- Combination FM transmitter/car charger for all iPods with dock connectors
- Red and green LED indicators signal the transmitting and charging states
- Phase-lock-loop technology easily connects with 1 of 8 channel options
- Aerielle and ClearFM technologies reduce noise and improve stereo separation
- 15-foot outside-the-car wireless range; 5-year warranty
This unit is, in essence, a tiny FM radio station that uses the connecting wire for the unit as the FM transmission antenna. In theory, this mini station transmits from inside your car to your car's FM antenna where the signal is picked up and listened to on your car's radio like any other radio station. This unit allows you to transmit on the frequencies 88.1 MHz through 88.7 MHz inclusive and 107.1 MHz through 107.7 MHz inclusive. In my area at least half of these frequencies are "blank" which I define as tuning to the frequency and receiving only white noise and no trace of a signal from any station.
I hooked up the unit, which was easy, and leaving out a lot of experimentation, I got no meaningful reception in the 88.x MHz range. I tried the upper reaches of the band in the 107.x MHz range and got the unit to work as well as it would work at 107.5 MHz.
I distinguish between two problems: the quality of the FM transmission, and the sound quality once the signal is received by the car's radio. For my car, the FM transmission is simply unworkable. There is a constant, obtrusive, background noise which I would describe as white noise; this noise can be lessened by moving the unit around but not eliminated to the point that it is not obtrusive. The general effect was as if listening to a distant FM station where the signal is starting to fade out to the point that background noise is coming through and interfering with the sound. I tried a number of different placements of the unit all over the car. There were moments but only moments where the unit worked flawlessly. In a way those few moments only made the overall effect more frustrating since they seemed to indicate that this technology could work but it wasn't working for me.
The sound quality, apart from the background noise, was quite good, at least as good as an FM transmission. Fussy as I am about sound, I found the sound quality as separate from the noisy transmission to be perfectly fine and as good as any other in-car sound source. This is one of those really frustrating situations where we all want to buy this product if only it would work.
How do we reconcile the differing reviews of these products some of which are downright laudatory and some, like mine, highly critical? I think the difference must relate to the individual auto's FM system. In different cars the antenna will be in different locations relative to the placement of the unit; further, the FM signal shielding provided by the car's metal frame will vary according to the car's construction and the relative location of the car's antenna. Also, specifications like noise rejection and signal strength sensitivity will vary depending on the type and quality of the radio provided in various makes of car. So, my suggestion would be: 1) reviewers state the make and year of your car to create an information resource; 2) find a way to try this thing out before you buy it: if it works in your car, and it probably won't, you will be happy.
Buy Kensington FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (White) Now
I live in the LA Area and there is not a single frequency on the device that is not in use. When in use, static is very common.Read Best Reviews of Kensington FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (White) Here
Before buying this, I checked out various FM transmitters, as I only have a cd player/radio in my car. The iTrip and similar top-mounted transmitters all had very inconsistant reviews, and I didn't particularly like how they looked on the iPod. Then I noticed Monster's iCarPlay, which seemed like a good idea, as it charged and transmitted, and I assumed it could be a better transmitter because there was simply more power for it. Looking around at other, similar products, I found this Kensington product.I decided to buy this over the iCarPlay because it blends so well with the iPod and because it was "Aerielle Enabled." I actually had no idea what that meant, but upon further investigation, it seems that it is a new, patented method of transmitting which is supposed to be quite good.
It is. I plugged one end into my cigarette lighter, and my radio, which was already set at 88.1, went from static to total silence. That was when I knew this was a great product, because the complaint with tramsitters is that they transmit a little bit of static themselves, but this was completely silent. I was a little worried because all of the 107 sations are taken in my area (North of Boston), but all you really need is one empty station (you can only set this transmitter for 88.1-7 or 107.1-7). I plugged in my iPod and turned on the music, and there it was on my radio. It didn't sound weak at all, but it was a noticable downgrade from CD. So I played around with the settings. I turned up the bass on my stereo and set the iPod's EQ to "Acoustic," which worked very well; the sound was crisp high and low, and a good balance. That may just be my stereo though, so try different combinations if you're not satisfied, but I truly cannot tell the difference between a cd and my iPod now. I'm sure there is some lost quality, but none I'm going to notice, as I am driving a car, and cars can be quite noisy. The EQ can drain the battery a little faster, but it's charging, so it works out great. A nice touch is that when you turn your car off, the iPod automatically pauses, so you don't have to worry about leaving it in your car overnight and coming back in the morning to discover you have no music for the commute.
I recommend this product to anyone. Well, anyone with an iPod and a car.
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This is the 4th FM transmitter I've tried in two years. I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking I'd get the same bad reception and bad sound as the others. Griffin, Belkin and Monster also boasted great reception and good stereo output. But when I plugged my iPod into the Kensignton FM transmitter, it was a world of difference. No static noise, great reception and the best sound quality I've ever heard from one of these attachments. The quality is better than a CD. I am genuinely impressed. The Kensignton FM transmitter boasts their Aerielle wireless technology provides superior audio quality, enhanced noice reduction and excellent stereo separation. I have no idea what Aerielle technology is, but I can say, it sure works great.
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