I had 2 goals: to connect my iPhone to my car speakers for listening to music, and to be able to handle the occasional phone call hands-free.
Since my CD player is dysfunctional, I've been looking for an easy way to listen to my iPhone music through my car's speakers. Unfortunately my only options are FM transmitter or cassette, both of which are sad by comparison. I'd be tempted to use headphones except it seems a bit dangerous to drive with them. Besides the inconvenience & the rides with passengers. I've tried several FM transmitters and cassettes in the past that plug into the phone (and one bluetooth). Obviously the sound quality isn't great, but it's better than a skipping CD or gasp a cassette tape.
Wanting something more automatic, 2 years ago I bought a Soundfly BT Ultimate Bluetooth Car Fm Transmitter WMA/MP3 Player for SD Card, USB Charger, iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS & 3G, iPod, Zune a bluetooth FM transmitter. It plugs into the car power socket, so it turned on when the car was started. At this point it connected automatically with the phone, which was convenient. [The only time I had a problem was when I got out of bluetooth range while it was on. Then I'd need to fiddle with phone settings when I got in the car to reconnect them.] Once connected, everything went through the car speakers unless I manually switched it on the phone. To play phone music, I would use the phone screen. Calls could be redialed, received, or ended via the Soundfly by pushing a button, and it included a corded plug-in mic which worked ok but was a fiddly & messy solution. Overall: not very hands-free for calls and still required a lot of fiddling with the phone for music.
Recently I bought the Jabra Freeway after reading reviews & learning that it will allow me to use Siri through it. I've had it 1 week, and it lives up to expectations.
The powering up & down and the bluetooth connection have so far worked flawlessly. The Freeway wakes when a car door opens and turns off when I'm gone for awhile. As others said, it establishes the bluetooth connection (and announces this) quickly before I start the car. Better yet, if I walk out of bluetooth range & back again while it's still on, it reconnects automatically (unlike my Soundfly). So far, it's been completely no-fuss automatic in powering off & on and connecting to my phone. A+
The FM transmitter on the Freeway works as well as any I've tried. The controls on the Freeway are easy enough to use. Press the FM button to switch FM transmission on, and it announces the frequency, which will be the last one it used. If it gets static-y, I tune up or down the dial of my radio until I hear a frequency with less signal, then click the Vol+ or Volbutton on the Freeway to adjust to the same frequency.
I haven't had any problems with the Freeway's voice controls when I remember them, and it offers me choices when I don't. I like that I can control my iPhone's music playback via Freeway controls: press the Voice button & say a command to play & control tracks of whatever music is currently selected on your phone.
I love that I can call up Siri by pressing the Voice button & saying "Phone Commands." It's an extra step longer than when I'm using my phone directly, but it's much more convenient & safer in the car. My biggest hurdle right now is getting used to the buttons. I find myself holding in the Freeway's Voice button the way you do with the iPhone's button for calling Siri. But on the Freeway, holding in the Voice button prompts the talk time estimate, whereas a quick tap calls up commands. So, when I want Siri I need to tap the Freeway Voice button, wait for the prompt, say "Phone Commands," wait for the Siri beep, and then speak. If I'm having one of those exchanges with Siri where she doesn't prompt me for more info (I've phrased something wrong), then I need to press the Freeway Voice button to start up again. Wishlist: a Phone Command button on the Freeway to eliminate the extra step, but it's still a great feature.
From the reviews, I was worried about the Freeway's command voice volume. I'm very sensitive to loud noises, so I was concerned it would be a big annoyance, especially so close to my head, but it's not too bad. It's a shame it has no volume, but it's tolerable.
I haven't had to recharge it yet, but I've only had it a week. It looks like it'll last a long time on 1 charge. Even if it were only a week, it would be worth it for the convenience. It's been such a luxury! I get in the car & all I need to do is press FM to connect to the car speakers and Voice to say "Play" to start my music. Or "Phone Commands" to call up Siri and select something new. This has been an (almost) perfect solution for me.
