Mp3 car radio transmitter

[krussel]

Anyone using one of these FM transmitters to stream MP3 through an Alana stereo.

I am currently running a MP3 player through the aux sitting but a transmitter seems a cleaner option. Do they work.

I was looking at this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190592551617?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

 

[Lambro6]

I'm sure I've heard of Cigarette lighter ones, that just plug and play, and don't need to use the radio function?
I'm not sure how that would work, so I'll have a snoop on the net.

But the FM transmitters definitely work so there would be no problems with that one.

 

[thePHILosipher]

i used the belkin transmitter and wasnt a fan at all, so much so i bought a new stereo in my original MK4 . Now I do the same as yourself and use the aux socket or rip a MP3 cd i find the sound quality much better that way.

 

[krussel]

I'm sure I've heard of Cigarette lighter ones, that just plug and play, and don't need to use the radio function?
I'm not sure how that would work, so I'll have a snoop on the net.

But the FM transmitters definitely work so there would be no problems with that one.

There are some very cheap (and looking) egg style ones which also plug in the cig lighter.

I think this one looks a bit better.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190592551617?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

It works by transmitting FM which you then match and tune in on your stereo. You can also use its earphone socket to patch into the Aux socket, but thats by the handbrake so it means more wires.

Trouble with my current MP3 is that i keep forgetting to re-charge it

 

[Lambro6]

I must be lying, I couldn't find anything of the such that doesn't use the FM function. Sorry.

But yeah, that one looks good!

 

[kimikh]

Grom Audio

I bought a device called GROM USB Audio, it got smoothly connected to my radio with the ability to use usb, aux and ipod...
but a bit more costy than a really high tech aftermarket radio.

 

[Slimy]

I've tried a few of the cheap ones (<£10), unfortunately I seemed to pick up so much engine noise that it rendered them useless. You can buy more expensive ones that are probably better, but as Kimikh said you're possibly verging on the price of a replacement head unit to get one of decent quality.

Your current aux option is probably the better choice. When you mean cleaner, is that because the aux is on the front of the head unit? Is there an equivalent aux in on the back of the head unit?

 

[krussel]

I've tried a few of the cheap ones (<£10), unfortunately I seemed to pick up so much engine noise that it rendered them useless. You can buy more expensive ones that are probably better, but as Kimikh said you're possibly verging on the price of a replacement head unit to get one of decent quality.

Your current aux option is probably the better choice. When you mean cleaner, is that because the aux is on the front of the head unit? Is there an equivalent aux in on the back of the head unit?

Ive ordered one as its only £15

My Aux input is down near the handbrake which is fine for plugging in my current mp3 player but fiddly to change tracks.

I will try this one on the FM setting but fall back on the 3.5mm jack lead if its poor.

 

[Slimy]

Ive ordered one as its only £15

My Aux input is down near the handbrake which is fine for plugging in my current mp3 player but fiddly to change tracks.

I will try this one on the FM setting but fall back on the 3.5mm jack lead if its poor.

You could always relocate it to somewhere better? I'd be thinking maybe a permanently installed extension wire, routed behind the dash or wherever your mp3 player sits?

Let me know how you get on with the FM transmitter though, it'd be nice to know of one that does actually work. Even if it's slightly higher than the budget I was thinking about.

 

[krussel]

Will do.

If its any good i will do a mini review with pics.

 

[krussel]

It turned up today, which is really good for this close to xmas. Well done Royal Mail

Ok first impressions are very good and remember this cost just £14.85 delivered.

Looks and Build 9/10

This is important to me as I did not want something naff sitting in my car. I am very impressed by the finish of the front plate which is that slight rubber coated plastic. The display is clear and the buttons all work with a nice click. The body is well made and the cigar lighter fitting seems of good quality. It has a secure digital card slot, a top mounted USB socket and a head phone Aux out socket.
It also lights up red which is a pretty good match to the rest of the instruments.

Sound Quality

Radio Transmitting 7/10

I found the unit works best in the lower frequencies so I tuned it to 87.7 fm. The sound quality of the MP3 files are pretty good through the basic Alana with plenty of bass. However there is a slight consistent hiss in the background. Once the track starts you lose it but its there between tracks Now to be fair I tested it whilst sitting on the drive with the engine off and once you start driving iam not sure that you would notice the hiss. I also found turning up the units volume helped as well.

Via the Aux out. 9/10

I tried connecting the player via the Alana Aux input socket near the handbrake via a 3.5mm jack lead. When using this set up the sound quality is surprisingly good for a £15 player and I was able to turn the players volume up to its max without any distortion. This is prob the set up I will use once I have purchased a slimmer 3.5mm jack cable.

Overall 8/10

I am pretty pleased with it for just £15. If you have a high end audio system then the fm hiss may bother you, but then you prob have a usb in socket anyway. For the standard Alana it works well.

It looks a lot more expensive which does mean I will have to remove it if a park somewhere late at night. I will see if it picks up any other interference whilst iam driving about tommorrow.

Well there you go and here are the pics.

The unit is sitting in a 12 volt double adapter which allow me to plug in my speed camera detector. Ive covered it with a rubber grip mat.

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The remote. A bit basic but it works.

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[FR_MATT]

Looks good, didn't know you could get them working with the aux input.

Please tell me you have taped the remove to the steering wheel

 

[Lambro6]

Good review! I'm now tempted!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Slimy]

That sounds quite decent. You won't permanently get rid of the background hiss, that's an issue with FM modulation rather than any issue. However, as long as you didn't have it getting louder when you start the car means that you had a better one than I did.

 

[krussel]

That sounds quite decent. You won't permanently get rid of the background hiss, that's an issue with FM modulation rather than any issue. However, as long as you didn't have it getting louder when you start the car means that you had a better one than I did.

No its seems the same with the engine running. I am going to load it up with tunes and see how it works on the work run.

No i did not stick the remote to the wheel

Its in the glove box

Iam not sure the purpose of the remote as you have the switches on the unit. The only extra thing you can do is flick through the built in Eq settings, however i preffered them turned off.

 

[Lambro6]

Is the sound quality via the transmitter, the same quality as through the aux? Ignoring the hiss?

 

[krussel]

Is the sound quality via the transmitter, the same quality as through the aux? Ignoring the hiss?

No its deffo better on the higher frequencies with the Aux lead. I only had a very cheap 3meter patch lead to try but there was an improvement even with that. It sounds as good as any fm radio station with the transmitter.

I did the work run today and i could not hear any hiss on the road.

The only problem i had was that i caught it with me knee just once which disconnected the power. I pushed it back in and it went back to the same track I will wrap a piece of black tape around the cigar socket to firm it up.

For £15 iam well happy with it.

 

[krussel]

Just £7.19 delivered from Ebay now !

Just thought i would bump this

These little players are selling for just under £10 delivered on Ebay now.

I used mine over the winter before removing it one time to use the sat nav and never put it back in, could not rem where i left it

However i re-discovered it today whilst clearing out the garage. Re-loaded the SD card with some stolen tunes from Youtube and put it back in via the aux setting. Have to say ive fallen in love with it all over again. Its deffo a lower quality output when used on the FM transmit setting though.


Link from Ebay just £7.19 delivered bargain....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-...cessories_FM_Transmitters&hash=item4d073c910a


Kruss