My iPod (FM transmitter not direct line-in) solution for now

[Ken S]

Nothing revolutionary, but I thought I'd share my current iPod set up in my LGT wagon. It's a temporary solution until someone figures out how to hardwire an iPod to the stock headunit.

Here's my gear:
-Belkin Auto Kit
-Belkin Tunecast II (w/adapter)
-20G 3G iPod
-Cigarette lighter power 2-1 splitter

How it's hooked up:
-Auto kit and Tunecast powered from 2-1 splitter
-Tunecast plugged into Autokit (not headphone jack on iPod)

What's nice about this setup:
-All the wiring and junk sit in the center storage bin. Auto Kit wire neatly goes through the groove in the center storage bin.
-Tunecast feeds off of line-out audio from iPod via Auto Kit.
-No worries about running down batteries
-Sound quality was better than I expected (YMMV depending on competing FM sources).
-Best of all, I still get to use my iPod.

Here's what it looks like:

[GranTourer]

Hmm, not bad. That actually looks pretty nice for a quick fix. I bet the ipod's wheel is nicely within arms length too.

[MSB]

Cool, I've tried mine with the same set-up as yourself and no apparent drop in the signal from the tranmsitter. Now all I need is the lighter power splitter thing, as the belkin transmitter eats batteries for fun.

[bemani]

So how do these things work? You don't have to hook it up to the antenna connector? You just match a FM frequency between the transmitter and radio?

[MSB]

So how do these things work? You don't have to hook it up to the antenna connector? You just match a FM frequency between the transmitter and radio?

Just find a frequncy on the radio where no-one is transmitting and then set the frequency on the transmitter, plug it into the o/p of your iPod and away you go. Best to have the transmitter connected to a power supply rather than batteries otherwise you'll be changing batteries every few days.

Don't know about anyone else, but I find the belkin Tunecast easier and better to use than the iTrip.

[Ken S]

The Tunecast II allows you to store up to four frequency presets. I simply have the corresponding stations programmed in my head unit. If one frequency stops working, it's easy to change to another one.

Also the benefit of using it with the Auto Kit, as I mentioned above, is that you're using the Line-Out signal from the iPod vs. the headphone jack.

For those who didn't know, the Line-Out signal is stronger and clearer than the headphone output on the iPod. The iTrip works only with the headphone output.

Ken

[bemani]

The FM transmitter would stop working at a particular frequency??? How much buffer do you need to not get noise from the closest frequency radio station?

[Tide]

The Monster Kit has the charger and FM transmitter all in one package, about 80$ I think?

[Ken S]

Yes, the Monster kit has it all in one but based on the reviews at ipodlounge.com, it seems to have the following shortcomings:

- FM transmission performance not as good as iTrip or Tunecast
- No readout to show FM frequency
- Doesn't give you the ability to amplify the sound going to the transmitter (with the Auto Kit there is a volume dial)
- Pricey

Also, in my case I already had the Auto Kit.

Ken

[kmartin]

I bought a new 40GB Click Wheel iPod at the Apple Store earlier this week. I looked at three different FM options, and after conferring with several of the Apple folks finally settled on the DLO TransPod FM transmitter. It has the charger, stand and transmitter all-in-one. I plugged my stand into the cigarette lighter, used various-shaped adapters (all come with the TransPod), I rigged it up so that I can reach and read it while I am driving (don't try this at home) I can also unplug it all and stow it away where no one can see it.

My Apple salesman said this unit has much better sound quality than the Belkin or Griffin models (I wouldn't know for sure) and that it was the unit he used in his car. He showed me several different ways to hook it up - very versatile. You can also use the charger without the stand, if you like.

I have found that the sound quality will vary from song to song, but generally acceptable levels on most everything. The EQ settings on the iPod really help.

Here are a couple of quick pictures I took (a little blurry...sorry) to give you an idea.

-KarenM-
http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2005outbackreviews.html

[Ken S]

Hey Karen -- fancy seeing you here! :)

Nice setup. I like how it can be positioned so one can see the display.

What EQ settings do you use?

Congrats on the new 4G iPod!

Ken

[Th3Franz]

I really like the 4G iPODs, but it's not worth it to spend the cash since I have a 2G 10GB one right now. I heard that locally the FM transmitters don't work very well because of the local radio station frequencies..

[Tide]

Hit me up Franz when you need one. 15% off here.

[MSB]

I have found that the sound quality will vary from song to song, but generally acceptable levels on most everything. The EQ settings on the iPod really help.


It seems that the iPod really shows up badly produced albums - hence why the sound quality may change.

I noticed that alpine also does a head unit that the iPod can integrate into.

[kmartin]

Hi, Ken! Boy, we really get around!

I worried about FM interference, too, bacause I live in the Phoenix area, which is saturated with FM stations. I am finding that I can use a frequency that has a faint station or lost of static with no problems. I have found five or six FM settings I can use with no noticeable distortion. I have only had to switch from one channel to another once in a week, and that was my 80-mile round trip across Phoenix. I used the presets on the radio to save the two settings I use the most. So far, it is working better than I had expected.

-KarenM-
http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2005outbackreviews.html

[Mindflayer]

:(

My 1998 Subaru GT was totaled (http://www.mindflayer.net/weblog/000062.html) recently. I am leaning toward another Legacy (2005 GT Limited) or the FX35 (I know, widely different vehicles).

In my 98, I had a Sony with pigtail RCA, which was perfect for my iPod. I've test driven the '05, and that plastic fascia over the stereo is disappointing. [/url]

[MSB]

:(

My 1998 Subaru GT was totaled (http://www.mindflayer.net/weblog/000062.html) recently. I am leaning toward another Legacy (2005 GT Limited) or the FX35 (I know, widely different vehicles).


Ouch....but at least you know where to get viagra from :D


(...listed on guestbook by some prat)

[Mindflayer]

Ouch....but at least you know where to get viagra from :D


(...listed on guestbook by some prat)

Ah, I hate spammers. They must all die. :evil:

Wish I could make up my mind on the car. Looking at pics of the Legacy makes me want one, but then I read about the FX, and then I want that...

[Mindflayer]

I bought my 2005 GT Ltd today. Now I must figure out how to integrate my iPod. Has anyone found an RCA solution?