Sunday survey results: FM Transmitters - yea...not really

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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