iLounge's Fall 2005 FM Transmitter Shootout

There are probably way more iPod FM transmitter accessories out there than there needs to be, but iLounge has a good roundup comparing six car units (Belkin's TuneBase FM, DLO's TransPod FM, Griffin's RoadTrip [pictured at right], Kensington's Digital FM Transmitter, Newer Technology's RoadTrip! Plus and RoadTrip! 87.9FM) and six fully portable units (Belkin's TuneCast II, BTI's TuneStir, Griffin's iTrip and iTrip LCD, Tekkeon's MyPower FM, and XtremeMac's AirPlay). Their picks for the best of the bunch? Kensington's Digital FM Transmitter and NewerTechnology's RoadTrip! Plus.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

That is big.

[super_structure @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

oh, I'm sorry, but back to the idea of having comments on the post above...

The top two picks seem great, but neither have an iPod cradle to keep the player from flying all about the car. I use the DLO, and it does a reasonably good job at that, although it seems to just twist over (or rotates within the lighter socket).

I would include the ability to have a nice, safe support for the unit in my criteria for a FM modulator. Or maybe I should take corners slower, whatever.

[ko123 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

The morons didn't rate the podfreq, the only one I'd actually be interested in.

[Rory @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Sadly, the left the best FM transmitter off the list. The Crane FM Transmitter, which runs over 250 hours on batteries, also comes with an AC adapter, can be tuned anywhere on the FM spectrum at .5 increments, broadcasts in stereo and has a very simple internal modification that allows it to supercede FCC regulations. Increase the antenna size, as well, and you're off to the races. I took a trip from Key West to Toronto last year and never had to change the frequency once, as it successfully blocked out all stations. And that was without doing the mod, which dramatically improved it.

Can't beat it.

[Rory @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

By the way, the Crane FM Transmitter can be found here:
http://www.ccrane.com/radios/fm-transmitters/fm-transmitter.aspx

A basic FAQ can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000E6I1N/002-4391496-0552857?v=glance&vi=faq&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The Modification can be found here:
http://www.xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=3257&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

The four main ways to increase the strength, even though it's already very strong:
1) perform the mod, noted above.
2) increase antenna size.
3) Comes with a 5v adapter but it will accept a 6v, which will increase the powere. Remember: even the 5v will generate more power than batteries and I've only ever run on batteries.
4) increase cable attachment lengths.

[Brent @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Why are all us pioneers with 1st or 2nd generation iPods getting shafted in the FM transmitter department? It's inexcusable that 99% of the transmitters out there only work with 3rd gen or above.

What's the deal?

[pitsch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

best micro fm transmitters for the price: http://www.edmdesign.com

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Brent, That's the way Apple wants people to upgrade. Throw out what they have and buy a whole new better one. Watch this movie if you don't believe me. Go to http://www.roosterteeth.com/archive/episode.php?id=118 and watch RvB_Switch.mov

And I see FM transmitters all the time for iPods but still have yet to come across an FM tuner. is it really so hard to make one for cheap? Other players come with this as a standard feature. So why can't it be one of the many accessories for iPod, for people who still listen to radio ocasionally. That's why I went with Creative and I've been happy ever since.

Nick