Hi Guys! Wassup to all Philmuggers out there? Anywayz, just wanted your opinion
on somewhat has been my dilemma these past few weeks. The thing is I am to be a
future owner of my very first iPOD/Apple gadget, YEHEY!! I HOPE SOON!!!,
and I want to incorprate it in my driving experience!.. :p

So I want to decide on which FM Tuner would be best,
Belkin's TuneBase FM transmitter w/ ClearScan, or Griffin's RoadTrip with SmartScan?
I want it to be FM Transmitter so I could easily transfer them from one car to another.

Anywayz, guys, I need your input on which one you think would be better, or even
if you have any other alternative, you could post it here. :D
Another thing, if you guys suggest one, it would be great if you could also add info like
where most probably best to buy it or something.

Thanks Guys! i hope to here from you soon! :cool:

While convenient, FM transmitters won't give you very good quality as they are prone to static interference from FM radio stations broadcasting nearby. Changing conditions as you drive along make it very difficult to find a single suitable open channel to use for your iPod.

Whenever possible, stick with a physically wired alternative. If your car has a cassette deck, buy a cassette adapter (it's a fake cassette with a wire that terminates in a 3.5mm stereo mini-phone plug that you plug into your iPod's headphone jack). You should check also if your vehicle's head unit has an AUX IN jack - if it does, buy a P20 3.5mm patch cord from any hardware store to use your iPod directly with your car.

You should check also if your vehicle's head unit has an AUX IN jack
hey, bon. nice meeting you at figaro.

my car did not have an aux. hindi sya oks. :)

so i got a new car. ;)

but seriously, if you want fidelity, heed bon's advice and go wired. but if you still prefer to go wireless, much depends on the kind of ipod you'll get. if you get a shuffle, a usb/transmitter is great. but make sure it has an aux in jack for other bigger ipods.

I had an itrip before and it sounds crap.

Ipod- Line out cable - line driver - car amplifier - speakers.

Hmm.. Yeah.. You have solid points there... But really? I mean does it really have static
so much static while driving??.. The problem is that none of the cars I drive have
AUX input in them T_T ... Well, as for the type of iPOD, I'm thinking of getting the Classic. So, still hanging on to wireless because of its convinience.. Another thought,
would it be more practical to change the head units of the cars? Or should stick to going
wireless? The products that I was thinking of buying costs about 4K..

@bon
Yeah.. I previously used the cassette adapter.. It was also somewhat good, but then
lost its luster when the wires got loose already..

Anywayz, guys thanks for the replys.. here from you soon!..

@rbenzon: nice meeting you din. :)

@pmcdriver: Suggest you buy another cassette adapter. Get a branded one (e.g., Philips, Sony) - they will sound better than the overboosted generic "Newstar" types. It will be cheaper and will sound better than the best FM transmitter. And it won't run down your iPod's batteries unlike an iTrip.

i use an itrip and it's horrible. my ipod drains like crazy, and there are particular points when i'm driving down edsa that i get a burst of static.

(i use 100.7 as my FM frequency, btw)

there's a heavy concentration of FM transmitters in pasig and quezon city. in pasig, especially, there's so much cross-talk and interference that the car rf key (the remote attached to the car keys for locking/unlocking the doors) in my older car does not work--and only in pasig. so, expect a lot of interference, static, cross-talk, etc in those areas. best if you can borrow one and do a test for the routes your frequent.

Hmm.. Yeah.. You have solid points there... But really? I mean does it really have static
so much static while driving??.. The problem is that none of the cars I drive have
AUX input in them T_T ... Well, as for the type of iPOD, I'm thinking of getting the Classic. So, still hanging on to wireless because of its convinience.. Another thought,
would it be more practical to change the head units of the cars? Or should stick to going
wireless? The products that I was thinking of buying costs about 4K..

@bon
Yeah.. I previously used the cassette adapter.. It was also somewhat good, but then
lost its luster when the wires got loose already..

Anywayz, guys thanks for the replys.. here from you soon!..

Yes, it does have static, even if you use the farthest station (87.5 or 87.9). If yo u have a normal 1 DIN unit, chances are you can get an aux connector that either connects to the headphone output of the ipod, or connects to the dock connector (best sound quality). Built-in radios usually have aux in options, pero that's CASA only and they're expensive. But the quality is much better vs FM.

