Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, Surveys and Polls
Sunday survey results: FM Transmitters - yea...not really
This past Sunday I ran a survey to see what y'all thought of iPod FM transmitters - the good, the bad and the ugly. I figured that since I weeded through all the comments, I should let you guys know whether you gave this particular category of iPod accessories a thumbs up or down.The greater majority of you really weren't that fond of FM transmitters, the two largest reasons being signal unreliability and overall audio quality. Many of the FM transmitter haters recommended going with solutions like cassette adapters, FM modulators or a full-on dedicated stereo with iPod-friendly inputs.
Among the still-healthy pro-FM transmitter crowd however, there were three clear favorites: Kensington, Griffin and Monster. This was really helpful in narrowing down my options, and I think I'm going to do some more digging on those and what all this FM stuff is about before dropping another ~ $70-80 or more on something like this.
Ultimately, since my wife always beats me to the Matrix anyway (and she already made me sleep on the couch for dropping $80 on an iPod accessory), I opted to go with a $15 cassette adapter for now (on a side note: it's hilarious what accessory makers can get away with by slapping iPod branding on cassette tape adapters these days). I know, I know: a cheap and simple solution for all the awesome feedback you readers offered, but until AOL (remember: they bought Weblogs, Inc. last year. You're reading an AOL blog! Mwahaha!) sends the 6-figure job offer my way, I'll have to wait on the pimped out touch-screen iPod + Car Borg™ adapter (heck AOL, I'll even take a 5-figure job!). When I do get around to finding that perfect iPod/Borg/accessory thingy, trust me: you'll be the first to know. Resistance, after all, is futile.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MikeV said 9:07AM on 8-09-2006
Direct line inputs are the way to go, definitely. They're available for most OEM stereo systems, and just about any aftermarket system. Look for companies like Peripheral Interface Electronics (PIE) or Blitzsafe. Both make these kinds of direct auxiliary input adapters, and they work very well, whether you're using an iPod, satellite radio, or that portable CD player from ages ago. Online stores like MyRadioStore (www.myradiostore.com) and Logjam (www.logjam.com) sell these kinds of adapters. Logjam also sells direct iPod interfaces as well.
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Michael Potter said 9:31AM on 8-09-2006
I missed the Sunday survey, but I've never had any real problems with the RoadTrip+ that I bought from OWC. It's only $26 and I used it on two cross country trips and only ran into interference in one New Mexico town for about 5 minutes while stuck in traffic. That includes driving around LA and Chicago.
Since it powers/charges my iPod and serves as an FM Transmitter, there is only one cable to carry around and it's a very clear signal -- at least in my two cars.
I've loaned it to some friends who were interested in FM Transmitters and each one of them bought one for themselves.
So, while I would love to have the spare change to install direct interfaces in both of my cars, that's not going to happen any time soon. This serves my purposes well, is portable and it's inexpensive to boot.
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John said 9:41AM on 8-09-2006
I just put a new Sony deck in my car, it was $100 and Best Buy installed it for free. It has a 1/8" phono input right on the front, which may not have the coolness of being able to control your iPod with your stereo controls (which I've heard mixed review of anyway), but it is guaranteed to be "forward-compatible" with future iPods and whatever else might come down the pipe for the forseeable future.
But, David, that's beside the point. The real reason I'm responding is to tell you that you've got to get on Dealmac. $70-$80 for a transmitter? $15 for a cassette adapter? Sheesh! Shop around, man.
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Brad said 9:45AM on 8-09-2006
For the price of an FM Transmitter, and the fact that my car doesn't have a tape deck or any way to patch a direct input for my iPod, they're not bad. I get great sound with mine, usually better than what I was getting from a cassette adapter in a different car.
