Car FM Transmitter Recommendations

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281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187313 2-Dec-2014 18:42

I have been using a cheap fm transmitter to play mp3's off an sd card or USB stick for about 6 years. Initially it was due to the Japanese radio system but later I found changing the mp3s very convenient.

I've stuck with the cheap (less than $20) devices. They are flimsy and fall apart whenever they come into physical contact with pre-teens and younger users. This is not a bad thing as the ratio of remotes to car occupants gets better as replacement units are acquired.

Only one frequency is required and this does not need to be changed. I found the audio quality acceptable, and influenced more by the source file and car system.

At the price, I would recommend that you investigate a similar device for yourself.

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RunningMan

8907 posts

Uber Geek

#1187324 2-Dec-2014 18:54

Have a look at the options offered by these guys:

http://www.gromaudio.com/

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187521 2-Dec-2014 22:13

This is a good unit... Transmits around my house, no problems, so should be good in your car.

I got mine from Amazon, but they aren't available there at present.

tJ' target='_blank'>http://www.ccrane.com/transmitter?@tJ

markoneswift

35 posts

Geek

#1187734 3-Dec-2014 10:18

Hey, we are in EXACTLY the same situation with a Mitsubishi Chariot. It's got an in-dash control unit for the GPS system which also acts as the audio control centre with a Minidsic ( !! ) player in it and it controls a ten CD changer under the passenger seat. Removing the head unit renders everything inoperable and the built-in 7" screen goes black and shows no information what so ever. Like yours, our car has no aux inputs anywhere and no band expander.

At the moment, we use an old Ipod Touch hooked up to a Belkin FM transmitter - I can't remember the exact model but it was about $130. It features a built-in band scanner which finds the quietest bands to transmit on and it also has several sound enhancement features. It works well around Hamilton and beyond, the only time it struggles a bit is in Auckland where the bands are more congested.

There are other options, most of which I've already investigated and ruled out, such as CD changer / Ipod adapters which fool your head unit into thinking your attached Ipod is actually a CD changer. These work well, but I couldn't find one for our Mitsubishi audio gear. You can also cheat by tapping into the audio left / right output from your changer and attach a 3.5mm headphone jack to the wires, so you can then then plug your ipod or any device with aux output in.

In my particular case, I even investigated using Minidiscs instead of burning Cds, but the capacity of MD is pathetic and all the software was designed years ago so I gave up. The Belkin is fine for now.

sep11guy

660 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1187769 3-Dec-2014 10:55

My friend was in same situation about 4-5 months back so i helped him out.

The honda accord 's have a output at the back of stereo which is not utilized.

so solution - you buy a cord which plugs into that , at the other end of which is 3.5mm stick. Which you can insert into your mobile phone, ipod , anything.

connect it, chose AUX on your stereo and bam! it works

if you can google your car model name year with aux options, you will land up with right gear.

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187797 3-Dec-2014 11:06

Glad that works, but RCAs are line level input, which isn't quite the same as the voltage of a headphone 3.5mm output.

Near enough is good enough.

markoneswift

35 posts

Geek

#1187808 3-Dec-2014 11:19

This is what I got, works well enough for me 90% of the time :-)

http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/accessories-cables/belkin-tunebase-fm-transmitter-with-handsfree-dsnz-c0780

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18602 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1187999 3-Dec-2014 14:47

If reception quality in the frequency range available is the issue, just patch a short length of coax into the aerial lead and run it to a switch under the dash. Whenever you want to listen to mp3, turn of the aerial to reduce interference.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#1188439 4-Dec-2014 08:20

BaronGrivet: OK - points taken about the crappiness of FM transmitters.

This is looking like an option: http://www.anycarlink.com/Honda.asp - it allows MP3 etc. control through the factory stereo. This would mean I could still control the stereo via the steering wheel controls (which I use a lot).

We have one of those in our Subaru, it works well. I would definitely buy it again if I changed cars and had no ipod input. I bought mine through Trade Me and I think the guy was in Christchurch and he was very helpful.

We use to have the Belkin transmitter and it was hit or miss. It generally worked OK on road trips as most driving was out of town and away from a lot of FM signals.

Amosnz

567 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1188468 4-Dec-2014 09:17

We picked up a cheap Endeavour FM Transmitter from Noels ages ago for the same reason, integrated stereo in the Commodore.
https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/portable-audio-mp3/ipod-mp3-players/endeavour-en665t-mp3-traveller-fm-transmitter-and-mp3-player/prod113312.html

We only use it on long distance trips where there is no/poor radio reception and I've been happy with the audio quality.
It's very quiet so you need to turn the volume up loud, and don't try to charge any devices via USB while using it as you'll get a nice feedback humm.

Speedtest

floydie

474 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1189671 5-Dec-2014 22:51

i just bought some cheap ($4) bluetooth units on ebay. they need 5vusb power and output via a 3.5mm jack. they connect to my cell easily.
i was using a hacked WDTV to feed into my aux video/audio in but it was a bit clunky so a smartphone via the bluetooth adaptor works great.
most stereos have a hack to allow a 3.5 input whether its via the cd changer input or the CAN bus system such a grom unit. i fyou google the stereo unit number youll find something

floydie

474 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1189683 5-Dec-2014 23:13

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?75835-xcarlink-Ipod-USB-for-Euro

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1189753 6-Dec-2014 08:48

Handsomedan:
B1GGLZ: Why not just replace the radio with one that will do what you want?

Because as per the original post, it's expensive and complicated and not worth the trouble?

I disagree. I've done it myself on a couple of older model cars (1984 - 2000) with Jap radios and it was neither difficult nor expensive and certainly worth the trouble.
I'd do the same again on my 2009 Toyota if I needed to but it was NZ new so the radio is fine. Well worth the expense to get what you want and need though.

richms

28037 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1189754 6-Dec-2014 08:52

You probably had low spec cars that just had a standard single or double din stereo in them and primitave climate controls and no GPS etc. Most imports now have them all integrated into one system, so you cant just replace the stereo part of it with a bent coat hanger and a loom from repco.

Richard rich.ms

lxsw20

3527 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1189791 6-Dec-2014 10:27

richms: You probably had low spec cars that just had a standard single or double din stereo in them and primitave climate controls and no GPS etc. Most imports now have them all integrated into one system, so you cant just replace the stereo part of it with a bent coat hanger and a loom from repco.

Plenty of new cars you can still buy a surround kit for and put in a standard din sized unit. If it's an import most of the gps etc doesn't even work in NZ. As I've pointed out you can fit a DIN slot in an Accord Euro and keep the standard unit in place.

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