Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2

harrysprout · 18-07-2008, 12:07

I have an 06 VRS, with the old stream head unit. Does anyone know what these fm transmitters perform like in the Octavia? Most seem to be pretty hit and miss reading reviews. I was thinking of getting the Griffin roadtrip, which has a built in charger and cradle on the end of a flexible connection to the Cigarette lighter socket. Any recommendations, seeing as my head unit does not have an input jack.

Gizmo68 · 18-07-2008, 12:34

I use a Kensington Digital FM Transmitter in my Superb, (bought on Amazon for £24.45 inc p&p, brand new came directly from Kensington)

I did loads of research beforehand and it came out as one of the best on the market. I know of 3 people using them now (after hearing mine) in various makes of car, all working faultlessly.

HTH

eccleshill · 18-07-2008, 13:47

I have tried a Belkin unit. Total load of cr4p!!

Don't know if it is just this unit but biggest problem is the absolute impossibility of finding an FM frequency that is free. You think you've found one, tune in, reasonable sound quality then drive 100 yards and you are listening to some obscure local radio station over the top of your mp3.

On long trips you will find yourself having to retune so often that you decide silence is best!

My advice - save your money and put it towards a new ICE if having MP3 is important to you.

mr200sx · 18-07-2008, 13:54

Try the new Alpine eX-10. It has a built in FM modulator with the ability to vary the FM transmission frequency infinitely so you'll be able to find a band that doesn't suffer from interference. It also has a colour TFT screen and IR remote to choose the songs, built-in Bluetooth for hands free mobile calls, and an auxiliary output so that if you upgrade the source it can plug into an auxiliary input.

Gizmo68 · 18-07-2008, 13:58

The Kensington is totally the opposite, i traveled into the center of London (which has hundreds of pirate & local radio stations) without any interference (apart from the top of the big hill on the M20 near Brands Hatch, this is a poor radio reception area in every vehicle i have been in). It was only when i arrived and unplugged the transmitter that i realized i was on the same frequency of a pretty strong signal from a local radio station!

micndiesel · 18-07-2008, 14:16

I orderd the Griffin RoadTrip with SmartScan, i pick it up tomorrow .Ill let you know how it goes after a few trips

madfiddler · 18-07-2008, 15:58

personally I wouldn't bother

at first I liked mine (belkin rebranded as something else)

However just got frustrated having it rattling around in the car and having yet another thing I need to recharge

more importantly the sound quality at the end of the day will be like FM radio, if you are happy with that then fine....but you'll get much better through direct aux connection, or ipod connector or even mp3 on CDs

I foudn I go increasingly annoyed with quiet sections of music were you could hear interference and at best a quiet hiss......a bit like you notice if you ever put Classic FM on!

I aslo tried a tape adapter (with symphony HU), but have simlar comments about the sound quality....and then mine started to squeak also!

in short, rubbish...invest in a proper connection to your HU or a new HU

Harry_vRS · 18-07-2008, 17:50

They're sh!te to be honest!!

A16NS V · 18-07-2008, 20:40

I've tried a few different types and they all have been disapointing. When you eventually get an aux input it's like going from tape to CD all over again.

If you haven't got an aux in but have a CD changer you could splice into that audio feed with a suitable switch to swap between the 2. That's how I've fitted my DVD player in

y Me · 18-07-2008, 21:08

I use the Veho FM transmitter set to 107.5 works in and around London with no interference at all.

I have also tried the Griffin iPod Pocket, also at 107.5. It's designed to look like a slightly longer extension to the 2nd generation iPod Nano. This too works with no interference but at a lower volume; whether this is due to it using the Apple connector and not the earphone connection to get its signal I don't know. It uses the iPod battery but I have not noticed any significant increase in battery drain

smstext · 19-07-2008, 00:00

do you have a stream mp3 radio?

martzweb · 19-07-2008, 01:56

i tried my griffin i-trip (it's the one that just plugs onto the bottom of the ipod classic and is powered from the device) - frankly pants to be honest. quality was poor and trying to get a frequency that wasn't already occupied drove me nuts - now i just have a folder full of mp3 cd's and use the stream - nowhere near as nice to use, but at least the quality is there.

smstext · 19-07-2008, 10:46

reason i ask if you have a stream mp3 is http://briskoda.net/forums/ice-secur...today+made+mp3 just thought it be cheaper than buying batteries for it, better sound quality and no annoying stations trying to battle over the top of it. also cheaper to do than buying the mp3 transmitter in the first place.

18-07-2008, 12:07	#1
harrysprout Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 I have an 06 VRS, with the old stream head unit. Does anyone know what these fm transmitters perform like in the Octavia? Most seem to be pretty hit and miss reading reviews. I was thinking of getting the Griffin roadtrip, which has a built in charger and cradle on the end of a flexible connection to the Cigarette lighter socket. Any recommendations, seeing as my head unit does not have an input jack.

