Do wireless FM transmitters really suck this bad?!

[mr.klaw]

Well, I could be ######ed, but I'm a newbie, so please forgive my ignorance. I bought an iPod (4g 20GB) for my wife for V-Day (and she bought me one too!), and we both got wireless FM transmitters for the easiest in-car solutions for our iPods. The sound quality is pretty crappy and the volume is low.

Is this because we're using wireless?

I have a factory CD player in my Mercury Cougar, which does not have an aux input. How in the hell can I hook up my iPod to my car stereo and get good quality sounds? Must I use a wire? Being the anti-fix-it man, I would have no way of actually taking the stereo out of the dash myself, so am I just screwed, or what? I am very saddened at my own ######edness and/or ignorance.

Please help!

[AVService]

Pal.
Funny to see you here.
Yes they are crap.
I just got an Airplay and have been trying it out and I have an itrip for my older ipod.
I am amzed at how terrible the Airplay is in both of my cars.
It is noisy all the time and just sounds worse than A.M. radio to me.
I can get some difference as I move it around in the car but I think it has more to do with its proximity to my arm than anything else.
Mine is going back!

I do have a cassette deck in one car and a Aux in jack in the other so I wanted it for rentals and other cars but it is not worth the money to me.
I am fairly certain my itrip never sounded this bad but I will have to try it later and compare. Maybe I have just forgotten.

[mr.klaw]

1) Do I know you?

2) Why does this forum edit the word "r e t a r d e d"?

3) So what's my solution to my crappy FM wireless tuner woes???

THANKS!

[TheBum]

Probably your best solution is an FM modulator. It differs from an FM transmitter in that there is a physical connection into the head unit's antenna socket (with a pass-through for your antenna).

The main downside is that it takes some effort to install one: You have to remove the head unit from the dash to get at the antenna connection. You also have to figure out how to run the audio input leads out to where you can connect your iPod.

[mr.klaw]

Thanks, Bum. I am in the process of checking out a way to go aux in, rather than FM. I've seen too many complaints with FM modulators (even WITH wires) and wireless Tuners, and it seems the consensus is the aux is the only way to go. Hopefully my stereo has an aux in!!

[AVService]

Sorry I think I have mistaken you for another Palindrome.
It is ######ed if this forum edits ######ed,I am just checking for myself.

[mr.klaw]

Just a fellow (I think) TMBG fan, that's all.

As for my problem, I went out and blew an a$$load of cash (when considering the fact that I've already spent enough on the iPod and accessories) on an entirely new car stereo that has an aux input in front, nice and easy to use so I can just plug the damned iPod into the stereo and be done with it. No horrible FM transmitter, no crazy wires and user-installation that I would most certainly bungle. And supposedly this will give me the best possible sound quality. I can't get it installed until Sunday, so I'll let you know how it turns out.