I just received my Garmin StreetPilot C550 GPS, and it has an audio out port. Without beginning a huge project, I’d like for the audio to play over my car stereo (it has an MP3 player that I plan to take advantage of). I’ve found Wireless FM Modulators. Has anyone had any experience with these? How is the sound quality? Is one manufacturer better than the other?
I used to have one with my XM radio.
I’ve heard them through iPods.
They SUCK.
You need to select a particular frequency. If you’re driving anywhere around Herndon, VA, you can’t drive a half hour without some radio station using whatever freq you’ve set it to. If you have an option of running one into a cassette player, do that.
Shit. I figured that if I had it set to say 88.1, it would be the most local thing to the radio itself broadcasting to 88.1. I didn’t think it mattered how good 88.1 the radio station actually came in.
They’re OK. Quality depends on the number and strength of actual local radio stations in your area. Don’t work so well for road trips since “open” frequencies change as you drive. They’re pretty much the last resort in terms of getting audio from a device to your car stereo. The correct order is:
1st choice – AUX input. Many new cars/stereos have one. Usually a mini jack. Could also be some sort of “dock”
2nd choice – Tape player adapter. Yes, cassettes. Few cars/stereos still have tape decks.
3rd choice – FM transmitters. I like the ones built into the cigarette adapter power thingy, so that it turns off/on with your car.
Yep. In the DC suburbs, you’re going to have a lot of trouble getting a decent open FM frequency.
Thanks for the reply. I have an older BMW (2000) – no auxillary input, no casette deck.
Damn.
Hang on, there is another option.
People seem to be talking about iTrip type FM transmitters, which have an issue with being overridden by stronger signals.
FM Modulators are similar but with lower power FM out, but plug directly into the aerial socket on the back of the radio. When in use, they disconnect the car aerial, so once you are tuned in and turned on, you won’t get interference.
It takes more work to fit (dash switch, radio removal, cables and power), but is much better than an iTrip.
Si
I use a Belkin brand radio transmitter to get MP3 music in my car that I picked up at Wal-Mart for $30. I can set it to any frequency, so it’s not stuck on any preset frequencies that might already be in use. It’s not bad, but it’s not as good as I was hoping it would be. It’ll do until I decide to get a car stereo with MP3 compatibility.
If you need to look for open FM frequencies in any given locale, this site is a good place to look. I use 102.7 since this seems to be the farthest from any active frequencies in my area.
Good news, I think.
I remembered a while back that I got a 12 disc Pioneer CD changer. To get this to work I had to buy a BMWPILA device. Although the device has a proprietary plug for the CD changer, it also has 2 RCA inputs for a miscellaneous device. Will test tonight.
Thank you for posting that link. I also have a Belkin, and a 60 mile commute, and your link just pointed me to a frequency which might be clear for the whole trip.
I would say that the Belkin is a decent solution. The quality is generally good, with occasional interruptions of interference. I’m hoping that the interference may be eliminated by using the frequency I found on your link. I’ll report on that tomorrow.
You can wave to each other if you hear interference.
The frequency that I found using dwc1970 's site worked great yesterday on my commute. In the afternoon I use 270, which goes around Columbus, OH. This morning I traveled through Columbus and experienced interference in the downtown area.