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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> iPod FM Modulator
        
(Message started by: DJWerkz on Feb 26th, 2006, 12:38pm)
Title: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 26th, 2006, 12:38pm
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-Transmitter_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.
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 26th, 2006, 1:30pm
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 ;)
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 26th, 2006, 1:33pm
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.
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by craig on Feb 26th, 2006, 3:14pm
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...
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 26th, 2006, 3:21pm
Have you got a web link Craig?
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by craig on Feb 26th, 2006, 4:06pm
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 (http://www.auto-connect.co.uk/acatalog/Kenwood_Accessories.html)   look like they might be able to help.... :-/
good luck...
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by leftofcentre on Feb 26th, 2006, 7:29pm
You need one like THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1498&item=5860334376) 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!
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by craig on Feb 26th, 2006, 7:35pm
thats the one..... []

bl**dy good price you had there lefty as well.. :o
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by barrie on Feb 26th, 2006, 7:43pm
OR you could try this option. I think the auction has finished but he has more



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUX-INPUT-ADAPTOR-FOR-FORD-JAGUAR-iPOD-MP3-DVD_W0QQitemZ5868089523QQcategoryZ75320QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by leftofcentre on Feb 26th, 2006, 8:05pm
£50!!  Am off for a brandy!  :o
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by barrie on Feb 26th, 2006, 8:52pm
Yeh but I bet it even works outside the local Taxi office etc,  LOL
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 26th, 2006, 9:14pm
£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 ;)
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Octavian_P on Feb 26th, 2006, 9:27pm
That's the best solution, it will be better if we could get the schematic. If so i think i can mass produce them  ;D
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by leftofcentre on Feb 26th, 2006, 9:42pm
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.
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 27th, 2006, 12:08am
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.
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by barrie on Feb 27th, 2006, 7:45am
Good luck with the build DJ, let me know how you go on.

Cheers Barrie
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 27th, 2006, 3:31pm
Just found this online in the USA:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5872302710

This company has a few different types of FM modulators, now if this is good quality that would definitely be worth buying rather than making one.
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 27th, 2006, 6:24pm
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

Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 27th, 2006, 6:54pm
No problem there, I maintain a couple of addresses in the USA ;)  Item can then easily be forwarded on to me.
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Octavian_P on Feb 27th, 2006, 9:06pm
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

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/Octavian_P/IMAG00041.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/Octavian_P/IMAG00011.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/Octavian_P/IMAG0004.jpg
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by leftofcentre on Feb 27th, 2006, 9:39pm
Nice digital display + all that but is a display really neccessary at all in a modulator?  Is it going to be in view after installation?  Mine isnt, its tucked in behind the dash centre console.

Maybe they are good quailty but think the digital display may distract the purpose of what an FM Modulator actually does  :-/

And i just noticed its still a Wireless model too.  Really do think you would be saving your own time by opting for a wired model IMO.  

But then thats all it is. Just my humble opinion  ;)
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 27th, 2006, 11:01pm
Octavian,

I agree, I think a hard wired solution is going to be the best bet.

In fact I think Ford agree with you as well and are putting an audio in socket in the glovebox of the fiesta for MP3/ipod inputs on some models.

Keep us informed on how that works for you. If you do decide to install it, take plenty of piccies I am sure that would make a good page on the hifi upgrades section of the main site.

Geoff
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by DJWerkz on Feb 28th, 2006, 8:24am
I've bitten the bullet and decided to purchase this unit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5872302710

It's going to be delivered to my friends place in California where it will be checked in case it needs to go back for a refund.  Then he will mail over to me.

Will report my findings once I have it ;)
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Octavian_P on Feb 28th, 2006, 6:19pm

on 02/27/06 at 23:01:56, Geoff_W wrote:
Keep us informed on how that works for you. If you do decide to install it, take plenty of piccies I am sure that would make a good page on the hifi upgrades section of the main site.

Geoff



I will do that, just waiting for warm wheater. Right now the temperature here is under 0 and it's snowing hard
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Geoff_W on Feb 28th, 2006, 10:42pm
Deep and crisp and even?
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Scorpioen84 on Mar 2nd, 2006, 2:46pm
ive got this one, as u see it got all wiering and sow one, easy fitt...
http://www.multicube.no/produktbilder/CUBE_bildestor_65.jpg

(guess om a bit to late anyway... )

Octavian, u wimp..  }{
its -11 here now and 40cm of snow...  ;D Love it...
Title: Re: iPod FM Modulator
Post by Octavian_P on Mar 2nd, 2006, 4:47pm

on 03/02/06 at 14:46:10, Scorpioen84 wrote:
Octavian, u wimp..  }{
its -11 here now and 40cm of snow...  ;D Love it...


Maybe you got a garage to work on your beast.....i just have the car sitting in a middle of a parking......and now it's even worse....it's raining  ;D. Now who wishes to spend a lovley afternoon getting soked wet ....disamnteling the car.  ;D


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