Soundfly BT Ultimate Bluetooth Car Fm Transmitter WMA/MP3 Player for SD Card, USB Charger, iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS & 3G, iPod, Zune

by Satechi

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B001DDE4VY
• Item model number: Soundflybt
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (279 customer reviews)

Product Description

Featuring a sleek new design with a user-friendly interface, Soundfly BT provides a live full duplex communication solution using Bluetooth technology through FM transmission to your FM car radio and allows you to speak to callers through an external DSP microphone. Soundfly BT is pairable with any phone equipped with Bluetooth functionality or a connection to a Bluetooth adaptor. Bluetooth A2DP technology enables wireless transmission of music from your cell phone. If an incoming or outgoing call is made, the music will be paused. The transmission of music will resume automatically when the call is ended. Soundfly BT also lets you listen to sound files such as MP3 & WMA file stored in portable SD cards through your car radio speakers. It supports RDS (Radio Data System), so when you receive a phone call, caller id will be displayed on your car stereo, or while listening to music through SD cards, you can see the song and artist's name displayed on your car stereo. Soundfly BT transmits to all FM frequencies (88.1MHz-107.9MHz) and memorizes up to 7 FM frequencies. It can also charge USB powered devices, including iPhone 3Gs & G, iPod, cell phones, MP3 players, and more through USB port. It is equipped with a fully functional remote control. You can answer/end calls, change volume, change frequency, folder shift, fast Forward & Rewind, Repeat or Bookmark your favorite songs through the remote. Note: You need to do iPhone OS 4.2 Software Update on your iPhone for A2DP, AVRCP Bluetooth Stereo connection.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!, April 4, 2009

By 

J. Waller (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soundfly BT Ultimate Bluetooth Car Fm Transmitter WMA/MP3 Player for SD Card, USB Charger, iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS & 3G, iPod, Zune (Electronics)

To get a bluetooth hands free device that also plays my music through my car's sound system for only 80 bucks I think is a sweet deal! I've had it for about a week, it's been working great and I love it! The sound quality seems the same as any other radio station. That includes the fact that when people call and I hear them through my speakers, they sound like someone calling into a radio station, which is kind of cool. :) Haven't made many calls using bluetooth yet, but so far the person on the other line says they can't even tell I'm using a hands free device.

Pros:
- It's a great idea that works well.
- The price is reasonable.
- I love being able to play music from a flash drive or an SD card.
- It remembers the last song that was playing when I turned the car off and picks back up with that song when I start driving again.
- The music pauses automatically when a call comes in and it shows the number of the incoming call on its screen.
- You can either clip the mic on to your shirt or seat belt when you want to use it, or it comes with a different clip that attaches to your visor so it's always ready to go. They provide two adhesive clips for the wire to fit into so you can guide the wire along a non-obtrusive path.

Cons:
- You need to use your phone to make a call; pressing the call button on the device redials the last number, rather than activating voice command.
- When playing from USB/SD card, it only supports 1999 songs and 20 folders. The music also must be in a folder named MP3 or Soundfly. This means that if you sync with Windows Media player, you will need to select the option for it to not create a folder hierarchy (otherwise it creates a folder for each artist) and then copy the songs from the root directory on the drive to the MP3/Soundfly directory.
- It can't read songs with any digital rights info (though I think this is pretty common).
- The users manual and packaging have a bunch of grammatical mistakes. The English was clearly either translated with some mistakes or written by someone who is not fluent.
- Most of the buttons and functionality are through the remote, which must be pointed directly at the device (I don't find it necessary to use it very often, though).

I haven't found any of these cons to be a big deal, though, just minor things that leave some room for improvement. I would say this a great product, which I am recommending to my friends and family.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great All-in-One Solution!, December 4, 2010

By 

Charles Evans "Call me Kevin" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soundfly BT Ultimate Bluetooth Car Fm Transmitter WMA/MP3 Player for SD Card, USB Charger, iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS & 3G, iPod, Zune (Electronics)

Length:: 6:58 Mins

Through the years I have used several FM modulators and I have used several Bluetooth devices, but the Soundfly BT is the first Bluetooth/FM modulator that is completely integrated. What this means is that you have one device that will allow you to play your iPod/iPhone over your car's speakers and also have the ability to make hands free calls. The Soundfly BT also comes with a handy little remote control that can help you change FM stations on the modulator, answer phone calls, and give you total control over your music.

Before we go into the review - some people are not familiar with how a FM modulator works. What it does is that it transmits a signal form a device to a static-filled FM station. What this means is that you find a station that does not have anything broadcasted on it ...say... 87.9 (depending on where you live)... and you set both the FM Modulator and your radio to that station. The FM Modulator then *broadcasts* a signal to the previously static filled station.

A couple of caveats to this review. I am reviewing this exclusively as an accessory to an iPod Touch/iPhone (Gen 4). I did not try using the SD card for playing music...since I really don't have a need since we store all of our music on our iPods.

Features

+Excellent FM Modulator. While no FM modulator is *perfect* this one is the closet that I have come across.

