CarDock FM (and all FM transmitters...)

[-pro-]

Hi all,

Newbie to these forums so be gentle (or not) with me.

I'm looking to get an mp3 player purely for in car. So because of this...it has to have a few requirements...

1: Simple.

2: Easy (very easy) to use. I'm talking all the buttons on the front, clear display, one touch no fannying about (I dont drive slowly, so something i have to manipulate like a rubix cube wont make the cut)

3: Minimal wiring. Has to be able to charge from the cars power supply or fag lighter, and send the audio to the head unit with minimal fuss and wiring. (...dont worry im almost about ot make my point/question)

4. Bigger than 4gb, less than 40gb.

5. cost around £150-£250 ($300-$500)


now...because of all this...and much tinkering and bashing of mp3 players in Dixons (local consumer electronics store)...its come down to the ipod really.

/me cowers as the entire forum beathes in over its teeth.

i know, theyre expensive, i know, theyre not as feature packed as a swiss army knife, i know, im not particularly fond of them.

but...they cover all the criteria perfectly. so to this end...

(heres the point of the post)

Has anyone used a CarDock FM in car docking station for an ipod, if so, whats the audio quality like on the radio transmitter?

(this also applies to all in car FM transmitters like belkins, or itrip etc etc)

I'm looking to buy within the next week so any replies are most appreciated.

or some alternate suggestions maybe, other than an ipod?

[llbbl]

think different just like everyone else ... buy an ipod

[-pro-]

think different just like everyone else ... buy an ipod

my, what a really, really useful reply.

ok then, if your so high and mighty (anti-ipod), you find something that fits my criteria better.

(btw as for connecting ipod to the car goes...for all those who read my post and didnt reply with some pathetic remark...im probably going to be using an active cradle on an Link:iPod)

[ECA]

MySELF...
I still like the CD based machines..
And with them posted to the car power wise..I recently posted a wireless transmitter device that will work from the headphone plug...Aint tested them yet, but there price is VERY reasonable.
And with the Disk system, its about 6-10 hours per CD, and you can select the type of music easy, as you can dedicate EACH CD to the music. It also gives Another side...You can play REGULAR CD music, insted of just MP3/wav/whatever.
Another neet part about this, is you can TAKE the Player with you ALSO, and still have those options...

And, no scanning threw 200 folders, of 2000 files each, just to find the songs you want. Pop the CD in and away you go.

[-pro-]

true i too had thought about the cd based mp3 systems, theyre bloody cheap compared to the HDD based players.

hmm more food for thought.

[Ioman]

The Neuros has a built in FM transmitter, but I dont think that player recieved a good review here. I am in the same predicament as you are. I am trying to find a way to add aux-in lines to my stock deck so I can bypass the bad FM transmitter quality and plug an MP3 player directly in.

[Ioman]

BTW, Technogeek was trying to be sarcastic, and I am sure he didn't intend to be rude. So please settle down you two! :D

[znaps]

This review (http://www.themindfactory.com/Products/PLL-1_FM/AudiaX/AudiaX_Reviews/audiax_reviews.html ) compares 4 FM transmitters, and the Audia-X (rebadged by Cendyne also) was by far the best. Two of them were terrible, and one was passable.

I have an Audia-X due to that review, and I'm very happy with the performance, but separate FM transmitters are awkward to use regularly due to having to retune in built up areas, the batteries needing replacing regularly, volume sensitivities etc, and I personally would only recommend one as a temporary solution, not for everyday use.

[ECA]

Nah,
TG isnt to bad...

My problem with 20 gigs of music is a GREAT interface.. I really aint seen one.
Ya, the FM transmitter review Mp3 player didnt work great... but, was it decided it was the Transmitter SEND, or the radio recieve that was the bad part...Think it was the Transmitter..

Gotta save some money for that Transmitters I posted...

[znaps]

And by the way, what's wrong with the IRiver? I'd buy one of those, and wire it to my car stereo properly.

[llbbl]

my, what a really, really useful reply.

ok then, if your so high and mighty (anti-ipod), you find something that fits my criteria better.

(btw as for connecting ipod to the car goes...for all those who read my post and didnt reply with some pathetic remark...im probably going to be using an active cradle on an Link:iPod)

I think ipod's are great but their marketing slogan sucks. I know a thing or two about logans ... err slogans too. :P

Sorry I didn't have time to spend hours of my time surfing the web for you to list all your options. BTW this sarcastic remark #2 is only because you called what I thought of as a witty suggestion to buy an ipod as a "pathetic remark"

We have reviewed a number of devices on DT here that should provide you with enough information on the range of devices that you have too choose from. I suggest you take a look at the reviews site.

http://reviews.designtechnica.com/

So ya .. Sorry about the percieved rudeness I didn't intend it to be that way. I hope you find what you are looking for. :D

[neuroking]

The review that was linked didn't review the TuneCast II, which is what I use. Easy to find in stores, let's you choose pretty much any station, automatically turns on when sound is detected, and has a DC power cord. On batteries the signal is a little weak, but very clear with the DC.

