Simply amazed!, February 15, 2008
Let me explain this product in one sentence: A steal for the price. The deck is comparable to most on the market right now other than the fact that it has bluetooth built in. I was using the bluetooth with my phone in seconds - making calls, streaming music. I have read reviews elsewhere that complain about navigating through the menu, I find...read full review
Let me explain this product in one sentence: A steal for the price. The deck is comparable to most on the market right now other than the fact that it has bluetooth built in. I was using the bluetooth with my phone in seconds - making calls, streaming music. I have read reviews elsewhere that complain about navigating through the menu, I find these complaints unsubstantiated. Although not purely intuitive they were graspable without picking up the manual and looking things up - the only thing I had to revert to instructions for was setting the clock. The sound has been good, no objections there - and the equalizer functions are minimal but in my opinion adequate (I've had decks with crazy equalizers that have gone unused so this one was a good switch for me). I intend to add the ipod interface ($30-$40 on amazon) as well as the HD radio tuner (not on amazon at the time of the review but available for around $100 if you really look around). So, for about $300 I'll have a bluetooth, HD radio, that can control and charge my ipod (through the stereo). Try to find anything that can do all that for the same price and I'll give you a cookie.
A quick note about the bluetooth quality (in regard to talking on the phone). There is a mic in the stereo that picks up your voice as you hear the person you're speaking with through your speakers. As an artifact of this setup at times the person will hear their echo (one must deal with it). People will know they are on speakerphone, but conversations can be had with ease. So far all the calls I've made have been successful, in other words no one has said 'you've got to get me off speakerphone'. All in all I'm happy with the quality and I assume if my car were more airtight the person would hear me much better.
One potential problem: there is only one set of pre-outs, so those of you with big ideas about expanding drastically should look into a deck with front, rear, and sub outs (3 total). I however am doing a downgrade and the single pre-out worked fine for me. minimize
Upgrade, this is not the best unit, April 10, 2008
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2RG6R192SZGQC Ok, so I am a JVC nut. Everything I buy I actively search for JVC. My TV, receiver, camcorder.. Etc. I bought this unit KD-BT11 three weeks ago. I paired it with some Infinity Reference series speakers. I got horrible cracks and...read full review
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2RG6R192SZGQC Ok, so I am a JVC nut. Everything I buy I actively search for JVC. My TV, receiver, camcorder.. Etc. I bought this unit KD-BT11 three weeks ago. I paired it with some Infinity Reference series speakers. I got horrible cracks and pops out of the speakers. I had reached the summit of my knowledge and took it to the "pros". They disassembled everything and put it together for themselves, same thing. They told me the unit had to be bad. Crutchfield sent me a new BT-11 without me having to send the "bad one" back. Awesome customer service there. The new unit did the same thing. I upgraded my speakers to Kappa series Infinity's and same thing, only at a louder volume. I am perusing a sub so that I can crossover and send only high freq's to the door speakers (2006 Dodge Ram quad cab).
Now for the Bluetooth. It does work, don't get me wrong, BUT, you need to be going 30 MPH or less. It works great in downtown environments, but anything over 30 and your party will not be able to understand a word. I have sent both units back to Crutchfield for the JVC KD-BT1 with the wired mic. It reads much better on the forums and reviews.!!!JVC KD-BT1 - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - EXAD - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 I will update as soon as I have installed it.
The menus are a bit difficult, but only for the first week. It has become second nature and I can now fly through them. Or could I should say. The single biggest problem I have with the unit other than the Bluetooth is the smallness of the controls. You have to be very very very careful when skipping a track. The controls for this unit are tiny. I find myself letting off the gas because I really have to focus on where I am putting my finger, because if you accidentally hit the up button instead of the right (next track) button you will find yourself at the 1st track of the disk. Super annoying when your dealing with an MP3 disk with 160 songs on it. No way to dial in your track, you have to manually get back to where you were, all the while being extra careful you don't hit up AGAIN.. Super annoying. "use the remote" you might be saying. Well that's a whole nother issue. The remote is TOO SMALL and cumbersome. Plus you have to point directly at the IR receiver or you aint gettin no response. I love JVC, I loved the unit, just if I am going to spend a couple hundred bucks, its going to have to be for something more than what the BT-11 had to offer. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the BT1. Hope this helps, just remember (I don't have it yet) but it sounds like the smart thing to do is to drop the extra $80 for the wired mic, and larger controls. This video is dark and not the greatest. My fault not the JVC Digital Camcorder lol... This video is just to show the interface and size and complexity of the buttons. I have another that is better and more descriptive in some aspects, but only one review per item, I have chosen this one. Hope it helps. Enjoy minimize
bottom line - Car stereo with BT must have an external mic., April 1, 2008
bottom line - Car stereo with BT must have an external mic. to work propertly as hands free cell phone accessory. Unfortunately this one does not have it.
people can't hear me well enough
week microphone and tuner, August 27, 2008
Tuner not sensitive as factory receiver and week microphone - friends told me sound is like i`m talking from far distance. Not so great location ob buttons, but so far working ok
I'm glad I choose you, August 16, 2009
First it was the cheapest choise, I got it faster then they told me! And I'm happy.. :)
Thanks guys!
Description: JVC built Bluetooth capability into their KD-BT11 CD receiver so you can enjoy the safety and convenience of hands-free calling and music streaming. When a call comes in, press a button to mute the music and speak to your caller ? without touching your cell phone. Music streaming lets you play the music from any Bluetooth audio device through the stereo.
