Zoom iHiFi Universal Transmitter
The Zoom iHiFi Universal Transmitter can solve your Bluetooth transmitter problems in one device for wirelessly transmitting your audio from any device using a 3.5mm connection.
Ease of Use, Performance: 23/25
Look & Feel: 23/25
Features 20/25
How much I enjoy 24/25
Total: 90/100
Bluetooth technology is relatively new one and products just keep coming out that need both receivers and transmitters for you to connect them to other devices. The Zoom iHiFi Transmitter allows you to send audio from one audio device like an MP3 player to another Bluetooth enable receiving device like speakers or a cell phone.
The Zoom iHiFi Universal Transmitter model 4353 sends Bluetooth audio from any audio source using the 3.5mm connection to any receiver using the simple Bluetooth connection. The Zoom Transmitter works very well and pairs with other Bluetooth devices using the standard “0000” or “1234” pincode or passkey.
You really can have your music and listen without all those wires using the Zoom Universal Transmitter and any Bluetooth headset or receiver. I had another device dilemma when reviewing another product, a set of speakers that has a Bluetooth receiver, so I had to find something to use with it that was Bluetooth.
The Zoom Transmitter works so very well and is very easy to use not only on the simple speakers but with any Bluetooth device like cell phones and headsets. I do not have any other headsets that would pair with this but it worked exceptionally well with my Sansa View and the Com One Speaker system.
The Zoom Transmitter is easy to use and comes with the transmitter itself with a sliding plastic jacket for use with the iPod Mini, a short 3.5mm male to female cable, a USB charging cable, instruction manual and some small pieces of Velcro. The USB Charging cable is a regular USB cable and is a nice long six foot one so you get a really nice cable out of this package instead of a short 3 foot one.
Audio into the transmitter is done through the 3.5mm connection that simply puts audio to the transmitter that turns it into a wireless signal through the Bluetooth protocol. The other connection on the transmitter is the charging connection that uses a standard Mini-B USDB connection. You can use a PC with the USB Mini-B supply to charge the transmitter or purchase and use a separate adapter to charge the transmitter without a PC.
The Zoom Transmitter works simply by charging up the transmitter using the USB cable and then turning it on and it will search for other Bluetooth devices nearby. If it senses any it will try to pair and use the standard “0000” or “1234” passkey or code to pair with.
The transmitter can transmit from about twenty feet away and I had no problem going about 75 five feet away and still get reception. This of course will be dependent on the receiver and battery strength but I found the distance just fine for moving about the house with the transmitter and not having the transmitter disconnect.
I had no problems pairing this with my Com One speakers and did not need to enter any codes but for other devices you may need to. I could not really tell any difference with the audio between the transmitter and having the speaker connected using an audio cable, the quality is that good.
The plastic sleeve that is on the transmitter pops off easily if you don’t have an iPod Mini that it is used with, it helps steady the transmitter on the iPod Mini. You can purchase the Zoom Transmitter in several packages with and without a receiver base or headphones for your particular needs.
The Zoom Universal Transmitter model 4353 is for any MP3 player or other audio device you want to use with a Bluetooth connection to transmit your audio in stereo. The other models are specific to some types of MP3 players like the iPod models and have either 3.5mm connections or the iPod connection that connect both devices.
I highly recommend the Zoom iHiFi Universal Transmitter for a great and simple way to connect your MP3 or other audio device to a Bluetooth headset or speakers. For a sports or jogging setup using Bluetooth headset and your MP3 player this would make a great and cord free setup.