+ The remote control offers a lot of functionality. It allows you to answer calls, change stations on the FM Modulator, change the volume (which is a neat trick), shuffle through folders, advance and skip songs. I am REALLY surprised at how often I use the remote

+ Sound quality for phone calls is very good. Much better than I expected. The person you are talking to knows that they are on speaker phone, but the interference seems to be minimal.

+ Well-designed - everything seems to make sense - such as the way the Soundfly BT can pivot to fit into almost every 12V power source.

+ It has a USB power source! This allows you to charge/power any device that plugs into your computers USB port.


Areas of Concerns

- Don't lose the manual! I looked (briefly) and wasn't able to find a copy of the manual online... it may be there...if so could you leave me a comment?

- About 25-50% of the time the Bluetooth does not seem to sync with my iPod. While my iPod shows that it is paired with the Soundfly BT I am unable to get music to play. I am able to solve the problem by powering my iPod off and back on. It is a bit of an annoyance, which is why I am taking off 1/2 star.

- Not overly intuitive on how to operate (outside of the remote) or to pair the Soundfly BT with your iPod/iPhone. For reference - press the *Green* phone key until you hear an audible beep over your speakers. Once the Soundfly BT is found by your device use the code "0000" to pair the devices.

- I wish that the Soundfly BT had an integrated microphone. The wired microphone works well, but I prefer not having extra wires hanging around my dashboard.

Final Verdict - While there are a couple of minor issues I am very happy with the Soundfly BT. There are tons of positive features with the Soundfly BT that makes it well worth the purchase price!

4 to 4 1/2 Stars

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Buy, February 18, 2009

By 

PKAP "Tech Geek" (Dayton) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soundfly BT Ultimate Bluetooth Car Fm Transmitter WMA/MP3 Player for SD Card, USB Charger, iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS & 3G, iPod, Zune (Electronics)

I bought this product after seeing the review over here. I had VR3 USB-SD transmitter for over 4 years and was looking for new one after it broke.
First and foremost, the Satechi Customer service is excellent, very prompt response and prompt delivery. I Could give 10 stars for their support.

Pros on this product,

i) Bluetooth and MP3 Player with stereo FM transmitter
ii) The remote works for folder froward and track forward (lagged in VR3)
iii) Quality of FM transmission, constant stereo transmission with good signal.

CONS:

i) Limited folder level, Satechi should bring some Firmware to recognise more folders (VR3 has unlimited folder level)
ii) Remote power is weak, should plan to improve on this. works only line of site, maximum 3 feet away (in car it doesnt matter, but you have to have your hand pointed towards the unit, depending on model, could be painful).

iii) Not all the functions available in the unit, if you loose remote you loose,
- Save or book mark option
- A-B option
- Folder switch option

When I received the product, I was surprised with the quality of the sound in FM, it was near CD quality, when I used VR3, I could see a huge difference in the audio quality using SD and USB disks. When I connect external source (cd player or computer and transmit, the volume is much better and the range of reception is about 35 feet with walls in between. I plugged this unit with wall power adapter, and used portable player to transmit, then I could receive signal in basement and second floor without any problems.

After 4 days, using bluetooth in car, the receiver could not hear me clearly and the remote I received I had to hold very close to the unit (literally less than 2 inches). I was little upset due to this considering the price I paid. (may be mine was one of the unlucky one's)

Sent a mail to support in Satechi, less than two hours, received prompt response, with couple of mails, then arranged for replacement unit. for some reason it got delayed, but the Customer serveice repsentative was curteous and helpfull tracking the package and made sure it is picked up on following day. Due to their response, I even kind of forgot on the issue and cooled down. was looking forward the new unit. It arrived two days ago and testing. So far so good, the MP is working really good and remote works about 3 feet from the unit (useful when I connect this at home). On bluetooth connectivity I am still need to test fully, so far it appears to be okay, the receiver is able to hear me okay. have to try during long drive and check. will update my posting soon on this.

Over all great product, if they over come the short falls (directory recognition and increased power on remote,) I would give them 5 Stars.

Compare to Vr3, much better product, there is very low interference and static. I would recommend this product.

As promised, I am updating my experience with Bluetooth

So far so good, when I drive in city the bluetooth quality is good at the receiving end, but when I drive in Highway at 70 to 75 MPH, the receiver complained I am breaking. It appears that mic is too sensitive and picking up the vehicle vibration, I am still trying to get an optimum location for the mic to reduce outside noise. Since within city limit, the quality is good I am not worried much.

Also, the sound quality on my radio in the car is really really good. So Bluetooth works for me. I am not planning to return this product, I recommend this to any one looking for great quality of sound and a versatile product.

On FM transmitter, the power is sufficient enough to suppress a moderate radio signal (88.5 is NPR station in Dayton, I am able to suppress this thru this unit). So as far as static is concerned it is virtually null if use free or moderate station channel.

Return on Cost is good compare to options I explored like Parot and other dealer supplied Bluetooth units.

Over all I will give 4.5 for this, giving room for other improvements suggested earlier.

Satechi, Great product, looking for advanced one in future from you. Your customer service Rocks!!!!!!!! Great and thanks a ton for a good product.