Even the most expensive FM transmitter is still prone to static and interference. The US FCC mandates a max transmitter output for those devices, so either you go cable or make your own FM transmitter with higher power output.

I'd agree with all of them PMCDRIVER. I have an FM transmitter, and man. sound quality is not great. i try to tune in to the farthest stations but it is really prone to static. Hirap gamitin. The only pro is get from my FM transmitter is that it doubles as a charger. hehe

If your car has AUX in, i suggest you use it. I tried to use a cable used for our old PC speakers, and sound quality is far better.

HTH!
Martin

get a wired connection. I made sure the 2 vehicles that I use on a regular basis can be wired properly to any ipod. even if I had to pay extra, believe me the investment is worth every penny. Like Matin above, I only use my old FM transmitter as a mount and as a charger, and in the rare instances when I have to travel by car (that is not mine) & I'd want MY iPod connected so I can listen to MY music :) I'd lug the transmitter with me.

if you really have to get a transmitter, get one where the stations are preset. with the old Griffin ones, the frequencies had to be uploaded via iTunes and it was hell getting the old iPods find the right frequency. I remember taking a long drive before from LA to San Fo, w/ this set up, had to change settings at least 5 times due to all the static interference w/c changed from town to town.

I had an itrip before and it sounds crap.
Static or sound is lost when there are obstuctions like buildings or tunnels

Whew, finally got to post.. sori guys for the late reply..
I decided to go with your opinion guys.. I'm ditching the FM transmitter
option.. I'm going for bon's advice on getting another Cassette adapter..
But still got to think about the other car, needs something to get the
iPOD classic running there.. Any suggestions? No AUX jack btw.. =(
But anyways, one problem solved by the adapter..

@bon: I was thinking of getting a branded one(cassette adptr), I browsed the
belkin site, and I saw one for about 500Php.. Think thats reasonable?
How much are the sony or philips ones? I hope you have the prices..
Thanks man!

Also, another thing guys, would you recommend any car chargers for the iPOD?
because the Belkin ones are about 1K+Php.. T_T What do you guys use?

Thank you so much for the replys.. Really helped.. God Bless!

@bon: I was thinking of getting a branded one(cassette adptr), I browsed the
belkin site, and I saw one for about 500Php.. Think thats reasonable?
How much are the sony or philips ones? I hope you have the prices..
Thanks man!


As I recall, Electronics Boutique was selling a white Philips-brand cassette adapter for around P580. Just fyi...

Nothing beats a wired connection. I use Belkin TuneFM. Sound quality isn't as good as wired ofcourse, especially if you listen to songs with a lot of heavy bass. But if I were to grade it, I'd give it an 8/10 I've never gotten static when I drive around in a Fortuner. FM transmitters need to be placed as close to the head unit as possible. Also it depends on the head unit and the car. I think some head units are more shielded than others, and since the antenna is normally located at the back of the car...

survived on itrip for years but after purchasing a pair of soundsticks i couldnt bear my car tunes... considering going wired.

but heck Griffin is a survivor man.. intense heat, moisture, countless bagsak and pressure from my friend's behinds, you name it buhay pa din:D

so i would bet my money on Griffin for your wireless transmitter needs.

oh! another downside, many people are on Griffin and use the common default channel 87.9, so you might be surprised your oldschool jazz music turns into a weird organic rock club beat in an instant. tapos you try and outrun the CRV beside you with the driver looking back at you with the same shocked face in traffic-logged edsa:D

i had a belkin FM transmitter before and i never got any satisfaction. after a while, i decided to buy a generic FM transmitter from CDR King and its definitely better. its also better if you just plug it in your car's cigarette lighter because if you go wireless and use AAA batteries on the transmitter, it'll suck the life out of it quickly.

Most car radio head units, even the new entry level Pioneers, are already iPod ready. If yours are, instead of using the AUX, buy and iPod connector. This can be bought from car audio stores, I think even at concorde or autosport in megamall. It's aroud 1k for the generic ones it goes up to 3k for the branded ones.

Thing is, you'll need to have it installed since usually the sockets are at the back of the head unit (this is also the case for most of the old model head units that have AUX).

