AUX in A good alternative for non-i-Pod MP3 players?

Bungle · 2nd September 2006, 17:57

I know i-Pod compatable FM transmitters have been around for a while, but I was unwawre of anything for non i-Pod owners.

Today I found a Belkin device that works with any audio device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. It costs under £30 which is reasonable too.

I was attracted to this as it easily changable with my girlfriend's Ka, which also lacks an aux-in jack.

The transmitter can broadcast at any frequency between 88.1 to 107.9MHz, so finding a clear patch won't be too hard. The bloody radio changed to a nearby station once or twice, but adjusting the frequency sorted that.

The sound quality is obviously not quite as good as an MP3 CD, but is more than good enough. It runs off two AAAs or 12V from car socket.

My plan is to power it from the bood, freeing up front socket for GPS or phone charger or whatever, and have the transmitter on the back seat, near the rew window. I can easily get an extension for the 12" audio lead to run it to the front of the car where my Sony MP3 walkman is. The reason i don't want it in the boot, is in case I need to adjust the frequency for any reason.

I am happy with it, and thought I'd share it with you for those who don't want to wait for Honda to pull their finger out, or aren't willing to take their dash boards apart.

* Yes, I know it illegal to use in the UK, but I make sure I only use it when travelling to 'certain European countries where a Broadcasting Licenece is not required'

basegreen · 21st September 2006, 15:03

I'm struggling with strange interference on ALL freqs with mine. Does it work better in the back?

Bungle · 21st September 2006, 16:59

After more use, it has become noticable that it can be tetchy with regards to it's positioning, and moving it a small amount can make the difference between a good signal and just noise.

It does work better in the back, yes. I keep meaning to buy a decent length 3.5mm extension cable and run it to the back seat. The transmitter can be powered form the boot socket if it run round or over the rear seat. That also lets you have the MP3 player in the front with no transmitter and it's power adaptor.

As expected, a clear frequency here can have a lot of interference 10 miles away, so I have had to switch stations a few times, but have always found a useable one.

Bungle · 4th October 2006, 13:11

BG, I have it!

I have the transmitter powered by the rear socket. I have run the power lead from the boot, between the seats so it comes out at the rear drop down armrest. Now, connect it to the transmitter, and place it under the central headrest. The headrest will hold the transmitter still and hide it.

I have bought a 6' 3.5mm headphone cable extension (also Belkin) which has one male and one female end. Plug the transmitter plug into the female end of the extension, and run the lead down between the seat back and bench. You might need to tilt the bech up to het the gap you need to feed it through. Now the extension can run under rear mat and up between the front seats, where your MP3 can sit in the drink holder compartment, or wherever you like.

When not in use, the cable is barely visable, but you can hider it under rear seat in about 5 seconds if you wish.

As the transmitter is now less than a foot from rear window, reception is 100%, mine works on 92.6fm everywhere now.

Hope this help you out a bit, and anybody else who wants to try something similar.

basegreen · 4th October 2006, 15:31

Good idea - mine is definitely faulty though.. .need to send it back

Bungle · 4th October 2006, 15:45

Where did you get it? Can you just take it back to the store for a straight swap? Or was it bought on-line?

What is wrong with the thing?

basegreen · 4th October 2006, 16:05

Online - it makes a loud screetching sound on the radio on all freqs. I've got three itrips, so its not because im doing something wrong, its just knackered.

IWANTACIVIC · 5th October 2006, 01:17

Yer they can be a bit of a hassle to setup but ive been using one for 3 or so years been good , just a pitty civic missed out on another easy browny point , come on honda get a solution dont for this.

Bungle · 6th October 2006, 17:07

Please check out my 'How To:' post on this! The photos are a bit crappy, due to being taken on my phone, but they work.

