Using iPod w/Car Radio

BottomFeeder

I'm looking to get something so I can use my iPod in my car.

Some say get the cassette as the sound is better than fm transmitter. Others say the cassette deal is clunky, cumbersome & they break easily & frequently.

I'm currently leaning toward the fm transmitter (but could be talked out of it!) & I'm looking at units from Monster & Belkin. Both are about $80.

Any recommendations would be most welcome! Thank you!

Texas42

I've tried several and ended up returning the belkin I had for one of these from Kensington which worked much better:

http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-33199-Digital-Transmitter-Charger/dp/B000IT600W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-3665885-6486214?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192571430&sr=8-2


There is another one amazon is practically giving away (unless it is a type for $5.99) made by Maxell (not sure if it is good or not but at that price might be worth a look)

http://www.amazon.com/Maxell-Digital-Transmitter-Model-191204/dp/B000T5UKM4/ref=sr_1_16/103-3665885-6486214?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1192571255&sr=8-16

Hope you find one you like!

jakelm

BottomFeeder wrote: »

I'm looking to get something so I can use my iPod in my car.

Some say get the cassette as the sound is better than fm transmitter. Others say the cassette deal is clunky, cumbersome & they break easily & frequently.

I'm currently leaning toward the fm transmitter (but could be talked out of it!) & I'm looking at units from Monster & Belkin. Both are about $80.

Any recommendations would be most welcome! Thank you!

What if you want to transfer the iPod to a vehicle with no cassete? Transmitter is the most universal.

BottomFeeder

Bumperooney!

bobman1235

FM transmitters are horrible. Even the best of them are a huge hassle as you have to deal with random interference, the sound quality is terrible, etc.

Best bet is to change your head unit to one with an auxilary jack. Otherwise I'd definitely go with tape adapter over FM.

BottomFeeder

Hmmmmph!

I've heard such differing opinions! Do you live in a large or small city? I've heard that smaller cities have worse radio reception. Anything to it?

Thanks

VR3

Ive been using it for about a year now -- FM transmitter....

I have very little issues with it, but I listen at lower volumes....

My biggest issues are stop lights that are changing.... weird stuff

However, I rarely have any issues for any extended period of time.

Went to Georgia with no issues what-so-ever.

BaggedLancer

I use the griffin itrip. I love it and hate it.

I love it cause it's easy to use and it's wireless.

I hate it cause with all FM transmitters the quality is awful.

Eventually it'd be nice to add an aux jack to my car. We'll see


Edit: Nextel phones slaughter these FM transmitters, you should hear the noise it makes when the phone rings or the 2way radio goes off. It's terrible.

bluzrip

Best bet is to change your head unit to one with an auxilary jack.

Yep. You might consider an Alpine unit that will actually control your iPod. The result is a slick way to carry many hours of your favorite music. It's a great way to go when you are on a road trip!

ledhed

If you have the stock HU in your car, get the iPod interface. I have one for my Toyota made by USA Spec or something like that. I can control my iPod via my HU and it charges while in the car. Also, pretty good SQ much better than cassette.

BottomFeeder

ledhed wrote: »

If you have the stock HU in your car, get the iPod interface. I have one for my Toyota made by USA Spec or something like that. I can control my iPod via my HU and it charges while in the car. Also, pretty good SQ much better than cassette.

Whoa! PLEASE help me here!

Assuming that HU is my original stereo, then yes, that's what I've got.

But what's an "iPod interface?" Can you give me more information so I can look into this? It sounds like a much better solution than either fm transmitter or cassette and w/better SQ!

Thanks!

bluzrip

If you have the stock HU in your car, get the iPod interface

I own a Nissan Murano. The car requires major surgery to install an aftermarket head unit. I bought and installed an iPod interface that works through the SAT input on the stock head unit. I like it but I'd much prefer a new Alpine head unit. :cool:

bobman1235

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »

Ive been using it for about a year now -- FM transmitter....

I have very little issues with it, but I listen at lower volumes....

My biggest issues are stop lights that are changing.... weird stuff

However, I rarely have any issues for any extended period of time.

Went to Georgia with no issues what-so-ever.

