FM Transmitter for using MP3 player in car

[russr]

I'd like to use my mp3 player in my car (not an IPOD). I don't have a tape deck, so the option is an FM transmitter. The problem is that, none of them seem to be very good. I was looking at Amazon.com and saw the Iriver AFT-100, but people complain about that one as well, and it seems to be one of the ones with the most positive reviews

Does anyone here have any personal experience with these sorts of devices in NJ?

I'd like to have one that I don't need batteries for. I'd like to be able to just use the cigarette lighter adapter in the car.

Ideally, I'd like one that has no static and sounds as good as a strong FM station on the radio.

 

[bigrash]

Here's a thread where I asked the same question: link. might help you out too.

I ended up buying this one: link. it was cheap and it works really well, and I can use either batteries or the cigarette lighter.

btw, I saw the iriver on clearance last month for $10 at staples. i should have picked it up but I really wasn't looking for one at that time

 

[Juice Box]

if it is your own car that you plan on keeping for awhile, you might look into plugging straight into the head unit. Easily done by removing the unit and hooking up some wires in the back...provided you have the right kind of stereo. MUCH better sound quality, and no need to use the cigarette lighter

 

[spacelord]

I have a Belkin one and an iRock one. They both sucked.. I couldn't stand the sound quality.

 

[gigapet]

if you dont have an ipod im not helping you then.

 

[Paulson]

If you've got a head unit that has rca inputs on the back just get an rca to 1/8th cord and run it from the back of your head unit out the bottom of your dash and just hide it when you're not using it or get a deck that has 1/8th input on the front (my JVC has this on it and I love it)

 

[Funyuns101]

i have the iriver aft-100... it works ok... my cassette player was broken, so i didn't really have a choice either.

it works alright, just choose a station that's between two other ones, and usually is fine, plus w/3 presets, u can normally find one... note that it'll sound like you're listenign to the radio though.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

ihave a friend that develops ipod products and he told me monster makes the best one.

no, he doesn't work for monster.

 

[russr]

My car is a lease, so I don't want to mess around too much with the head unit right now. I'd rather just have one of these portable FM transmitters. The Monster one that is around $80 is for an IPOD. I agree that it does work well. A buddy of mine at work has it and I've seen it in action. I've also seen an iRock in action though and it sounded the same as the Monster. The other Monster FM transmitters that don't have IPOD specific connectors haven't gotten very good reviews at Amazon.com

 

[russr]

duplicate delete

 

[Sheep]

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
ihave a friend that develops ipod products and he told me monster makes the best one.

no, he doesn't work for monster.

Insert obligatory Monster product bash here. :evil:

But my friend has a Monster FM transmitter and says that it's better than other ones he's used. Is Monster intentionally using a stronger transmitter against FCC code or something? That's the only way I could see one FM transmitter being better than another once you get away from the bargain basement brands.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: russr

Does anyone here have any personal experience with these sorts of devices in NJ?

The laws of physics don't work the same way in the rest of the country?

They suck, unfortunately. If you're good at tinkering you might try ripping your deck apart and adding a line in jack. If not, get a better deck.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: spacelord
I have a Belkin one and an iRock one. They both sucked.. I couldn't stand the sound quality.

I just installed an FM modulator in my car - you plug it into the antenna in on your stereo (and plug the antenna into it) and it does the same thing without actually broadcasting the signal - puts it directly on the antenna wire, much cleaner sound, no interference, and none of that guy in the next car all of a sudden hearing your music on his stereo.

 

[RavnShield2]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: spacelord
I have a Belkin one and an iRock one. They both sucked.. I couldn't stand the sound quality.

I just installed an FM modulator in my car - you plug it into the antenna in on your stereo (and plug the antenna into it) and it does the same thing without actually broadcasting the signal - puts it directly on the antenna wire, much cleaner sound, no interference, and none of that guy in the next car all of a sudden hearing your music on his stereo.

Did you get something like this?

 

[swtethan]

i had a monster, it worked okay... but it was for ipod

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: gigapet
if you dont have an ipod im not helping you then.

lol is that sarcasm or a member of iCult?

 

[Kevin1211]

i had a belkin.. it sucked. So much static. Btw, i live in NY

 

[FoBoT]

i have this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16855131001
it's fm transmitter works great

i have a belkin with just a 3.5 mm plug and it isn't very good

my xm radio has a audio in port, i wonder if that means i can use its fm transmitter with my other mp3 players, hmmm...

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Originally posted by: Juice Box
if it is your own car that you plan on keeping for awhile, you might look into plugging straight into the head unit. Easily done by removing the unit and hooking up some wires in the back...provided you have the right kind of stereo. MUCH better sound quality, and no need to use the cigarette lighter

More info on that please.

 

[russr]

Do all these portable FM Transmitters such as those from Monster, I-rock, Belkin, Iriver, etc, all have the same frequency response?