Best FM Car Transmitter for iPhone?

[ml1211]

iPhone Alley Members - what is the best FM transmitter/charger for the iPhone? Are there any that do away with the GSM "Buzz"? Do any clearly outshine others? I change cars often (zip car person) so a CD changer version is not practical. What is your experience? What is the best solution sound wise and price wise? Thanks for any and all help! :)

[Kevin Dunahee]

This one has captured my attention.
(http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/belkin-tunecast-auto-for-iphone-and-ipod/)

I currently own the Belkin Tunecast -something- (I've forgotten the name). It mounts your iPhone so you dont have it dangling on a loose wire. However it is the worst piece of junk transmitter I have ever used. For one, the mount only adjusts certain ways, which of course is 'perfectly incorrect' to work in my car unless I'm the passenger.

In addition, the pin that makes contact with the cigarette lighter seems incredibly weak so if you hit any bumps in the road it quits transmitting for a few seconds and pauses your iPod/iPhone. Just what people need when they are driving, right?

Long story short, I would recommend the transmitter I linked to, but not having used one yet, take my advice with a grain of salt.

[rhazelrigg]

In my optinion... there is no such thing. FM trasmitters stink. They alway have noise, and you always need to adjust the frequency.

Go hard wired at all costs. you'll be much happier with the ease of use and audio quality.

[Kevin Dunahee]

Yeah, wired is better hands down. I think cost is the primary deciding factor for people like me. I live in a semi-rural area where there are some channels always available so changing stations isn't much of a problem. And $40-$100 beats installing a hard wire or a new deck, unless someone has an uber cheap hard wire alternative.

But yeah, if you are willing to drop the cash, go wired for sure.

[Bernie]

Those cassette adapters work great. I have the original iTrip for my 1st Gen iPod and it worked great in my rural local. The cassette just works anywhere whit most anything. I did have to take a blade to my jack and trim it down to fit my iPhone.

[ml1211]

OK, everyone thanks for your help! Looks like I'm going to go hard wired. Now, what is the best and preferably least expensive option to do that?
Thanks again to everyone who has posted.

[ml1211]

Thanks, any suggestions for hard wire sources?

[drdoctormd]

I got the Vaistech integrated ipod system installed into my Lexus ES 350 navigation system and it works like a charm. When you first plug up the iphone (I usually use an old generation ipod cause I gotta use the phone!), it asks if you want to go to airplane mode. I say "no." The iphone/ipod connector is linked through the glovebox.

The only thing it took me a while to figure out is that it will only play tunes in a playlist on the iphone/ipod. Even books or podcasts have to be placed into specific playlists in order to appear on the nav touchscreen.

It's expensive. I think the system was about $300 (?) and I had it professionally installed. So there was labor too. Most professional places have done the Vaistech I would think.

It's worth it though to have all my stuff at my disposal whenever I want it. Hope that helps.

[drdoctormd]

Here's the link and car availability....it seems they only offer integrated solutions for Lexus or Toyota. Also, I don't see the prices here, I just can't remember how much it cost--I had it done at when I bought the car and I had a bunch of stuff put in (window-tinting, satellite) so it kinda runs together. If you don't have a lexus/toyota, I'm sure there are other integrated products out there and any auto customization shop should probably be familiar right off the bat.

http://www.vaistech.com/home.php

[*Next]

Depends what kind of car/radio you have.