Good thing about using the connector is you'll be able to control your ipod from the head unit's interface or it's remote control. And usually, the song title is dispayed on the head unit itself =)

@sharkbite:
Hahaha... Nice one.. yeah.. The CRV and I would have the same confused look
if that happend.. And we would probably be putting down our mirrors and
telling each other to swtich, all happing along the traffic congested EDSA..

@ddrare:
Hmmm... Very good point there bro... Maybe when I upgrade my car audio,
I'll definitely consider getting a head-unit thats already iPOD ready...
Really looking forward to an in-car iPOD eargasmic experience...

but for now, I'll be getting the cassette adapter in tandem with a car charger
for now... Maybe by december for the car audio upgrade?.. hehehe...
I'm just a student after all.. couldn't afford it right away...

Time to go for the perfect plan for saving cash... Go on a diet...
Less food, less kilos, less cash out... ^_^

I bought a new Pioneer head unit with AUX in for only P3600.
Might want to consider that. How much is the cheapest Belkin? 2000?

Leo

i use an itrip and it's horrible. my ipod drains like crazy, and there are particular points when i'm driving down edsa that i get a burst of static.

(i use 100.7 as my FM frequency, btw)

yeah i also experience this burst of static in the guadalupe area especially approaching the bridge haha

i just want to ask, where will i connect the itrip on a car? i was thinking of buying one

Monster Cable's icarplay vs my sister's Griffin ROadtrip & my friend's Belkin transmitter has the clearest sound & least static interference =)

i just want to ask, where will i connect the itrip on a car? i was thinking of buying one

you dont connect the itrip to the car. its an attachment for ipods which in turn transmit ur music to open frequencies in your car's radio. unless there is a new itrip that i dont know of which is directly connected to your car :)

I bought a new Pioneer head unit with AUX in for only P3600.
Might want to consider that. How much is the cheapest Belkin? 2000?

Leo

Sounds like a good deal. What was the model number you got? And where?

Got a Pioneer P5950 model which is a basic CD head unit and bought a Pioneer iPod cable that you will insert in the CD Changer port. No static and clear sound plus charging pa!

Got a Pioneer P5950 model which is a basic CD head unit and bought a Pioneer iPod cable that you will insert in the CD Changer port. No static and clear sound plus charging pa!

How much did you pay and where did you get that? Does the Pioneer ipod cable let you control the iPod (change tracks, etc)

Thanks

How much did you pay and where did you get that? Does the Pioneer ipod cable let you control the iPod (change tracks, etc)

Thanks

I got the head unit for 5k 2 years ago but I think some cheaper models are also compatible as long as it has a cd changer port. the cable costs 1,500. You cannot control the iPod thru the head unit.

ive tried all the ways to connect to an ipod here and WIRED is the best.

Since my car has a cassette deck I started out with a cassette audio adaptor. It worked well for a while but then it started wearing out. When I was in the US last year I bought a Monster iCarPlay to use in a rented car. The sound is quite good and I like that it charges my iPod at the same time.

Eventually, I plan to upgrade my car's head unit to one that is iPod ready.

Im using an Alpine CDA-9887 on my Civic right now and I got the KCE-422i iPod cable. I can control the iPod thru the Head unit and its quite fast at doing it. The Alpines are one of the best when it comes to iPod control compatibility IMHO.

Using a DEH 6050 UB Pioneer and my iPod Touch works well charging and controlling it dirctly from the HU...

i just got a belkin fm transmitter with clear scan and its working quite nicely no static or anything..if you've got two cars or more but don't want to spend for several HU for several cars this is your solution; but if you only have one car I suggest you get a new HU that's ipod ready...anyway, if your getting an fm transmitter i suggest you canvass on amazon its much cheaper...i got mine for $34.. here in the phil stores sell it for P4,500.00 or more!

i got mine cheaper (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HARMAN-KARDON-DRIVE-AND-PLAY-IPOD-IN-CAR-KIT-DP-1EU_W0QQitemZ320304281253QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Aud ioVideoElectronics_PortableAudio_MP3PlayerCarKits? hash=item4a939f76a5&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A30). it's a harman kardon drive+play.

Where are the best places/suppliers to get Pioneer or Alpine head units?

I want to change my ride's stock HU, ehich isn't ipod compatible at all :P