]

Yes, a pain in the butt in France.

Another reason Chris loves France so much,