As for iRiver, watch it. I used to love iRiver, but they have gotten more into the marketting game than customer service. Chances are AT LEAST one advertised function is either not available or absolutely pathetically implemented. In general, though, nice sound quality, and if you use em for solely JUST playing MP3s, a good choice. Check out their support forums and read the cries for firmware updates. Problem is they drop products in favor of new ones before they really have a finished first product.

On the iPod... I like the iPod. Now that the prices have dropped, I think it might be the best option in the category. Next to the iRiver, the iPod is now a deal.

Rio will be releasing new hardware within the next 2 months, so depending on your timeframe to purchase, you might want to wait. And there's the soon to be shipping Creative Touch, which looks, eh, okay.

[techfreak]

I think iRiver is super overrated now. They promised Ogg vorbis support in a "firmware" update forever and it never came, and now only certain models support that codec from what I hear. I think they let the success get to their head.

[-pro-]

yep i'd considered the iriver h120 too, the problem is the easy of use when driving circa 100mph most places (when you have a Subaru Impreza WRX Sti 6 Type R with a 2.5L block, uprated turbo and fully remapped so it sits at a healthy 483 bhp...you tend to do more than 100 most of the time too).

from spending about 3 hrs in dixons playing with all the mp3 players, I figured the easiest one to look at, see, and change while driving would be the ipod.

personally, im not a fan of ipod. but i dont hate them. I'm fairly neutral to all of the mp3 players really, I just want something that ideally fits my criteria.

I think im going to go with an active cradle (power+data) from Denison with the Link:iPod kit wired into my head unit. Basically it covers everything i need, only downside is having the iPod itself.

Personally id prefer to get an h120, but with the lack of a good, neat mounting and and wiring system to my cars head unit. Its a runner up really.

ty for the info on the FM units, I am looking for a decent quality of audio out, so its going to have to be wired methinks.

[beejay99]

I've been looking for a MP3 player for the car as well and have the same requirements. After much research on the web I have determined the iPod or Ipod mini is the best answer. I haven't brought one as yet or had any experenice with mp3 players or FM transmitters.

I have found 3 products that may meet your needs, do a search on Podgear's Cardock FM and Transpod, Belkin also have a similar product but doesn't seem to be as good. From the reviews I have read the transpod seems a bit better, sounds like it has a stronger FM transmission than the podgear.

Both of these products are cradles that connect to the Ipod and Ipod minis, charges the ipod and transmitts the output via FM, the Transpod has jointed arms and a optional dashboard mount.

I haven't found anything that matches these for the iRiver, which although it has more features I'm only interested in music playback with easy to use buttons on the front, which the iRiver does not.

I have a leased company car that changes every 3 years, so can't rely on a wired solution, figure this is my best option.

Hope this helps.

[ECA]

Have you noticed that Sony has come out with a selection of FM and cassette adaptors that fit on any headphone jack??
I do reccomend, the old style adustments, as the NEW formats only give selected channels for FM broadcast.

http://www.provantage.com/pr_78597.htm
FM transmitter for IPOD..

http://www.provantage.com/pr_90031.htm
Another.

http://www.provantage.com/pr_87893.htm
Belkin works with any headphone jack.

http://www.provantage.com/pr_89508.htm
Monster cable has a Large selection...

http://www.provantage.com/buy-7MONC030-icarplay-wireless-transmitter-ipods-w-dock-connection-monster-cable-126133-00-shopping.htm
http://www.provantage.com/buy-7MONC03L-ipod-charge-w-dock-connection-monster-cable-127033-shopping.htm
2 monster cable units, 1 for FM and 1 for cassette as well as Chargeing at the same time.

http://www.provantage.com/pr_95952.htm
How about Kensington, charger and transmitter..

And the list goes on...
1 thing to remember..
FM is broadcast, and can be listened to upto 100' away, this can bother others with radios, as well as the REVERSE, and in there homes unless you have a GOOD clear channel. You want it to send on a BROAD band NOT Narrow, if you can find this information.
comparing ALL of these choices, would cost abit of money to find the best ones.
With the cassette/chargers, you can get a direct conection with little background noise, as long as you have a CLEAN tape player.

A nice stereo, and FM transmitter would be cool, out in the woods or even on the beach...Take it with you and change the music as you like.

I would also go with the devices that work with MANY units, rather then just 1, as then I can use it on a CD player, tape recorder, any of the portable devices you can name as long as they have a headphone jack.