On the 700BT, you can use it to stream music as well (A2DP, AVRCP), but with all the options for listening to music, I don't see the point. As for connecting your phone: while you will need to read the manual to set up the connection, the process was easy and you should be able to connect your Bluetooth-capable phone in a couple of minutes. Phonebook transfer of your contacts should be automatic. If not, check to see if your phone is compatible for that function. We set the microphone by the driver visor and during our tests the sound quality was excellent. We could hear the other party clearly and we sounded normal to them, as if we were using the handset. If you experience any problems try changing the adjustable echo cancellation. The 700BT can memorize 3600 phone numbers. Multiple drivers can have their own bank of contacts, 400 each. You can access a list of your calls via the hard button on the bottom of the source unit. This was a very handy feature. Overall the system works well and was well conceived, given the limitations of providing this feature on a single-DIN with a small display. You can even dial numbers via the source unit's controls, but we don't recommend it.
I like the Premier DEH-P700BT for its many features and its price point. Online you should be able to find it at a lower price than the suggested retail, but I would recommend going to your local Pioneer dealer so you can get the Premier two-year warranty for peace of mind. I love a multimedia source unit with a large display that makes accessing and using all of the aforementioned features much easier, but that is not to say that using the features on the single-DIN 700BT is very difficult. There may be a learning curve for some users, but after a day or so of going through all the menu options it should be simple enough. You may have more trouble using the rotary control and hitting the four buttons that surround it than understanding the different menus. That is to say, ergonomically the 700BT is decent, not exceptional. But overall, this is a great value source unit that you'll want for your music but need for hands-free phone use this summer.
Return to this page in a couple of weeks as we evaluate more Bluetooth source units. In the mean time, go to www.pioneerelectronics.com for more info or to see other Premier source units.