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Topic: iPod FM Modulator (Read 2365 times) |
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DJWerkz
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I got a link from a recent post to a seller on ebay selling a FM modulator so you can connect up iPod's to your car stereo, here's the link to the product and seller in question:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SD-MMC-USB-MP3-WMA-iPOD-Car-FM-Modulator-Transmitt er_W0QQitemZ5871492082QQcategoryZ73839QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I bought one of these units and in a word,...CRAP!
Sound quality is not great, picks up a huge amount of interference, cheap build quality and the unit I got had a faulty 3.5mm stereo input jack (which is how you conenct up an iPod).
Their returns policy stated that after you return the item they check it, if it is faulty they will supply a new replacement. If they can not find any fault they will give a full refund.
Two issues here; I got a refund but it was minus the postage I paid originally and the postage I had to pay to return the item, and I am concerned that because they refunded me they think the unit is OK and therefore it could get sold on to someone else.
I would seriously recommend anyone considering buying one of these units to think carefully first 
Now I am in the market for a good FM modulator, any other suggestions? I am going to get an iTrip (the iPod FM modulator) from the US and try that, but other options would also be desirable.
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Geoff_W
Senior Member
98 Ulti2.5tdi Auto
Posts: 1340
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Re: iPod FM Modulator
« Reply #1 on: Feb 26th, 2006, 1:30pm » |
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Low cost solution is one of those cassette shaped devices that slots into your cassette player and has a lead with a mini jack on it. I have used one to play tracks from my Ipaq without problems or interference and when you push the dolby button the sound is pretty good.
An interesting alternative would be to see if there is a spare audio in terminal on the Ford in my case a 2007, that could be used to hook up a cable with its own mini plug
ANY ELECTRICAL EXPERTS THAT CAN ADVISE Ta very much
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The winding road goes on and on... or at least it does in Northumberland
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DJWerkz
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I don't have a Ford head unit, my car is fitted with a CD head unit too so using your cassette converter is not an option.
I also only have RCA outputs on the head unit for the inclusion of an additional external amplifier.
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craig
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craig..
i did reply to the original thread when you were on the look out for a modulator,believe me,i have been there,the best in my opinion is the JVC one,8 different frequencies,hard wired,picks up absolutely no interference,and the sound quality is spot on,mine runs the DVD player in the boot,and i can honestly say it was worth every penny......
HTH..
craig...
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DJWerkz
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Have you got a web link Craig?
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craig
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managed to get mine off of ebay,just done a search there,and at the moment none are listed (what i would call decent anyway),just looked on google and these guys HERE look like they might be able to help.... 
good luck...
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leftofcentre
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You need one like THIS which i bought off Ebay.
It cuts off the aeriel input to your stereo when its in use, thus preventing any interference whasoever. Amazing piece of kit. Get full Dolby Digital from the DVD player too. All through the coaxial cable input. As i say, Amazing!
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craig
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thats the one..... 
bl**dy good price you had there lefty as well.. 
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leftofcentre
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£50!! Am off for a brandy!
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barrie
Full Member
24V The only way to fly
Posts: 179
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Re: iPod FM Modulator
« Reply #10 on: Feb 26th, 2006, 8:52pm » |
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Yeh but I bet it even works outside the local Taxi office etc, LOL
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DJWerkz
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£50! Above what I was prepared to pay, maybe I will just jump onto one of the audio forums I belong to and see if anyone's got a schematic for me to make my own
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Octavian_P
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1126
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Re: iPod FM Modulator
« Reply #12 on: Feb 26th, 2006, 9:27pm » |
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That's the best solution, it will be better if we could get the schematic. If so i think i can mass produce them 
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2.0 16V Ultima|2.3 16V Ghia|2.9 24V Cosworth Ghia
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leftofcentre
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Make your own? Seems a bit drastic?
Making PCB's up , soldering, fiddling with little electrical components etc = more hassle than i could be bothered with for the sake of £20 - £30?
Pay for what you get although £50 is still a bit steep in my opinion.
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DJWerkz
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Well for what I've seen for £20 making one myself is a no brainer, I can make something far better than the item I initially bought.
And making PCB's up is not difficult, in fact I have a good contact for good quality audio grade components so should not be too much of a challenge. I bet the home-made kit will in fact use much better quality components, cables and connectors than most of what you see in the shops.
...not sure if I want to get into making them on 'mass-produced' type basis though.
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barrie
Full Member
24V The only way to fly
Posts: 179
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Re: iPod FM Modulator
« Reply #15 on: Feb 27th, 2006, 7:45am » |
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Good luck with the build DJ, let me know how you go on.
Cheers Barrie
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Geoff_W
Senior Member
98 Ulti2.5tdi Auto
Posts: 1340
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Re: iPod FM Modulator
« Reply #17 on: Feb 27th, 2006, 6:24pm » |
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I don't think they have heard of the Old World
 Not quite so straight forward) 
We ship to the 48 contiguous United States Only
Sorry, No International Orders! No CANADA Orders!
**NOTE** WE WILL NOT SHIP TO P.O. BOXES
We Do Not Ship To: Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan,
US Virgin Islands,or Puerto Rico.
We Can Not Ship To Military Addresses
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The winding road goes on and on... or at least it does in Northumberland
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DJWerkz
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No problem there, I maintain a couple of addresses in the USA Item can then easily be forwarded on to me.
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Octavian_P
Senior Member
Posts: 1126
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Re: iPod FM Modulator
« Reply #19 on: Feb 27th, 2006, 9:06pm » |
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I've got another ideea. Using FM modulators you lose some quality. Using CD-changers emulator you lose the boot cd-changer. The RDS 5000 for example has 4 x 7 Watts of power and the stock speakers have 20 W. I have some electronical skills so i'm building an 4 x 20 W amplifier wich is capable of selecting 2 different (quad) inputs. So the output from the head unit will go to the amp. CD changer could be keept. MP3 player/ iPod etc. could be used as the 2nd sound source. The amp i'm building is also compact. Just need lots of spare time to install it on the car.
Here is my toy
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2.0 16V Ultima|2.3 16V Ghia|2.9 24V Cosworth Ghia
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