Macally BTCUP Full-Channel FM Transmitter with Built-in Bluetooth for iPod and iPhone (Black)

by Macally

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches ; 12.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VINR24
• Item model number: BTCUP
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,427 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description -- Posted October 14, 2008

Amazon.com Product Description -- Posted October 14, 2008 The Macally BTCUP is a full-channel FM transmitter with a clever design that lets you enjoy your iPhone or iPod while in your car. The BTCUP uses the full FM spectrum of your car radio (from 88.1MHz to 107.9MHz) to find the clearest channel to seamlessly play tunes from your iPod or answer incoming calls from your iPhone or Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.

Tilted backlit LCD with easy-to-read characters and easy-to-reach power on, off, and privacy switch make the BTCUP a snap to use. Click to enlarge.

The BTCUP includes three separate docking inserts to support your iPod or iPhone. Click to enlarge.

The BTCUP easily fits into standard car cup holders, making for easy access. Click to enlarge.

The BTCUP also features easy-to-reach buttons and switches, including a "quick channel switch" as well as Bluetooth answer and hang-up buttons. Click to enlarge.

Fitting into standard car cup holders, the BTCUP keeps your iPhone or iPod upright and secure while also giving you full access to the touchscreen or click wheel--so you can pick the perfect soundtrack for your commute home or road trip. Additionally, the BTCUP's FM transmitter capabilities lets your passengers enjoy your unique musical tastes transmitting directly from your iPhone or iPod to your car’s speaker system.

Seamless Transition Between Music and Incoming Calls
The BTCUP is easy to use for both playing music and managing incoming calls from your iPhone or Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. The BTCUP can sync with your mobile phone's integrated Bluetooth technology for hands-free usage while driving. When a call comes in, the auto-switching between music and phone modes lets you answer your call hands-free for improved safety--and keeps you legal in those U.S. states with hands-free cell phone laws. When you've finished a call, the BTCUP automatically returns to music play mode. The BTCUP also includes an earphone for enhanced call privacy when needed--a great feature for those who carpool.

Go Hands Free

• Built-in Bluetooth hands-free function keeps you safe on the road
• Auto-switching between phone mode and iPod mode when you answer and hang up calls
• Supports any Bluetooth-enabled cell phone
• Bluetooth answer and hang-up button
• Includes earphone for call privacy when needed

Your iPod: Live on Your Car Stereo

• Listen to your favorite iPod tunes through the FM stereo receiver in the car
• Full FM spectrum (88.1MHz to 107.9MHz) for the clearest channel
• Compatible with all dockable iPods; other MP3 players or the iPod shuffle can be used with the BTCUP using the 3.5-mm line-in jack
• Dock and charge iPod devices simultaneously
• Designed to accept Apple dock insert shipped with iPod; docking inserts included to support compatible iPods and iPhone
• Powered through car cigarette lighter outlet
• Fits securely in most car cup holders

Easy to Use

• Easy-to-reach power on, off, and privacy switch
• Frequency up and down buttons, quick channel-switch button
• Automatic last used frequency memory
• Tilted backlit LCD with easy-to-read characters

What's in the Box
Macally BTCUP full channel FM transmitter with built-in Bluetooth hands-free for iPod and Bluetooth equipped cell phones, cigarette lighter power cable, three separate docking inserts to support compatible iPod or iPhone, earphone

Product Description

MACALLY BTCUP PROTECTIVE SWIVEL BELT CLIP FOR IPHONE(TM)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars BTCup Above Avg on IPOD hearing and below Avg on Bluetooth, December 8, 2007

By 

Venkat "ImpFeedback" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macally BTCUP Full-Channel FM Transmitter with Built-in Bluetooth for iPod and iPhone (Black) (Electronics)

Hi,

Summary

Design 5/5

Ease of USe 4/5

IPOD listening 5/5

Listening to Cell Call over Bluetooth Listening in the Car 4/5

Callers Sound Quality when talking over Bluetooth 3/5 (This is bad, rest is a recommendation to buy).

I happened to buy this because MAC magazine had this listed as the 100 best products to have. You might get more detailed information there but mine is completely a subjective and opinionated and personal feedback. Hope this helps read on....

Detailed Review

Design 5/5: Very compact, stays in the cupholder, beautiful execution, unobtrusive and ony 4 buttons so one does not get confused. One large button to recieve cell phone call, which is absolutely the right choice. Black looked great and will merge seamlessely with most car interiors.

