Anyone using the iPod trip FM transmitters?

[Kyle]

I have been thinking of getting one of these for my iPod. Does anyone know what sort of range these transmitters have?

 

i.e if you were sitting in one car, would the car next to you pick the signal up such as on a car park?

[webman]

Yes, the range is a few metres on these, and it depends on how good the other car antenna is as to how well it will pick up the signal.

[Midget]

Ive got one I got for ~£7 from a garage. Works well, plugs into headphone jack, even has a cig lighter charger thing

[webman]

I recommend the non-channel ones so you can choose from the whole spectrum (88~108).

[tosca925]

I was thinkign of getting one of theses as well, do you recommend any model in particular or should we stick to iPod's own iTrip or get a cheaper one from Ebay?

[john]

I like whats in the new Golf - a USB socket instead, just plug your memory stick in and off you go, perfect use for my 4GB memory stick, plenty of music

[webman]

I like whats in the new Golf - a USB socket instead, just plug your memory stick in and off you go, perfect use for my 4GB memory stick, plenty of music

 

Brilliant idea!

 

I've seen a variation on those on eBay; they combine a mini FM transmitter, a USB port (for general usb mass storage devices) and plugs into the cigarette lighter for power

[john]

I like whats in the new Golf - a USB socket instead, just plug your memory stick in and off you go, perfect use for my 4GB memory stick, plenty of music

 

Brilliant idea!

 

I've seen a variation on those on eBay; they combine a mini FM transmitter, a USB port (for general usb mass storage devices) and plugs into the cigarette lighter for power )

It is Craig, its very good.

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/vwusb.jpg Thats what it looks like and it even comes with a VW Memory Stick, only 64mb though. People have plugged in other USB devices with music on them such as MP3 players, portable HDDs etc. http://www.germancarblog.com/2005/09/vw-get-connected.html provides a quick bit more info on it

[Midget]

I recommend the non-channel ones so you can choose from the whole spectrum (88~108).

 

I thought they were made illegal by OfCom (or whatever they have acting as the uk equiv of the FCC)

[webman]

They were illegal (and always have been) until Ofcom made them legal around 7th December 2006.

[Midget]

ahhhhh, so now you can piss off people listening to radio one in a traffic jam

[webman]

Well, yes, technically 8) But there are power restrictions so the coverage is fairly limited

[TechMonkey]

Was a thing over in America (LA I think) where people would put up little posters in their windows with the frequency on and have essentially their own radio station going for those around. Probably works well there as they sit in traffic jams so much, but always made me giggle

[alonebfg]

i got a Harman Kardon Drive and Play and have not turned back and they have put the price down in halfords to 90 pounds was the best thing i ever bought for my ipod simply to use and safe. also very easy to install.

[Joedetic]

Does a car chassis / body etc not act as some sort of rudimentary Faraday's cage causing some interferance?? or does the lack of decent grounding kind of invalidate my point?

[webman]

It can act as a Faraday cage, but won't interfere as such. If it does have an impact, it will depend on the power/quality of the transmitter, as well as the location of the transmitter and the receiving antenna - the bodywork may get in the way and degrade the signal.

[SimpleSi]

The gaps in the body (e.g the windows) make it a poor cage at VHF frequencies.

 

A cage would attenuate the signal but wouldn't cause interference.

 

Earthing doesn't come into it

 

regards

 

Simon

[alonebfg]

the problem i found especial when you have a new car there is a data bus system and i found the every time i swiched anything on it would go click out the speakers so when you are driving in the rain and wipers on int it would click every couple of seconds drove me mad.