3/18/12 Update: The battery really lasts a long time at least 2 weeks for me, and even though my weekday commute is very short I use FM transmission the whole ride. I do wish it didn't repeat the low battery alert so frequently that's pretty annoying. I also wish the FM announcement wasn't so long they could certainly make some alerts briefer. Also, I find that I have to say the "Play" command like I'm angry, or it doesn't understand me. And there were a few times when the bluetooth connection dropped, but I don't know that it could be blamed on the Freeway it's been pretty consistently flawless. So, aside from a few niggling annoyances, this really is an excellent solution even after a few months of using it. I love that I can simply grab it to bring with me to a different car, and it's been wonderful for hands-free calls & listening to music. Siri has a harder time understanding me through the Freeway, so music searching isn't always successful and texts tend to have typos, but overall I'm still very pleased.
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It works great, but the bulk package does not have the charger. I have to use the charger of my Jabra headset to charge it.
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I bought this as a gift for my dad, who doesn't like to deal with complicated gadgets, and he loves this. It was easy to set up and he actually uses it in the car while driving. The speaker is loud, which he also likes.
Honest reviews on Jabra FREEWAY Bluetooth Speakerphone (Bulk Packaging)
I purchased this after reading many positive reviews.
I have had Bluetooth radios in the past, but the audio quality from the speakerphone feature has usually sucked.
The Jabra Freeway fills the need of a great speakerphone product, while being poratable (car to car), and has a great rechargable battery.
40 days in standby and/or 14 hours talk time is great for a small, lightweight product.
Also, if your device (mine is an iPhone 5) supports AD2P (audio/music transfer to bluetooth devices), then it works great with the FM Modulator.
I hold the CALL button for 1 second, and I'm talking to SIRI, making calls and getting turn-by-turn directions. It couldn't be easier.
All navigation of the device happens fairly hands-free, with voice guidance. It's an excellent product and I highly recommend.
The only drawback I can see is that in the Philadelphia Area, we do not have many (nearly none) spare radio areas on the radio dial. Because of this, the FM Modulation station can sometimes be fuzzy or slightly interrupted. (in Philly, the best is 91.7 or 91.9FM).
I am very pleased with my purchase, and going BULK PACKAGING didn't cause one issue. All of the instructions are on the web (and an included manual), but the device is fairly self-explanatory with complete voice guidance. You won't go wrong.
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Just bought this for my Navigator. I've been looking for a very simple, no brains, handsfree system. I FOUND IT.
PROS:
-Sleek and nice looking
-Fits on any visor including thick ones with mirrors (mine)
-Very loud but can be turned down.
-IPHONE 4S works PERFECT
--SIRI works however you need to PUSH ONE BUTTON.
-Connects immediately once I enter the truck. It will scare you at least once because you'll forget it is on. It will say "CONNECTED" AND LEAVE it ON.
-Charge is going strong with 10 hrs of battery left (you can ask how much battery left) after 2 wks which has been left ON (has auto shut off)
-FM capable----I don't use as the speakers on this system are incredible. But it works and turns music off on calls
-INCOMING CALLsSays callers name and you can say cancel (goes voicemail) or ACCEPT. NEVER needing push a button. HANDSFREE
-ENDING CALLswhen ending it just ends no buttons to push. HOWEVER if LEAVING A MESSAGE must push END button.
-OUTBOUND CALLsI use SIRI. Push one button say "Phone Commands" call "Mom" and it dials. (See Cons for minor issue)
-Call WaitingNeed to push ONE button and VIOLA.
-Musicif IPHONE has music can play it. System speakers are pretty nice
-CLARITYEveryone I've talk to using Freeway says "SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE RIGHT NEXT TO ME." I have some cabin noise (kids) and NO PROBLEMS!
CONS
-EMAIL and TEXT read to youMUST join for $59 per year. 1st year FREE. BUT SIRI will work. SO you can SPEAK a TEXT NO PROBLEM.
-POWERFUL BLUETOOTHIf parked in garage when I'm inside my home near garage I might CONNECT. Just have shut it off on phone
SOMETIMES when I say "PHONE COMMANDS" to get to SIRI. First I have to touch a button (no biggie) but I have to SPEAK LOUDLY to get it work
-I'm really trying to find CONS
Overall the system is very nice. I'm so happy after trying so many different systems to finally have found one that fits me.
I'm not sure how it works with other phones so BUYER BEWARE for other phones as I have an IPHONE.
I didn't give it 5 stars only because to get SIRI I have to sometimes speak with a loud voice to get it to register. I can live with this.
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE.
