Help! FM Transmitters stink but no choice??

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I have a 2004 Subaru Forester with the 'stock' radio that has an in dash 6 cd changer, no tape deck, and per the mechanic at my dealership no aux out or line out. So, do I have a choice to play my iPod through my car stereo other than the FM transmitters? (or buying a new car stereo):(


D'OH! I should have put this in the 'in-car' forum. Sorry. Great, my first post and I do it wrong.
:rolleyes:

[Aceon6]

Ditto. I have an 05 Legacy i Ltd. The CD changer uses the only connection point. I'm told that Subaru will fix this in the 06 models, so a retrofit kit may be available then.

I've been using an iTrip with fairly decent success.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

My antenna is in the back right window, so I don't know how good the reception would be, or how strong the signal would be.

[Aceon6]

Originally, I thought I'd have to keep the pod in the back seat for it to work, but it actually works quite well from the bin between the front seats. I did have to set the volume to 80% (not 50-75% per recommendation) but it works fine most of the time. I live in a metro area, and sometimes have trouble finding a clear station, but that's not the iTrip's fault. I use a Belkin charger with it, so don't have a battery drain problem.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

ahhh. I might get it this weekend. I have a pretty sizable compartment between the 2 front seats and it has a 12v adapter built into it. hmmm. Thanks. One more question. Is it true that it doesn't come through in stereo?

[Aceon6]

One side is weaker than the other, but if you fool with your balance and volume settings, you can get a pretty nice sound. Just don't forget to put them back. I did, and nearly blasted myself out of the car.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Thanks! I really appreciate the help.
:D

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I bought the Belkin with the digital readout, and I must say it works very well with my '04 Subaru Forester XT. The sound quality is good, there is minimal static during my commute. I am happy I bought it. I live about 20 miles SW of Boston and commute even further west, so I guess there isn't the glut of radio stations closer to a main city.
YAY!:D

[Aceon6]

Yup, most of the well reviewed products seem to work ok around here unless you're commuting into Cambridge or Boston where there's quite a bit of interference at the low end from the high school and college stations.

[brted]

I haven't had any luck with fm transmitters. There are much more expensive devices you can read about in the car section that could work and I think there is also some kind of hardwired connection through the antenna that gives better quality than a wireless transmitter.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

The transmitter is working almost flawlessly for me. I really just followed the directions, found a low frequency (89.3) and turn on the iPod. Viola, music or audiobooks through the speakers. Minimal to no static interference. I really didn't want to go through the headache of trying to hardwire the ipod to the antenna, and since I only have a stock, indash CD player, and no tape deck, I was kinda stuck.
It does come through in stereo, and the signal from the belkin is pretty solid and strong.:D

[falcon]

I have the monster fm transmiter and it sound great much better than itrip plus it's alot easy to change station.

[legacyb4]

Try this:

Modification for Line In Patch Cable (http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3357)

Originally posted by Sheik Yerbouti
I have a 2004 Subaru Forester with the 'stock' radio that has an in dash 6 cd changer, no tape deck, and per the mechanic at my dealership no aux out or line out. So, do I have a choice to play my iPod through my car stereo other than the FM transmitters? (or buying a new car stereo):(


D'OH! I should have put this in the 'in-car' forum. Sorry. Great, my first post and I do it wrong.
:rolleyes:

[Aceon6]

legacy... I read the thread. It sounds like a good solution for the tuner set, but is a bit above what I want to take on on my own. My iTrip works 95% of the time, so I'll stick with it for now.

On my last service visit, I spoke to the parts guy about this and he was pretty sure there will be Suburu installed solution by the fall. We'll see!

[wowzer]

There's also something called a P.I.E. aux input adapter for inline cd changers. I know it's compatible with Jeep, but may work for you too.

http://www.pie.net/x3_inst.htm

[zionrose]

i have been using the itrip and the sound quality stinks unless the ipodd is in the back seat or hanging from the rear view mirror. to bad there are no audio in jacks on the factory radio