Bluetooth speakers - Real world experiences

[NAGG]

Hi All

After only a fairly recent foray into the world of smartphones - I was wondering about the use of portable bluetooth speakers when boating
hard wired stereos are problematic in an open boat - so I've stayed clear of them ..... but what about a bluetooth speaker ?.

There are plenty available from rock bottom pricing $50 to $500 with plenty in the $100 - $250 mark . Some read up very well & have some great features .... but they vary with good sound quality at a reasonable price but floored by poor battery life (5hrs) .

some that I'm considering are the JBL flip / JBL Charge / Jawbone Jambox mini / Jawbone big Jambox / bose soundlink mini / beats pill /TDK A33 ....... there are plenty of others

Anyhow - is anyone using bluetooth speakers on their boats ? - what type , the good and the bad etc .

Keen to hear your thoughts

Chris

[Justin Rossiter]

Hi Chris

I have a small Logitech speaker that I take with me. Good sound for what I use it for, cost less than $100 from memory. I suppose it depends on what you want from it in terms of sound etc. I am no tech geek so all I want is clear sound and it does that just fine. Battery life will be an issue for most of them, have you thought about a solar charger for your phone ?

[aussie_stu]

Not in the boat, but the other weekend out camping a mate brought his jam box, that thing was loud and nice n clear, worked a treat

[NAGG]

There are some units that have pretty good battery life 10-15 hrs (usually the dearer units)
Something between 8-10 would be fine ..... Many charge via USB so a lighter socket is all that is needed for recharging - besides my phone would be dead by then anyway

Chris

[Rip it up]

I have a Phillips fidelio docking speaker with Bluetooth. Awesome.

Battery life is 10hrs plus. We use at campsites drinking into the night. On the boat doing overnighters etc.

Can be a dock or blue toothed.

Great sound.

Paid $250 for it about 3yr ago. Still going strong.

[lucee81]

Keep in mind when using Bluetooth on your phone it drains the battery very quickly.
What is the issue with a stereo on an open boat?

[NAGG]

Keep in mind when using Bluetooth on your phone it drains the battery very quickly.
What is the issue with a stereo on an open boat?

Placement of the unit .... trying to keep it away from spray etc - eventually they fail (even marine ones) ..... I went through 2 on my first boat .
The cost of a decent unit & speakers will be up near the $350 mark anyway
At least the bluetooth system will be portable for when camping or even just outdoors

Chris

[lucee81]

Placement of the unit .... trying to keep it away from spray etc - eventually they fail (even marine ones) ..... I went through 2 on my first boat .
The cost of a decent unit & speakers will be up near the $350 mark anyway
At least the bluetooth system will be portable for when camping or even just outdoors

Chris

What phone do you have or are you using a ipod?
If you can get one with a audio jack instead of bluetooth it will save battery power
leave bluetooth on, on your phone for a day and have a look at the difference in power use

[Jarrah Jack]

On another note.. Digital music has only 8% or so of the sound that was recorded in the studio.

[Tailortaker]

I'm in the same situation nagg, have a side console and want some decent music. I keep my iPhone charged via cigarette socket charger so that's not a problem but was looking for something more permenate so I don't have more "luggage" I was looking at the little head units that do am/FM and mp3 which are the size of a gauge on the dash.
cheers TT

[Spin]

The new GME GR 200 AM FM marine radios have a audio jack you can plug an Mp3 player or a smart phone ipod ect into and listen to your own music
If you buy the entertainment pack all in one GR 200 you get speakers cables and a ipod water prof bag ect
So you can have AM FM radio or listen to your own stuff
They also receive VHF marine Frequencies

[NAGG]

What phone do you have or are you using a ipod?
If you can get one with a audio jack instead of bluetooth it will save battery power
leave bluetooth on, on your phone for a day and have a look at the difference in power use

Galaxy note 2 ......

[BLOOEY]

Two words nag. Shower Radio! Kermit has been servicing me with the footy and cricket for many hours now and is still going strong as ever. Ben

[Stik-ugly]

Nagg I have a Fusion MS RA-50 fitted to my boat with a couple of fusion 6 1/2 speakers .Great sounding unit nice and compact ,it is only an am fm radio plus you are able to plug in Ipod. I have had no problems and thoroughly recommend it.I see that you can also get a blue tooth unit to plug into it to enable it to stream music from blue tooth devices.

[BLOOEY]

Blue tooth is so 2012. Blue tie is all the rage now. Ben