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268 posts

Ultimate Geek


Topic # 84419 30-May-2011 20:14 Send private message

Hi there,

I saw someone else had asked a similar question a month or so back and had not received any answers, but I thought I'd give it another go anyway! 

The car I'm planning on buying has no way in which to connect a iPod or other MP3 player to the stereo, plus the CD player is non-MP3 compatible. I also cannot replace the stereo as it is fully integrated into the fascia (this would have been my choice - the unit in my current car has full iPod control). The only way I've seen of attaching an MP3 player through the CD changer connection is damn expensive at 78 pounds

So... what are members' thoughts on the best quality (but still affordable) FM transmitter for this purpose? I've read elsewhere here that the Belkin Tunecast 3 has the best sound quality, but ideally I was wanting something that both charges an iPod (my iPod lives in the car permanently) and has a 3.5mm input for non-iPod MP3 players.

transmitter such as this one on TM has these features but I've also read enough to be suspicious that (most of?) the units on TM are rubbish.

Can anyone offer any suggestions that provide these features? Or have experiences with TM units that are actually good? 

Many thanks
Jonathan 

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138 posts

Master Geek


  Reply # 479358 9-Jun-2011 14:48 Send private message

I bought a white iPod charger/FM transmitter that looks very much like the black one in the TradeMw picture you linked to. I'd give it about 4 out of 10.

At the lower FM frequencies it interefers with my GPS signal, and once I tune it above the GPS zone I get a lot of crossed signals.  It's annoying driving from Wellington to Auckland and having my iPod cut out in favour of some local radio station in every small town I drive through. I stopped outside a cafe once and seemed to be getting a telephone conversation!

But to keep on topic and answer your question, I've tried a few different products to do this job and don't like any of them. My current vehicle has a six-disc in-dash MP3/CD player and if it didn't, I'd replace it with something that either had proper iPod integration or at least a 2.5mm stereo input jack.



268 posts

Ultimate Geek


  Reply # 479363 9-Jun-2011 15:09 Send private message

Thanks for the reply - it seems your experience mirrors that of many others I've read about, and successfully swore me off the idea of an FM transmitter.

Normally I'd also just put in a new head unit, but everyone I checked with warned against this with the P12 Nissan Primera.

So I did a bit more searching and found there were indeed two different products available on TM to allow iPods and MP3 players (so both iPod connection for audio and charging, and 3.5mm plug) to be connected in through the CD changer connection (and are available for many makes):

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=379650961
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=382133426 

Apparently they work well, although control of the iPod is limited to selecting tracks within a specified folder and selecting various play lists - this isn't a big issue for me as I find it easier to use the iPod to select anyway...
 

1317 posts

Uber Geek

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  Reply # 479393 9-Jun-2011 16:13 Send private message

I have a belkin one and it's useless too

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