FM modulator. a great way to adapt an Ipod or MP3 player to your stock or new radio

[i_ride_fieroGT]

For the past week I have been looking for a way to use my ipod In my 06 eclipse.. This is not a very easy or cheap thing to do if you want good sound quality but i think i have found the answer. Mitsubishi sells an interface kit directley from apple but for $300 it is lacking a lot such as the ability to see the text of what song and artist is playing on the LCD screen on top of the dash basicley turning your ipod into an ipod shuffle. So i did some research into soem thing because getting a new head unit was going to be even more expensive because a wiring harness for the fosgate system is an arm and a leg. My answer came out to be an FM modulator, Unlike an FM transmitter it insted of broadcasting a signal to your cars antenna and getting very bad sound quality it injects the signal right into your antenna wire delivering it straight to your radio giving you crystal clear sound CD quality. The only downside to it is you need to switch the system on and off for when you want to listen to regular FM radio but other than that it works perfectley.
It even charges the ipod.

I'll get some pics of mine installed but for right now this is a simmler system to mine. this one is just a bit more expensive and dosent come with the ipod cable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rosen...item1c133d4047

Its deffenetley worth it if you want to keep your stock radio and have ipod capibility's without wires everywhere

Not to mention its also cheaper than an FM transmitter.

[turboman808]

I use something like this in my accord. Sounds pretty good. The other option is to install a aux jack before the amp. When something is pushed into the aux jack it bypasses the radio and goes right to the amp. Sounds slightly better.

[Nick 95 6sp]

Is there interference from strong radio signals with this modulator? That's what I hated about the FM transmitter thing I tried, too much interference due to not enough clear frequencies.

My RAV4's JBL stereo came with the aux jack built in and that works fantastic for ipods, laptop outputs, etc.

[Foolinaround]

This sounds like something perfect for those cars with a nice stock stereo without an aux slot.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

Originally Posted by Nick 95 6sp

Is there interference from strong radio signals with this modulator? That's what I hated about the FM transmitter thing I tried, too much interference due to not enough clear frequencies.

My RAV4's JBL stereo came with the aux jack built in and that works fantastic for ipods, laptop outputs, etc.

Its strong as hell i mean CD player quality no static you can sit in a tunnel all day and you wont hear one bit of interfearance. its deffenetley worth the cash if you want to intergarate somthing to your radio its not just for ipods.

[DPancoast]

i personally think these things suck.

[Chris B.]

I use to enjoy the FM transmitter I had because I could play music for my friends who were driving in cars near me too.

[SovXietday]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

i personally think these things suck.

You're probably thinking of the FM transmitter, and yes, they DO suck.

The modulators are a direct plug in that cut the feed to the antenna port on the radio and basically play whatever is plugged into it's 3.5mm jack.

Obvious downside, they are STILL playing through that radio jack. Which cuts a lot of signal and pretty much ruins the sound quality. It's not as bad as the wireless transmitters, but it's still not great quality. If you're the type who's not picky with how your system sounds it's a good option for you. If you are, don't waste your money.

[JimH]

Welcome to the 90's.

I think they suck.

[turboman808]

Originally Posted by JimH

Welcome to the 90's.

I think they suck.

They sound alot better then they used to. It's not a FM transmitter like the ones from the 90s. It's a direct connection that completely cuts out any outside signals. When you flick it on your radio stops working completely except for the station your mp3 player is on.

Again I prefer wiring a aux jack before the amp but that requires opening up your radio to do. This is what I am gonna do on my jaguar. I want to keep the old school look.

[DPancoast]

sorry but this isn't the 90s anymore. if you have the money to buy a ****ing IPod, buy a ****ing headunit with the IPod hookup that they ALL HAVE nowadays and get the cord, and bam... problem solved, good sound quality... less bullcrap.

not directed towards anyone...

[SovXietday]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

sorry but this isn't the 90s anymore. if you have the money to buy a ****ing IPod, buy a ****ing headunit with the IPod hookup that they ALL HAVE nowadays and get the cord, and bam... problem solved, good sound quality... less bullcrap.

not directed towards anyone...

Truth, but it doesn't work for everyone. Some people like to keep their stock sound systems, in which case this is a useable option. Not a great option, but it does work well enough to not suck too bad. I used to use it mainly for people who added Sirius/XM tuners to their cars that weren't built in.

[DPancoast]

yeah I understand. I just haven't really been in a car ever that had a stock system that impressed me.

then again im kinda spoiled I guess.

[djb5118]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

yeah I understand. I just haven't really been in a car ever that had a stock system that impressed me.

then again im kinda spoiled I guess.

you haven't been in the SC

[bmatyeah]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

yeah I understand. I just haven't really been in a car ever that had a stock system that impressed me.

then again im kinda spoiled I guess.

do you know how much of a pain in the ass they make stock systems now?
They are starting to over take the whole center console. clearly this is the kids other car he just wanted to use an ipod and aux jack was going to work. For 35 bucks it was a fix rather then ripping out the factory head unit and finding parts to fit.
I guess this is what it looks like.
Now, please in this little rant look into it. Its not easy anymore.

To put a head unit in my girlfriends Taurus is beyond a pain in the ass, yet i can pop mine out in no time.



I'm surprised that this kind of response was from you, all through the thread..

[DPancoast]

yeah I see what you are saying. I guess im just in a mood lately lol

[turboman808]

You really can't put aftermarket head units in your car like you could "back in the 90s" LOL

[Maxxdsix]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

i personally think these things suck.

Yea I hate them too.

Rick if your car has a tape deck get one of the ghetto tape deck aux port adapter things, like 15 at radio shack and works great for me, can barley tell the diffrence on my bose system

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted by bmatyeah

To put a head unit in my girlfriends Taurus is beyond a pain in the ass, yet i can pop mine out in no time.

To put a new head unit in a '96 Mercury Sable wagon, I had to disconnect the radio, in the trunk area across from the spare tire. The actual head unit contained nothing at all other than a plastic plate with some electronics inside.

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

sorry but this isn't the 90s anymore. if you have the money to buy a ****ing IPod, buy a ****ing headunit with the IPod hookup that they ALL HAVE nowadays and get the cord, and bam... problem solved, good sound quality... less bullcrap.

not directed towards anyone...

This.