JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone

by JVC

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.4 x 3.4 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000PHGBDS
• Item model number: KSBTA200
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

Product Description

With KS-BTA200 optional adapter (Microphone included), Bluetooth Wireless Technology can be used with compatible devices. Use KS-BTA200 with Bluetooth Ready models KD-NX5000, KW-AVX800, KD-AVX11 and KW-XG700. KD-G830, KD-AR880, KD-G730 and KD-AR780 and get the same great features as the built-in units, such as hands-free calls, audio streaming and control and phone book transfer. With the Pass-through feature on the KS-BTA200, you can also add your iPod adapter, satellite radio adapter and/or CD Changer to your radio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WORTH THE MONEY!!, August 21, 2008

By 

John Thompson (Old Bridge New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone (Electronics)

UPDATE 9/9/09> I just upgraded my Verizon cell phone and it is NOT compatable with my KSBTA200. My new Samsung Alias flip phone (top rated phone on CR) DOES NOT PAIR yet my son's new LG Intrege and my daughters LG Dare both do Pair. I called JVC and they told me of a list of agreeable phones on their web site. Funny thing is all three phones are not on the list. I have decided to return my Alias and go back to using my old phone (LG)

I installed the KSBTA200 for two reasons. One was because I upgraded my car stereo to a JVC system with a CD player. Second because New Jersey has hands free laws. I was thinking of just getting a bluetooth for my ear but after thinking about it, the only place I would use it would be in the car anyway. I'm really glad I chose the KSBT200. Installation was a snap. It matched up with my JVC stereo. Ease of use is better than I thought. If I am driving, listining to music and a phone call comes in on my cell, it turns down the music and with a simple touch of a button answers the call. The volume of the caller comes through the car stereo and I can even turn up the volume if the caller is a low talker. The microphone picks up my voice with out shouting. The peole that I have talked to through the system tell me the conversation is clear. I am very happy with the KSBTA200.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Purchase in a long time, October 6, 2008

By 

Gabriel N. Santos "me" (Allentown, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone (Electronics)

The product worked as expected even when other specialized sites did not recommend it to the model of radio owned.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1 flaw only., April 9, 2009

By 

cubelodyte "The world is my oyster and I'm al... (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone (Electronics)

Overall, a satisfying device. My only complaint comes from the people on the other end of the phone who have to deal with the echo. I have experimented with microphone placement which has only slightly reduced this annoyance.

It seems to happen mostly when my caller and I talk over one another. Clearly a duplex issue.

Update: February 2011.

Nearly 2 years later, I've found that noone complains about the echo anymore.

Now, it seems, the 1 flaw is that the JVC car stereo has to be tuned to the radio when it makes a bluetooth connection to the phone. If the stereo is not already emitting sound when the phone is connected, the microphone will work, but I cannot hear anything from the phone.

Additional update 12/2011: I have finally been compelled to remove this device from my system. I cannot server as a bluetooth audio receiver for my iPhone because it drops or skips almost constantly. Because of this, I cannot use it for the phone because receiving a phone call causes it to revert to bluetooth audio. So, if I'm listening to audio from my iPhone through the aux input, I'm forced to re-select my audio after using the phone.The final experience is now the opposite of hands-free. Consequently, I'm reducing my original 4-star rating to 2-stars. This adapter for my car stereo has been the source of more frustration and inconvenience than all other electronic devices I own combined.

Supplimental Update 02/19/2012:

Although I've been tempted on many occasions to slowly squeeze this device into powder using my workshop vice, I have nonetheless persevered. The reasons for my dedicated attempts to make this work are to be found only in a discussion of the metaphysical. It defies logic. Yet, it would seem I have ultimately prevailed.

Today, I raise my rating for this adapter up to 4-stars (may it stay there forever).

My car head unit has acquired a nagging whine/hum from the car's alternator. For those who are unfamiliar with this particular brand of audio torment, imagine that your HD tuner has been filtered through a short wave radio that is obstinately focused on an effort to contact an ice station in the Antarctic.

The volume (and thus annoyance) level of this irritant has steadily increased over the past 6 months causing me to finally take action this weekend. Since the interference was only present in modes that originate from the HD Tuner (Aux line clean), I deduced that the problem must be in the power source for that add-on. Attempts to apply an in-line filter met with no success whatsoever.

As a last ditch effort, I moved the power source for the tuner from where I had tapped into the Cigarette Lighter line to the direct battery line in the head unit's adapter harness. In the same venture, I decided to reconnect the Bluetooth Adapter.

Result:

Not only did I remove the alternator whine, the Bluetooth adapter is now playing music without skips. This new development brings be back to my original review where I still have to make sure the head unit starts up on the Radio while it connects to the Bluetooth adapter if I want to have a 2-way conversation on the phone. Somehow, after all we've been through together, this seems like a small annoyance to tolerate. 4-stars it is.