Electronics : Sony MEX-BT2600 Bluetooth CD Tuner

Rating: - Excellent bit of kit
I bought one of these to install in my 2005 Nissan X-trail to replace the stock stereo (CY690), principally because I was fed up of the poor reception of the FM transmitter I bought to play mp3's from my Sandisk E280 mp3 player. I figured, why not get bluetooth capability as well as the ability to plug in the mp3 player directly via a 3.5mm jack. But what I also wanted was to retain the functionality of the stock steering wheel audio control stalk and the voiceover audio from the built-in satnav.

Am not disappointed. The order turned up the next day from Dynamic Sound Ltd. It comes with facia, 3.5mm jack lead (which is not very good quality), a set of leads that convert from ISO to the Sony specific input socket. I had to buy an expensive (nearly half the price of the stereo) ICT 29-644 converter lead and Sony Remote Adaptor (ICT 29-008) from http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk to interface with the Nissan specific connectors (they also do other manufacturer adaptor cables as well). It worked first time (just make sure you also plug the aerial in otherwise the BT2600 will just sit there and do nothing) AND I have full control from the steering wheel AND the satnav voice-over mutes the audio when it's talking.

The sound quality of audio play back is very good, much better than the stock Nissan stereo. Linking my phone in was childs play (once I'd read the manual). I have a Motorola Razr v3i which has excellent voice recognition, so you can voice dial at the push of a button. The BT2600 mutes the audio, you make your call, and when you hang up it unmutes the audio. Superb! I have yet to try making a call whilst driving, so I'll edit this once I've done it (so I can confirm whether the sound quality is any good).

I have also yet to try the CD and mp3 from CD functionality, but since I have an mp3 player anyway, I'm not too fussed about it.

I was sceptical about the adaptor cables retaining the satnav voiceover (which I don't use anyway), but much to my surprise, it works! The satnav voiceover comes out of the front passenger side speaker and the music audio is partially muted, which is exactly the same effect as with the stock Nissan stereo. Bonus!

So all in all, I'm very very happy with it.

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Rating: - Great but a Little Flawed
A2DP is definitely the future for car audio and MP3s. No more trailing wires to your Ipod and no dodgy FM transmitter sound.

This way you use your phone as a true one-stop media device. I have movies, MP3s and sat-nav on my N95 and they all route through the car speakers (via this head unit and bluetooth AD2P) in perfect stereo.

The problem is the phone handsfree - it has very poor echo cancellation so people will struggle to hear you at speed. I have to stop to take important calls and switch the engine off (which kind of defeats the object). All Sony needed to do was include a separate microphone you could connect. Worse the in-built microphone is behind the fascia.

Don't get me wrong though this is worth it just for the MP3s via bluetooth.

Get one of these and flog your Ipod today!!!

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Rating: - sony bt2600
This is a review about the 2008 version of the already popular bt2500.

I bought this from new image hifi who sent it quickly and well packed. The free gift was missing but they have promised to send one on.

The item comes with a harness ( one into two) one for the speakers and one for the power cables and an arial adaptor. I have an audi a2. Plug the exisiting inputs in and away you go. Blooth tooth works a treat ( both music streaming and phone calls/answer) and the stereo sounds great. One can control the phone re music and calling via the headunit. Even voice activation works.

Advantages over previous model i am aware of-1. this has pre-amp outs but i did not need these and one can attach a steering column/ joy stick as well as ipod via a special module to buy separately.

best wishes

azim