iPod station operational
So until a few month ago, I had a tape adapter for my iPod to listen in the car. One day on my commute home the tape player crapped out on my car. I wept. How was I to listen to podcasts!?!
I purchased a Belkin FM transmitter because there’s no way I’d survive the commute without podcasts to listen to. The problem was that the transmitter didn’t work unless I put it on my dashboard. That was fine, except that now in the warmer months I drive with the windows down, and if I take a turn to sharply (very often) the iPod slides toward the open window. I’ve come dangerously close to either losing the iPod or driving into a tree.
Finally, I realized, why not mound the iPod on the dashboard. I bought a commercial iPod case that I had to modify to work with my older model, and then thought about ways to stick it on the dashboard. Finally, I said screw it. I got a bolt and, using the belt-clip adapter, can now easily clip on the iPod and drive as maniacally as I want, and I don’t have to worry about losing my baby.
Case closed!
April 30th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
That, my friend is spectacular! That is the kind of ingenuity that built this nation; I’m so glad to see it still exists (even on a small scale).
I was recently reading the reviews on fm transmitters for ipods, and they’re pretty dismal–in large part because people can’t get good reception unless the device is positioned just right. I also noticed Amazon now has some new sections in addition to the customer reviews: you can start a discussion about the productthink you should go to the Amazon page for your Belkin, and put an entry in the forum explaining your invention–it’s classic!
As for myself, I cannot be without my ipod nano for the walk from my car to my front door, much less IN the car. However, I have not been persuaded to invest in an fm transmitter yet. With long hair (and just enough scofflaw in my blood), I have gotten by with the ol’ one plug in, one plug out, pod in the shirt/jacket pocket while driving. I can hear ambient noise just fine, and no one is the wiser.
In fact, I am heading to the market right now. Let’s see . . . the latest Strange Brood is 29 minutes, 40 seconds. Okay: door to car: 30 seconds, driveway to shopping center: minutes, parking lot to market: 90 seconds, shopping: 6 minutes (give or take), pause to chat with checkout cashier (no need to be ude), back to car:90 seconds, load-in:45 seconds, back home:9 min, 15sec, grab the mail and head to front door: 40 seconds . . . should finish just as I’m headin’ back up the porch steps!
Keep up the good work, and say hi to Kevin and Mike for me.
Karen
Petaluma, CA
April 30th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
…cool job on iPod fix. Might want to consider upgrading the stereo head unit (making sure it has an aux input w/RCA jacks and running an RCA to mini-plug cable out). Pick up a Belkin iPod charger w/Dock Connector and you’ll be set. Prolly cost under $200 total - you’ll have excellent sound and you won’t have to reach for the iPod to select tunes…
April 30th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
wow, Thanks Karen and PeteR. I encourage you to continue using the earbud in one side. Bluetooth headsets, cell phones, and the hearing impared all drive like that, what’s the difference?
The transmitters work better in some cars. I wonder if I can A)tamper with the circuitry in the transmitter to make it more powerful and more illegal, or B)make a connection inside the stereo with a wire or something. There must be a way to go direct without buying a new system.
Also, replacing the stereo in my ‘93 Buick LeSabre would be silly. I suppose I could keep the old unit and swap it out when the car eventually dies and then put the good stereo in the new used Buick I eventually buy.
May 2nd, 2006 at 10:51 pm
…heya, Reeg. You can also purchase a portable iPod player w/a power adapter through the cigarette lighter. Take it w/you when you leave or lock it in the trunk. Check out this link:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/logitech-mm50-portable-speakers-for-ipod-ipod/
Repectfully submitted,
PeteR
Director of R&D for the UL and Reeg’s ASS
dispatched at 10:55 pm, Tuesday, 02 May
May 7th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
I use a Griffin iTrip, and I’ve found that it works just fine ’round the house. Never used it in a car, though.
May 12th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
You must have lead walls or something. Another problem with the radio transmitter is the supersaturation of radio stations here in Chicago. I’m guessing CA is the same, but I can’t find a single channel on the dial that doesn’t have at least SOME signal coming through it.
I have asked my brother about opening up the Belkin and soldering a little to make it broadcast a stronger (albeit more illegal) signal. Someday.