Trying to use a portable CD player - Any Bluetooth transmitter that will pair, or other CD solution?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Audio, Electronics and Infotainment' started by mowgli, Oct 15, 2024.

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  1. mowgli

    mowgli New Member

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    I have a 2024 Prius Prime, I of course wasn't expecting it to come with a CD player but not a problem, I have a portable CD player with a cigarette lighter adapter. Problem is, I wasn't expecting there to be no aux input in this car! So I bought a cheap Bluetooth transmitter off Amazon, but the car doesn't see it at all when I try to pair. I'm not sure if it's the transmitter or the car that's causing problems, but before I waste money on a different transmitter, could anyone recommend one that will work, or any other simple solution they've found for playing CDs? I suppose I could get an FM transmitter in the worst case scenario but I'd rather not take the hit in audio quality
     
    #1 mowgli, Oct 15, 2024
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  2. mowgli

    mowgli New Member

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    Well I took a chance on a different Bluetooth transmitter that specifically advertises itself as suitable for rental cars, and it works great! For anyone else who comes across this thread looking for this information, the product is AirFly SE, bought for about $35 at Walmart plus a $4 USB-C cable to keep it charged in the car
     
    #2 mowgli, Oct 24, 2024
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  3. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Thanks for this post. Do you mind sharing how this system is working for you? Do you have a recommendation for a good portable CD player? Needs to be Bluetooth compatible, right? Anything else I might need? Can’t imagine not having access to a CD player in my car.
     
    #3 daisy555, Dec 9, 2024
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Geez I was going to suggest that. That’s the ONLY method on our ‘10, for playing music off a phone.

    I appreciate mediums come and go, but thankful ours has the built/in 6 cd player.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Dec 10, 2024
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2024
  5. mowgli

    mowgli New Member

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    Nope, the CD player doesn't need Bluetooth, the AirFly just plugs straight into the headphone port on the CD player and transmits that signal over Bluetooth to the car

    The CD player I'm using is this one, iLive brand, only reason I bought it is because they sell it in store at Best Buy (my local one anyways) and it's cheap ($25) The reviews on it have some complaints about it having trouble reading CDs or just flat out not working, but I haven't had any issues, but keep that in mind. Only annoyance is the volume resets every time you turn it on or switch discs (but even at max volume you're gonna have to crank up the volume in the car anyways) It runs on batteries but I bought this car adapter from Amazon which plugs into the cigarette lighter. It can be a bit of a pain to change discs while driving, all I'll say is Lane Trace Assist will let you take your hands off the wheel for a few seconds before it complains ;) If I was trying to invest in a higher quality CD player I'd probably look for a used Sony Discman (they've been discontinued and I don't know of any other big brands that still make portable CD players)
     
    #5 mowgli, Dec 10, 2024
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  6. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Thanks for the details. I spent some time searching more options and found a few other players with mixed reviews. Someone pointed out one that actually connects to CarPlay but it’s more than I want to spend (includes a DVD player).

    Important for me is finding one that has memory feature for where I stopped within the audio book.
     
    #6 daisy555, Dec 11, 2024
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2024
  7. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Junior Member

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    I used this thing in my MINI (don't have the Prius yet).
    It plugs into a USB port.
    Controlled by the steering wheel buttons.
    Worked well.
    Got it off Amazon, I believe.

    upload_2025-9-19_9-17-46.png
     
    #7 VelvetFoot, Sep 19, 2025 at 9:17 AM
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #8 bisco, Sep 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
  9. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Junior Member

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    #9 VelvetFoot, Sep 20, 2025 at 2:58 PM
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i want to get one for our hycam, i miss audio books
     
    #10 bisco, Sep 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
  11. otatrant

    otatrant Active Member

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    Why not rip the music of the cd and put in on a usb-c thumb drive which you can than plug into the media system?
     
    #11 otatrant, Sep 21, 2025 at 1:49 AM
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    for me, i'd have to buy the equipment
     
    #12 bisco, Sep 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
  13. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Junior Member

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    In my MINI I put it in the glove box.
    I listen to mostly FM and XM.
     
    #13 VelvetFoot, Sep 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    on amazon, there are at least 3 that look exactly the same, but different prices. the good thing is, you can return it if it doesn't work.
     
    #14 bisco, Sep 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
  15. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Junior Member

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    You have to figure out where to put it.
    edit: There are a few usb-c ports, I think, right?
     
    #15 VelvetFoot, Sep 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk what the gen5 prius has. on our '24 hycam, the only usb that feeds the audio is in the center console
     
    #16 bisco, Sep 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
  17. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    It's barely $50 for a portable CD player with bluetooth built into it. Uses USB for power. Seems like an obvious solution.
     
    #17 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Sep 21, 2025 at 6:21 PM
  18. otatrant

    otatrant Active Member

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    $14-$27 for one Samsung usb-c thumb drive that can store the music from 90-360 compact discs.
    Yes and only the one on the left side of the instrument panel can act as an aux port or host a usb-c thumb drive to play music.
     
    #18 otatrant, Sep 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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  19. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I think the Bluetooth system of the car is expecting to pair with a phone. I don't believe it's made to pair to a CD player. If you're lucky, you may be able to play it through an FM transmitter.

    Another option may be to upgrade to a stereo which has a CD player built in, although they are becoming quite rare. I can't recommend one with a built in CD player, but it shouldn't be hard to find one with an aux input.
     
    #19 Paul Gregory, Sep 22, 2025 at 1:16 AM
  20. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I think the Bluetooth system of the car is expecting to pair with a phone. I don't believe it's made to pair to a CD player. If you're lucky, you may be able to play it through an FM transmitter.

    Another option may be to upgrade to a stereo which has a CD player built in, although they are becoming quite rare. I can't recommend one with a built in CD player, but it shouldn't be hard to find one with an aux input.
     
    #20 Paul Gregory, Sep 22, 2025 at 1:16 AM
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