iPod Car FM Transmitter

browneyedsquirrel

I'm looking to buy one of these with a nifty little coupon I got from Big Blue (Best Buy).

I've been reading reviews but the answers seem varied for what brand is best. I'd like to get one that charges as you listen with the docking unit for my 30gig Video iPod. My BF had a Belkin battery powered transmitter, but it didn't seem to work very well and won't even turn on anymore so I'm a lil biased toward that brand but don't know if it is really warranted.

So H/A, what's your experience? Which ones have the best reception and less static, are easiest to use, etc.

Also I hear the sort of car you have makes a difference so... I have a 01 Focus with the stock stereo.

Improvolone

DeKalb is far enough from Chicago that heavy radio wave interference won't be too much of an issue. however, it is an issue you should be aware of. From what I've heard, these things are near useless in San Fran because of all of the radio waves. Also, realize you will be sending the music over the air. It will be far from the best quality.
While I can't tell you which to get, I;m just seeing if you understand these possible caveats.

Lukin

I had one called the Belkin Tunebase FM. It connects to your iPod via the dock, and it has a groovy gooseneck that plugs into your cigarette lighter adapter. I had mine for a couple years and it kind of fell apart...but it lived a good life.

I currently use one called TrafficJamz. Same deal, dock connector, plugs into the lighter, but it's not on a gooseneck. It's just a cable. It's also got decent sound quality.

I live in metro Atlanta, where the dial is jam-packed with shitty radio... I took the antenna off my car and while I do get some whiney interference (related to how fast i'm going, weird), it's very good quality.

browneyedsquirrel

Yeah, I'll be driving from DeKalb to Deerfield daily if that changes anything. I know stations could be a problem closer I get to the city, but I don't really see a way around it either and was hoping for advice on which combats that problem the best .... or heck... maybe there's some new fangled device that I haven't heard of yet.

Keep it coming!

Improvolone

So you have a tape deck, or would you like to spend ~140 on a new radio?

WuckFarcraft

Improvolone wrote: »

So you have a tape deck, or would you like to spend ~140 on a new radio?

Seriously, this is all you need and has better sound quality then broadcasting it over the radio.


Four of my friends got iTrips but all regretted the purchase when I showed then the 7 dollar adaptor I got.

browneyedsquirrel

hmmm... yeah I hear the tape deck adapters are much better.... but buying a new radio to get the tapedeck and paying to have it installed seems sort of pricey

maybe I should just buy one of the docking stations (like the BOSE ones) and mount the F-er on my dash lol.

Improvolone

Nonononono. If you buy a new radio, don't get one with a tape deck. It will actually be more expensive than the better option, which is to buy a new radio with a line in. This means, with a cheapo cable, you plug headphone out into your radio and bam. Instant great music.
What is your price range? You can seriously get a decent radio with line in installed for ~140ish.

browneyedsquirrel

well seeing as how the car is over 7 years old and has over 130,000 miles on it.... I don't want to put money into installing a nice stereo into it. I have a 75 mile drive to work ... one way. So I'm going to dog my car out til I move closer to work and then purchase a new car at that point. When I do so, I'll get a car that has that plug-in option.

So I guess this is just a solution for the next year or so really, and not worth the cost and installation of a new stereo?

Improvolone

Most places will reinstall a radio into a new car for free, but be sure to check.