Time to update my cheesy in dash CD player

During our trip to WA last July, our in dash CD player stopped working. It was a no name, no frills model so I wasn't really upset that it broke. When I got home I started researching single DIN CD players in the $150.00 price range. I wanted something that could play my itunes from my macbook, so that narrowed my choices down substantially. I emailed Kenwood about their BT audio unit but they could not confirm it would stream A2DP audio. That left one choice, the Sony MEX-BT3800U.



I found one on ebay for $135.00 shipped, well within my budget. I just finished the install yesterday. The install instructions were good, but it would have been easier if all the individual wires were clearly labeled. I am actually color blind and it is difficult for me to tell the difference between certain colors. Oh well, it worked when I turned it on so I will stop ranting now.
I was shocked that a low priced audio unit could have so many features. When I first turned it on I went to set the clock. What I found by reading the instructions is the clock sets itself automatically through the RDS feature. I also noticed that the station id, and song and artist info displays next to the radio station. Cool
Actually the radio has so many features I did not have time to try them all out, but I did want to see if I could stream audio. I brought my macbook out to see if I could set up a bluetooth connection. I set the audio unit to discovery mode and there it was, "EXPLOD" on my BT list of discoverable devices. Within seconds I was streaming my itunes through the MH speakers.
I will need to devote more time to learn how to use all of the radios features, handsfree BT phone, full featured wireless remote control, usb port for ipod and music player support, something called ZAP? and countless other things.
In all I am very pleased with this unit. 25 watts x4 made my old speakers sound new again. For price, features and styling, it can't be beat.