Whirlpool

I need something that lets me play my iPod songs in the car.

What are my options,
is Itrip still the "cheapest/best" way to go?
If i get a Itrip, can i get a cheap "alternative" version ratehr than the Griffen one?

I have a Belkin which you tune into the car radio. Works well - chews through batteries but you can plug it into the cigarette lighter.

Only problem with long distances is finding a station where you dont pick up local stations are you pass through a town.

I'm pretty sure I bought it on ebay.

mysticƒ!RE writes...

is Itrip still the "cheapest/best" way to go?
If i get a Itrip, can i get a cheap "alternative" version ratehr than the Griffen one?

iTrip is nowhere near cheapest. The Griffin iTrip costs around $75 retail at most places, and it feeds off your ipod battery.

Belkin has some good stuff, but they cost more than the iTrip (around $120), however they allow you to charge through the cigarette lighter. Best thing about Belkin is lifetime warranty.

Theres plenty of generic brand ones around $40 that let u charge/transmit through usb/3.5mm jack. The one i got works as good as mates Belkin so its really up to you. Do you want the brand (belkin), portability(itrip), or value for money.

As for other channels interrupting, at 88.9fm ive never had any problems at all with conflicts. The signal that the transmitter outputs is far stronger than anything close to that range.

The Belkin Tunebase FM is probably the best all-in-one solution.

catalog.belkin.com/IWCat...roduct_Id=272389

Same sort of question, but without the radio bit. Is it worth the upgrade of the head unit to accommodate an ipod lead, or just use the radio wave devices?

Bazzel writes...

Same sort of question, but without the radio bit. Is it worth the upgrade of the head unit to accommodate an ipod lead, or just use the radio wave devices?

I'd say definitely. With radio wave devices, it takes a lot of screwing around to find the right station, and if you drive out of your normal driving zone you might find you need to change stations again. Not to mention the fact that you will always get a little bit of static. The quality of your audio will be much better with a direct lead.

Thanks mate, that's what I thought. With many things going wireless, the good old wires are still better for signal quality.

have u got a cd changer socket ?

www.nexxia.co.uk/iPod_MP..._aftermarket.htm

Bazzel writes...

Is it worth the upgrade of the head unit to accommodate an ipod lead, or just use the radio wave devices?

Dont forget about cassette adapters. I've found mine to have much better sound quality than my belkin and griffin fm broadcasters. Still not quite as good as a line in, but a much cheaper option, if you have a working cassette player.

SmokyJoe writes...

Dont forget about cassette adapters.

I forgot about those. Thanks for reminding me. I borrowed a mate's and was fairly impressed in the quality. Not CD quality, but not too bad either. The only fault that I could find other than tape quality was that the bass or deeper sounds weren't too clearly brought out. Heaps of top, but the bottom was lacking a bit for my liking. But it's better than not having anything I suppose. Thanks again for that insight SmokyJoe.

Bazzel writes...

forgot about those. Thanks for reminding me. I borrowed a mate's and was fairly impressed in the quality. Not CD quality, but not too bad either. The only fault that I could find other than tape quality was that the bass or deeper sounds weren't too clearly brought out. Heaps of top, but the bottom was lacking a bit for my liking.

Try this one, I'm using it at the moment and it produces very good sound and not all that far off an a/v connection.

www.sony.com.au/catalog/...categoryId=22372

I have the monster ipod adaptor. Cost $150 from Harvey Norman

Plugs into your cigarette lighter socket so it charges as well.

Best feature is that it will scan the entire FM spectrum, so you can usually find a spare freq in large cities.

Works well

Hows the quality of the itrip to radio.

if i find a "perfect" un-used freq, is the transmit quality as good as a line out to headphones?

So guys i still have no idea . I have an ipod and in my car all i have is a radio no cd player no ports to plug anything in how would i get my ipod to play on the radio, or is there some product i will need to do it such as a cd player with ipod input?

If all you have is an FM car radio, then all you need is this:

www.jaycar.com.au/produc...ceMax=&SUBCATID=

or this

www.jaycar.com.au/produc...ceMax=&SUBCATID=

or this

www.jaycar.com.au/produc...ceMax=&SUBCATID=

Given the reduction in sound quality by using an FM transmitter, there is no point in paying $100+ for a transmitter.

Which one do you believe is best and would give maximum battery life of ipod.

forum-replies.cfm?t=635325

In blunt opinion. They all suck.

I see what you mean but isnt their sumthing cheap that would give a decent quality over the fm transmitter?

Direct connection all the way ;)

MC Pee Pants writes...

In blunt opinion. They all suck.

No, they don't. That opinion is not helpful at all.

FM transmitter types will never be as good as a direct connection, but for most people, that is not an option.

Basically, the more you pay, the better the unit will be (within reason). You need to try one out and see how it goes. Make sure the store will take it back if it doesn't work.

Killr writes...

Which one do you believe is best and would give maximum battery life of ipod.

Well, the last one charges the iPod as well.

i have one almost the same as this www.jaycar.com.au/produc...ceMax=&SUBCATID= but mine uses the full frequency range not just set frequency's, i prefer to use the tape option tho, just depends on what vechile im in.

The best option is to go get a new head unit for a couple of hundred dollars and use the line in, then you will also have a cd player.

johnd writes...

No, they don't

I'm guessing you own one of these and thats the reason why your defending them. And yes they do suck. Read the link provided and its explained why.

FM transmitter types will never be as good as a direct connection, but for most people, that is not an option.

If people can afford an Ipod, they can support headunit integration. Its all about expecting quality for nothing, which doesn't work in anything. Even tape integration is better then FM.

Basically, the more you pay, the better the unit will be (within reason).

This isn't true for the one freely available in shops, or the ones littered on ebay. Making one is the only feesable way for optimal quality. I used to use a transmitter called the minimietter, its a Jaycar kit and will leave all of the transmitters for dead. The kit can actually be modified to be stronger, but then exceeds the power limitations and in term breaks broadcasting laws.

Edit: Atrocious Spelling.

MC Pee Pants writes...

I'm guessing you own one of these and thats the reason why your defending them.

I use both type, depending on the vehicle I'm in. I'm hardly defending them, just saying they are a viable option provided you are aware of the limitations.

And yes they do suck. Read the link provided and its explained why.

No, they don't, and the link is nothing but opinion. No fact.

If people can afford an Ipod, they can support headunit integration.

I'll enter that in the Whirlpool Stupid Comment competition. What people can afford and their spending priorities are set by them, not you.

Even tape integration is better then FM.

Opinion, not fact. How about answering the OP's question instead of highjacking the thread into another tedious direct vs. FM debate.

This isn't true for the one freely available in shops

Yes, it is.

So, you are saying that unless you can afford a head unit with a line-in, then you deserve nothing. Good view of the world. People choose solutions based on their requirements and resources, not yours. Stop trying to ram your opinion down other people's throats. It's just rude.

I just bought an fm transmitter today works alright on in house stereo yet to use in car but it came with a splitter for two audio inputs, a car charger and the fm trasmitter thing

johnd writes...

or this

www.jaycar.com.au/produc...ceMax=&SUBCATID=


That's the one I got, works good.. But sometimes you can hear annoying sounds when nothing is playing. >_< But yeah, that's probably the best option, got mine for $30 on eBay.