What FM transmitter to use in Dallas TX?

[navfett]

Ok so i am new to this forum & so far its been really interesting to read. Well i have i a couple fo questions to ask since i am in currently getting all my ducks in a row so to speak on getting an ipod.


So any advice from you guys out there as to which FM transmitter would be best suited for the Dallas/Fw area? What frequencies work the best in that area? Can any one help out on that or point me in the right direction.

Thx.

[Gooseman]

Hey, I'm new too, and I joined to ask a similar question.

I live in Houston, and I bought the iTrip so I could use my iPod in my car. Overall, I've been less then pleased with it. The reception is inconsistant, and it oftentimes gets fuzzy. I've read that this may be simply because of the fact that I live in a big city. I'm seriously considering returning the iTrip.

Just a head's up.

[navfett]

hey Gooseman r u looking into another FM transmitter to get then. Have u heard of any that r supposed to be the best with less then mediocre quality. i had gone by the apple store here in Dallas & the guy over kept saying that all of this is FCC regulated & no one can have one better then the other. As in stronger frequency & blah blah. SO i m kinda stuck for now on what is the best fm transmitter for the amount spent.

Thx for replying back to my post btw. :)

[Gooseman]

Personally, I wouldn't buy another FM transmitor. The quality was just not acceptable. I bought my girlfriend a Belkin transmitor 4 months ago and it was even worse.

What I really want to do is hardwire my iPod to my car. I'm waiting for someone to reply to all my noobish questions in this (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29734) thread.

BTW, in my previous post, I meant to say "inconsistent" not "consistant".

[navfett]

Hmm that is interesting i read the link that u had pasted in. That looks more promising. Guess we ll have to wait & see how it works out for this other guy. Btw have u done any research into getting one of thse units? What all would be involved in installing one, i figure i ask since have never installed a radio/cd player in a car or for that matter any other electronic equipment in any car.

Thx.

[Gooseman]

Haha, I'm just as new as you are.

[navfett]

i found this article to look @ in case u r interested. Its for a honda which is what i have. Take a look & see what u think.

http://distantcreations.com/accordipod/

[Gooseman]

That's a nice clean installation, but I don't like how he has to open up the center console to use the iPod. It'd be more convenient if it was mounted somwhere on or near the dash.

[navfett]

Yes u r rite about the center console. I also have a honda accord & from what i have seen you can buy certain holders so to say that can be placed in the cup holder for easy access to the ipod.

He didnt do such a bad job. My only prob is taking apart a brand new car like that. He did his i think after he had it for 2 days. I would rather read up on it to see what i can figure out before i dwelve into installing one in my car.

[Gooseman]

Yeah, that guy might have voided some important warranties.

[navfett]

Have u gotten anywhere yet on what you want to get? Got any advice that i might be able to use?

[toymachine40k]

hey guys, saw this DFW post and was wondering if yall knew where to get an ipod in the DFW area? I know this is a long shot in the dark but I'll give it a shot anyways since I'm desperate in obtaining an ipod...
thanx

[navfett]

Well the apple store @ willow bend has them. Those guys are dying to sell them there. U can also get it off of their site, i figure u knew that. The best thing that i found is after doing some investigation is to go to Target & get a new credit card that is if u dont have one with them. They will give u 10 percent off on it. So u can save a few bucks, unless u want to take your chances on ebay.

Hope this helps.

[valerie5425]

I use the iTrip here in Dallas. I kept it on the default 87.9 frequency. It gets very little interference, and works very consistently. As for buying an iPod in Dallas, the Apple stores at Willow Bend mall and at the store on Knox/McKinney will both be able to help you. Also, try looking online under the special deals on apple.com. There are some 10G ones there now as well as a couple refurbs. That's where I bought my eMac, and it's been great.

[navfett]

valerie5425 thank u for replying back to this forum its good to hear something reassuring about the itrip all that i have heard so far was negative but at times some good feedback. Have u tried any other frequencies other then what u mentioned.

I had tried the itrip in my car, borrowed it from a friend but got nothing but static off of it. Guess i ll try that frequency that u have used to see if it works for me.

Btw i was ipod.com & it has run out of the better deals it had, u can still get a 40 gig for 400 tho, but i m looking for the 15 gig myself. Thought i would add my 2 cents in on that.

If anyone else is in Dallas & have any good frequencies to share can u please do so it would be greatly appreciated. Thx.

[valerie5425]

It's hard to find a purely static station in a saturated radio market like Dallas. 87.9 works well. Keep in mind tht you want static. To change the station it transmits on, you have to choose the frequency from the iTrip stations playlist, play the station you want (a silent track about 5 seconds long), and while the blue light flashes fast, pause the playback and then you can play your songs or playlist.

The sound quality isn't digital quality, but from what I've been told.. that's to be expected with a transmitter. Make sure you have your iPod volume set between 50%-70% and you have to turn your car radio up louder than normal. I have found that I don't even notice the poorer quality if I turn it up loud enough!

[cressers]

I have to agree....

I live in Downtown dallas and commute to irving....bought the MONSTER iCarPlay and could not get any of the frequencies to sound good.

One was 'acceptable' but the static and breakthrough still happened.

Just found out my head unit allows aux in so going that way.

[navfett]

cressers have u done any research on what u r going to get for an FM transmitter? Also r u going to install it yurself or have it done by someone?

[cressers]

I rang crutchfield to find out which FM Modulator they recomended and we found out i can use a line in via the CD changer input, so I am going to do that, sound will be great! (i hope)

Just trying to engineer a cool holder mounted in the ashtray....

[navfett]

cressers so what type of car r u going to install it in? btw r u going to do this on yur own or have someone else do it for u?

[cressers]

I am doing it myself, its is a 92 saab, and my plan is to mount a dock in the ashtray, connect a female ciagrette lighter to the gnd and Ignition sense(if the power is within limits, already have stereo and carkit on this line) then connect aux in to back of head unit.

I have kenwood KDC-7070R. I am at work at the moment working no the cover plate for the ashtry, and I have to say, I am not as Handy as I had imagined.....on my 3rd attempt. I forsee a lot of black tape being used to cover gaps ;-)

[n5csu]

Hi from east Dallas (near White Rock Lake). I have an iTrip and have had mixed results. Great in the house or at the office, laying the iPod on the radio, But... in my Jeep Cherokee, I could not find an always clear channel. So... I use a cassette adapter in the car, and keep the iTrip for other uses. I think it all will depend on your car's windshield, and how much metal is in it! BTW, iPod and accessories are also available at Frys.