Best FM transmitter for mp3 player?
Discussion
Hi all
I've been bombing about enjoying my new (to me) MX5 and the time has come to get some of my own tunes going in it. Being a young lad of the internet generation the vast majority of my music is in mp3, rather than CD, format, so while the delightful MX5's 6 disc changer is nice, it's of limited value to me.
I used to have an FM transmitter in my previous car, but it was absolute cack (poor sound quality, lots of interference despite being 2 feet from the aerial and 6 inches from the radio) - that said, it was very cheap. I ended up getting rid of it in favour of a tape adapter, but since the MX5 doesn't have a tape deck FM is the only way to go.
Does anyone have any recommendations for FM transmitters? It doesn't have to be iPod compatible (in fact I'd prefer one that's just a 3.5mm jack - none of that dock rubbish) and the main thing for me is sound quality.
Any suggestions from the PH crowd?
I've been bombing about enjoying my new (to me) MX5 and the time has come to get some of my own tunes going in it. Being a young lad of the internet generation the vast majority of my music is in mp3, rather than CD, format, so while the delightful MX5's 6 disc changer is nice, it's of limited value to me.
I used to have an FM transmitter in my previous car, but it was absolute cack (poor sound quality, lots of interference despite being 2 feet from the aerial and 6 inches from the radio) - that said, it was very cheap. I ended up getting rid of it in favour of a tape adapter, but since the MX5 doesn't have a tape deck FM is the only way to go.
Does anyone have any recommendations for FM transmitters? It doesn't have to be iPod compatible (in fact I'd prefer one that's just a 3.5mm jack - none of that dock rubbish) and the main thing for me is sound quality.
Any suggestions from the PH crowd?
From reading reviews online, they're all pretty s
t. I'm an old git but also tend to favour technology that makes life easier... I binned the old CD player and stuck a cheap SD card-reading head unit in. In fact, my Sendai from Halfwits has an SD slot, a USB port and an aux-in so passengers can plug their MP3 players in if they want! I think I paid about £70 inc fitting!
t. I'm an old git but also tend to favour technology that makes life easier... I binned the old CD player and stuck a cheap SD card-reading head unit in. In fact, my Sendai from Halfwits has an SD slot, a USB port and an aux-in so passengers can plug their MP3 players in if they want! I think I paid about £70 inc fitting!There is no such thing as a 'good' fm transmitter.
They simply don't work in the UK, our airwaves are too crowded. That said, the sound quality is awful even in 'perfect' condition.
Time for a new ipod compatible or USB headunit my man! Oh, and while you're at it, an amplifier, some good speakers, some found deadeneing and an 'effin massive sub! You've got a spare grand knocking about, right?
They simply don't work in the UK, our airwaves are too crowded. That said, the sound quality is awful even in 'perfect' condition.
Time for a new ipod compatible or USB headunit my man! Oh, and while you're at it, an amplifier, some good speakers, some found deadeneing and an 'effin massive sub! You've got a spare grand knocking about, right?
Yea just get a cheap head unit with aux in, then any kind of ipod/mp3 can connect. Perfect sound quality too.
I use a belkin fm transmitter i got from ebay for around £12. Its pretty good but goes through alot of batteries, came with a cigarette lighter charger though which saves using so many batteries!
I use a belkin fm transmitter i got from ebay for around £12. Its pretty good but goes through alot of batteries, came with a cigarette lighter charger though which saves using so many batteries!
Ive tried several - they are all crap.
The tape adaptor was the best solution on my MGF that had a tape deck.
What everyone said about a new head unit is probaby true but that might not be the best looking idea of your MX5 is a MKIII or newer with the built in radio.
If you have a MKIII, have an ask in the MX5 part of the forum here, a lot of the head untis can be changed to accept MP3.
I have a Mazda Ipod connector in My Mazda CX7 Bose system, and a 3mm factory fitted jack in my bottom of the range MX5 MKIII.5 head unit.
The tape adaptor was the best solution on my MGF that had a tape deck.
What everyone said about a new head unit is probaby true but that might not be the best looking idea of your MX5 is a MKIII or newer with the built in radio.
If you have a MKIII, have an ask in the MX5 part of the forum here, a lot of the head untis can be changed to accept MP3.
I have a Mazda Ipod connector in My Mazda CX7 Bose system, and a 3mm factory fitted jack in my bottom of the range MX5 MKIII.5 head unit.
I've got one of these (or possibly a slightly older version)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Ga22042-Transmitte...
which I used in my old car when the CD autochanger broke. I found the sound quality absolutely fine with nothing in the way of interference or distortion. They also work really well having the controls on the cigarette adaptor part, so you don't have to faff about with the ipod itself. My current car has a Parrot unit so the iTrip is surplus to requirements if you want it?
edit: looks like the link doesn't work as i've just cut and pasted the above text from another thread where someone asked the same question!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Ga22042-Transmitte...
which I used in my old car when the CD autochanger broke. I found the sound quality absolutely fine with nothing in the way of interference or distortion. They also work really well having the controls on the cigarette adaptor part, so you don't have to faff about with the ipod itself. My current car has a Parrot unit so the iTrip is surplus to requirements if you want it?
edit: looks like the link doesn't work as i've just cut and pasted the above text from another thread where someone asked the same question!!
Edited by addey on Sunday 15th May 12:21
wildcat45 said:
Ive tried several - they are all crap.
The tape adaptor was the best solution on my MGF that had a tape deck.
