View Full Version : best fm tuner for car?
NOSintake
07-24-2005, 02:23 PM
ok...so i just ordered my ipod online last night, and im already looking into an fm tuner for my car. so ive been looking into the itrip, but something tells me there might be better options. one with a charger isnt necessary, but i guess its a plus. im looking up to a $70-80 range...but thats a stretch. any ideas?
JMD1014
07-24-2005, 04:51 PM
I just got the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter/Auto Charger about a week ago and so far I am very pleased with it. I had an iTrip but it wasn't getting the job done. I even tried "hacking" it by opening it and pulling the antenna but I wound up breaking it lol...no big loss. I went with the Kensington and the quality is much better than an iTrip, almost CD quality infact. Check out the review of this product here (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/kensington-digital-fm-transmitter-auto-charger-for-ipod-ipod/)
JMD1014
07-24-2005, 04:54 PM
Oh and one more thing...if you get this one, don't get it from the Kensington website, you can get it for $15-20 cheaper. I got it from amazon.com, but I think there are even cheaper options.
NOSintake
07-24-2005, 04:55 PM
Originally posted by JMD1014
I just got the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter/Auto Charger about a week ago and so far I am very pleased with it. I had an iTrip but it wasn't getting the job done. I even tried "hacking" it by opening it and pulling the antenna but I wound up breaking it lol...no big loss. I went with the Kensington and the quality is much better than an iTrip, [B]almost CD quality infact. Check out the review of this product here
thanx for that...looks good. im assuming it has all the same features as the itrip? looks like i gotta raise 80 bucks.
NOSintake
07-24-2005, 04:59 PM
how does it work exactly? just tune in on that device..and tune in on my car radio?
NOSintake
07-24-2005, 05:53 PM
well...if possible..i wanna get it in the store to avoid huge shipping charges.
these any good?
*ok...cant post links for some reason. just go to the bestbuy site and check out those fm tuners.*
NOSintake
07-24-2005, 11:35 PM
ok...just by looking on the forums (search), ive come up with these fm tuners:
itrip
monster iCarPlay
sik imp (questions about that later)
belkin auto kit (questions also)
ight...heres my thing, is the sik like a direct connection? how does it work. is it one where u need like one of those $100 converters? i know it connects to the ipod...but something tells me that u need something else with it to play the ipod.
the same question about the belkin. looks like u might need something more, but im not to sure. this looks to be the best bet. looks like their isnt a transmitter..but u can play it in ur car.
any and all help is needed. thanx for your input
I've had this for about 3 months now and am 100% pleased with it. Never a problem finding a clean station to play my music through and even when I do, the kensington overpowers moderate-strength stations. ( Who cares about 87.9 when you have the option of every other channel...)
When deciding between this or the Monster digital, I chose this because its dock connector fit through my Marware case and every other case that I tried, whereas I had some problems with the monster. It's connector is the same size and design as the real ipod cable that comes with your ipod.
For the poster who asked how to operate it:
1. Plug it into your cigarette lighter outlet and plug it into your ipod's dock connector
2. Find a radio station that does not have a strong music signal playing through it and set your kensington to the same channel
About the best place to buy it:
Buy dot com has it at a little over 50$ with free shipping
NOSintake
07-25-2005, 05:10 PM
thanx for that...its between the itrip, airplay, and the kensington fm tuner.
i guess ill have to ask around and read the reviews more. anyone had any of these 2 to compare too?
NOSintake
07-25-2005, 09:56 PM
ight...now ive gotten it between the kensington and the airplay..i just cant decide though. haha...
I haven't tried the airplay, so I can't comment on it, however I think having the added benefit of a car charger on the product is a big plus...
NOSintake
07-27-2005, 09:42 AM
im going to pick up the kensington....just cause ill only use it in the car, and this one just seems better
nickgall2nd
07-27-2005, 09:32 PM
But the kensington basically REQUIRES use in a car. What if you want to use it elsewhere, or have no easy access to car outlet?
NOSintake
07-27-2005, 09:40 PM
then ill just use the headphones. only thing i might get the airplay for...is to use at work or at a party. but im pretty sure i can just get a headphone-to-headphone jack to listen to it there
mallu2u
07-28-2005, 01:58 PM
where did u buy the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter from?
captmike
07-28-2005, 04:53 PM
Originally posted by NOSintake
ok...so i just ordered my ipod online last night, and im already looking into an fm tuner for my car. so ive been looking into the itrip, but something tells me there might be better options. one with a charger isnt necessary, but i guess its a plus. im looking up to a $70-80 range...but thats a stretch. any ideas?
I purchased the iTrip last week. I live in Central California, there are a lot of radio stations that are recieved....as well as the week signals in which is not desirable for a FM trasmitter.
After trying ALL of the Freq's availible IN the iTrip. NONE were acceptable for car, or home use.
I would not waste my time or money on the iTrip.
NOSintake
07-28-2005, 08:10 PM
Originally posted by mallu2u
where did u buy the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter from?
im going to get mine from buy .com...it says theres no tax or shipping, so ill see
buy .com is my all-time favorite place to buy electronics online. Absolutely no shipping on most items, no tax (well at least in NY) and very quick shipping with detailed tracking info. I compare prices all over the place when I buy stuff and no one can come close to them for most items...
NOSintake
07-30-2005, 08:15 AM
Originally posted by taus
buy .com is my all-time favorite place to buy electronics online. Absolutely no shipping on most items, no tax (well at least in NY) and very quick shipping with detailed tracking info. I compare prices all over the place when I buy stuff and no one can come close to them for most items...
i couldnt get it at buy .com....they were sold out. and i needed to order that as soon as possible, so i did some research and got the fm transmitter for $55 somewhere else (same as buy .com) im just upset cause i just saw a post about a ipod case that was $10 and that included shipping and handling. and i had just bought a case for $20 with shipping and handling about an hour before that
melsmusic
07-30-2005, 08:36 AM
I have tried the airplay. Its just about the same as the itrip (hopeless). I am taking it back to the store just like I did with the itrip. They have very bad reception.
Get the Kensignton as many people have responded to say it is better and even the review on this site says the quality is the best from any FM transmitter.
I am waiting for it to be released in Australia.
On your case order - can you cancel it if they have not shipped it.
NOSintake
07-30-2005, 05:47 PM
Originally posted by melsmusic
I have tried the airplay. Its just about the same as the itrip (hopeless). I am taking it back to the store just like I did with the itrip. They have very bad reception.
Get the Kensignton as many people have responded to say it is better and even the review on this site says the quality is the best from any FM transmitter.
I am waiting for it to be released in Australia.
On your case order - can you cancel it if they have not shipped it.
its prolly too late now. its ight...it wasnt that bad. now...if that case sucks, then im sending it back and getting the other one