The iPod is one of the year’s hottest items. New ones are constantly coming onto the market and we are finding more and more ways to integrate them into our normal lives. One way that is quickly catching on, is listening to your iPod in the car. If you have children, you may have an iPod folder set aside with the Wiggles or Barney. Teenagers are likely to have their own iPods full of music that they want to listen to on the way to school. Adults on the other hand, well, we have a smorgasbord of everything!
So now you are in the car, what do you do with the iPod. Well, quite simply, hook it up to an FM transmitter and send your tunes straight into you car speakers! Its quick, painless and best of all, you don’t have to listen to radio commercials.
Take a look at some of the most requested and popular transmitters and then decide which one you think will work for you.
Belkin TuneBase FM with ClearScan
Features:
ClearScan technology quickly scans and finds the best FM frequency.
Line-out feature allows for use with car-stereo inputs or cassette adapters.
Flexible neck for easy repositioning
Multiple cradles for any docking iPod
Compatible with iPod nano 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod video and iPod color.
Can currently be found in stock on Amazon.com, eBay, Belkin.com, and Target and Walmart Stores.
Depending on where you purchase this FM Transmitter from, prices currently range from $62.99 to $99.90.
Griffin iTrip SmartScan FM Transmitter
Features:
Bright display is easier to read in any light
Three-stage light ring changes color to indicate the charging status of your iPod battery
SmartScan scans the radio dial for the three best frequencies then saves them automatically to 3 programmable presets buttons for easy recall later
Compatible with iPod nano 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation, iPod with color, iPod with video, iPod classic and iPod touch
Can currently be found at Walmart.com, Target.com and eBay. Also is currently in stock at Apple.com and Griffintechnology.com.
Prices currently range from $42.29 to $73.99.
Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter
Features:
Transmits on FM channels 88.1MHz-107.9MHz
Automatic On/Off
Features low-battery LED indicator
Includes DC cable for optional battery-free operation (Note: This does not charge the battery).
Compatible with iPod 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod shuffle
Can currently be found in stock at RadioShack.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, WolfCamera.com, and stores like Kohls’s and ToysRUs. Also available on eBay and Belkin.com
Prices currently range from $24.99 to $49.99.
Kensington Quickseek FM Transmitter
Features:
Quickseek technology helps to find the best FM signal to play you iPod music through
ClearFM technology reduces noise and enhances audio
Your iPod is charged while you listen through the transmitter
Comes with a detachable car charger that can charge other USB powered devices
Bright display
Three pre-set buttons
Comes with detachable spacer
Compatible with all click wheel iPods including iPod with video and iPod nano.
You can currently find this in stock at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, RadioShack.com, Target.com, Kensington.com
Prices currently range from $41.99 to $89.99.
Griffin iTrip Nano
Features:
Uses the nano’s own screen to display tuning and setup information.
SmartDisplay technology seamlessly integrates all functions and features
SmartSense volume control adjusts the iPod’s volume level for optimal audio quality
The nano slides into iTrip and securely connects via the iPod’s dock and headphone connectors
Mono or stereo mode
Allows your iPod to charge while you listen to it
Compatible with 2nd generation iPod nano
Can currently be purchased from Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, Overstock.com and eBay.
Prices range from $24.99 to $42.74.
After doing research, I think that it is important to know that not all transmitters work the same. Some has specific radio channels that you must choose from and others have a range. Also, you may find that there are more problems in large metropolitan areas. The frequencies may become clogged and you may hear static.
Also, I have found that the best are not always the most expensive. Of the friends that I spoke with when getting recommendations on what they found to be the best FM transmitters, many noted that they found off brand transmitters on sites such as eBay.com and Amazon.com and have thus far had no issues.
It is very important that you do thorough research when trying to decide which FM transmitter will work best for you.
