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[B.K.]

What is the best FM transmitter for iPod? I know they all suck, but which sucks the least? I am going on a trip in a few weeks and might need one. I was originally planning to take a vehicle that had a cassette player and use a cassette adapter, but now, I might have to take one that has a CD player, so I'll need a FM transmitter.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

are you sure the car doesn't have aux input?

 

[B.K.]

I'm sure.

 

[nomster]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7750249

This one works ok as long as you aren't in a big city. I used it on a trip across the country.

 

[Expendable.]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7750249

This one works ok as long as you aren't in a big city. I used it on a trip across the country.

same one I've had for 2 years. Works great.

 

[B.K.]

I'll have to look into that. It's only $39 at Amazon. I'm going to go from Tennessee to Los Angeles. I don't know how well it will work. I've never used a FM transmitter before.

 

[Anno]

If it your car? Will you ever do something similar? I was going to get one before I realized it made a hell of a lot more sense in the long run to get a new deck for my car with an aux-in. $80 installed.

 

[HUELEN10]

http://us.kensington.com/html/13876.html

This is 100 USD, but recommended.

 

[B.K.]

If it your car? Will you ever do something similar? I was going to get one before I realized it made a hell of a lot more sense in the long run to get a new deck for my car with an aux-in. $80 installed.

It's my parent's so that isn't an option.

http://us.kensington.com/html/13876.html

This is 100 USD, but recommended.

Really? I was just looking at Amazon and from the reviews, that transmitter only has two stars. That other one has four.

 

[HUELEN10]

Really? I was just looking at Amazon and from the reviews, that transmitter only has two stars. That other one has four.

It depends on which year you get one. The best ones were made in 2006. Find one on eBay used for cheap. You will not regret it.

 

[Cruceh]

So FM transmitters suck? I was gonna get one for cheap at Marshalls. I think it's like $20 there. Is it better than a casette adapter?

 

[onegoodlogan]

Casette Adapter will give you better sound. FM transmitters can only sound as good as an FM signal.

 

[Anno]

So FM transmitters suck? I was gonna get one for cheap at Marshalls. I think it's like $20 there. Is it better than a casette adapter?

If you live in anything even approaching a big city it's probably best to avoid the transmitter. I had a hell of a time getting my sister's to work, and Columbus isn't exactly huge.

 

[B.K.]

So FM transmitters suck? I was gonna get one for cheap at Marshalls. I think it's like $20 there. Is it better than a casette adapter?

Everyone says they do. I was planning to use a cassette adapter for my trip, but it looks like I'm not going to be able to.

 

[Cruceh]

If you live in anything even approaching a big city it's probably best to avoid the transmitter. I had a hell of a time getting my sister's to work, and Columbus isn't exactly huge.

Oh, I guess that's out of the question here in NYC.

 

[Tobor]

Oh, I guess that's out of the question here in NYC.

Definitely out of the question. I have a Griffin FM transmitter that works great in Richmond, VA. However, as soon as I get close to D.C., it craps out.

It should work fine for road trips, rural, and smaller cities.

 

[B.K.]

It depends on which year you get one. The best ones were made in 2006. Find one on eBay used for cheap. You will not regret it.

Is there any way to tell which were made in 2006? Do they have a different SKU or model number?

 

[Coop]

I have one from Monster (I think not sure of the model) for over years and havent had any problems with it.

 

[Phoenix]

I had several models of FM transmitter and they all sucked ass in Atlanta, San Francisco, DC, New York - hell even New Orleans. At best you will get stretches of road where it works fine, then you will be futzing around with it to get a signal that works well.

 

[B.K.]

So there's no hope? I can't put a new radio in it so it can connect to the iPod.

 

[nomster]

So there's no hope? I can't put a new radio in it so it can connect to the iPod.

The ones that have been mentioned are fine for a long trip. It's really only a problem for the 20-30 miles you pass through big cities. I found it to be totally worth having.

 

[B.K.]

The ones that have been mentioned are fine for a long trip. It's really only a problem for the 20-30 miles you pass through big cities. I found it to be totally worth having.

It's going to be a pretty long trip. It's almost 2,100 miles each way.

 

[nomster]

It's going to be a pretty long trip. It's almost 2,100 miles each way.

Not sure what you mean, but you should get one.

 

[Futureman]

I have the Griffin one and it works fine in Pittsburgh. Maybe Pittsburgh isn't big enough of a city?

 

[B.K.]

Not sure what you mean

I mean it's going to be a long trip. You said it would be fine on a long trip. It's going to be over 4000 miles total.

 

[Futureman]

Just get a boom box and play cassettes from the 1980s.

 

[Ecto311]

For $80 you can get a new deck that has aux in and you dont have to worry about anything.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony...90703/catOid/-13089/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Theres a better one down the page that I just bought 2 of for me and the wife. It has the ipod wire and the screen shows everything you need to page around and find songs. Its awesome.

 

[B.K.]

For $80 you can get a new deck that has aux in and you dont have to worry about anything.

Like I said, it's not my vehicle, so that's not an option.

 

[Stumpokapow]

I use this $10.99 charger/transmitter hybrid. A few cars I've driven don't have the cigarette lighter in the right spot to really use it, but it works for most, it's dirt cheap, quality is fine, and it's a charger-transmitter combo.

 

[Futureman]

Like I said, it's not my vehicle, so that's not an option.

Didn't you say it's your parents car? Why would they be against you upgrading the stereo in their car?

 

[2DMention]

The Griffin iTrip

That docks directly to the iPod works great. The ones where you plug it into the headphone generally suck ass. Like people say, when you pass through big cities, you'll get interference.

Otherwise, get a cheap dockable iPod boom box and a shitload of big fattie D batteries and use the boom box.

 

[LCfiner]

If you live ins a city where there's tons of competing signals, I recommend the very inexpensive Roadtrip+ from newer technology.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/newer-technology-roadtrip-plus-fm-transmitter-ipod/


it uses the 87.9 FM station exclusively and this results in pretty clear reception since no stations transmit on that frequency. And it's cheap and charges the ipod as you use it.

I currently don't use this model but moved up to the Belkin Tunebase FM as I wanted a proper stand to secure my iphone while driving. While this model works well for me in my city (Montreal), it may not work well at all in other cities (plus it's 100 bucks)

edit: it looks like NT stopped making the 87.9 transmitter based on their website. that's too bad. their current models re like all others and only start transmitting at 88.1. maybe ebay has the older model, though :\

 

[B.K.]

I'll have to look this week and see which of these I can find in stores.

 

[B!TCH]

I know you are in a bind but, seriously mate, they are a waste of money. They really do suck and are likely to cause you more frustration and distraction while driving than anything else.

 

[B.K.]

Does anyone know about this transmitter? iLounge seemed to really like it.