What everyone said about a new head unit is probaby true but that might not be the best looking idea of your MX5 is a MKIII or newer with the built in radio.
If you have a MKIII, have an ask in the MX5 part of the forum here, a lot of the head untis can be changed to accept MP3.
I have a Mazda Ipod connector in My Mazda CX7 Bose system, and a 3mm factory fitted jack in my bottom of the range MX5 MKIII.5 head unit.
It's a mk2.5, so it's got the double-DIN head unit at the moment. Seems it's not an easy head unit to convert for aux in... oh for a subtle wee 3.5mm socket The tape adaptor was the best solution on my MGF that had a tape deck.
What everyone said about a new head unit is probaby true but that might not be the best looking idea of your MX5 is a MKIII or newer with the built in radio.
If you have a MKIII, have an ask in the MX5 part of the forum here, a lot of the head untis can be changed to accept MP3.
I have a Mazda Ipod connector in My Mazda CX7 Bose system, and a 3mm factory fitted jack in my bottom of the range MX5 MKIII.5 head unit.
addey said:
I've got one of these (or possibly a slightly older version)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Ga22042-Transmitte...
which I used in my old car when the CD autochanger broke. I found the sound quality absolutely fine with nothing in the way of interference or distortion. They also work really well having the controls on the cigarette adaptor part, so you don't have to faff about with the ipod itself. My current car has a Parrot unit so the iTrip is surplus to requirements if you want it?
Looks nice, but it's not an iPod I have - so it's just a 3.5mm connection I'm looking for http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Ga22042-Transmitte...
which I used in my old car when the CD autochanger broke. I found the sound quality absolutely fine with nothing in the way of interference or distortion. They also work really well having the controls on the cigarette adaptor part, so you don't have to faff about with the ipod itself. My current car has a Parrot unit so the iTrip is surplus to requirements if you want it?
bobcheeseman said:
Hmm I don't want to ruin the stock look of the dash tho and it's nice to have a 6-deck as a backup when the mp3 player goes fut.
@c0ldpl4ya - what's the precise model of your player? Belkin seem to make a lot of them.
You don't necessarily have to spoil the dash to fit on, most are pretty much standard units behind there. If you take into an auto audio place they can probably sort it. and it's nice to have a 6-deck as a backup when the mp3 player goes fut.@c0ldpl4ya - what's the precise model of your player? Belkin seem to make a lot of them.
I have an mp3 head unit and you can get them for £60 upwards, plays from usb, sd or whatever and its on another planet to a 6 disk changer.
Have you looked at this?
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
Ive got the equivalent in an RX8, very happy with it.
Plays MP3's via usb stick or SD card, or through a 3.5mm jack.
Im not entirely au fait with the MX5's head units, so i dont know if your already using the connector for the 6 disc changer, or whether its in-dash like the RX8.
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
Ive got the equivalent in an RX8, very happy with it.
Plays MP3's via usb stick or SD card, or through a 3.5mm jack.
Im not entirely au fait with the MX5's head units, so i dont know if your already using the connector for the 6 disc changer, or whether its in-dash like the RX8.
MilleniumFalcon said:
Have you looked at this?
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
Ive got the equivalent in an RX8, very happy with it.
Plays MP3's via usb stick or SD card, or through a 3.5mm jack.
Im not entirely au fait with the MX5's head units, so i dont know if your already using the connector for the 6 disc changer, or whether its in-dash like the RX8.
Yeah I saw that before, tbh it looks like an awful lot of money for what is essentially a fancy card reader. It's also usb/card only - no choice for 3.5mm input. That's not a deal breaker, but for that kind of money I want all the features I'm looking for http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
Ive got the equivalent in an RX8, very happy with it.
Plays MP3's via usb stick or SD card, or through a 3.5mm jack.
Im not entirely au fait with the MX5's head units, so i dont know if your already using the connector for the 6 disc changer, or whether its in-dash like the RX8.
There are also decent head units that cost not much more than that.bobcheeseman said:
Yeah I saw that before, tbh it looks like an awful lot of money for what is essentially a fancy card reader. It's also usb/card only - no choice for 3.5mm input. That's not a deal breaker, but for that kind of money I want all the features I'm looking for There are also decent head units that cost not much more than that.
It does have a 3.5mm jack. It feeds through the mini USB connector. Mine came with one. There are also decent head units that cost not much more than that.Plus, as you said you didn't want to lose the head unit, this would let you keep it all factory.
Anyway, was worth a suggestion.
If you never use your CD changer then is should be possible to wire up a 3.5mm plug to the input for that (which will most likely be sending a signal to the Head unit Via RCA plugs). You'll have to select/change songs via the ipod directly, but it's a vastly preferable solution to an fm transmitter.
I have an older version of this little chap here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VR3-USB-MP3-FM-MODULATOR-TRA...
Have had it for many years and have had no issues with sound quality.
Range is good too, have had several cars in convoy "enjoying" my tunes.
It can be swapped between half a dozen or so preset freqencies so no issues with interference.
Brian
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VR3-USB-MP3-FM-MODULATOR-TRA...
Have had it for many years and have had no issues with sound quality.
Range is good too, have had several cars in convoy "enjoying" my tunes.
It can be swapped between half a dozen or so preset freqencies so no issues with interference.
Brian
I don't know whether you can get one for an MX-5, but have a look for a company called "Connects2". I've put one in my Fabia recently. It's a little box of electrickery, one end plugs into the CD changer block on the headunit, the other end is a 3.5mm jack. Lets me play whatever I like, and keep the standard HU.
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