Best Car Solution?
Now that I've had my (3rd Gen) iPOD for a week, I'm dying to be able to use it in my car.
I bought a FM-transmitter (iROCK) but it sounds like crap. Is there a better SOUNDING one available? (The iTRIP looks great, but I realize it isn't availble yet for the 3rd Gen. As far as the older iPODs, how does it sound? Are the positive reviews based on the cool, elegant design only, or does it actually sound good, too?)
I have no cassette deck so that wont work. (I'm investigating adding an AUX jack to the OEM stereo, which is possible, but just reallly expensive -- it's a BMW)...
I suspect this has been addressed ad naseum, but couldn't find a succinct, recent discussion.
[734 byte] By [
RGHessel] at [2007-11-9 12:12:49]
# 1 Re: Best Car Solution?
Well, if you can afford a BMW, you should go with the aux input you will be much happier than to compromise with a fm transmitter.
# 2 Re: Best Car Solution?
I recently got the ipod hooked up in my 2001 BMW 5 series. I bought the Soundgate AuxBMW converter. I had some initial problems (it sounded terrible with a lot of noise), but I contacted the company and they gave me directions that fixed the problem, and now it works great! I recommend this over the cassette or certainly the FM solution.
# 3 Re: Best Car Solution?
Originally posted by RGHessel As far as the older iPODs, how does it sound? Are the positive reviews based on the cool, elegant design only, or does it actually sound good, too?)
My iTrip produces a much cleaner sound on my home stereo than it does in my car.
I live in LA and I'm still having a hard time finding a decent frequency to use it on when in the car. It's weird......I can get great reception in the morning then by the afternoon it sounds terrible. There doesn't seem to be any frequency in LA that's "clean" noise. It seems like every frequency is either in use or has sound from neighbor frequencies.
I'm tempted to go back to my cassette adapter. It doesn't sound as good as the iTrip on a good day, but at least it's a consistent sound.
Good luck.
# 4 Re: Best Car Solution?
I got a 3G iPod and tried a wireless FM transmitter that I had from before and it was horrible and a pain. Right now I am using a cassette adapter and it is ok. Sounds like a nicly recorded tape. I am waiting to see what the aftermarket comes out with.
# 5 Re: Best Car Solution?
I tried the iTrip too and had the same painful experience. It took some tedious twiddling while driving to get decent reception and when I finally did get good sound it only lasted for a few miles before I was twiddling again. I took it back after a week. The lowly cassette adapter seems to be the most convenient thing I have found as well. :)
# 6 Re: Best Car Solution?
I have a basically brand new JVC mp3 headunit with a aux input on it for sale. PM me if you're interested or send me an e-mail at mxd125@hotmail.com
# 7 Re: Best Car Solution?
Does anyone know if the line out that's on the dock of the 3rd generation models works without power running to the dock? I absolutely hate connecting my iPod via the speaker-level headphone jack. I almost didn't buy an iPod because it was lacking a line out.
I wonder if anyone - like the people who make the TransPod - will come out with a unit that makes use of the line out. The line out is somehow accessible via the connector on the bottom of the new units, right?
cyrdog at 2007-11-15 17:12:55 >
# 8 Re: Best Car Solution?
This will work:
Auto Kit ( http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201526&pcount=&Product_Id=149006)
# 9 Re: Best Car Solution?
That's the thing. I don't want an amplifed signal at all. I'm looking for a line-level signal that I put directly into my head unit (which also has no amp). I'll let my system take care of the rest :)
cyrdog at 2007-11-15 17:14:52 >
# 10 Re: Best Car Solution?
Yes, the line out on the dock works without having the firewire cable plugged into power. I have used it in my car before and it sounded a little better than using the headphone output.
As for the original question, I would suggest getting the adapter to be able to to a direct input to the car stereo. Any tape adapter or FM adapter is not going to even approach the sound quality you can get with a proper line input.
# 11 Re: Best Car Solution?
I think I'm familiar with the BMW audio. Used to have a 5 and now I considering the purchase of a 3 in the next 2 months. What the '04 models have is the option to install a dealer-option aux input. Not sure what model year you got, but that may be an option.
Aside from that, I currently use a tape adapter in my Mercedes e500 w/ hk audio package. Sounds wonderful, but I bet would sound even better with direct ins.
