FM Transmitters for car stereo - can you get a good one?

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Mattnzl

281 posts

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#29065 21-Dec-2008 18:34

Hi people, just after some advice on how to get an mp3 player hooked up to a factory stereo with no aux input.

I picked up a cheapy fm transmitter off TM. My expectations were averagely low, but this thing is fankly pretty horrible.
Wasn't expecting CD quality, but I thought it might be similar to FM radio which would be fine.

1st question: are there any transmitters that sound OK? (ie: is a brand name belkin or itrip any better).

2ndly: have seen overseas an option that is a step up - they are still an fm modulator, but they plug in-line into the aerial cable, so no transmitter needed (still only fm quality, but no interferrence). Anyone seen one in NZ? Or even better used one?

Any advice much appreciated! Car is an import prius, replacing the factory stereo would loose a lot of nice to have features.

Cheers, Matt...

paradoxsm

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#185531 21-Dec-2008 20:13

Ew, No, I have never come upon a good one, ranging for absurdly horrible to marginal at best.

iTrip is ok but still not the greatest and expensive.

The Belkin one was the best sounding and also had the most piddly rf output resulting in static much of the time and it was also $90.
Best spend your money on a new cheap headunit with AUX input, with the factory-Other converter plugs these days it's such a simple install, the other option (depending on car ownership etc) is to "convert" the factory FM/AM/TAPE unit into a FM/AM/AUX unit which suits modern day much better.

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nate

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#185585 22-Dec-2008 00:41

I've had a pretty good run with the iTrip - it worked well with my iPod, it doesn't need separate batteries and turns off when you turn the iPod off. The car I did use it in had the radio aerial at the front so that may have helped. The nice thing too is you can go from car to car and tune the iTrip in and use your iPod in any car you so please.

I do agree that an AUX input is a great thing to get. The ultimate though is an integrated iPod control - I have one in my current stereo and works a charm (you control all the iPod functions on the headunit rather than on the iPod).

hellonearthisman

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#185589 22-Dec-2008 03:35

My friend got a cheap one that pluged into the car lighter, it would cut out on road bumps.

I got one that runs off a couple of aaa's and could switch and fine tune. It works ok, considering it's FM quality on a cheap sterio.

Both from Trademe and under $30.

Mattnzl

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#185598 22-Dec-2008 07:20

Thanks guys - I might borrow another one to see if I just got a total dud.

More searching has turned up this http://www.gromaudio.com/aux.html which is exactly what I need - US$80 though.

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#185635 22-Dec-2008 10:24

I had an Airplay (top mount) for my old Gen4 Photo. Worked "good".

Had to ditch it when I went to Gen5 (no top connector).

Got a Griffin roadtrip - it was "very good" (approximately FM radio quality). Destroyed the connector (it got a lot of use though - I dont blame the product.

Have an iTrip now, and its "pretty average" to the point where I choose to use a short 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable jacked in the front of my headunit. Looks like ~~badwords~~ but quality is as good as the rest of the setup allows for - certainly WAY better than even the "very good" roadtrip.