Ease of Use 4/5: It probably takes around 4 steps to set this up and running, The worst was the flimsy packaging, It took me more time to get it out of the package than to set up the IPOD and power connection.

The Bluetooth setup took longer, but my cell phone is a PocketPC smartphone from HP IPAQ which is not the most commmon phone out in the market most phones have a relatively easier point and click Blutooth setup so most of you might not face the music as I. I had to first pair the connection take away the encryption, take away the authorization and then use the code it worked after that.

IPOD listening 5/5

This is a fantastic idea and design is wonderful, beautiful execution. The IPod wireless transmission works beautitul, better than my Tape Adaptor which produces scratchy noises and seems to get worse by the month. Most of you should hear the radio clearly, the packaging says full spectrum radio, not sure how this works but when I used the QS button to get a quite station it comes up with four of them 88.1 worked well for me.

Listening to Cell Call over Bluetooth Listening in the Car 4/5

The Bluetooth pairing took a little getting used to but this is no brian surgery so eventually you will be able to get that working, most of you will have a easier way to get it to work than me as I have an IPAQ Cell phone which has too many options. The voice quality of my listening in the car was AWESOME, this sounded almost as good as the BMW car built in Bluetooth. So this is very very good for me taking call hands free in my car. But think of the others who are on the other side of the call, what are they hearing? See my next note ... below..

Sound Quality for the people talking to you on your handsfree 3/5: (Not Good)

Lastly I had my daugther sit in my car and recieve my call from home, She could hear me clearly with radio turned all the way down as well as up, but the problem was on my side I could hear a lot of static, radio intereference as well as voice cutting off, I could understand the voice clearly but it had all this other background noises going on which will be an annoyance. I hope these guys put in additional circuitry to reduce the background static, I love this device.

Venkat Reddy

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works like a champ!, May 31, 2008

By 

fortun8 (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macally BTCUP Full-Channel FM Transmitter with Built-in Bluetooth for iPod and iPhone (Black) (Electronics)

This product works great. It was easy to install in the car cup holder with its spring loaded base. I set my car radio to an unused FM frequency, plugged in my iPod, tuned the BTCUP to the same frequency and the music started playing from the car speakers, clear as day. The great thing is that this product works consistently while driving around town. I tried using a Belkin FM transmitter in the past, but my music would have static and pops depending on which direction I was facing or what part of town I was in. With the BTCUP, I hear some static once in a while, but no where nearly as much as before.

As for the bluetooth portion, it works great also. It was a breeze to pair with my iPhone. When a call comes in, I just press the 'phone' button and the caller comes over the radio speakers. I use my normal voice to talk into the mic and have had no complaints from people on the other end. The only problem I've had with the bluetooth is that my wife tried using my iPhone with its built-in speaker, but in the middle of the call, it switched over to the BTCUP speaker. I think it had something to do with the iPhone though and not the BTCUP.

The other complaint that I have is that the iPod connection is not made for the iPhone. It works and fits the cradle (although not as securely as my dedicated iPod), but it puts up a warning, wanting me to turn off the phone services to ensure clearer playback.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product, January 14, 2008

By 

Eric H. Springer "Average Joe" (WV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macally BTCUP Full-Channel FM Transmitter with Built-in Bluetooth for iPod and iPhone (Black) (Electronics)

This is a great product with numerous positives.

I've used radio transmitters before with an mp3 player, where balancing the volume was an extreme issue. With this new btcup having the mp3 at any level projects the best sound ant any level.

The phone option works wonderfully as well. The person I'm speaking with can hear me fine, but me hearing that person in the car is somewhat unbalanced.

It projects in the car awkwardly, seemingly too loud, making vibration noises.

The loud sounds seem to be the only drawback, otherwise a perfect product!

Update: 2-5-09

I had had the original for just shy of a year. The Ipod dock didn't seem to be connecting properly with my Ipod. I would have to wiggle or adjust my ipod at each bump in the road. (to Make a Long story Short) I had kept my purchase and warranty info, and had it replaced. The new one works great!

Now I don't really use my Ipod much any more, but use my blackberry phone, which has bluetooth. I wasn't sure if the sound quality would be good over the bluetooth connection, But it sounds Great!! I just have to connect them, and start my music. i can change or modify what I'm listing to with now physical connection or wires! There is probably a better simpler bt transmitter that doesn't have the Ipod dock, but this works just as well!