Belkin Auto Charger for iPod (White) by Belkin Components
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Digital camera reviews of Belkin Auto Charger for iPod (White)
Digital camera Review: Great product
Summary: 5 Stars
This cable does everything I wanted it to do. The sound quality is leaps and bounds better than using a 3.5mm cable through the headphone jack. I really like the built-in adjustable amplifier. The cord comes out of the connector at a 90° angle from the iPod. It takes a little getting used to, but it wasn't enough to dock it a star. I haven't experienced any ground-loop humming/buzzing with our '08 Accord sedan. It has integrated seamlessy into my setup. Overall I am very satisfied.Digital camera Review: Great product for my scenario
Summary: 4 Stars
My Honda Accord has a cigarette power adaptor in the armrest.
I added an auxiliary audio plug to the stereo, and the end of the plug terminates inside my armrest.
The audio plug connects to this Belkin device, which plugs into the power adaptor, and it allows me to run one cable to my ipod, which sits in the cupholders. For me, this item is essential.
I will say, however, that this is the 2nd one of these I've purchased because the plug on my first one broke down with use. It probably lasted 1.5 or 2 years. I would have hoped for a little better lifespan than that. Hoping the 2nd one provides it.
Digital camera Review: Great product for use with AUX-in or Cassette adapter
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're in need of an FM transmitter, I'd recommend the Kensington DIGITAL FM transmitter (a great transmitter / charger combo)
If you have an AUX-IN or a cassette adapter, IMO this Belkin is absolutely the way to go.
Here are some of its benefits:
NOISE
I've found far less noise using the Belkin than I have using other chargers. In fact in the MANY cars where I've used the Belkin I've had no noise at all, vs. a great deal of noise with my other chargers (due to ground loops, engine noise, and mismatched impedance or volume). Isolation provided by the built in amp is a contributor to noise reduction and the volume control eliminates noise problems related to mismatched impedance and mismatched volume requirements. The noise mentioned by some other posters is most likely due to a ground loop problem originating with the car's own wiring. It really is a fairly common problem with any music player used along with a car charger.
VOLUME LEVEL MATCHING
With the Belkin's volume level control I've been able to get a perfect match on the iPods volume and the radio volume, as well as a perfect volume setting for any aux-in or cassette adapter. Note that with most units providing line out you can't adjust the line-out volume via either the ipod or the unit. This makes a nice difference when switching back and forth between radio and iPod. (With other units, in some cars, you'll be blown out by the volume each time you make that switch) You can set the volume once on the Belkin's base and its perfectly matched thereafter, unaffected by the ipods own volume settings, (which you're always changing when using headphones.)
AUTO POWER OFF
The Belkin pauses the iPod when the charger power is shut off, which means that if your car's power outlet is turned off when your engine is turned off (most cars do this), the iPod will (within a few seconds) automatically turn off whenever you shut down your engine. That's a big plus IMO, and means you'll never leave your car with the ipod running, and return to find a dead ipod. (Just when you were planning to take your ipod to the park) Thats the way car audio is supposed to work, but few chargers do that.
CLEANER INSTALL and QUICKER CONNECT/DISCONNECT
JUST one wire to the ipod supplying both power in and audio out, means you'll have a very clean look and a very quick setup when you take your ipod to or from your car.
Pete
Digital camera Review: Great to have when using transmiter
Summary: 4 Stars
I like this but the cord after a month of use is already coming out of the charger unit. Other than that this thing keeps me going as I am in the car on the road all the time.
Digital camera Review: Great! Supports a Bluetooth receiver
Summary: 5 Stars
I use it with a "Sprint Anycom FIPO Bluetooth v2.0 Stereo Receiver" and it works like a champ. The built in amplifier is strong enough to keep the volume the same when switching from radio to the auxiliary input, but I've found it starts to distort if I turn it up over ½ way or so. Having wires hanging all over the dash was pretty annoying so I direct wired a power port (cigarette lighter, 5 bucks at Auto Zone) behind the dash. Kinda nerdy, I know. But now I can stream music wirelessly from my android phone and the only thing visible is a switch on the dash to turn it all on and off.