18-07-2008, 12:34	#2
Gizmo68 Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hawkinge Kent Posts: 1,116 Thanks: 12 Thanked 57 Times in 56 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 I use a Kensington Digital FM Transmitter in my Superb, (bought on Amazon for £24.45 inc p&p, brand new came directly from Kensington) I did loads of research beforehand and it came out as one of the best on the market. I know of 3 people using them now (after hearing mine) in various makes of car, all working faultlessly. HTH

18-07-2008, 13:47	#3
eccleshill Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 106 Thanks: 6 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 I have tried a Belkin unit. Total load of cr4p!! Don't know if it is just this unit but biggest problem is the absolute impossibility of finding an FM frequency that is free. You think you've found one, tune in, reasonable sound quality then drive 100 yards and you are listening to some obscure local radio station over the top of your mp3. On long trips you will find yourself having to retune so often that you decide silence is best! My advice - save your money and put it towards a new ICE if having MP3 is important to you. Last edited by eccleshill; 18-07-2008 at 13:47. Reason: typo

18-07-2008, 13:54	#4
mr200sx Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 Try the new Alpine eX-10. It has a built in FM modulator with the ability to vary the FM transmission frequency infinitely so you'll be able to find a band that doesn't suffer from interference. It also has a colour TFT screen and IR remote to choose the songs, built-in Bluetooth for hands free mobile calls, and an auxiliary output so that if you upgrade the source it can plug into an auxiliary input.

18-07-2008, 13:58	#5
Gizmo68 Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hawkinge Kent Posts: 1,116 Thanks: 12 Thanked 57 Times in 56 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 The Kensington is totally the opposite, i traveled into the center of London (which has hundreds of pirate & local radio stations) without any interference (apart from the top of the big hill on the M20 near Brands Hatch, this is a poor radio reception area in every vehicle i have been in). It was only when i arrived and unplugged the transmitter that i realized i was on the same frequency of a pretty strong signal from a local radio station!

18-07-2008, 14:16	#6
micndiesel Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: nottingham Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 I orderd the Griffin RoadTrip with SmartScan, i pick it up tomorrow .Ill let you know how it goes after a few trips __________________ 360 gamertag:micndiesel psn gamertag :micndiesel

18-07-2008, 15:58	#7
madfiddler Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Midlands, UK Posts: 234 Thanks: 24 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 personally I wouldn't bother at first I liked mine (belkin rebranded as something else) However just got frustrated having it rattling around in the car and having yet another thing I need to recharge more importantly the sound quality at the end of the day will be like FM radio, if you are happy with that then fine....but you'll get much better through direct aux connection, or ipod connector or even mp3 on CDs I foudn I go increasingly annoyed with quiet sections of music were you could hear interference and at best a quiet hiss......a bit like you notice if you ever put Classic FM on! I aslo tried a tape adapter (with symphony HU), but have simlar comments about the sound quality....and then mine started to squeak also! in short, rubbish...invest in a proper connection to your HU or a new HU __________________ 2008 Octavia 2.0L TDI Laurent & Klement Storm Blue, Alcantara interior, Columbus Navigation, OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone

18-07-2008, 17:50	#8
Harry_vRS Briskodian Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Posts: 2,015 Thanks: 15 Thanked 40 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 They're sh!te to be honest!! __________________ \| Silver Octavia v/RS Mk2 \| 18" Alloys \| Dual Zone Climatronic \| Xenons \| \| 273bhp 335lbft \| Possibly For Sale In The Near Future, Sold As Is - £12500 ONO

18-07-2008, 20:40	#9
A16NS V Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rugby Posts: 103 Thanks: 11 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 I've tried a few different types and they all have been disapointing. When you eventually get an aux input it's like going from tape to CD all over again. If you haven't got an aux in but have a CD changer you could splice into that audio feed with a suitable switch to swap between the 2. That's how I've fitted my DVD player in

18-07-2008, 21:08	#10
y Me Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Uxbridge Posts: 34 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 I use the Veho FM transmitter set to 107.5 works in and around London with no interference at all. I have also tried the Griffin iPod Pocket, also at 107.5. It's designed to look like a slightly longer extension to the 2nd generation iPod Nano. This too works with no interference but at a lower volume; whether this is due to it using the Apple connector and not the earphone connection to get its signal I don't know. It uses the iPod battery but I have not noticed any significant increase in battery drain

19-07-2008, 00:00	#11
smstext 2.0 FSI Sport. Join Date: May 2007 Location: oxon Posts: 6,955 Thanks: 7 Thanked 188 Times in 171 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 do you have a stream mp3 radio? __________________

19-07-2008, 01:56	#12
martzweb Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 65 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 i tried my griffin i-trip (it's the one that just plugs onto the bottom of the ipod classic and is powered from the device) - frankly pants to be honest. quality was poor and trying to get a frequency that wasn't already occupied drove me nuts - now i just have a folder full of mp3 cd's and use the stream - nowhere near as nice to use, but at least the quality is there.

19-07-2008, 10:46	#13
smstext 2.0 FSI Sport. Join Date: May 2007 Location: oxon Posts: 6,955 Thanks: 7 Thanked 188 Times in 171 Posts	Re: Ipod fm transmitters in Octy MK2 reason i ask if you have a stream mp3 is http://briskoda.net/forums/ice-secur...today+made+mp3 just thought it be cheaper than buying batteries for it, better sound quality and no annoying stations trying to battle over the top of it. also cheaper to do than buying the mp3 transmitter in the first place. __________________

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