quick question for the ipod-enabled

[aithne]

Does anyone have an FM transmitter for their ipod that they really like? Give me reccomendations, folks, i'm about to buy one. :)

Comments

[kittenaskat.livejournal.com]

I have the Belkin Tunecast II, and I like it because it's small, has an accessory that allows you to plug both it and the iPod into one car outlet and generally broadcasts well, but I will say that in Seattle, it's hard to find open bandwith to listen to your iPod on over an FM transmitter... I get a lot of static or overlapping noise (especially when driving past buildings that broadcast their own music internally near the viaduct).

[mysticalforest.livejournal.com]

I've tried two and they were both shite.

I used them both in the car and one of them with a boom box and there were two major problems and one minor problem.

First, the transmitter is weak and so there was a lot of interference from everything—especially while driving in the car. Other radio stations, power lines, CBs, you name it.

What was surprising was the degree of static I got from the boom box, presumabely a controlled environment. Again, it was interference from other radio stations, cordless telephones, cosmic rays, and whatever else contributes to the EM fabric of our lives.

Second, the high amount of interference meant I had to constantly change the frequency in order to find a clear signal. That was a pain in the ass. Not so much to change the frequency, which itself was easy (there was a switch on the transmitter itself (one model, I understand, uses the iPod itself to switch, which I can't conceive of being anything less than skull-splitting madness)), but the fact that I was constantly having to do it and constantly being interrupted in whatever I was listening to was uncalled for.

Percentage that I got an interference-free signal long enough to hear, say, a three minute song hovered around 30%.

The minor problem was that the transmitters were ungainly.

All 'n' all: Completely Ridiculous.

If this transmitter is for the car, don't do it. Get a cassette deck adapter instead. I use one of those for two hours every day and the sound is crystal clear and I don't have to do anything but listen.

[silenceleigh.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I don't have a cassette deck in my car. However, for about $150, I can have something actually wired to my antenna, and I may go that route.

[zenspider.livejournal.com]

an FM modulator shouldn't run you that much, honestly... the devices themselves have gotten cheaper and if you shop around for the installation you should be able to come in < $100. Certainly better sound from them, esp in metro areas like ours.

I've heard better things about the itrip, but it still leaves you lacking in a few areas... like, changing the broadcast frequency involves playing a special sound file. That involves stopping your current song, scrolling to the sound file, playing it, and then realizing you lost your place in the previous song... Not something you want to do while driving either. Still, I've heard it is one of the better ones. For long drives it is probably a non-issue.

I can soundly vote against the iRock. It iSucks.

[solcita.livejournal.com]

changing the broadcast frequency involves playing a special sound file. That involves stopping your current song, scrolling to the sound file, playing it, and then realizing you lost your place in the previous song... Not something you want to do while driving either.

With the new models, this isn't an issue. They've added a frequency dial to the transmitter. I wish I had one of those. =P

[mysticalforest.livejournal.com]

I believe the vernacular is "fuxx0red".

[solcita.livejournal.com]

I have one that's a cradle-style which plugs into your cigarette lighter for power, designed for 3G full-size iPods. I paid $60 for it but would happily give it to you for free, if you want it. =) It worked just fine, it was just a little bulky for my tastes.

I now have the iTrip, which I love. The new model even has the FM tuner on the unit, which is nice.

[silenceleigh.livejournal.com]

I might want to at least borrow the cradle-style one. :)

[solcita.livejournal.com]

I shall bring it on Friday and you can try it out. =)

[silenceleigh.livejournal.com]

Yay, thank you!

[ian-gunn.livejournal.com]

Hi. wispfox pointed me over here. I bought an ipod and FM transmitter/car power adapter for my wife a year ago. She loves it. I don't have the model in front of me but it might be the same one kittenaskat has. I bought it at CompUSA (http://www.compusa.com/products/products.asp?in_dim_search=1&N=200859) but none of the ones listed there ring a bell so it is probably now an obsolete model. We live away from a large city and I have not noticed as much interference as kittenaskat has seen. If we go on longer drives we do have to change the station we use occasionally. I can check which specific model it is later if you'd like.

[planxi-mihi.livejournal.com]

I've got the iTrip (I think from Belkin?) and I hated it at first...until I lowered the antenna on my roof. No reception for real FM stations = great reception with the iTrip! The only issue I have is that on long car rides (e.g. through multiple counties/states) is having to change stations when some little backwater talk radio station starts coming through...

[dreamwell-ali.livejournal.com]

I have the Monster one and have had no problems with it, tho I think I would really like a cradle.

[3smallishmagi.livejournal.com]

Does your car radio have the option to add a CD changer or a cassette deck? If it does, you could most likely use the audio line in of either of those. If you looked up the make, we could most likely find its specs online

[onsafari.livejournal.com]

I picked up the Monster transmitter/car charger. The only thing I don't like about it is that it requires that the adapter is plugged in to a cigarette lighter/power outlet to run. If that's not a concern, it's really a nice deal.