On the Go Radio with an iPod FM Transmitter

The Apple iPod is a marvel of technology, but although it's a stylish MP3 (and now video) player, the iPod lacks an FM transmitter. For whatever reasons, Apple has refused to add extra features to the iPod that are standard on other MP3/video players like voice-recording and the ability to listen to the radio with FM transmitters. Ipod users are in luck though, as there are several manufacturers who produce iPod FM transmitters and other accessories. It might not be quite as conspicuous as a third eye, but accessories like FM transmitters for your iPod will add a little bulk to your MP3 player. Assuming you can live with that, Belkin and Griffin do make some iPod FM transmitters that fit in pretty well with the iPod aesthetic. Most of these devices are meant to be used in a car, like Griffin's iTrip series of FM transmitters for the iPod. However, most of these FM transmitters seem to get poor reception in vehicles and suffer from quite a bit of interference based on customer reviews. Just visit cnet.com to read some of the comments. In fact, three out of the four user reviews of the Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter for iPod Nano blasted the device.

Operating Instructions

Although it looks nice, the reception and sound quality appear to be poor. If you still want to take a chance on the iTrip series of iPod FM transmitters, one of these units should retail for around 50 dollars. Prices at some online sites have been as low as 30 dollars though. Belkin has something called the Belkin TuneCast Mobile FM Transmitter, which plugs in to the headphone jack on your iPod. It requires two AAA batteries to operate and is supposed to have a range of about 30 feet. This product retails for $29.99, but you can usually get it for less online. Unfortunately, the average of all amazon.com user reviews for this product was only two stars. There were a lot of issues with poor reception in this unit as well.

The TuneCast II fared slightly better with an amazon.com rating of three stars, and its list price is around 65 dollars, but you can usually find it for close to the same prices you find for the original TuneCast. If you're looking for good FM reception in your car, you're probably better off sticking to your car stereo though.