Does anyone know of a Mobile FM Transmitter that doesn't suck?

[Spurminator]

I have an iPod and I'd like to listen to it in my car. A while back I bought a Griffin iTrip, because it was the only thing I could find under $100. I finally got sick of it today because the signal isn't very strong and you have to stop the music and scroll through radio stations on the iPod to change a station. Pain in the ass for trips.

On my way from Austin to Dallas, I stopped at Best Buy and bought a Belkin Tunecast II... It's more user-friendly in that you can change the station on a digital interface without stopping your music. However, the signal strength seems to be even worse than the iTrip, and you can't choose frequency 87.9 FM (which is pretty much the only frequency in DFW without a signal).

Anyone have any recommendations? Weak signals seem to be a common problem with other models as well (based on friends' input).

I don't get it. I know we have the technology to create a transmitter with a strong enough signal that you don't hear constant static and you don't have to turn your volume all the way up... Ten years ago I had a CD changer in my trunk programmed to 88.1, and I never had interference even in places where there was a station at that frequency.

I'm thinking about just swapping out the stereo for something with a tape deck...

[xrayzebra]

Hmmm, as an old communicator, but not up to date on ipod's this is just a thought.
You have an output on the ipod for earphones. You should be able to get your
local friendly radio person to put a jack on your radio for imput from the ipod thru
your amp on the stero system and your speaker, it should be too complicated or
expensive. But I could be wrong. But we used a similar system for TV sound thru
our radio consoles in the olden days, so when we were transmitting it would mute
the TV sound. Like I said, just a thought, you would have to find a radio tech or
maybe a ham radio operator.

[DannyT]

how long have these things been around?
i just found out about these the other day... out the "flea market" aka bazzar out here in baghdad... i knoew the mps players could transmit over a freq like the sirus does but i had never seen these transmitters till the other day....saw one for 40 dollars and eanted to get it but wasnt really sure.....if they do work it would be pretty tight.....but if not im just gettin a head unit with an input

[leemajors]

you can buy an FM modulator at best buy or circuit city for $20 and wire it into your deck. that's what my father in law does, it works very well and you just plug it in. sounds like that is exactly what your old cd changer did. they hook in between the antenna adapter and the deck at the back.

[MannyIsGod]

Man, if you find one let me know. I got one for my computer so I could listen to MP3s on the stero without burning anything or running wires and it flat out sucks ass. It is annoying and it only has 4 stations all of which have another station nearby.

I think FCC regulations govern the signal strength, though. So don't expect to find one with a stronger signal.

[leemajors]

Man, if you find one let me know. I got one for my computer so I could listen to MP3s on the stero without burning anything or running wires and it flat out sucks ass. It is annoying and it only has 4 stations all of which have another station nearby.

I think FCC regulations govern the signal strength, though. So don't expect to find one with a stronger signal.

my sirius FM transmitter works great in my mazda 3, which is a year old, and pretty good in my older chevy blazer. there's just a better antenna in the mazda though, i can pick up 1200 fine from north austin in it, and can't catch it at all in the blazer. the sirius FM transmitter lets you pick any station though. for a car, if the transmitter sucks, the FM modulator is the way to go if you know how to hook it up.

[Slomo]

I have this one for when I travel:
http://www.monstercable.com/mp3/productPageMP3.asp?pin=2660&LastPage=Monster%20iPod%20-http://www.monstercable.com/mp3/productPageMP3.asp?pin=2660&LastPage=Monster%20iPod%20-%20For%20the%20Road

I've tried a few different models/brands this one has outperformed the ones I tried (including the iTrip). It's not like having a proper cable, but it works (sound is not too bad either).

I also have a feeling it has a more powerful transmiter, which explains why I had less problems with it.

[ZStomp]

Yea. Look at this one. It works rather well in my truck. I had to order it from Amazon.com. I don't know where to find it here in SA.

http://www.xtrememac.com/audio/wireless/airplay2.php

http://www.xtrememac.com/audio/wireless/imgs/airplay2_01.jpg

It goes with this:

http://www.xtrememac.com/chargers/microflex_car.php

http://www.xtrememac.com/chargers/imgs/microflex_car_01.jpg

[usckk]

Well, I also use the Belkin Tunecast II. But I also bought the Belkin Auto Kit. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and is able to charge your ipod. Also, you are able to plug the FM transmitter on the the Auto Kit thing, and it amplifies the music so you don't have to turn the volume on your ipod or stereo very loud. Since you already have the Tuncast. I suggest just getting the Auto Kit thing. You should be able to buy for 30 bucks.

[Spurminator]

Thanks everyone for your input.

[boutons_]

http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6519_7-6544158.html?tag=nl.e404

[Beer is Good]

Dont buy a new deck with a tape player. Buy a deck with an aux. jack that you can directly hook up your mp3 player to. Mine works great.

[usckk]

The problem is that most cars don't have those jacks.