Installing Bluetooth In a Car for Hands Free Driving

Bluetooth is a convenient feature that allows you to make phone calls and listen to music in your car, hands-free. Most newer cars come equipped with Bluetooth already integrated, but many of us still drive older cars that don’t have Bluetooth installed. Many states are instituting bans on using your cell phone while in the car. My state passed this law last month. So I decided to implement a solution. I recently added a simple device that allows me to add Bluetooth to my car stereo system. Here is how I installed it.

Installing Bluetooth In a Car

Aux Input

If you have a car that has an Aux input audio jack then adding Bluetooth is a relatively easy process. Most Aux input audio jacks are located near the car radio or somewhere around the center console. It is a 3.5mm jack that allows one to plugin devices like a smartphone or mp3 player into the car’s sound system to hear music. If you can’t find your Aux input jack check your owner’s manual. If your car does not have one there are other options we will discuss later.

Besign BK01 Bluetooth 4.1 Car Kit Hands-Free

I installed the Besign BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit into my car. This Bluetooth car kit is a device that utilizes the Aux input jack. By plugging this device into the Aux input jack you can use the car kit’s built-in microphone and the car stereo systems to make hands-free calls. You can also use this device to listen to music wirelessly from your smartphone.

Bluetooth Car Kit

The Besign BK01 Bluetooth car kit came in a small and nicely packed box. The directions are well written and easy to understand.

In the Box

• Besign BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit
• USB Car Charger
• Magnetic Mounting Plate
• The Ground Loop Noise Isolator
• User guide

Installing

The Besign BK01 Bluetooth car kit was easy to install. I just plug one end of the device into my car’s power outlet (cigarette lighter) and the other into my Aux input jack. This car kit comes with a ground loop noise isolator that helps eliminate noise through the stereo system. This helps reduce electrical noise and buzzing. I was able to velcro this into place and out of the way (see pictures below).

Hands-Free Controller

Then I mounted the hands-free controller using the provided self-adhesive mounting plate close to my radio. This is a three-button controller with a built-in microphone that allows you to accept calls and pause and play music from your smartphone.

Using The Device

The device is easy to use. I selected the Aux input button on my radio to activate that port. The 3 button controller flashed blue and red indicating my phone was not connected to Bluetooth. I turned Bluetooth on my phone and selected the BK01 device from the list of available Bluetooth devices. Once connected the 3 button controller showed a solid blue light. The nice part about Besign BK01 Bluetooth car kit is it will automatically connect to your phone after the first initial connection. So every time I start my car it connects to my phone.

Calling

I have placed and accepted several calls with this device. To accept a call just press the center button on the controller. The person on the other end of the call comes through the car’s sound system. For the most part, calls were clear and people on the other end said they could hear me just fine. It nice being able to drive and talk to someone hands-free.

Listening to Music

Music from my iPhone sounds great. The ground loop noise isolator really helps keep the audio clean. The 3 button controller makes it easy to skip to the next song or pause a track. Google maps have also worked well with this device. I could listen to the voice navigation through my sound system.

Mounting Phone

The whole setup looks pretty clean I mounted my iPhone using a cheap vent clip mount. I also bought a small black 3 ft charging cable for my phone and tired up all the cables with small pieces for velcro cable ties. The Besign BK01 Bluetooth car kit has a 2 port USB charger that allows you to plug in your phone and the device at the same time.

Where to Buy:

eBay:

Besign BK01 Bluetooth 4.1 Car Kit Hands-Free

Amazon:

Besign BK01 Bluetooth 4.1 Car Kit Hands-Free

Other Options

If your car does not have an Aux jack. There are other options.

Bluetooth Using Car Radio Stations

This device works by broadcasting Bluetooth through the car’s radio by tuning in to a station. It allows for hands-free calling and playing music.

Visor Bluetooth Loudspeaker

This option uses the car driver-side visor. You just clip on the Bluetooth loudspeaker and you can place and receive phone calls hands-free.

Conclusion

I have used the Besign BK01 car kit for a few months and I am very pleased with its performance. It was easy to install and use. The 3 button controller is functional and accessible. The sound quality is excellent. I would highly recommend this device for those looking to add Bluetooth to their car.