Looking for affordable bluetooth receiver for my car. Help hive!

March 22, 2017 8:02 AM

I have used several automobiles that have bluetooth and have paired my devices with them. I like that i can hop in the car and my phone will automatically pair and connect. My car does not have this luxury however i do have a mini jack input and usb power. I am looking for a device that will give me bluetooth audio in my car. I have bought a couple over the years but they Neither A: turn on when my car turns on and B:pair automatically with my device. Hive! Do you know of such a device that I can power with my car's USB and will pair automatically with my phone (iphone6)?
posted by citybuddha to Technology (6 answers total)

My wife has an iClever Himbox HB01 which I think does everything you want and she seems happy with it. Wirecutter has a guide here which might be useful as well.
posted by noneuclidean at 8:13 AM on March 22, 2017

Best answer: My husband and I each have this and both of them are set up on both our phones. Mine always connects in my car, but occasionally in his (I am not in it very often) I have to go into my settings and connect.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:27 AM on March 22, 2017

The Wirecutter has a nice review of the bluetooth car audio kits category mentioned in both comments above. I had the iClever Himbox too and it was pretty good, but not perfect - needed to be unplugged occasionally to get a connection.
posted by jeffch at 8:53 AM on March 22, 2017

Another alternative is installing a new head unit, which you can find with a full installation kit for $100 or so. I installed this one into my 2000 4Runner and it works well for Bluetooth audio and calls.
posted by craven_morhead at 8:54 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yeah, depending on your car getting a new head unit may provide a much better experience than any dongle could offer.
posted by GuyZero at 10:30 AM on March 22, 2017

I have the same one Lyn Never recommended. Works fine for me. Pairs automatically (though I'm on Android).
posted by pyro979 at 4:48 PM on March 23, 2017