Sony's MEX-BT5000 car stereo with Bluetooth

Being the mass transit junkies that we are, we don't spend a lot of time in cars, flying or otherwise, but we know many of you hit the highways each day, so we're presenting to you Sony's new Bluetooth-enabled head unit. The MEX-BT5000 acts as a hands free kit for any Bluetooth phone (although we're sure they'd prefer if it was one of their own), giving you access to up to 50 of your contacts and six of your speed dial entries through its "high resolution" screen and integrated noise-reducing micophone.Once you're done risking everyone's life talking on the phone, fire up your Bluetooth-equipped DAP -- or just stick in a CD -- and you can stream high-fidelity audio throughout your ride, while checking out on-screen track info and navigating your music with the wireless remote. Sure, this isn't the first time we've seen most of these features jammed into a head unit, and at $400, it's still not the cheapest, but we thought it might help hold you over until the CD-ripping 2007 Infinity G35 starts showing up on sketchy used car lots.

[lolersticks @ Jul 19th 2006 10:41AM]

Finally, a stereo with a knob that I can actually use to change stations/tracks.

Oh, and it has bluetooth. Yay.

[jason3fc @ Jul 19th 2006 11:02AM]

This contact features of this to me really seem pointless. If Im going to look away from driving to look down at the radio to find contacts, I might as well look at the phone!

[AA @ Jul 19th 2006 11:14AM]

Already have the Sony SN-looks quite cool

[Mark @ Jul 19th 2006 11:28AM]

When will this unit be available for purchase?

[Stan @ Jul 19th 2006 11:52AM]

According to Sony, it will be available at the end of August.

[Todd @ Jul 19th 2006 12:06PM]

QUESTION: Can I stream or transfer, via bluetooth, MP3s on my RAZR to this head unit and listen to them over the car's speakers?

[Grant Guthrie @ Jul 19th 2006 1:20PM]

I have a W800 - since it can't stream music to Bluetooth headphones, should I assume it won't be able to for this either? They don't give that detail.

[Drewidian @ Jul 19th 2006 2:56PM]

Re:This contact features of this to me really seem pointless. If Im going to look away from driving to look down at the radio to find contacts, I might as well look at the phone!

I think this is great simply because you can (hopefully) pair your PDA phone so you can stream music from your pda to your car, and have it automaticly pause when an incomming phone call comes in.

Does anyone else find it annoying that you have to turn down your stereo or look for the remote when a phone call comes in? Ever miss a call because the stereo was too loud and the ringer on your phone too low???

[Lydia Isela @ Sep 30th 2006 8:37PM]

Dear drew,

I am not suure if I have the same guy I met years ago online but if it is you and if you remember me from Chicago, send me an email and we can get in touch again. Hope to hear from you soon.

All my best,
Lydia Isela

[brian welch @ Jul 19th 2006 3:02PM]

Hi guys - not to pick too-small nit, but the car manufacturer is called “infiniti”, not with a ‘y’…

-bw (I miss my G35 coupe 6MT sometimes)

[brian welch @ Jul 19th 2006 3:05PM]

Oop, "not to pick *a* too-small nit".

Anyway,

Drewidian,

I would find that annoying, but I think most of the in-car systems are pretty smart. I know my new ride (IS350) mutes the stereo and rings over the car's speaker when I have an incoming call, etc.

-bw

[Kbadone @ Jul 19th 2006 8:26PM]

Only mp3 players and walkman phones with bluetooth A2DP feature can transfer music via bluetooth. Such as the W950 walkman phones.The W800 wont work :(

I would say wait until sony announce their new walkman players this fall. Its probably going to have bluetooth in them!!!

[KeRbDoG @ Jul 20th 2006 10:39AM]

Pioneer have a headunit like this, lacks a colour screen but has Bluetooth. Oldish now though

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/3453.html

[loikll @ Aug 25th 2006 8:11PM]

I was half-suspecting this thing would be vaporware. But I see it now on the shelves a Fry's, for $399.

I pointed it out enthusiastically to the salesman, but he was stuck on the idea that you could use it to TALK ON YOUR PHONE!!! (uh, not exactly totally unprecedented, dude)

Now if there were just a Bluetooth iPod -- which I note there's not -- I'd be set.