Good FM transmitter for iPhone 3G?

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Good FM transmitter for iPhone 3G?

Hi Everyone -

Sorry if this is posted somewhere else, I looked through the forum for a similar topic - but couldn't get through all the pages.

I'm looking for a good FM transmitter that will work with the new iPhone - does anyone have any suggestions or success with something they are using? Is there even one out on the market now?Would love to listen to music in the car again (instead of the same 6 cds over and over again...). Would appreciate any help! 🙂

Oh - also, I'd love a transmitter that was also a dock so I don't go fumbling for the thing in traffic 🙂

Thanks!!

Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 22, 2008 11:14 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 22, 2008 11:39 AM in response to erilou

Personal opinion...FM transmitters sound horrible 😀

If your car has a casette player, get one of those adapters.

If not, I have a Belkin unit that plugs into the headphone jack, allows to save two presets...seems to work pretty well...as well as FM transmitters allow.

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Answer 2

Jul 22, 2008 11:52 AM in response to Steve Hodson

I haven't found a great fm transmitter but need one that will also charge. Anyone know of one that will work? My other two worked with the first iphone, but they don't charge the new one.

Also, the bose sounddock doesn't charge the new iphone either.... pretty ****** about both of these issues

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Answer 3

erilou Author

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Jul 22, 2008 12:05 PM in response to erilou

Steve - thanks, but my car doesn't have a cassette player (just a 6 CD changer - I got the "sound blast" package when I bought it a couple years ago...speakers in every door, sub in the back... I'm a girl who likes music...usually loud... hehe...), it also doesn't have a headphone jack. I had really good success with a transmitter for my 80GB iPod Classic - but I've given that away now that I have the iPhone (and the previous transmitter doesn't work on the iPhone, we tried - can't remember who the manufacturer is).

I'm thinking about possibly having a jack installed - but I read that people had problems with this as well with the iPhone 3G...

I know the Kensington 33185 and DLO Trandock & Transmicro worked on the first gen iPhone - but I have no idea if they'll successfully work with the new version...

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Answer 4

jgjh151

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7 points

Jul 22, 2008 12:45 PM in response to erilou

Does the iphone have an fm radio in it so I could listen to the tv audio at gym being broadcast to the fm station?

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Answer 5

eltro

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Jul 22, 2008 1:29 PM in response to erilou

I tried many on the orig iPhone. The best one I found
On eBay. Go to eBay and type in iPhone fm transmitter.
It's the small one that fits into the bottom of your phone.
It has no wires and you can grab your phone easily when
In your car. It's nice to not havebto fiddle with the wire.
You can still plug in a charger at the bottom of the transmitter.
It isn't mounted but I am looking into buying one of those.
Also if you have a case over your phone some attachments
Will not connect fully.

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Answer 6

Jul 22, 2008 1:33 PM in response to erilou

Get a PIE adapter and hook it up to the back of your head unit (assuming you have an "aux" button). FM transmitters are horrible

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Answer 7

erilou Author

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Jul 22, 2008 1:52 PM in response to erilou

Thanks, Bear Hunter - but unfortunately, that's not an option. My only option (unless I tear my sound system out) is an FM transmitter - so I'm looking for the "least worst" option out of a whole lot of bad options. And, as I said before, I had perfect reception/clarity/sound with an FM transmitter for my iPod, I'm just looking to replicate that with my new iPhone - I know I may be asking too much, but I thought it was worth a shot - you'd think apple would develop something... make themselves more money...

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Answer 8

Jul 24, 2008 8:08 AM in response to erilou

Honestly, I don't think anyone has made one yet. However, from what I've read there is one that works from Belkin.
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=457256

It says that it isn't compatible with the 3G iphone on the website, but users seem to think otherwise.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1611716&tstart=60

Thats the only FM Transmitter I can find so far. I'm in the exact same boat as you erinlou!

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Answer 9

Jul 24, 2008 9:36 AM in response to erilou

This is the fm transmitter that I'm using with 3g
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404646

when I plug it in I get the "switch to airplane mode?" message that many people are getting from various accessories, however once I select "no" it will play my music and charge the iPhone just fine

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Answer 10

AZ_Mike

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Nov 8, 2008 11:57 AM in response to gremlin75

FYI, I just got the Belkin TuneCast and it is horrible. First off it asks if you want to go in Airplane mode everytime you plug it in, which kind of takes away the benefits of an iphone. So you have to hit NO everytime. Not a huge deal but a pain, the main thing is the FM is horrible. So bad that I would rather deal with the radio.

Let me know if anyone has any luck with one.

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Answer 11

Nov 8, 2008 1:02 PM in response to AZ_Mike

I am getting great results with Griffin iTrip AutoPilot. It is 3G compatible (no warnings). It works good for me even in big city (San Francisco).

In order to get good results, you have to use the (undocumented) recipe to put it into "international mode". This increases the power and lets you use 87.9. For instructions to set international mode, see the product reviews in the Apple online store, or search with Google.

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Answer 12

Nov 18, 2008 11:29 PM in response to erilou

Belkin now have an FM Transmitter/charger compatible with the iPhone 3G.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404646

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Answer 13

cyberbug

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Nov 20, 2008 9:44 AM in response to erilou

Hi Erilou, what a pity...you have a sound blaster without an Aux input. Have one installed. You'll be amazed how it will sound compare to the horrible FM. Email me once you have it done. I'll tell you where to get a cheap Remote control control for your 3G so you don't have to fiddle around to change music while driving and It charges too.

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Answer 14

Moez

Level 1

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Dec 12, 2008 7:23 PM in response to Irish John

I have the Canada Drive Safe Complete, its really good, the clarity of the fM transmitter is clean and the HANDSFREE is great, www.canadadrivesafe.com

Its the OEM brand, there are cheaper knock offs on eBay but those ones beep every 45 seconds where the Canada Drive Safe version doesnt beep.

http://www.canadadrivesafe.ca/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=4

M.

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Answer 15

jluce50

Level 1

10 points

Dec 12, 2008 8:50 PM in response to erilou

I have the Griffin iTrip model #4045. It's not "officially" compatible with the 3G, but it works just fine. It just prompts you to enter Airplane Mode when you plug it in. Just say "no" and everything works fine. I've actually been pretty happy with the FM Transmitter, but your mileage may vary depending on how crowded the airwaves are in your area, etc. The best part? It works just as well as the "official" 3G models but it only cost me $25.

http://www.clubmac.com/clubmac/shop/detail.asp?Redir=1&description=Griffin-iTripAuto+SmartScan+FM+Transmitter+and+Car+Charger+for+iPod+-+Black-MP3+Players+%26Accessories&dpno=7485697

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