iPod in the car

Cymaster · 05-06-2008, 02:49 PM

I'm looking into the various ways to get my iPod to be broadcast over my car radio. I was looking into hardwiring it somehow, but it sounds like you need an auxiliary input, or a CD changer to be able to do this, neither of which I have.

So, that pretty much leaves me with a choice between a cassette adapter and an FM transmitter. I would have to guess that the cassette adapter would be the way to go, but I thought I'd get on here and get everyone's opinions/experiences.

So, what say you?

markshir · 05-06-2008, 02:52 PM

I have had good experiences with FM transmitters... no cords to deal with and the sound quality is fine. If you have a nice sound system in your car, maybe it would be inferior?

Chad · 05-06-2008, 02:53 PM

i used this, Neo Car Audio - We Create What The Market Demands., and a place in Des Moines installed it. Works with the stereo controlls on my steering wheel too.

ISUFan22 · 05-06-2008, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by markshir

I have had good experiences with FM transmitters... no cords to deal with and the sound quality is fine.

Agreed. I think this route would be much better than the cassette adapter.

cys_av8r · 05-06-2008, 02:55 PM

Actually, the FM transmitters SUCK. You get a much better sound with the tape adapter. In any case, the only good solution is to buy a new car with an input or get one installed.

clonez · 05-06-2008, 02:58 PM

I would go with the casette adaptor. Have had limited success with the two fm transmitters I have had.

Stumpy · 05-06-2008, 03:00 PM

The tape adapter works perfectly for me. The transmitters seem to pick up some amount of interference regardless of the station, and they are quite a bit pricier than the tape adapters the last time I looked.

Cymaster · 05-06-2008, 03:00 PM

For those of you who have had problems with the FM transmitters, is it because the overall sound quality is bad, or did you just get a lot of fading in and out on the frequencies?

mfelske · 05-06-2008, 03:01 PM

One piece of advice I'd offer is to not leave your ipod in the car. I've had a couple die on me while operating it in very cold weather.

I personally like my fm transmitter, but they can be hit and miss.

bostinelosd · 05-06-2008, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Cymaster

For those of you who have had problems with the FM transmitters, is it because the overall sound quality is bad, or did you just get a lot of fading in and out on the frequencies?

I have one and its great. The only time Ive had issues is if I choose some station that some backwater radio station broadcasts to in BFE. Some of the higher price transmitters are better because you can choose any blank station you want. I cheaped out and bought the one with presets.

cys_av8r · 05-06-2008, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Cymaster

For those of you who have had problems with the FM transmitters, is it because the overall sound quality is bad, or did you just get a lot of fading in and out on the frequencies?

Overall sound quality is horrible, frequency interference, power levels are bad.

You have to have your Ipod turned to the max and your radio turned up all the way to hear it.

I have had 3 different ones from cheap to expensive and they were all exactly the same.

Wx4Cy · 05-06-2008, 03:07 PM

don't know what you drive but some cars have interfaces you can add so you can plug them directly in and see/run the songs/playlists, etc. through your car stereo controls.

ISUFan22 · 05-06-2008, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Wx4Cy

don't know what you drive but some cars have interfaces you can add so you can plug them directly in and see/run the songs/playlists, etc. through your car stereo controls.

Yes, my Altima has this, I just need to have an additional item installed in the car. Then I'd simply plug in the iPod and I would see the playlist on the same screen my radio/CD player displays - and have control over the iPod via the radio/steering wheel controls.

For now the aux input works just fine.

Angie · 05-06-2008, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Wx4Cy

don't know what you drive but some cars have interfaces you can add so you can plug them directly in and see/run the songs/playlists, etc. through your car stereo controls.

We just recently got a stereo at Best Buy that has this functionality. It works great for both my Nano and Touch.

Wx4Cy · 05-06-2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Yes, my Altima has this, I just need to have an additional item installed in the car. Then I'd simply plug in the iPod and I would see the playlist on the same screen my radio/CD player displays - and have control over the iPod via the radio/steering wheel controls.

For now the aux input works just fine.

We're using the aux port for now but have to worry about keeping it charged. It's about $350 for the ipod interface for our car so we haven't broken down yet. Now that Mrs has her own ipod and listens to it everywhere she goes I suspect we're getting closer...