Customer Reviews

Zoom Bluetooth Transmitter for iPod (White)

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

 

 

Small and lightweight--I've been pairing it with Sony DR-BT50 and Moto S9 headphones on my 80gb ipod without any problems. The range is extraordinary--40 or more feet. Added bonus are the LCD's on it double as volume controls--much easier to use than the ones on the headphones. My best estimate on battery drain is about 35% after 3-4 hours of continuous play. Very nice functional design and quality for this price.

The Zoom iHifi Bluetooth transmitter for iPod is a relatively small box that you attach to your iPod's dock connector and allows you to connect stereo bluetooth headphones.
It supports the common A2DP and AVCRP profiles, which means it's capable of processing the controls available on most bluetooth stereo headsets: previous track, next track, play, pause.
Unlike most other bluetooth adapters, it does not contain a battery but rather draws power from the iPod itself. In my opinion this is much more desirable as it is one less gadget you need to worry about recharging and carrying yet another proprietary charger for. In several weeks of use with several iPods (60GB 5G, nano 2G, touch 2G) I haven't noticed a significant power drain on the battery.
When used with the 2nd generation iPod touch, it is capable of coexisting with the Nike+ system; I use it regularly for running and it has no problem communicating with the shoe sensor.
The transmitter was able to pair with all my bluetooth stereo headphones (I have models from Soyo, Kyocera, Philips and Motorola).
The bottom of the transmitter features a mini-USB pass-through connector which allows you to charge or sync your iPod using a standard mini-USB cord.
Connection quality is generally excellent, although like many other Bluetooth devices any obstacle between the transmitter and the receiver can cause interruptions, even if the obstacle is a body part, so positioning is critical. Some headphones perform better than others in this regard, and I'm not sure this is a specific problem with this device.

PROS
- easy pairing
- good performance
- built-in, easy access volume controls
- pass through standard mini-USB connector
- no built-in battery hassle
CONS
- a little on the bulky side (but not as much as some competitors)
- obstructs headphone port on some iPods (not a major issue since you're using it to avoid using corded headphones)
- the choice of mini-USB instead of iPod docking connector pass-through standard prevents daisy-chaining of standard iPod cable, charger, Nike+ receiver

In conclusion, this transmitter is well designed, convenient and works well. Recommended.

I recently purchased the Zoom (or iHiFi)4355 Bluetooth iPod Adapter for my iPod Touch. I have a Motorola SoundPilot S705 (AD2P compatible)that I use to listen to music off of my cell phone and it is a Class 1 Bluetooth device meaning that any Class 1 Bluetooth Transmitter will allow me to receive a signal from around 300 Feet away. Well, the Zoom 4355 is a Class 2/Class 1 compatible device with AD2P capability. The packaging claims that you get 33 feet with a Class 2 receiver and 70 feet with Class 1 receivers. I would say that this might be true in a heavily walled environment but I work in a open air Laboratory and i get the full 300 feet away before I drop the signal. If you have line of sight on this device (meaning no walls) then you should get the true range of a Class 1 Bluetooth device. Otherwise when walls come into play your range is cut, but not drastically. It usually takes around 30 feet of strength away for every wall the signal has to pass through. The one exception that I have found is that when I go into the Lab's 8 inch thick walled metal lined fridge/freezer the distance from device is a mere 25 feet. Still great.

All in all I am very pleased with this device. It even came with a USB to USB mini cable to charge your iPod while the adapter is connected. I havent had a chance to test this as of yet since I prefer to run down items till they are dead or close to dead so that I can get a full charge and maximize battery life. This adapter and USB cable combo might even work as a connection cable to access the iPod via iTunes or your favorite program.

This is a MUST BUY if you have a Class 1 stereo receiving device with AD2P capabilities.

I got this bluetooth transmitter earlier this summer to work with my S9 Motorola headphones. It pairs OK. It plays OK as long as the iPod with device is siting still (as well as you). I got it mainly to take on bike rides. This unit tends to drop out quite a bit while moving. With the device sitting right in my pocket, it still drops out many times simply just by turning my head. I figured it was just inherent in bluetooth reception. I was wrong. My brother loaned me his Sony bluetooth iPod adapter. Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (Black) The Sony worked much, much better. It did have drop outs during playback but they were very few and very far between and when they did happen, they were for a split second unlike the huge dropouts with the Zoom iHiFi. I plan on getting a Sony myself. If you are merely going to use the device while sitting in a room, you can save some money with this device. If you want a more reliable device for use while active, go with the Sony. It's simply a better device.

I can verify that this Bluetooth transmitter works extremely well with the iPhone 3G. I use the transmitter with my Motorola Motorokr Bluetooth headset which, by the way, does NOT work with Motorola's own transmitter.

This little device really is amazing, it just works. Plug it into an ipod and the device then "finds & pairs instantly" with your Stereo Bluetooth headphones. Now it gets even better... I just bought an iphone and would really love to use my Stereo Bluetooth headphones on an airplane using the iphone's music capabilities. Well - the Zoom BT Transmittr pairs itself (not the iphone) with my Stereo BT Headphones. You don't even turn on bluetooth on your iphone! Just plug the Zoom device into the bottom connector on your iphone (or ipod) and it will find and pair very quickly with your Stereo BT phones (I have the iLuv 903).

Sounds has been quite clear, no cracking or fall-out at all so far. I even forgot to take the iphone with me when I got up to go into another room in my house with the headphones on and the music just kept playing... and I was probably at least 40-45 feet (plus a wall in-between) away from the iphone + Zoom device.

In summary; I am VERY pleased. This is a great deal for $36.95//

I have been using this with my iPhone (as advertised) and a Motorola headset. The basic problem I have is an intermittent connection. The first unit I received was very bad. I returned it (Amazon is great!) and got another, which has the same issue, although to somewhat less extent. If I put the phone anywhere it can be moved at all (like in a backpack) interuptions are frequent, and often the thing does not recover. If I set it on the table, I still loose the connection every several minutes, usually right as something is happening that I want to hear. I have not tried it with an iPod, maybe it is better? I'll try the Sony next.

This product and it's related receiver are very inefficient and beyond 4' do not work at all.
I can not recommend any of the Zoom for ipod products and would suggest researching for better manufacturers.

It pairs up easily with my Iluv wireless headphones and whats more is that I can now move on to the next song from my headphone where with the adapter that came with the headphones it did not give me that feature. Only complaint is that it's a little big but overall great sound quality and works great.

Transmitter performed as promised. Paired quickly with Motorola S-19. Only draback is, like any add on, it changes the shape and feel of my I-Pod. Small inconvenience for benefits of wireless connection.