FM Transmitter

[18TWolf]

I finally broke down and got an iPod Nano... with it I got a Monster FM Transmitter for the car. I was surprised to hear how bad the sound quality was considering it is supposed to be one of the better ones.

What is a better option? Tape, or is there a better FM Transmitter or is there a easy way to hardwire (I already have a changer in the trunk).

Any help would be great.

Chris

[Chikko]

Re: FM Transmitter

I'd try a few different frequency's with the monster if you haven't already. A lot of the time the frequency is too close to another station or someone else's transmitter and you get some fuzzyness.

Also, I don't know if the same goes for the monster transmitter; but I had a few friends with the itrip, and they're sort of hit and miss. If the different frequency thing doesn't work, I'd try to exchange it for a new one and give that a shot. The really nice thing about the fm transmitters is that you can choose songs from the ipod up front really easily.

After a few exchanges, I know at least 4 people with itrips that work really well, and 2 with the monster transmitters that work great. Myself, I'm still not down with the new ipod revolution, Phatbox 4 life.

[Jester B]

Re: FM Transmitter

I tried the Transmitter option in my Golf and it always sounded like I was just out of range of the radio station(s).

I wound up going with a USASpec iPod Interface and find it works fantastic. I've got the stock deck in and it replaces the CD changer.

You set up playlists for disks 1-5 (VW1, VW2, etc.) and then disk 6 gives you access to your entire library. On the version I have, you do lose the ability to look at the screen and see what's playing, but that's no biggie to me as I'd rather be watching where I'm going. There are other options (Alpine, etc.) that will let you display the track name, etc., but I just wanted good quality sound off of my iPod. More often than not, I select my entire library and just hit shuffle on the deck.

[Khyron]

Re: FM Transmitter

Yah I'd say get it wired. I used a tape adapter with a mini-disc player and after trying 3 different brands I got one that sounded as good as most of my cds. The other brands all made the vw stereo report errors reading.

Khyron

[zoik]

Re: FM Transmitter

You cannot beat a hardwired one. If you have a tape deck that one will work better. If not there are a few options to plug into where your changer goes. I've never tried any of those ones b/c they are designed for the nano's. I think they are about $70 at future shop.

in terms of the fm transmitters. I've also tried quite a few of them. There's the Belkin Tunecast. it's a generic transmitter, looks like an oval ball. That one sucks ass. I tried that new kensington one with RDS. The RDS doesn't work and didn't make it worth the extra $20 so I returned it. There's a new Belkin one that slides onto the bottom of the Ipod. i didn't like it, b/c it wouldn't clip into the ipod, and would fall off. I just got the new Belkin Tunecast auto. The day I got it, it was really good, but the second day I just get a lot of static. I'm going to return it. So far the best one I'd have to say is the Griffin iTrip Auto. My sister has it and i've tried it a few times, never had any problems with it. I had it, but when i drained my battery, i boosted my car and fried the circuits that save the memory points, so i had to adjust it every time so i returned it to try that new belkin one.

In general, get one that has an external power source. They are more powerful. Belkin seems to be pretty weak for their transmitting, i can get a lot of interference, (3 Belkin models tried). Kensington seems a little stronger but still catches a lot of interference. Griffin so far is my choice.

[Kjonus]

Re: FM Transmitter

This is all good to know I was thinking about buying the monster too. I just took a Mercury Stereo FM-T100LCD Transmitter back to Futureshop thinking it was just a shitty unit. Now I wasn't using this for my Jetta won't fit in the cig lighter, but my Jeep and work truck but ether way it was the shits....had to turn my Zen all the way up and the radio up to it the point where I wouldn't want to hit a wrong button and turn on the cd player.

[Kor]

Re: FM Transmitter

Check this out

http://www.k9spud.com/vwcdpic/

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...l/VW_IPOD.html

http://www.autotoys.com/x/cust/produ...productid=5536

lots of options, don't use the fm transmitter, they sound like ass

[DeanerF]

Re: FM Transmitter

I hated my monster

I have the griffin one now .. and its 10x better

I also find that some cars sound better with them then others.

[Kjonus]

Re: FM Transmitter

I hated my monster

I have the griffin one now .. and its 10x better

I also find that some cars sound better with them then others.

What model of Griffin do you have??

thanks

[DeanerF]

Re: FM Transmitter

just a griffin itrip its called i belive

this one



you can pick any station instead of the set ones on a monster too

[18TWolf]

Re: FM Transmitter

I took the monster back and picked up a cassette adapter since both our cars happen to have cd and tape. It sounds way better. The only problem now is that in the Jetta the Belkin cassette doesn't seem to contact the head very well so when I go over bumps and stuff it gets louder etc. Seems to work fine in the X-Trail though.

I am going to exchange it or try a different brand to see if that fixes the problem.

Chris

[Khyron]

Re: FM Transmitter

The one I got that worked ended up being on of the cheaper no-name brands. The other ones made the HU give error messages.

Khyron

[James]

Re: FM Transmitter

In my old jetta I used a Blitzsafe adapter that plugged into the 6disc changer part in the trunk...Then I ran some RCA's to the front of the car and volia.

Total cost was probably about $100 and it blows the tape/FM transmitters away

[hifiguy]

Re: FM Transmitter

According to many of the "owner's manuals" from various portable devices, the tape adapter (if you have that option) is always a better option than FM transmitter.

I use the FM transmitter from my XM radio and it works great (I don't have the tape adapter option)

[Vulcan]

Re: FM Transmitter

What about that overpriced Ipod kit the VW dealers are selling. It mounts in the glove box and is hard wired to the stereo. I think it connects between the stock deck and the factory wiring harness (not really sure on that).