Alpine eX-10 - Bluetooth hands-free car kit / iPod interface adapter w/built-in FM modulator

I had an in-dash radio with Bluetooth in my old car. I traded it for a pickup that had a factory XM radio in the dash. My old stereo had Sirius. Not wanting to clutter the roof with stick-on antennae, but needing Bluetooth, as I am hearing-impaired decided to get the Alpine eX-10. I made a small shelf for it to sit on, along with the remote, hooked it up and tried it out.Since my stereo has an Aux Input, I wired it directly to the car stereo. I found that the phonebook will not download, a fact that circumvents the hands-free functions of the phone. When I want to make a call, I have to do so manually, using the phone. I make sure I do this when I am not in traffic, and I have memorized the button pushes to make calls to the two places I call most. The phone sounds great and I can have the conversation without holding the phone to my ear. Sometimes when the person on the other end of the conversation hangs up, the eX-10 realizes this and hangs up for me. If I am expecting a call, I have to use the radio in Aux/CD mode. Since CDs are so 90s, I don't use them. If I forget my iPod, I have to listen to road noise until my call is complete. I will probably get a cell phone with mp3 capabilities and will hopefully get rid of this problem.I mentioned the iPod. It plays through the eX-10 really well. I do with there were buttons on the front of the unit, so that I didn't have to retrieve the remote any time I want to play another song, answer the phone, etc. A short piece of velcro taped to that aluminum shelf I built keeps the remote within reach and at the same place, so I can pick it up without taking my eyes off the road.All in all, this is a good unit. I was really pampered with the "everyone's everything" unit I had before. I am acclimating to the apparent shortcomings of this unit. I can't find another that does Bluetooth and iPod. I'd buy it again.

just gonna list out things that i didn't like about this alpine...1) does not have additional slot for USB connection. so the only input methods are Ipod connection and Bluetooth from hand phone.( i bought it with the assumption that it had one.... not the seller's fault)2)Multiple Bluetooth connection? yes .. but using them at the same time? NO! ... so what's the point for multiple connection?3)to many wires!.. gawd!! the wires!!! good luck in hiding them.4)Had to redo the power socket so that the unit doesn't on/off on/off itself when the car kick starts.5) The controller seems flimsy to me and didn't like the slow response time.other then that, it's all good.

I don't know why Alpine stopped making this product. It's great.If you hate fidgeting with your iPod and looking down while you're driving, this is for you.In terms of Bluetooth, I had it pair with my Motorola DROID, and then my iPhone 4 (Verizon) with no problems.Two minor complaints:1. Too much of the screen real estate can be devoted to layout/ design, and not to the track/ album/ playlist title, and it takes a while to scroll through.2. The IR remote needs to be pointed directly at the screen, which makes it less convenient than a more powerful IR remote would be.

Great product, easy to set up, works perfectly. I only plan on using the Bluetooth functionality, so I wish I could disconnect the LCD screen but it is required for the device to function. The Weak LCD screen connector broke. When attempting to send to Alpine for repairs, I was told that the factory warranty is only honored if purchased from an authorized retailer which my/this dealer is not. The least expensive cable replacement is approximately $38 which is almost the cost of the entire unit.

This product is a bit picky with the model iPod you use.First, it does not support charging on current line iPods and iPhones, unless you purchase the Scosche Passport separately.On my 3G iPod nano, the device would pause for a second after reading the first 5 seconds of a new song.With my iPhone, the music plays fine, but every so often, say in 40 minute intervals, the whole thing would shut down (I presume it crashes).The worst part is the bluetooth. It's completely unusable, even if I've replaced their stock mic with a better one from Sony Ericsson.Otherwise, it's a so-so product. I expected much more since I'm a fan of Alpine.

I was really impressed with the ease of installation and the playback quality.But, when I went to test drive, I put my sunnies on and the Alpine screen went blank....the GPS and iPhone screens were OK, but Alpine....Blacked out.Took the Sunnies off and back came the screen.Must have something to do with polarizing effect of sunnies.Sunnies are more important, so now Alpine is back in its box.

I truly cannot understand what all the commotion is about. This is a excellent product at $35.00. You are not going to find another for this price. I've bought multiple units and none have failed. I just installed in a BMW 740il. Took an hour and a half but after you could only see one cable. I hid the microphone where the original one was and WOW what clarity and it's hidden. No one I have installed this for has complained about bluetooth connectivity or ipod functionality. Of course there is going to be half a second lag now and then. This is not made by apple people. For 34.99 you cannot possible go wrong.

I have a 98 Porsche..and I didnt want to hack up my dash and remove my stock radio....this is a very nice addition to my car that works EXACTLY how I needed it to. Not that sound quality is my main concern with the top down.....BUT the functionality..is ABSOLUTELY what I needed.