I was just telling my coworker this morning how my iPod FM transmitter apparently stopped working. I can barely hear the music while dialed to 87.7FM. There was a strong station on 87.9FM, but I tried getting it to work over a 32 mile trip and it was 99% static with barely audible music in the background. I actually only used this iPod FM transmitter once, and was going to write a review on it, but I must have forgotten, so it sat in my winter hibernating Viper for the past 8 months.
While cleaning the car I realized I had forgotten about this little gadget, so I took it to work with me in my 3000GT. Unfortunately, as previously stated, the iPod FM transmitter barely worked. It made me wonder if perhaps my 3000GT's radio antenna (located in back of the car) is too far from the iPod FM transmitter? When the FM transmitter was working in the Viper, I wonder if it worked because the Viper has its antenna built into the window, so it was literally only 2 feet away from the iPod FM transmitter plugged into the cigarette lighter. If indeed the 3000GT's FM/AM antenna is too far from the FM transmitter, then that is one WEAK transmitter! Must be those damn FCC rascals limiting the power output...
I'm not naming this particular iPod FM Transmitter by name (yet) since I want to do some more tests first - like re-test it in the Viper when I get home.
Ironically, after discussing my iPod FM transmitter woes, I received an email just a few hours later that states:
I did some "googling" of this iPod FM transmitter, but can't seem to find it anywhere on the web, including their own website - http://www.sakar.com. It must be so damn new, their own webmasters haven't even updated their website!
Anyway, I've asked for an eval unit and a photo, which I will post here once I get it.Update! 3/28/05
Well, I tried my iPod FM transmitter in the Viper and the static/interference disappeared and the audio quality was perfect. I'm using a NewerTech iPod FM Transmitter (87.9FM model) which apparently is the same frequency as a very powerful local radio station also located on 87.9FM. The reason why it worked in the Viper is the close proximity to the wire antenna in the window vs. the external power antenna in the 3000GT located in the rear of the vehicle. I've talked with other users of the NewTech iPod FM transmitter and they have had no problems with it since they are using the 107.7FM model which is pretty much unused in the Tri-State area.
Moral of the story: Try your radio first before buying an iPod FM transmitter and pick a station with the weakest signal (most static) - you'll get the least amount of interference that way.
I've compiled a comprehensive list of iPod FM transmitters, including excellent ones from Griffin and Belkin., who are respected iPod accessory manufacturers. Check it out
Update #2 - 3/28/05
Hot off the presses! I just got photos of the new Sakar International's iConcepts 3 in 1 car kit, so I thought I'd share them below:
Here are some other cool iPod FM Transmitters
worth reviewing before you buy:
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You are not alone. My daughter has an IPod FM transmitter that works perfectly well in Ithaca, NY but is virtually useless in Baltimore, MD. The only conclusion I can draw is that the receiver can not discriminate frequencies well enough to deal with a crowded area like Baltimore but has no trouble in smaller markets.
I also used an fm transmitter. I currently have the XtremeMac AirPlay FM Transmitter and basically it sounds static(ly)...although very low, it is still audible and one has to keep the transmitter in one place will driving. Please advise if there is a better one out there.
I am looking at purchasing a FM transmitter and I found this one that sounds good but does anyone have experience or more info on it.
Description:
The Newer Technology RoadTrip! FM transmitter is a perfect balance of high quality sound and low cost. In our testing, this unit outperformed every other product we compared it with. Period. Our tests were performed in the metropolitan areas of Northern Illinois/Chicagoland, an area with an abundance of high-power FM stations. In such areas it tends to be difficult, if not impossible to get a clear signal lock. Not only does the Newer Technology RoadTrip! come through loud and clear, it was the ONLY one to not have signal bleed through or static noise in testing.
Is it too good to be true?
I bought a Belkin iPod FM transmitter and could never get a decent signal out of it. I tried it in and around the Portland, OR area including the virtually signal-free zone between Portland and the coast. If I could pick up anything at all it was full of static and unlistenable. I tried a brand-x Chinese model from a mall kiosk store and had much better, though not totally reliable, results. At least it works sometimes. Based on some of the comments in the this blog, I wonder if my problem is that I have a rear-antennaed car. My 95 SAAB has the old-school aerial on the rear of the car and perhaps the distance is just too great. If anyone driving a SAAB has found an FM transmitter that works, I'd love to hear about it.
Here's a wild one. My daughter received an I-Pod 3-in-1 for Christmas. It works great in her sister's Toyota but in her 1999 Altima, antenna in the back, it works well only on songs with sparse arrangements. As soon as the guitars and drums and harmony vocals come in, the sound is awful and full of static. I can't figure that one out. Any ideas out there?
I have the same one, and I'm having the exact same problems. When I connect the transmitter into my Renault Megane Scenic, it sounds horrible unless it's a 'spoken' track, or of low quality. It's works just about everywhere else, though. I guess it's just the car...
William I have the exact same problem. There seems to be a lot of static with my Belkin transmitter. I also own a 96 Saab 9000CSE - and I think the problem is not the distance to the antenna, but in fact it's the fact that there is a myriad of electrical systems in the Saab that generate a lot of interference. Basically this just makes the SNA way to high. Do you have an in-trunk CD changer in your car? If so, the radio transmission from the CD changer may pose a problem.
If anyone has found a transmitter that works well with the a Saab please let me know
i used the belkin digital transmitter w/ my 97 saab 900s. it worked very well on either 88.5 or 88.7 in the boston/providence areas. maybe its just your territory?
kristen
I dont have an ipod, but I do have an MMR-60 FM transmitter from sony ericcson for my cell phone(w810i). The results are not very good in my area(chicago). I have to hold it directly touching the console in car. I tried holding it next to my antenna in the back of the car(while parked of course) and the signal came in very good. Does anyone now of one of these car FM antenna boosters might help?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-WYiycX4aCsS/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=12044UA60
i connect my griffin radio transmitter and everything works but after some time the entire setup goes blank and stops working.when i disconnect and reconnect the charger,everything starts working again.this happens again and again..help...
kensington have a great range of fm transmitters, and have come highly reccomended from Auto Express.
I currently have the RDS transmitter, ad the quality is so high.
I use a XtremeMac AirPlay FM Transmitter and am pretty satisfied with its performance.