I guess it depends on a lot of factors. For the brief time I used an iTrip, I either had to constantly change the station it transmitted on because I'd drive into and out of range of random radio stations, or I'd hear other people's FM transmitters as they drove by (I can't even count the number of times I was subjected to people listening to Howard Stern on Sirius as I drove into work in the morning). Not to mention the awful sound quality. I'ts well worth any sacrifice you have to make to not have to use an FM transmitter, based on my (and friends with similar) experience.

BottomFeeder

bobman1235 wrote: »

I guess it depends on a lot of factors. For the brief time I used an iTrip, I either had to constantly change the station it transmitted on because I'd drive into and out of range of random radio stations, or I'd hear other people's FM transmitters as they drove by (I can't even count the number of times I was subjected to people listening to Howard Stern on Sirius as I drove into work in the morning). Not to mention the awful sound quality. I'ts well worth any sacrifice you have to make to not have to use an FM transmitter, based on my (and friends with similar) experience.

So you'd suggest I use the cassette method over the fm transmitter?

bluzrip

I don't know about anyone else, but I've had better luck with cassette adapters than FM types. But neither choice is very elegant.

ledhed

Here is a link to a bunch like mine on crutchfield though you can enter in your car's info and it will tell you what will fit.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YAmF4cRqsqy/App/Product/Group/ProductMenu.aspx?showAll=Y&g=305250&c=3&tp=120&nvpair=FFType%7cFactory+Radio&nvpair=FFBrand%7cUSA+Spec

EDIT: Here is mine when it was first installed. The adapters work with all iPods that have a dock connector (I am using my 30GB video now)

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=393501&highlight=ipod#post393501

BottomFeeder

Interesting!

Thank you very much for the info - everyone else as well!

Many thanks!

kkerley33

BottomFeeder,

I have used about every FM transmitter that exists. The itrip and the airplay are horrible. The DLO that plugs into the cigaratte lighter is not bad. I would stay away from the ones that use the IPODS power. I ironically if you want to upgrade your car deck, you can get some great sounding Pioneer Decks on ebay for under $100 and the Ipod adapter cable can be had for $10.00. Granted you have to install it, but if you can read a wiring diagram, you can be done in 45 minutes.

KAK

BottomFeeder

Thanks very much everyone!

Because opinions seem to vary so much here, I just went entry level and bought the cassette adapter. I'll see how it goes w/this and then go from there. It's not ideal, but it's pretty clear that nothing is.

I also like the idea of just changing out my HU - thanks for that idea, kkerley33. & Thanks also ledhed for the links. Unfortunately, my car stereo won't work w/those.

Anyway, great work and I really do appreciate it!

kkerley33

Feeder,

I ended up changing out the HU on my Jeep because they didn't have an adapter for my year. I am glad I did. The Ipod Ready Pioneer Decks are so versatile. They have Aux in adapter, Bluetooth adapters, Car Video Adapters, and of course the Ipod Adapter. I had best buy put mine in and it was 149.00 installed. Just buy the install kit at Walmart. Best Buy jacks them up way to much.

In my other SUV, they had an Ipod adapter OEM so I got that as an option.

The Tape Deck Adapter will work. If you are in a big city, it will be less hassle than the FM adaptor.

If you do decide to go with HU replacement. I recommend the Pioneer DEH-5900IB. It is probably a little over your $80 price range used, but you should be able to find them for around $175 installed. It has the best control and jogs through music just like on the ipod.

The DEH-4900IB is practically the same deck but you have to step through the songs. It is a little more tedious.

The DEH-2900MP will be you best bet price wise. I have seen them sell for less than $50 on ebay. Will still control the Ipod with the Ipod cable.

BTW, the model number for the ipod cable is CD-I200

There is also pioneer elite version that are pretty identicle. They come OEM with Ipod cable included and have a 2 year warranty

Good Luck,

KAK

BottomFeeder

Wow, great advice and info! Thanks very much for all your help.

I'll jot those model numbers down. Those prices are pretty darned good.

On the one you had installed at BB for $149, was that a used unit that you bought on ebay, then took it to BB for installation, or did you buy it there, have it installed there & the whole thing cost $149???

& Pardon my naivite, but what's OEM?

Thanks again, a million.