2nd September 2006, 17:57	#1 (permalink)
Bungle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: Medway, Kent Posts: 1,344 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	A good alternative for non-i-Pod MP3 players? I know i-Pod compatable FM transmitters have been around for a while, but I was unwawre of anything for non i-Pod owners. Today I found a Belkin device that works with any audio device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. It costs under £30 which is reasonable too. I was attracted to this as it easily changable with my girlfriend's Ka, which also lacks an aux-in jack. The transmitter can broadcast at any frequency between 88.1 to 107.9MHz, so finding a clear patch won't be too hard. The bloody radio changed to a nearby station once or twice, but adjusting the frequency sorted that. The sound quality is obviously not quite as good as an MP3 CD, but is more than good enough. It runs off two AAAs or 12V from car socket. My plan is to power it from the bood, freeing up front socket for GPS or phone charger or whatever, and have the transmitter on the back seat, near the rew window. I can easily get an extension for the 12" audio lead to run it to the front of the car where my Sony MP3 walkman is. The reason i don't want it in the boot, is in case I need to adjust the frequency for any reason. I am happy with it, and thought I'd share it with you for those who don't want to wait for Honda to pull their finger out, or aren't willing to take their dash boards apart. * Yes, I know it illegal to use in the UK, but I make sure I only use it when travelling to 'certain European countries where a Broadcasting Licenece is not required'

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21st September 2006, 15:03	#2 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,932 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	I'm struggling with strange interference on ALL freqs with mine. Does it work better in the back?

21st September 2006, 16:59	#3 (permalink)
Bungle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: Medway, Kent Posts: 1,344 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	After more use, it has become noticable that it can be tetchy with regards to it's positioning, and moving it a small amount can make the difference between a good signal and just noise. It does work better in the back, yes. I keep meaning to buy a decent length 3.5mm extension cable and run it to the back seat. The transmitter can be powered form the boot socket if it run round or over the rear seat. That also lets you have the MP3 player in the front with no transmitter and it's power adaptor. As expected, a clear frequency here can have a lot of interference 10 miles away, so I have had to switch stations a few times, but have always found a useable one.

4th October 2006, 13:11	#4 (permalink)
Bungle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: Medway, Kent Posts: 1,344 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	BG, I have it! I have the transmitter powered by the rear socket. I have run the power lead from the boot, between the seats so it comes out at the rear drop down armrest. Now, connect it to the transmitter, and place it under the central headrest. The headrest will hold the transmitter still and hide it. I have bought a 6' 3.5mm headphone cable extension (also Belkin) which has one male and one female end. Plug the transmitter plug into the female end of the extension, and run the lead down between the seat back and bench. You might need to tilt the bech up to het the gap you need to feed it through. Now the extension can run under rear mat and up between the front seats, where your MP3 can sit in the drink holder compartment, or wherever you like. When not in use, the cable is barely visable, but you can hider it under rear seat in about 5 seconds if you wish. As the transmitter is now less than a foot from rear window, reception is 100%, mine works on 92.6fm everywhere now. Hope this help you out a bit, and anybody else who wants to try something similar.

4th October 2006, 15:31	#5 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,932 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	Good idea - mine is definitely faulty though.. .need to send it back

4th October 2006, 15:45	#6 (permalink)
Bungle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: Medway, Kent Posts: 1,344 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	Where did you get it? Can you just take it back to the store for a straight swap? Or was it bought on-line? What is wrong with the thing?

4th October 2006, 16:05	#7 (permalink)
basegreen Super Moderator Join Date: 15th April 2006 Location: noitacoL Posts: 2,932 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	Online - it makes a loud screetching sound on the radio on all freqs. I've got three itrips, so its not because im doing something wrong, its just knackered.

5th October 2006, 01:17	#8 (permalink)
IWANTACIVIC Supporter Join Date: 16th September 2006 Location: LINCS UK Posts: 683 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Yer they can be a bit of a hassle to setup but ive been using one for 3 or so years been good , just a pitty civic missed out on another easy browny point , come on honda get a solution dont for this.

6th October 2006, 17:07	#9 (permalink)
Bungle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: Medway, Kent Posts: 1,344 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts iTrader: (0)	Please check out my 'How To:' post on this! The photos are a bit crappy, due to being taken on my phone, but they work.