Home Reviews ,,,,, If you want to put Bluetooth in your car, there is little you can do. Or buy a new car stereo, or change your car directly or buy an accessory capable of bringing this technology into the car. If you opt for the latter solution, give Mpow MPBH152AB a chance, an interesting product that represents an evolution compared to other competitors, cheaper and simplified, both from the functional point of view and from the point of view of the form factor.
As did
The accessory is in fact accompanied by a magnetic plate and a charger with cigarette lighter plug equipped with two USB ports, one specific for the Bluetooth receiver, the other with a 2.4 A output, powerful enough to recharge a tablet at the same time.
The included charger is the first interesting novelty of this receiver. Unlike other similar products, in fact, it does not have a battery but is powered directly from the cigarette lighter socket. The charger that we find in the package, as mentioned, is also able to recharge an iPhone, an Android mobile and even a tablet, since it is very powerful. The charger and the absence of an internal battery make this Bluetooth “dongle” interesting for those who make long trips by car and would find themselves at odds with other products that are equipped with an internal battery that lasts a few hours. In practice, once plugged into the cigarette lighter socket, you go on using it as long as you need to, without worrying about the battery running out.
The actual device is circular in shape and must be connected to the power supply with a 90 cm long cable which forks around 45 cm; one of the two connects to the charger via USB plug, the other ends with a 3.5 mm audio jack plug to be inserted into the classic AUX socket (to use the accessory it is therefore important to first check that the cigarette lighter socket is not too far away from the AUX input).
The receiver, as mentioned, is circular in shape, very thin (1.2 centimeters) and is equipped with three buttons: Fwd and Bwd respectively to move to the next and previous song, a larger central key allows you to start or stop playback and answer the phone in case of an incoming call. The controls are therefore very comfortable to use, as opposed to those of other smaller accessories in dimensions which are very close together.
A magnet is hidden on the back that attaches to the plate included in the package with adhesive: this plate is basically hooked onto the dashboard of the machine, taking care to place it on a smooth surface close enough to us to be able to interact easily with the buttons.
How is it going
We tested it mainly in the car even if, by connecting the USB socket to any power supply in the house (even the iPhone charger is fine) or to an emergency battery, it can be used almost anywhere, even with an old stereo to equip it of Bluetooth. As for in-car use, for which it is actually designed, it is capable of transmitting music without delays or latencies of any kind. When the buttons are pressed, the associated function is activated instantly, while the smartphone connected via Bluetooth is on the seat, in the dashboard or in a jacket pocket.
Mpow MPBH152AB is not limited to transmitting music only; it is also equipped with a microphone to manage hands-free phone calls. The central button, to stop or start the music, with an incoming call turns into a button to answer the phone, with a long press on it you can refuse an incoming call; double click – this is not stated in the user manual – the last number contacted is called instead.
The voice of the caller is heard very well, clear, loud and clean without any kind of interruption. Generally our voice was further away while we were talking while driving the car with the receiver positioned (in our case) practically on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. To make us feel “loud and clear” we had to lean forward a little, or possibly detaching the receiver from the magnetic support and placing it on top of our legs.
Conclusions
This receiver does what it promises and due to its small size it is also a rather discreet solution. An interesting aspect and an advantage over other similar products is that it is not strictly dependent on the 3.5mm Aux In socket like other all-in-one products. In practical terms we will be able to move it in the car where we want (according to the length of the wire), while cheaper competing products must be inserted in the input socket. In some cars this is located in positions away from the driver and in some cases even closed in the armrest or glove compartment, which makes it impossible to make hands-free calls.
Retail price
As anticipated, it is a decidedly economical solution: Mpow MPBH152AB can be bought on Amazon for 22.99 euros.
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