Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter for MP3 Players (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This thing has a range of about a foot, with really poor quality sound.It may be as good or better than other transmitters that are available, but it's still pretty lousy.Not really as good as standard FM, probably halfway between AM and FM, and interrupted by the occasional static.I modified it as described in the websites that describe how to do such things, but the sound is so crappy, that it's hardly worth the price.The modified range is about 50 feet.

I realize that it solves a problem of allowing an MP3 player to work in your car, and there aren't any good alternatives, but but this isn't going to make anyone really happy.It's just a barely passable solution.It does what it's supposed to, and if you modify it, it has much better range, but it's really not a great result.

UPDATE: I really wanted a product like this, so I bought the "whole house transmitter" right on Amazon and it works.Near FM quality sound, decent range (about 40 feet).It only broadcasts on one of 6 channels, but at least the quality is acceptable if you can find an open one, and it punches through weak stations so the channel doesn't really have to be completely clear.It's 3X the price, but that seems to be what it takes to get decent quality sound.

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Product Description:
With this handy device you can listen to your favorite tunes through any FM stereo receiver with your iPod, PDA, PC, or laptop, even an MP3, CD, or cassette player from up to 30 feet away. The Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter makes it easy to wirelessly connect portable music players to your car or home stereo FM radio. Simply plug the TuneCast II into the headphone jack of your player or connect it to your PC or laptop computer, then tune your car stereo or receiver to any clear FM frequency.
There's also an auto on/off function that lets the device simply power on whenever an audio signal is detected. If there is no signal, the TuneCast II switches off after 60 seconds, helping to preserve battery life. There's also four programmable memory slots that let you save the clearest station wherever you go. The device comes with a DC cable for optional battery-free operation, but it only works with the Belkin Mobile Power Cord for 3G iPod. Batteries are included.
iPod Compatibility
iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 4G (Clickwheel), iPod Color, iPod 5G/5.5G Video, iPod Shuffle 1G, iPod Shuffle 2G

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Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter for MP3 Players (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all, all FM transmitters cause noise on the receiving end, if you turn volume up enough.And don't expect the sound quality to be better than your FM radio itself.It will be worse.If possible, use a wired option such as a "cassette connector" for car.That said, wireless transmitters do offer convenience, and some are better, while others are worse, depend mostly on unit's output power, range, and station selections.After trying out 4 of them personally, I found station selections to be the most important in getting good quality sound on your radio.Hence, the Belkin TuneCast II is the best out there.As far as I know (in the price range I search), it is the only one on the market that offers full frequency digital tuning (Arkon offers transmitters with full frequency analog tuning - SoundFeeder 150x).

Here is a summary of my review on the four transmitters I tried.

Belkin TuneCast II:
+ full frequency digital tuning with 0.05 stepping
+ 4-station memory
+ dual power (battery and DC)
+ auto on/off
+ good output and range
+ LCD display
+ cord storage on unit
- USB power will be nicer, as I have my own USB2DC adapter
- LCD not lighted

iRock 400FM
+ dual power (battery and DC)
+ good output and range
- only 4 preset stations
- dangling cord
- kind of ugly

Arkon SoundFeeder 250
+ good output and range
+ cord storage on unit
- only 8 preset stations
- battery power only (spec claimes 60hr, but I seriously doubt it as others with similar battery could only last 10-13hr)

SIIG Music Adapter Pro
+ dual power (battery and USB, could be tripple if you have your own USB2DC adapter)
+ ok output and range (volume is kind of low)
+ lighted LCD
+ cord storage on unit
- claimed to have 9 preset stations with autoscan, but it was so hard to operate that I could only verify 5 stations through manual stepping, and autoscan does NOT pick up the best station
- battery compartment very hard to open
- DO NOT BUY THIS, even though it looks good, and has good spec

Here are some personal tips on any FM transmitter setup:
1) If your radio and transmitter allows 0.1 stepping, choose an even frequency station such as 88.40, since very very few stations broadcast on even frequecies.
2) Make sure your MP3 files have loud enough volume, so you don't have to boost your MP3 unit or radio's volume too much.High volume magnifies noise.There are many software out there that fine tunes MP3, including volume.
3) If you have to boost volume, boost MP3 unit's volume instead of radio's.High radio volume causes more noise.
4) Always make sure you have new battery or are using DC adapter.Low power forces you to turn up volume, and it in turn causes noise.
5) In general, songs fair better with these transmitters than solo instruments, as noise could become more obvious on the later.

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Product Description:
MODEL- F8V3080VENDOR- BELKIN COMPONENTS

FEATURES- TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter- Gray
Now you can use your iPod, PDA, MP3, CD, cassette player, PC, or
laptop to listen to your favorite tunes through any FM stereo
receiver. The Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter wirelessly
connects portable music players to your car or home stereo quickly
and easily using FM radio waves. Just plug the TuneCast II into the
headphone jack of your iPod, PDA,MP3, CD, or cassette player; or
connect it to your PC or laptop computer. Tune your car stereo or
receiver to any clear FM frequency, and enjoy your iPod music
experience with more sound and fewer wires.
We add a great convenience feature with our unique Auto ON/OFF
function. It frees you from having to manually toggle your TuneCast
IIs ON/OFF switch by simply powering on when an audio signal is
detected. If no signal is detected for a period of 60 seconds, your
TuneCast II switches off. This innovation preserves battery life
while making your outstanding mobile audio experience simpler to
enjoy.
TuneCast II also features 4 programable memory slots allowing you to
save the clearest station wherever you go.
TuneCast II includes a Belkin Mobile Power Cord that connects to
your cars cigarette lighter-so you can preserve your batteries as
you play your tunes on the road (will not charge the TuneCast II).
* Transmits on FM channels 88.1MHz-107.9MHz
* Memorize up to 4 FM frequencies
* Powers on and off automatically
* Features low-battery LED indicator
* Includes a Mobile Power Cord for optional battery-free operation - will
not charge the batteries.
* Operating Range: 10-30 feet (a distance of 10 feet or less will minimize
interfer

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