Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get it only If you are a Sony die hard fan and like one solution, December 20, 2006
Been a Sony car head unit user since many years ago I decided to give it a try and as a one solution to integrate Ipod and a BT hands free in one unit so let's say it could be worse. Installation is a breeze because there isn't extra speakers or mic to set. Just hook the speakers and power cables as any standard unit, plug the Ipod adapter, set and match the cell and that's it. Be aware it is hard to read the display when the sun hit it. Also digits are very small.
Unfortunately Ipod integration is a disaster as other reviewers noted with the XA-110IP. I also tested a ipod2car 2nd gen (with it's Sony interface wiring harness) which work great on my other older Sony head units but in the MEX-BT5000 it is not recognized. Is a shame because it's way better than the XA-110IP.
Sound through the bluetooth interface is a joke. Have tried several devices and they sound terrible. Is like hearing music through your home phone.
Cell Bluetooth interface has some issues and callers report severe echo. Having the mic integrated in the head unit has it's cons, setting a mic on better places could improve a lot the echo but unfortunately that's not possible.
Another concern is that the MEX-BT5000 doesn't have the option to update it's bluetooth software to keep it more integrated with newer phones.
On another vehicle I have both a standard Sony Head Unit and a Parrot 3200 bluetooth hansdfree device and this one is the best handsfree I have seen so far, it's so user friendly, has so many features like the phone book which is spelled through the speakers, and it's software can be updated by the user with a bluetooth equiped laptop as I already did. I located the mic in a optimum place and callers hear me clearly.
It's a fact: a company only dedicated to make stand alone handsfrees or ipod interfaces will have a better product against a manufacturer that makes them all by itself.
If you can afford it go for a dedicated Handsfree like the Parrot 3200 (sound goes through the stock speakers) and choose a better (non Sony for now) Ipod interface. If budget is tight just go for a dock hooked to the Sony aux input and control the iPod directly.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, bluetooth music!, January 20, 2007
I paired my HTC S200 with this with minimal difficulties, all due to the phone, not the stereo. If you are buying this to pair with an all in one, make sure that your all in one supports the A2DP protocol or you'll have to do some creative registry hacking. If your device has the protocol pairing is plug and play. Now that I have it paired it is wonderful. I can take my podcasts with me to listen to in the car, no problems!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for the price, December 7, 2007
This unit is a great solution for hands-free bluetooth calling.
I bought this unit when it first came out, so I paid more than the current price of ~$250. While I would still buy it at the higher price if I had it to do over again, the ~$250 price is a steal if you want to get both a decent head unit AND integrated bluetooth.
Some other reviewers seem unhappy with the performance, I can't agree with them. While I haven't done an extensive amount of music listening via bluetooth, I use the speakerphone option every single day. It never disappoints. I have never had any problems with echo and every one I talk to claims they can hear me perfectly well.
I have tried dozens of in-car phone solutions, from plug-into-the-phone headsets, bluetooth headsets, cigarette-lighter speakerphone contraptions- I've tried them all, twice. I am so happy with the phone capabilities that I will almost definitely pull this head unit and transfer it to my next vehicle.
On the downside, I can confirm that the glare issue exists. During daytime driving the polished, convex surface of the faceplate catches wicked glare. The glare does NOT blind me or in any way hinder my driving, it just makes it difficult to read the display on low brightness settings. When set to maximum brightness, it seems to do alright so I don't consider it to be all that much of a hassle.
The joystick control makes menu navigation very easy, but it can be a pain when you hit a bump while trying to adjust volume. I therefore stick to the remote for volume and only use the joystick for menu nav.
The device is pretty intuitive and easy to use. Pairing to my phones was simple and straightforward. Another reviewer remarked that the bluetooth has trouble with newer phones, but I recently switched from an old HP iPaq 6315 to a Blackberry Curve 8320 and had no trouble whatsoever. With ANY bluetooth solution I would still agree that you should check compatibility lists before buying. That has less to do with this head unit and more to do with Bluetooth's inherent flaws.
All in all, I have to say I love this unit and would absolutely recommend it. In fact, I'm thinking about giving one as a gift this holiday season!
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