Customer Reviews

JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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

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 JFC 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.

After riding with some coworkers & friends and experiencing their various bluetooth setups, I decided to take the thing out of my ear and get the BTA for my truck's JVC KD HDR50 stereo system.

I installed it about 2 weeks ago and have been VERY pleased with the results. I positioned the microphone at the top of the driver's side corner post, near where the visor attaches.

Incoming calls are loud & clear. I have made dozens of calls, and only had one call where some feedback and echo took place. I don't understand how the device prevents feedback, considering how loud the caller's voice can be played through the stereo speakers. Callers say they can hear me fine and background noise is minimal.

I'm using it with a Blackberry Curve 8520, and pairing was a little tricky - mainly due to JVC's set-up menu. Kind of convoluted. My contacts uploaded to the stereo fine, but forget about using the stereo to make calls. I just use my Blackberry's features to place the calls via voice. Never did like the JVC's controls or menus much, but it sounds good and lets me play my iPod through it, and the remote lets me move around through songs and select sources.

The BTA-200 seems to be a very good product when properly installed.

I bought my AVX800 and have a full 5.1 system working on my car with PDX modules. Was just missing a good bluetooth phone device to attach to my system.

It paired just fine with my HTC Diamond 2, just missing the SMS feature (still troubleshooting this).

Speaker sound and mic are perfectly clear. My wife on first test didnt notice any difference and could not believe I was not on the real fone.

If you were hoping to pair your iPhone to your JVC stereo and stream music to the system via Bluetooth stereo, you will be disappointed. My experience has been that stereo Bluetooth through this device is intermittent under all conditions, whether this unit is 6 feet or 6 inches from the phone. Music will play for less than a minute before it starts randomly cutting out and "hiccuping."

I purchased this unit for my KW-NX7000, and I couldn't be more upset with this piece of crap, it worked for the first week or 2 and now nothing I keep getting an error code on the screen that says reset 08. So I pulled the deck back out of my dash and relocated the Bluetooth module thinking something in the dash could have been interfering with it since when it was working there was noise on the other end of the call, this had no effect. Half the time it refuses to connect to the phone, so today being one of those days I decided to remove the phone, and try again, and now it errors out when trying to pair. So now this thing is useless, and now I have to see how I can return this to Amazon for a new one, and this will be my first RMA with Amazon. I am really frustrated with this, its not easy putting the radio back in my dash, which is what I'm gonna have to do once I remove this piece of crap adapter. To be fair I did buy this module refurbished, guess I learned my lesson about trying to save money right?

I installed this product for use with my iPhone and it failed to perform up to standards on the first try. When using it to listen to audio, the music would "skip" at least every minute or two and sometimes skip for up to 30 seconds continuously. The phone quality was very poor; I could hear the other person just fine, but they complained of lots of background noise (there was no echo, so it wasn't a placement problem). Installation and set-up were easy, and it was convenient and easy to use, but the audio quality was intolerable, so I would not recommend this product.

This is sweet, good sound, easy to use. connects easily to the phone. people that I have talked with over the phone do not even realize that I am in the car. The clairty is amazing. If you have a HD raido, this is the perfect add on.

I am very happy that I purchased this car piece. The phone calls are made clear and it allows me o concentate better when I drive... I can play music directly through the car speakers from other bluetooth devices.