#ad: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Got an older car with a tape deck and no Bluetooth? The ION Bluetooth cassette adapter goes right in the deck and streams from your phone, no FM transmitter needed.
Here’s my first look at the ION Audio Bluetooth cassette adapter: how the hidden microphone works, how it powers on and off by itself, and why I think it can be handier than an FM transmitter in an old car.
- No FM transmitter, so no fighting over radio stations
- Hands-free calls with the built-in mic dongle
- Turns on and off automatically with the tape deck
- Dongle tucks away so it looks like a regular cassette
- Has to be charged, and you can’t easily plug in micro USB while it’s in the deck
- I didn’t test music quality in the car yet in this video
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
How a Bluetooth cassette adapter works
Back in the day we used cassette adapters with a wire hanging out to play an iPod. This one has no magnetic tape and no wire to your phone. There’s a small battery and a Bluetooth receiver inside, and it connects straight into your cassette player.
Because it doesn’t use an FM transmitter, the audio quality should theoretically be higher.
The hidden microphone and call button
The little dongle has a trapdoor that it hides behind when you don’t need it. Then it just looks like an old-school cassette.
When you do need it, pop it out and let it hang out of the deck. It’s a microphone plus a hang-up and play/pause button, so you can take calls hands-free without a separate exterior mic. There’s even a small door so the wire doesn’t get crimped.
Auto power on and off
There’s a power button you don’t really need. When you push it into the tape deck and the deck starts turning the little wheels, it powers on. Eject it and it turns off, which saves battery.
So if a call comes in, push it into the deck. Most car stereos switch to the tape input automatically, the adapter powers on, your phone connects, and you can answer.
Why I’d pick this over an FM transmitter
What I learned with FM transmitters is that when they’re on, most of your other radio stations don’t work. The signal overwhelms them and you get static or nothing at all.
This adapter isn’t competing in the FM space, and you don’t have to tune to a special station. Battery life should be a few hours of talk time, like a Bluetooth headset. The one catch: charge it before you need it, since micro USB is hard to reach once it’s in the deck.
FAQ
Does the ION cassette adapter need an FM transmitter?
No. It plays straight through your tape deck.
Can I take calls with it?
Yes. Pop out the microphone dongle and use its button to answer and hang up.
How do I turn it on?
Just put it in the tape deck. It powers on when the wheels turn and off when you eject it.
How does it charge?
With micro USB.
Leave a Reply