iPod fm transmitter?

[Fallengod]

I was not sure which section to post this, hopefully this is the right one considering it is audio....

Does anyone have any recommendation for a good iPod fm transmitter? I just want to be able to use my iPod nano in my car. I have an older 1997 BMW. I tried the tape deck Monster iCarPlay (Yes, my car has a tapedeck) and it was kind of, how do you say, terrible.

There are like a billion different iPod transmitters out there, could anyone help me narrow some down. I am really conflicted on which brand or model to purchase. Doing some research, it looks like griffen iTrip's, monster iCarPlay's, belkin tunecast's are perhaps the better ones?

Here are some I have been looking at:

- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A13KONT7UBBZUD

This one is super cheap, and I do not know why. Why is this $7.56 when others are $30-$100. Is this the cradle only? Cause wow, that is misleading...

- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2U9YRZLATSAMP

- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=AM31OJCWIJ6BE

- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A29PHU0KPCGV8S

- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Modelworks]

Where is the antenna for your radio located. Is it integrated in the windshield or is it external ? The location of the antenna is one of the biggest things that can help determine what will work best.

 

[vshah]

i've always had terrible experience with fm transmitters. if you can afford it, go for an actual ipod adapter that hooks into the back of your oem headunit.

this one is for a 1997 3 series, so they do exist for that year bmw:

http://www.usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=18

here's another:
http://www.icarkits.com/cars/BMW_3SERIES_1997/PODBMWV1S

 

[Fallengod]

Interesting. Yeah Ill look at that. I have a 328IS. It looks like that would work. It will probably come down to cost, as I was looking to spend around $20-$50 max. Heh. I have a CD changer in my trunk though, exactly what the second url was talking about. If I can figure out exactly what is needed, I may be able to do it myself.

I know, like half the reviews on the FM transmitters say they are terrible, so it is kind of hard to research. I do know for a fact my brother has the monster iCarPlay that works in my car, but I never tested it for long periods of time driving around.

Thanks for info though. And, my antenna is fixed on the top of the rear windshield.

 

[mc866]

A buddy and I installed a DICE kit into my '03 E46 in a couple hours one evening. Not a big project but took a bit of time. Much more expensive than what you were looking at but worth it IMHO.

DICE link
http://diceelectronics.com/vehicle-ipod-info

If you do want to go the FM transmitter way, I picked up this one for my sister for xmas. She says it works great so far.

http://www.amazon.com/Grantwood-Tech...4449309&sr=8-1

 

[vshah]

Interesting. Yeah Ill look at that. I have a 328IS. It looks like that would work. It will probably come down to cost, as I was looking to spend around $20-$50 max. Heh. I have a CD changer in my trunk though, exactly what the second url was talking about. If I can figure out exactly what is needed, I may be able to do it myself.

I know, like half the reviews on the FM transmitters say they are terrible, so it is kind of hard to research. I do know for a fact my brother has the monster iCarPlay that works in my car, but I never tested it for long periods of time driving around.

Thanks for info though. And, my antenna is fixed on the top of the rear windshield.

basically what you have to do is disconnect the CD changer, and connect the ipod adapter in it's place. it then emulates the cd changer, but feeds the ipod music to the stereo instead. it should also respond to various head unit commands like next/previous. it's a direct line connection, so the quality is as good as it can get.

one issue might be that, since in your car the cd changer is in the trunk, you'd have to run the cable for the ipod up to the passenger compartment somehow.