What's a good FM transmitter for MP3 players?

[Parasitic]

^^ title says it all.

Edit: it's for an iPod Nano, but I'd prefer it not to be iPod specific.

 

[SoulAssassin]

I researched this heavily last year (try to search for the thread) and ended up getting Monster iCarPlay Plus for my girl. Yeah, yeah, I hate Monster as much as anyone w an IQ above 80 but the reviews on it were very good. Guy I work w has one and loves it so I got it and she's been very happy with it. 3 preset stations you can adjust, plugs into the lighter socket so it charges while in use (she says she hasn't had to charge it any other way since she got it and she listens to it alot at work). I've used it on a couple long drives (Niagara Falls and Myrtle Beach) and let's saying you're listening on 89.1 and get into an area where something is broadcasting on that station. I've noticed a slight bit of static and then unplugged the ipod to reveal a fully powered channel behind it. Not something cutting in and out but a regular strength station. This thing will overpower just about anything, it has better sound than the cassette adapter I've used in the past.

I think it goes for <$50 now on Amazon.

 

[jagec]

Note that none of them are "great", and that if you can it's better to get a tape adapter or mod your own line-in plug. Failing those options, they're versatile and offer decent sound quality.

 

[V00DOO]

Originally posted by: jagec
Note that none of them are "great", and that if you can it's better to get a tape adapter or mod your own line-in plug. Failing those options, they're versatile and offer decent sound quality.

He's right. Especially in Cali with open FM channels are very limited. I finally broke down and bought a tape adapter and have been very happy with it.

 

[TheTony]

Obviously, if you can use a line-in, that will be the best option. However, I assume for whatever reason that is not a possibility. My suggestion is the iRiver AT100 (Amazon sale link here). It has adjustable frequency tuning, so you're not stuck to the 3-5 preset frequencies. It also has 3 programmable presets. Input via a standard mini-jack.

 

[Parasitic]

I can't use a tape adapter in my car because there's not cassette deck. With our other car we have a tape adapter.
Modding a line-in is too intrusive and will probably be more expensive than a FM transmitter, isnt it?

And TheTony: that is one of the models I'm considering, along with this other one by "Satechi", which includes a MP3 player holder and also full range adjustment for $22.

 

[Troll4Hire]

The most powerful consumer FM transmitter on the market, that is unless you wish to have a 5 watt unit and drive around town violating the FCC all the while making old ladies listen to your favorite country hick rap tune on their classical music and jazz station.
http://www.ccrane.com/radios/f...rs/fm-transmitter.aspx

 

[George P Burdell]

Griffin iTrip Auto

This one charges your iPod while it is plugged in.

 

[Triumph]

No matter which one you get, FM frequencies are limited to roughly 50 hz on the low end to about 15 khz on the upper end. This isn't just broadcast, but your tuner most likely has a filter for signals above 15khz. So you are not going to get line-in quality sound no matter what. But if you're not dealing with a high quality signal or sound system to begin with (or if you're over the age of maybe 25 or 30), you're not going to hear the difference anyway.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Originally posted by: TheTony
Obviously, if you can use a line-in, that will be the best option. However, I assume for whatever reason that is not a possibility. My suggestion is the iRiver AT100 (Amazon sale link here). It has adjustable frequency tuning, so you're not stuck to the 3-5 preset frequencies. It also has 3 programmable presets. Input via a standard mini-jack.

Thread revival - I'm most likely going with this model here. Wish me luck

 

[IronWing]

I'm looking for one w/o a car power plug that runs on its own battery so it doesn't suck power from the player. Any ideas for this? The crane listed above looks good except for the price.

 

[zig3695]

these pretty much kick ass,

Linex Wireless FM transmitter as long as you get the US version! this is NOT! - http://cgi.ebay.com/Linex-Wire...tem?_trksid=p1638.m122

good luck on finding us versions, they were everywhere a couple years ago but they seem to be going extinct

also, you can extended the range of these transmitters to about half a mile crystal clear if you run them at 6v