Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black)
by Kensington
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: KensingtonBrand: Kensington
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD-ROM
Release Date: 2006-08-01
Model: 33364
Publisher: Kensington
Studio: Kensington
Music Label: Kensington
Product features:
- Plays your iPod wirelessly through your automobile's FM stereo, on any FM station, while simultaneously charging your iPod
- RDS function will digitize song information, such as song title and artist name
- Features Aerielle wireless technology for superior audio and noise filtration, and ClearFM circuitry for richer lows
- Compatible with iPod Nano (Gen 1,2); iPod (Gen 1,2,4)
- Includes on/off switch to prevent battery drain, a unique design to fit most hard-to-reach car power outlets
Digital camera reviews of Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black)
Digital camera Review: A good buy
Summary: 5 Stars
I gave this transmitter five stars not because I think it is amazing, but because I think it is a good $50 solution to a $300 problem. What you should do is take your car to a stereo shop and have them install a deck that has a line-in signal so you can directly connect your IPod to your car. But I decided to be cheap too.
I just got a new commuter car. It has stock speakers and a stock head unit with a tape deck (If you have a CD player then just burn CDs on the computer, you'll be much happier). I wanted to listen to my music but didn't want to spend the money upgrading such a cheap car that I was planning on running into the ground anyway. Enter the Kensington IPod Transmitter. Lured by the easy fix I purchased it and am very happy I did. On a side note, my car radio doesn't even have the RDS feature so I can't tell you how well that part works. I got this unit because the low profile charger/transmitter was the only thing that would fit in my cigarette lighter.
Before you even consider this product, you need to address two important questions. Do you have any free radio channels in your area (one that is completely void of even a faint signal)? If you live in an area where there are a lot of radio stations then chances are you will be fighting the entire ride for a free frequency and you should look at some option besides an FM transmitter. Second, do you have any aftermarket stereo products in your car (speakers, head unit) or a manufacturer upgraded stereo? If you have spent even a dime on your stereo, then you won't be happy with the music quality. It plays music well but isn't entirely distortion free, more noticeably at high volumes. So to why I like it...
I like that it charges my IPod on the go while playing music thru the radio. This has filled a huge void in my hour long commute to work. The preset buttons are nice to have when I get in an area where a station is using the frequency I normally use. The off button is reassuring to know I am not killing my car battery. The use of the IPod screen to see what radio station you are broadcasting on is nifty to say the least. The part that inserts into the cigarette lighter is low profile enough to fit into the tight space in my car. Transmit power has not been a problem for me. The cord is long enough to give me flexibility on where to keep the IPod in my car. Lots of good things to say about the unit, but it is not all praiseworthy.
There are things that I don't like about the unit. First and foremost, when on the freeway I have to crank the stereo up due to road noise. At this higher volume distortion becomes discernible. It isn't bad, but it is there. The unit seems frail. Nothing is broken yet, but I wouldn't feel comfortable letting someone else mess with it for fear they would break it. Certainly it isn't toddler proof. I don't like that the connector blocks the ear phones. If I want to listen to the radio and a passenger wants to listen to something else on my IPod using headphones then they have to disconnect the unit from the charger to get at the headphone jack. When switching stations it is a very uneasy transition. Let's say I switch my car radio to 107.7 and then set the transmitter to the same frequency, Well there is a sequence of about 2 seconds from that point where the music is off and on (the unit seems to be thinking and trying to catch up). Last, the cord which gave me such great flexibility seems to be too long. In earnest, it just gets in the way most of the time.
All in all, I would buy it again knowing what I know now. It is a good unit, and a real easy way to get your IPod playing in your car. Hope that helps.
Summary of Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black)
Play iPod tunes through your car stereo...while charging your iPod battery. While listening to your iPodŽ, see the song and artist's name displayed on car stereo using our patent-pending RDS FM Transmitter/Car Charger. Made for all iPodŽ models with 30-pin dock connector except 3G iPods. Special RDS feature works with iPod Nano or iPod with video and requires an RDS enabled stereo. RDS is available in various vehicle models offered by leading automakers.You've never heard sound this great from an FM transmitter this small before. The Kensington 33364 RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPods plays your iPod wirelessly through your automobile's FM stereo, on any FM station, while simultaneously charging your iPod, making it ideal for listeners who want to enjoy their favorite songs with the quality of their vehicle stereos while driving.
This unit includes such features as Aerielle wireless technology for superior audio and noise filtration; ClearFM circuitry for richer lows, crisper highs, and better stereo separation; the utilization of your high-resolution iPod LCD screen for easy viewing of station information; and RDS FM technology. Radio Data Systems (RDS) is a sub-frequency of FM radio that gets sent along with a normal music signal, and allows text to be displayed on RDS-enabled radios. The Kensington patent-pending RDS FM Transmitter will digitize song information, such as song title and artist name, and send it via RDS to a car stereo along with the music. RDS is now available in various vehicle models offered by leading automakers, as well as many modern after-market car stereo systems.
The Kensington 33364 not only charges your iPod while it is in use, but includes an on/off switch to prevent battery drain. This transmitter has a black body and stainless-steel accents to complement your car's interior, a unique design to fit most hard-to-reach car power outlets, and easy-to-use pre-sets to lock in your favorite stations. Best of all, the unit requires no software, or cables and wires to your stereo, so playing your favorite iPod tunes in your car is as easy as 1-2-3.
Made for all iPods with a 30-pin dock connector except 3G iPods--including first- and second-generation iPod nanos as well as first-, second-, and fourth-generation iPods--the Kensington FM transmitter is backed by Kensington's 2-year warranty. User's should note the RDS feature requires the iPod nano or iPod video in order to function properly, although the FM transmitter will work with any of the above iPods.
What's in the Box
Kensington 33364 RDS FM transmitter and auto charger, a user's manual and warranty information.
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