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mark said 9:57AM on 8-09-2006
don't know how I missed the survey, but I'll throw in a vote for the Newer Technology RoadTrip. I've had some disappointing results with quite a few fm modulators for both my ipod & XM, with lots of interference on all of the available channels. I bought the roadtrip because it braodcasts on a low frequency (87.9) that I couldn't find on any of the other fm modulators I used, and it rarely seems to get any interference (except for sometimes when I pass 18 wheelers-they must boradcast something on the same frequency) The signal it puts out seems pretty strong & works well. It's not quite as nice as the cassette adapter that I have in my other car (my work van only has an am/fm radio, hence the need for the fm modulator), but out of all the fm modulators I've tried this one has been the best by far & it only costs $15.
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mark said 10:03AM on 8-09-2006
Here's a link to ilounge's review of the RoadTrip
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/newer-technology-roadtrip-879-fm-transmitter-ipod
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Michael said 10:28AM on 8-09-2006
I had an iTrip and it worked okay after some modifications (http://www.surfbits.com/?p=526). I live on the east coast so there are a lot of radio stations. After the antenna mods it worked great.
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Michael Vega said 10:30AM on 8-09-2006
I also have the RoadTrip+ from OWC and generally very happy with it. I had an iTrip which is night and day in quality and this is only $26. Probably the best secret around in FM Transmitters. True, there is nothing quite as good as a direct line input, but for the rest of us driving old Hondas, Toyotas and Saturns, paying mortgage and dealing with daily gas increases, I rather spend that extra $150 plus $75 installation on more important stuff.
RoadTrip works for me. Best $26 iPod accessory.
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jim said 11:02AM on 8-09-2006
in philly using a FM transmitter is hard due to the dial being so tight. unless it is powered seperately from the ipod the power it puts out is really weak. thank goodnees my new car has an aux in jack for the stereo.
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primetime said 11:06AM on 8-09-2006
I use the FM transmitter from Kensington and it is amazing. Sometimes I wonder how it received FCC approval because it will overpower any station I set it to. Sound quality is awesome through the line out which is an advantage over headphone jack in my opinion. No complaints whatsoever.
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Karl said 11:09AM on 8-09-2006
I paid about $25 for the Griffin Smart Deck cassette adapter. It plugs into the data port of the ipod and lets you control the iPod using your cassette controls -- i.e. when you fast forward on the tape deck it skips to the next song, when you rewind it skips back to the previous song. While that is just a nice little parlor trick. It's worth the money just because when you eject the cassette adapter, turn your radio off, or turn your car off, it pauses the iPod.
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Mark D. said 2:14PM on 8-09-2006
I missed the Sunday posting (MBP in for repair) so I figured I'd post here.
I use a Monster radio adapter (though not the iPod one, since I bought it before my iPod) and for the most part it's nice, and comes in handy when driving in a different vehicle. I sometimes have a tough time finding a clear spot, but once I find one it's fine for a few weeks.
I used to use a $10 tape adapter from Wal-Mart (good for a generic brand, better than the one that came with my old CD player) in my old car. I actually prefered the tape adapter, but no longer have a tape deck.
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muller said 4:07PM on 8-09-2006
I've used many FM transmitters and by far the best is the Belkin TuneDock ($74). it the first transmitter to take advantage of the FCC allowing higher power FM transmitters. It's got 5 stage gain adjustment and 4 assignable presets for FM frequency, plus it charges the iPod and has a flexible gooseneck. Haven't had a problem yet, and that's the part I enjoy.
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Jamus said 7:52PM on 8-09-2006
After trying some "on-Pod" transmitters, I went with a cabled version from Scosche:
http://www.scosche.com/scosche_ipod.aspx?CategoryID=112&ItemID=IPTRNS01
I got mine at WalMart for $24 to use with my mini. The 1st one I got only played mono. I took it back. The second one I got only played mono. I emailed the company and complained. About 3 days later I had a replacement that worked fine.
The only complaints I have is that I tend to get some static sounds or signal drop when I travel under some redlights. Weird, but it happens. Other than that great for $24.
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tydes said 1:29AM on 8-10-2006
I did my own detailed review of Griffin's iTrip which includes notes about battery usage that you don't usually hear. Bottom line, my iTrip will end up going on sale on eBay.
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