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    Jul 25, 2008 10:39:52 AM

    Alex_997TT
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    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
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    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005

    iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    For those of us who have no intention of getting a new car to be able to connect up our iPhone/iPods, what is the easiest way of doing this?

    I have read lots of posts about hard-wiring solutions in to car but nothing really on using FM transmitters which Apple seem to suggest to use. Are these FM transmitters really that bad if they scan for the clearest open frequencies? They are 1/10th the cost of hard-wired options and also much easier to fit.

    I am not looking on hooking up phone/video/etc from my iPhone 3G, just music (on pre-programmed playlists).

    Of course I also have an iPhone 3G compatibility issue with most solutions out there given the 3rd party manufacturers have struggled to get the phones due to crazy demand.

    Jul 25, 2008 10:50:19 AM

    Alex_997TT
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    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    Something like this: http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itripautopilot

    Jul 25, 2008 11:43:56 AM

    993Targa
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    993Targa
    Loc: ZH , Switzerland
    Posts: 2522, Gallery
    Registered on: Sep 16, 2004
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    Tried the griffin with a 2003 Boxster S, but the receipt was terrible. But for some people/cars it seems to work fine

    Jul 25, 2008 11:58:15 AM

    Alex_997TT
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    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
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    Reply to: 993Targa

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    Thanks - this was the other one I was looking at:

    http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=457256

    Seems hard-wiring may be the only valid option

    Jul 25, 2008 12:44:52 PM

    Joost
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    Joost
    Loc: Dordrecht , Netherlands
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    Registered on: May 3, 2004
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    Alex,
    I have the belkin in my car (not a porsche), for an older iPod model, but the idea and the technology of the belkin is the same. It connects allright to the cigarette lighter thingy. Won't move unless you want it to. When it has found a good frequency, it works fine for me. Nothing spectacular, but it works allright. Only sometimes the sound is being disturbed by the sound of a local radio station, and then you need to re-scan, not a big hustle.
    However, I find the interface of the apple non convenient to use when driving. I guess this goes for all systems, except the ones that let you use the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel. Not only to FFWD and RWD, but also to go up in the menu and press select. Don't know if there is any system which can do that.
    Hope this helps you, let me know if you need more info.

    Jul 25, 2008 6:39:49 PM

    Moogle
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    Moogle
    Loc: Bay Area , United States
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    Reply to: Joost

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    I've used the iTrip since 2004. It is a good compromise and does not involve any wires/any drilling/etc.

    In that senes it is an elegant solution, but it can get annoying when the reception cuts out (which is rare, except in metro areas).

    It is a good solution for people like me who are not willing to tear the car apart putting in new stereo/etc components.

    The best thing is that it is just a little attachment to the ipod/iphone, works in all my cars, and is easily portable.

    Jul 27, 2008 2:18:48 PM

    pnoble
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    pnoble
    Loc: Short Hills, NJ , United States
    Posts: 231, Gallery
    Registered on: Sep 18, 2004
    Reply to: Moogle

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    Practically speaking, while driving in a Porsche, I think the biggest limitation with an iTrip or similar, is going to be in the bass response which is limited to 50Hz in FM transmission.

    The upper frequency response is limited to 15KHz, due to a 19KHz pilot tone in FM broadcast, but that may be less of an issue practically speaking. There are of course other distortions and limitations in FM transmission, which together with the limited frequency response result in the general muddiness of FM versus CD (or an AAC encoded CD on an iPod).

    I haven't found a technical analysis of an iTrip but I doubt we are talking anywhere near a flat response, even 50Hz-15KHz, so audible frequency response may be a lot less.

    FM was originally developed in the late 1920s/early 1930s and was more than a match for the audio recording and reproduction standards of the time!

    Apr 22, 2009 11:31:39 AM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
    Posts: 3320, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
    Reply to: pnoble

    Re: iPhone/iPod and FM transmitter solutions

    I ended up buying this for my iPhone:

    Griffin iTrip AutoPiliot

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTrip-AutoPilot-Transmitter-Smartscan/dp/B0010X7H4S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1240399700&sr...

    Worked great on my road trip through Europe but here in the UK the radio frequencies are so packed in that I constantly have to retune as I drive along.  So I am now debating whether to bite the bullet and cough up £500 for the mObridge solution.


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