Review of "Yatour" cheap Chinese bluetooth/aux audio add-on from AliExpress

Hey all, I just figured I'd share my experience here with a device that adds Bluetooth and AUX as audio sources to the built-in radio. You can find kits for various Toyota radio models if you search for "Yatour Toyota" on AliExpress. This is the one I got for my '06 Japan-model Prius with navigation and the single CD player: 4000899035265 (just paste that into AliExpress' search bar and it should come up; I can't post links to this forum yet it seems).

Looks like there are also models available that add playback from SD/USB media. I was only interested in Bluetooth and AUX, since my Prius didn't come with either.

Installation was simple, thanks to YouTube. Pulled out the vent covers that flank the radio on the right and left sides. Then also the nav head unit. That opened up access to the back of the radio. I plugged the nav unit and the Yatour device into the included splitter. Then the splitter into the back of the radio. I figured the Yatour device could rest in the little tray below the radio, so I pulled that out and cut a hole in the back with a rotary tool. Then, I pulled the cable for the Yatour through it. I found that the tray didn't want to go back into the housing, so I cut off some pieces from the sides to make it fit.

Unfortunately, I found at the first step that the dash vent covers had become brittle with age. They crumbled in my hands right away, as soon as I tried pulling them out. Fortunately, I found replacements on AliExpress.

After installation, I fired up the radio. The "DISC" button—which previously cycled between the CD player and the built-in music storage—now cycles to a third "CD Changer" option. It turns out that these aftermarket Bluetooth adapters pretend to be the OEM CD changer add-on.

Connectivity has been pretty smooth in the month or so I've used it during my daily commute. Media controls from the steering wheel work well. Music playback on my phone automatically starts when the radio is switched to the "CD Changer" mode, and stops when the radio is turned off or switches to a different source. Sometimes, the music pauses about 5 seconds after switching to the source, but pressing play again on the phone gets it going.

Unfortunately, the unit can only pair to one Bluetooth device at a time. To get it to pair with another one, you need to turn the whole car off and on again (or unplug the unit and plug it back in). I'm single and only have one phone, so it's no big deal for me. But I can see this being a dealbreaker for multi-driver households. However, you can still use AUX with Bluetooth paired. AUX becomes the source when a device is connected to the port.

I consider myself an audiophile. To test audio quality, I burned an MP3 file to a CD, and loaded the same MP3 onto my phone. Then, I switched between the built-in CD player and the Bluetooth connection with the car stationary in my driveway. I also tested with a regular audio CD and a lossless rip of that CD on my phone. I couldn't distinguish any difference. It suffices to say that the audio quality exceeds what the stereo system is capable of, even without road noise or other distractions.

I didn't wire up the microphone that came with the unit for phone calls, because my factory nav has Bluetooth for phone calls built-in. I configured my Samsung phone to route calls to the nav unit, and all other audio to the Yatour. When a call comes in, the radio switches automatically to the nav as the input source. Then back to the Yatour when the call ends.

Although Bluetooth was the main selling point for me, I briefly tested the AUX port as well, and didn't immediately notice any flaws. I bought a $15 handheld AM/FM radio, plugged it into the AUX, and now my JDM Prius can receive local radio stations as well!

$100 CAD was the right price for me, especially considering that Crutchfield wanted $350 for the version they stock. Or more for an aftermarket radio if I wanted to keep my backup camera, steering wheel controls, etc. The cheap Chinese Android head units available from sketchy Amazon sellers also don't appeal to me, despite their low prices; the last thing I need is a buggy Android tablet as the centrepiece of my car's interior. So, taking budget and functionality into account, I'm quite pleased with this little Bluetooth unit.