itunes in the car
- Thread starter zach
- Start date
I have a Belkin FM transmitter. plugs into charging port on iPod, you can chose the station you want to use and it uses power from the ipod to run it so there are no cords.
The fm transmitters are terrible if you're in a city, ie des Moines. Can 't find any open stations.
I bought one that plugs into the tape player, and it seems to work great. Just have to work out the proper setting for volume on the ipod vs car stereo.
My 2001 car does. I've used both types and currently use/prefer using the tape so I don't have to change frequencies if one starts to get interference or lose signal. The tape plugs into the headphones jack on the ipod, and I can run an ipod cord to a dual-port USB charger that charges my phone and ipod. All fit neatly in the floor console cupholders so not much clutter to deal with.
Last edited:
I have a 2004 truck with a tape player. I use the tape player rather than the FM transmitter to listen to ipod, less hassle with trying to find the right station.
www.usaspec.com/
If you dont have a tape deck, this site sells adapters that plug into most factory stereos. Used it for years. The nice thing is that it will use the stereo's controls just like your ipod were a factory CD changer.
If you dont have a tape deck, this site sells adapters that plug into most factory stereos. Used it for years. The nice thing is that it will use the stereo's controls just like your ipod were a factory CD changer.
You can add a PIE aux input to many factory and aftermarket radios. There is also a PIE iPod interface.
Auxiliary Audio Inputs for OEM and Aftermarket Radios
iPod Interfaces for OEM and Aftermarket Radios
Products
I added an aux input in my F-250 and Jetta, and it works great. I got the PIE iPod interface for my sister's minivan, and it works great as well. You can control with iPod with the radio controls. IMO, the PIE interface is the cleanest approach.
If you go the PIE route, be sure to shop around, as the prices vary between distributors.
I also have the FM transmitter, and as was pointed out above, it is horrible in the city, and actually, in the country as well. Between DFW and OKC, even in the country, there seems to be a station on nearly every frequency.
Auxiliary Audio Inputs for OEM and Aftermarket Radios
iPod Interfaces for OEM and Aftermarket Radios
Products
I added an aux input in my F-250 and Jetta, and it works great. I got the PIE iPod interface for my sister's minivan, and it works great as well. You can control with iPod with the radio controls. IMO, the PIE interface is the cleanest approach.
If you go the PIE route, be sure to shop around, as the prices vary between distributors.
I also have the FM transmitter, and as was pointed out above, it is horrible in the city, and actually, in the country as well. Between DFW and OKC, even in the country, there seems to be a station on nearly every frequency.
Last edited:
There is a window were you might have a CD player, no jack and no cassette player. One of my vehicles falls into this window.
I've used one for 6 or 7 years and it works great. I've left it on the same frequency (down on the low end can't remember the exact frequency) and Omaha is the only place I've had any interference. We've used it in Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Houston without any issues.
I'd be very interested to know what that frequency is (87.9 possibly??), and the make/model of the transmitter you have.
Last edited:
If you have a tape player, they are wayyy better than an FM transmitter. Use the tape player if possible.
If you are willing to spend the money you can pay someone to install a direct line auxillary port into your dash. Thats what I did. It cost about $160 and although it still technically plays through the radio, it works infinitely better than my iTrip did.
I used the usaspec, but essentially the same thing. The hardest part of installation is getting the radio out. The internet usually has instructions for that. My adapter came with a plug that went right into the CD changer input. No sodering required. Then just run the cable to where you want it and put the radio back in. Took me about an hour.