Kensington FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (White)

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
The All-in-one FM Transmitter & Auto Charger plays and charges iPods using the car's FM radio and DC power source. Convenient push button operation with digital display.

Amazon.com Product Description
This Kensington FM transmitter/auto charger transmits your iPod tunes through your car stereo while simultaneously charging its battery, making it a versatile two-in-one bargain. The unit includes such features as red and green LED indicators that signal the transmitting and charging states, phase-lock-loop technology that easily connects with one of eight FM channel options, and ClearFM technology, which provides crisp highs, deep lows, and up to 50 dB of stereo separation. Adding to the topnotch sound quality is Kensington's patented Aerielle wireless technology, which ensures premium sound with far less background hiss than other FM transmitters. And even though the transmitter/charger is designed for the car, the transmitter portion also works inside the home, with a range of up to 15 feet. Compatible with any iPod with a dock connector--including the iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 3G, iPod 4G (Click Wheel), iPod color, and iPod 5G/5.5G Video--the Kensington FM transmitter/charger is backed by a five-year warranty.

What's in the Box
FM transmitter/charger, user's manual.

Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...

1 out of 5 stars

Did not work; unacceptable hiss and static October 6, 2005
38 out of 43 found this review helpful

Bottom line, unacceptable for me, although it might possibly work in your car. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I drive a Mercedes E class. I also tried this unit in a friend's Nissan Sentra with identical results to those reported here.

This unit is, in essence, a tiny FM radio station that uses the connecting wire for the unit as the FM transmission antenna. In theory, this mini station transmits from inside your car to your car's FM antenna where the signal is picked up and listened to on your car's radio like any other radio station. This unit allows you to transmit on the frequencies 88.1 MHz through 88.7 MHz inclusive and 107.1 MHz through 107.7 MHz inclusive. In my area at least half of these frequencies are "blank" which I define as tuning to the frequency and receiving only white noise and no trace of a signal from any station.

I hooked up the unit, which was easy, and leaving out a lot of experimentation, I got no meaningful reception in the 88.x MHz range. I tried the upper reaches of the band in the 107.x MHz range and got the unit to work as well as it would work at 107.5 MHz.

I distinguish between two problems: the quality of the FM transmission, and the sound quality once the signal is received by the car's radio. For my car, the FM transmission is simply unworkable. There is a constant, obtrusive, background noise which I would describe as white noise; this noise can be lessened by moving the unit around but not eliminated to the point that it is not obtrusive. The general effect was as if listening to a distant FM station where the signal is starting to fade out to the point that background noise is coming through and interfering with the sound. I tried a number of different placements of the unit all over the car. There were moments - but only moments - where the unit worked flawlessly. In a way those few moments only made the overall effect more frustrating since they seemed to indicate that this technology could work but it wasn't working for me.

The sound quality, apart from the background noise, was quite good, at least as good as an FM transmission. Fussy as I am about sound, I found the sound quality - as separate from the noisy transmission - to be perfectly fine and as good as any other in-car sound source. This is one of those really frustrating situations where we all want to buy this product if only it would work.

How do we reconcile the differing reviews of these products - some of which are downright laudatory and some, like mine, highly critical? I think the difference must relate to the individual auto's FM system. In different cars the antenna will be in different locations relative to the placement of the unit; further, the FM signal shielding provided by the car's metal frame will vary according to the car's construction and the relative location of the car's antenna. Also, specifications like noise rejection and signal strength sensitivity will vary depending on the type and quality of the radio provided in various makes of car. So, my suggestion would be: 1) reviewers state the make and year of your car to create an information resource; 2) find a way to try this thing out before you buy it: if it works in your car, and it probably won't, you will be happy.

1 out of 5 stars

My hopes dashed March 10, 2005
19 out of 39 found this review helpful

I had high hopes for the Kensington iPod FM transmitter and I was very excited when it arrived. Alas, my hopes were dashed when I tried it out and checked its reception on each of the eight positions that this product allows. On each there is constant interference, poor sound and often, complete loss of the signal. It was unusable. I should mention that I live in a large city and there is probably a lot of congestion on the FM radio, but there wasn't any position that delivered even mediocre quality. Guess, I'll have to continue breaking the law and listen to my iPod through headphones while driving.....

3 out of 5 stars

Very Staticky October 26, 2005
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I live in the LA Area and there is not a single frequency on the device that is not in use. When in use, static is very common.

4 out of 5 stars

Good but their Digital FM Trans is Better June 28, 2005
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Like a few of the reviewers here, I also had some difficulty getting a clear signal when in large cities. But 95% of the time I had a good sound/broadcast.

I recently upgraded to Kensington's Digital FM Transmitter, and now I can pick any FM frequency, which is essential when in congested areas. If you live in a large city, I'd recommend the Digital FM transmitter over this one.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Reception December 20, 2004
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I have used several FM transmitters with my iPod mini, and this was the first that consistently delivered FM quality sound over the stereos in both of my cars. I was a bit worried about the limitation of 8 FM stations, but at least where I live (Denver, CO) I am always able to find a clear channel, and rarely have to switch off of 88.3. If you want crystal clear transmissions, this is the one for you.

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