Customer Reviews

Blackberry A2DP Stereo BT Music Gateway

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This works great with my iPhone. It's smaller than it looks in the picture -- only about 1.5" square.

iPhone found it flawlessly, entered super-secret pin of 0000 and the music starts playing through my speakers.

It draws power from a mini-USB plug, and the cable isn't included, so make sure you've got one lying around.

Sits in my Chevy Avalanche and adds Bluetooth stereo to a vehicle that doesn't have that capability. The Avalanche only has BT for voice. All you need is an input jack into the car stereo. Works with my iPhone perfectly. Requires a car lighter adapter with USB mini output.

This has truly been a "set and forget" device for me. My Blackberry Gateway is small enough it tucks discretely into my center console, where there is also a 12v power port.

1. The Blackberry Gateway must be powered (no battery), and my 12v port is switched to the car's ignition switch. Through a Powerjolt Dual USB 12v Adapter and a plain USB to USB Micro cable, the Blackberry Gateway powers up when I start the car, and turns off when I put the keys in my pocket. A few extra bucks to spend, but a very compact mobile solution.

2. My car's stereo has a 1/8" headphone port near the center console -- the same port I was previously plugging my Blackberry Storm 2 directly into when I wanted to play audio through the stereo.

I mention these previous two items because, if you intend to use this in your vehicle, you'll need to make sure you've got power and an audio port accessible in order to use the Gateway device.

Pairing with my phone was a non-issue. My phone pairs to the Gateway every time I start the car. When I start up Pandora, the switchover to the car's stereo via the Gateway is automatic every time. When I receive a call on my Jabra visor-mounted speaker phone, the phone correctly switches over until I complete the call, then resumes playing music over the Gateway.

My only problem thus far is with the Jabra, which shows up as an "Audio Sink" (audio sync?) on my BlackBerry's device properties list. "Audio Sink" is also how the Blackberry Gateway is listed. There have been times when Pandora plays over the Jabra speakerphone instead of via the Blackberry Gateway. The best scenario I can come up with is I have to power up the Jabra first to cause this scenario to happen.

To correct this problem, it's a matter of making sure I start the car before powering up the speaker phone (starting the car powers up the BlackBerry Gateway). In daily use, this hasn't been a problem. Another solution would be to find a speakerphone that doesn't list itself as a "Audio Sink." (FWIW, the Jabra also lists itself as "Handsfree," "Headset," and "A/V Remote Control.") I talked to Jabra about this, and they said there's no way to disable the "Audio Sink" function of their speakerphone.

Also worth noting that v1.0 of Tune In radio *does not* work with this device to play over my car's stereo. I've been through all the menu settings. I'm not completely positive, but it appears that this is a problem with Tune In not looking for the "Audio Sync" device -- it plays fine over my Jabra.

Given these shortcomings, neither of which is the fault of the Blackberry Gateway, I've got no problems to complain of with the device itself. Audio quality is good, pairing is very quick and automatic, and the device is small enough to be tucked away just about any place you could hide a book of matches. In my case, I haven't touched my Gateway since installing it, with the exception of reorganizing my center console.

I enejoyed this product, it synced right away with my 8350i. Goes about 35ft and music still played great. I got this product to hear music on my home theater that was on my phone. It's works way better then what i expected for the price, i would deffenently recommed this!

What a great way to run your music through your blackberry, very handy and works well.