Sony MEX-BT3800U

Good price/performance balance

I set out to purchase a stereo that had an AUX port and a USB port on the front of the unit and I didn't want to spend a ton of money. I shopped a number of different electronic stores, trying interfaces and looking at features. Most of them were either too expensive or had clumsy interfaces. I eventually found the BT3700U. At about $170, it was right in my target price range.

The button layout works well for me and I can operate the unit without looking at it. I was a little disappointed with the brightness controls. While you can dim the display, you have to step through a number of menus to do it, and the dimming doesn't affect the buttons at all, which are very bright at night.

The Bluetooth was a selling point for me, but not a primary feature. As it turns out, I'm glad I got it. It works perfectly with my phone. The built-in microphone is inexplicably located behind the removable faceplate, which seems like it obstructs the pickup somewhat. I've had callers tell me that they have a little trouble hearing me, so I may invest in the external mic as well. I also wish the Bluetooth had Caller ID capability as well, but for $170 I'm not about to complain about a tiny missing feature.

There are a lot of stereos that are better than this one, but you will find precious few of them at this price. If I had to choose again, I'd still pick this one. It's an excellent stereo for the price.

Whole lot of stereo for the money

This is my second Sony BT stereo (MEX-BT2700). I bought this one because sold my old car.

For the price this one can't be beat. Most of the features on this stereo you can't find anywhere else, until you hit the $400 range. Not to say it is prefect. The interface could be a little better (like you have to press "MODE" to change radio bands AM/FM). Also my wife has a tenancy to push the volume knob in as she turns down the volume, which changes the Equalizer instead. I have gotten used to it though.

I also wish it had a REAL dimmer that was tied into the Headlight switch, like my OEM stereo was. The dimmer function on this stereo is useless. First you have to scroll through the functions to switch it On/Off. It dims the LED display, but the Blue button lights stay at full brightness all the time. At night the Button lights overpower the dimmed LED display making it harder to read. I don't know why they even bothered to add this function. I like to keep my dash instrument lights on my car low but I have to leave the dimmer function OFF all the time.

Bluetooth Phone and Audio work perfectly with my Blackberry Flip (8220). On my old Sony Ericsson (W810i) only the Phone paring worked. Go figure the Sony Stereo and Sony Phone aren't fully compatible...

Love the AUX jack in the front. I have also used a Thumb (USB) drive to play music while on road trips out in the sticks (where there are no Radio Stations). Both preformed great.

One thing I like in particular about this stereo is that you can add an external Mic for the hands free, which I have mounted near my Visor. It makes the outgoing sound a little clearer.

I find the included wireless Remote rather redundant. I think I used it twice on my old Sony stereo. This stereo the remote is still in the bag. I guess if you had a van, or kids in the back you want to give the remote to, you might find it useful.

Durability: I have had this stereo for about 7-8 months, with no problems. My old MEX-BT2700 I had for 4 years, I think, before I sold the car; no problems either.

Works Great with I-Pod

This was exactly what we were looking for to run our I-pod's in the vehicles. You can use USB or regular cable connect. It also runs our I-Phone's (or the new I-pod touch) via bluetooth. There is better sound if you can utilize the bluetooth mode. Great for hands free-phone use also. We have one in each of our vehicles and this is the best radio we've had in a long time for being versatile. Great radio for the price.

excellent head unit

This head unit does everything it says and works flawlessly and sounds flippin great. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a lot of features for not a lot of money. The bluetooth hands free calling is perfect and sounds great. Would definately buy another. Plus the three sets of pre-amp outs make adding amps easy. Buy it ,you wont be disappointed I promise!!

One stop shop

I put a lot of time and research in for choosing the one piece of equipment that is not going to be hidden under or behind a seat cushion or buried inside the doors. I needed the head unit to pick up my calls and the Sony MEX-BT3700 (same unit, newer design), pairs with my iPhone 3gs quickly and effortlessly! I do have the Sony XAMC10 extended microphone and both ends are crystal clear. Plays my tracks, charges the phone via USB, handles my Sirius connect, and looks darn great doing all those things too!

Sweet

Can you imagine my 25yr old daughter buying a brand new 2010 Nissan without a radio? It already had speakers installed so dear old dad bought her this radio/cd/mp3/Bluetooth ready device.
Great sounds, Hands free phone. And she streams her Pandora radio channels. What else could ask for.
I easily installed it with the recommended gear from Sonics. It works just like they said it would.
I recommend it as well as this company. They treated me well and honest. Better than a lot of stores that are out there today.

Great features - iPhone compatable!!!

Works amazingly well. Syncing with my iPhone 3GS was incredibly easy. Button layout is simple, I especially like preset buttons for each station. The Bluetooth features work so well on this headset also; I can wirelessly stream music from my iPod app, the stream must be digital because it is crystal clear. The phone through the headset
works well also, although you do have to raise your voice a bit to be heard clearly. Great value for the price I think I payed $160 for it, definitely worth the money. The USB feature also inter-phases with my iPhone which makes it difficult to find a specific song - just have a playlist ready or put it on random, once you do this you cannot control the music from your phone, although it does charge the phone via the factory iPhone USB cord.

Great features!

This headunit works amazingly well! Charges my iPod Touch 2gen. I'm even able to change the song through the control, headunit or ipod.
The Bluetooth works well with my LG Versa phone sometimes I do have to raise my voice a bit. There's nothing bad I can say about this great product. It even blends in with my car's dash..lol

Excellent

I just got my unit yesterday had it installed within an hour, once i turned it on i was happy to hear this thing push my stock speakers louder and better than the stock stereo had, once i get my new Sony gtx speakers and 4 channel amp the system will be complete and sound great.

Pros:
Bluetooth (Integrated Mic)
EQ3 (stage 2)
S-MOSFET IC (better sound/less static/noise)
Zappin
Front USB
Front AUX
Optional Microphone Input (rear)

Cons:
None

I recommend this unit to anyone looking for everything but a dvd player/screen...