Review iClever Himbox HB01: Bluetooth drive for music and phone, with charger
If you want to put Bluetooth in the car, there is little to do. Or buy a new car stereo, car or changed directly or buy an accessory that can bring this technology in cars. For this, purpose also serves iClever Himbox HB01 an interesting product that represents an evolution compared to other competitors, cheaper and simplified, this both from the functional point of view and from the point of view of the form factor.
The difference is felt even before opening the box: in the exhibitor look accessory accompanied by a magnetic plate and a plug compatible with the classic car’s cigarette lighter has two USB ports, a specification for the Bluetooth receiver, the other Output 2A, powerful enough to charge a smartphone or a tablet.
The included charger is the first interesting novelty iClever Himbox HB01. Unlike other similar products, in fact, it does not have a battery but is powered directly from the cigarette lighter. The charger that we find in the package, as mentioned, is also able to recharge an iPhone, an Android phone, and even a tablet, since it’s very powerful.
The charger and the absence of an internal battery, make this ” dongle ” Bluetooth interesting for those who make long car trips and would be badly off with other products that come with an internal battery that lasts a few hours. In practice, once connected to the cigarette lighter, it goes on to use it as long as you need, without worrying about the battery ends.
The actual device is of circular shape and is connected to the power supply with a long cable that is a total of 120 cm, 80 cm around the forks; one hand goes to the cigarette lighter. The other side ends with a 3.5 mm jack to be included in the classic AUX.
To use the accessory is important to first check that the cigarette lighter socket is not too far from the entrance AUX: in our cars (Citroen C3) are virtually side by side, in other machines might not be so then before buying check that both sockets are not more than 70 cm away from each other (by removing the USB plug from the jack, the wire length 77 cm).
The receiver, as mentioned, is circular in shape, very thin (1.1 cm) and is equipped with three buttons: Fwd and BWD respectively to advance to the next track and previous (with prolonged pressure raises and lowers the volume), a biggest key unit can start or stop music playback and answer the phone in case of an incoming call. The checks are very comfortable to use, as opposed to those of other accessories smaller in dimensions that are very close together.
On the back is a hidden magnet that attaches to the plate included in the box with adhesive 3M: this plate is essentially attached to the dashboard of the car, taking care to place it on a flat surface and close enough to us to be able to interact with the buttons if necessary.
We tried mainly in the car though, by connecting the USB plug to any power at home (even the iPhone charger is fine) or to an emergency battery, you can use just about anywhere, even with an old stereo to provide it Bluetooth.
As regards the use in car, for which it is evidently studied, the iClever Himbox HB01 capable of transmitting the music without delays or latencies of any kind. To key presses, the associated function is activated instantly, while (in our case) iPhone 6 Plus connected Bluetooth is on the seat, the dashboard or in the pocket of a jacket.
iClever Himbox HB01 is not limited only to transmit music; It is also equipped with a microphone to handle phone calls hands-free. The center button, to stop or start the music, with an incoming call turns into a button to answer the phone, with the long press of the same can instead reject an incoming call; double-click – This is the user manual does not say – you call the last number instead contacted.
The other party in the call feels very good, clear, strong and clean without any kind of interruption. Generally farthest is instead found our voice as we talked to driving the car with the receiver positioned (in our case) virtually on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. To make us feel ” strong and clear ” we had to stick out a bit ‘forward, or possibly raising the tube from the holder and lay it over the magnetized legs.
Apart from this quibble, the receiver worked fine is playing in that call, even while we were traveling plunged into the busy streets with the windows open, so the air with loud noise that could disturb the communication device instead It equipped with a noise reduction system which can convey our voice clear and very disturbed.
In the box, there is only one plate magnetized to attach to the car, but striving with the do-it-yourself simply purchase any magnet (or even a simple iron washer as even the receiver back magnetized) which set a common piece of adhesive 3M creating other plates to be used in more cars and thus moving the Bluetooth kit from one machine to another.
An interesting feature and an edge over similar products is that it depends strongly on plug 3.5 mm Aux In other as ” all in one.” In practical terms we can move it in the car where we want (in accordance with the length of the wire), while competing products cheaper, have to be inserted into the input jack.
In some cars, this is placed in locations distant from the driver and in some cases closed in the arm or in the glove compartment, making it impossible to make hands-free calls.
As anticipated, it is a very economical solution: iClever Himbox HB01 you buy it on Amazon.com.
Conclusions
PROS : It works with any stereo with AUX input, It attaches to the dashboard via a magnetic system board, It has the microphone to use it as a speaker phone, Quick Controls for music and hands-free calling, It connects to any device via Bluetooth.
CONS : In calling while driving, if placed at 50-60 cm from the driver, his voice will be slightly " distant ".
- Overall
