Really, how bad are the FM units?

I haven't tried a wired FM modulator, but I'd rank the rest:

10 - CD
10 - iPod through Aux Input
7 - iPod through tape adaptor
2 - iTrip

That's just for me though. The aux in should be exactly the same quality as the CD.

I have the iRock FM transmitter. The sound quality is OK but it's pretty difficult to get a clean signal, mainly because this unit can only be set to 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, or 88.7. There are stations near them in my location. Would probably work all right if you were in Wyoming.

My experience with FM transmitters has been better than others on this board. Assuming CD audio is a 10 then:

iTrip: 8
Cheap FM transmitter: 5

If you can find a clear frequency (or frequencies if you're lucky like me!) then the iTrip is a great solution.

Belkin was a 7
iTrip was a 1.5

Next is iCarPlay - hoping for an 8-10!!

OSU iDotter,

I have a Monster iCarPlay and it is great. Use it in the wife's car which has a roof mounted, rear stub antenna. True line level signal from the dock connector. Had an iRock, what a POS. Could not get a clear signal, just not powerful enough. Monster charger/transmitter works well, maybe due to the connection to the car wiring harness-like a big antenna? Not perfect, but a good solution if you do not want to dig around behind your dash or want multiple cables for charging/signal. I would give it an 8, you will be happy with its performance.

My truck has a Clarion FM 200 hard wired modulator fed by a modded (Thanx, Bing for the help!) Apple issue dock cable. Line level out and charging (DC to AC Inverter/Apple brick) in a single, clean cable. Sounds better than transmitter if you want to get more involved. In the case of the wife's MBZ with fiber optic CD, Monster was the way to go.

I am patiently awaiting the Alpine iPod ready decks before redoing my whole system.

My install:
http://atlas.walagata.com/w/armano/bing2.jpg

Bing's install:
http://home.pacbell.net/vsim/

Absolutely terrible. Seriously, even if you luck out and get one that isn't a complete piece of crap, you still have to contend with random interference from things like your ignition system, the beep thing when the car starts up, other people's FM units and about a thousand other annoyances.

Not to mention the fact that now you have to juggle two volume controls, and try to find the sweet spot between overdriving the FM unit and getting too much static from not having a strong enough signal.

On top of that, the freaking things wreck your iPod. Having a relatively heavy, rigid object connected to the headphone jack or data port is a bad idea. It is marginally acceptable for sitting in one place, but as soon as the car moves, the vibration wrecks stuff.

The headphone jack on a 30GB Video was destroyed in about a week of in-car use from one of the godawful things. As soon as it happened, I got a 60GB, and an Alpine 9857 deck for the car.

I have yet to meet anyone satisfied with FM transmitter junk. They are an absolute joke.

Originally posted by netrack
cd = 9
ipod threw aux = 10** (this is how i have mine setup)
tape = 7
Fm transmitters = 2

** the quality threw aux can bet higher than cd quality if the mp3 is ripped above 128 k

For the iPod to sound better than CD you'd have to start with a source recording that's better than CD. Where would you be getting such a recording?

Based on just my personal experience:

CD= 10
AUX IN = 10
Cassette = 8 (with the cassette deck in my last car)
Kensington Digital Transmitter = 6.5 (will vary by location, but I was happy)
iTrip = 3 (first gen)
Crane digital transmitter = 1

Pete

ANOTHER how good FM thread? Grrrrr... as if this isn't threaded to dead.

mrundd1, your scale is meaningless, 'cuz it doesn't take into consideration your listening area, clean or crowded airwave, as MANY have mentioned. Another consideration is how noisy the car and the quality of its stereo.

No more discussion please... just get one locally, try it out, and if not happy, move to something else.

They're not that bad, especially as a low cost option when you don't have any other input. I have a Kensignton and it connects through the dock connector. I wouldn't recommend one that connects through the headphone jack.

It also isn't heavy. The main body is at the power source and only a cord is weighing on the iPod.

As for reception, I never have any problems with other transmitters. It only gets static when driving in the center of downtown where there is more interference. Once you find a good station it's fine. Look here:
http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=120720

90% of the time it compares favorably with a tape adapter. Although I would still only recommend it as a last or easy option.

aux input to oem stereo 10 :)
tape aux 6 not many car stereos have tapes this days
fm modulator with wire and switch 4
wireless fm modulator 1 (:

there is a lot of aux interfaces for most aftermarket radios and oem no reason to use tape or
fm modulator if you need help with your stereo let me know maybe i can help you

What about something like the Subaru Outback that's totally enclosed with other controls. It would be a nightmare to open it up and modify it. No line-out, no tape deck. Not to mention the cost.
So change car.

What's the priority here? money? kids? or COOL SOUND IPOD HOOKUP? :D