FM Transmitter

[audiomortis]

I'm going to be going on a driving trip soon in a rental car, and I would really like to take my Zen Xtra with me and listen to it. I bought a $30 FM Transmitter from Radio Shack a while ago, and it didn't really work well at all, and I ended up just listening to the radio (which was like drilling a hole in my head).

Do any of these things work? They all say "10-30ft.". I found one that said it was 30ma, is that a decent amount? I would love to listen to my music, but I would rather not waste my money on something that wont work well enough.

thanks,

joe

 

[infiskik]

get a tape adapter?

althought id be interented in a good FM one too.

 

[audiomortis]

the tape addaptor only works if the rental car doesn't have a CD player which many do now. I don't want to gamble on it.

 

[blessingx]

At least with the iTrip (and I suspect to some degree all FM transmitters), metalic UV coatings on some windows can stop the signal from getting trough to the outside antenna. The iTrip worked great in my car. It didn't even pick up a bad signal on my friends.

With a rental car there's really less way to know about this.

This has been recommended in the past. No experience though.

I've also been interested in this.

 

[audiomortis]

thanks blessingx,

that Newer Technology Road Trip looks like it's worth trying for $20. I think I'll order one, and do some testing and report back.

 

[infiskik]

is it an ipod only product?

 

[blessingx]

Nope. As long as there's a mini plug on it, it'll work with any player.
Just make sure to order the model (there are two) which will likely less interfer with your local stations (though their site says it should in most cases over-power them.

Looking forward to a future review, audiomortis.

 

[audiomortis]

I should have it on monday, and I'll be able to give some oppinions next week (hopefully). I ordered the one that was recomended for LA (as that is where I'm going).

 

[ed_bollix]

I am interrested to hear how it works. I have the Belkin and the other one... sonic??? and neither of em work worth a $hit.

 

[audiomortis]

I will say, my hopes are not very high, but hey, $25 shipped is worth a shot.... even to a cheap @ss like me.

 

[Nospam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomortis I should have it on monday, and I'll be able to give some oppinions next week (hopefully). I ordered the one that was recomended for LA (as that is where I'm going).

Just a word of caution. The radio spectrum in LA is pretty saturated (worse than the Bay Area). It's tough to find a station that's weak enough for the iTrip to overpower.

I was using my iTrip for a while, but I found that the station that worked fine in the Westside didn't work at all near Downtown. I finally gave up and had an FM modulator installed in my car. It works great, since it cuts off the signal from the antenna, so there's no interference. The down side is that it still sounds like a crappy FM signal... Too bad I can't just plug the iPod into the AUX port of the sound system ($#@! intelligent, networked sound systems

)

 

[blessingx]

A lot of AIWA systems (including some cheap ones) have the mini jack on the faceplate. Bought it for my then MD, but since it's become the iPod input.

 

[Rangers34]

Anything new on this? My tape deck no longer sends a signal to my left-side speakers and I wouldn't mind getting one of these...

 

[KenW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomortis thanks blessingx, that Newer Technology Road Trip looks like it's worth trying for $20. I think I'll order one, and do some testing and report back.

Where did you find it for $20. The one I found on amazon was $34 and is here:

iTrip

Is this the same device? Can anyone confirm it's better than the Belkin and works with ANY(read Karma here) player?

 

[blessingx]

I don't believe he/she is referring to the iTrip for $20.

I am curious how it worked out for you audiomortis.

Looks like there's also another option (should you need to broadcast to the neighbors). This is very tempting.