Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter for MP3 Players (White)
by Belkin
Our Price: $84.99
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
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Category: Network Media Player
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: BelkinBrand: Belkin
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Platform: Mac
Model: F8V3080-APL
Color: White/Gray
Publisher: Belkin
Studio: Belkin
Music Label: Belkin
Product features:
- Product Type - FM Transmitter
- - Memorize up to 4 FM frequencies
- - Powers on and off automatically
- - Features low-battery LED indicator
- - Includes DC cable for optional battery-free operation - Only works with the Belkin Mobile Power Cord for 3G iPod
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter for MP3 Players (White)
Customer Review: Good Transmitter - Limitations Obvious
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased one of these after over a year of stalling due to all of the poor reviews here and elsewhere. I was concerned about 2 primary issues: sound quality and reception. I finally bought one with a gift certificate since I wasn't willing to risk hard earned cash on it.
I drove with this model in my Mercury Mountaineer driver-side cupholder for nearly 400 miles. I ran the player for about 8 hours straight through 3 very large metropolitan areas and also through the country. I used the batteries (wish they had included a power adapter in this model).
On first setup, I turned on the device by holding both tune buttons down. I located a station range in the lower FM 90's where I could not find a clear radio station for 0.4 or so on the FM dial. I then tuned my TuneCast right in the middle of those. I turned up the sound on my car and pressed play on my iPod. I was instantly greeted with poor signal and tons of static as reported by many on the internet. I was pretty mad, then I realized my iPod volume was turned down a bit. I turned this up to about 95% and instantly the sound came pumping through my car's system clear as a bell.
On my trip I had to change the station 3 times as I moved in and out of massive metropolitan areas. This became evident as the signal would slowly gain static. All I did was first locate the closest station with no or little radio broadcast signal (tons of static), then I dialed the TuneCast to that station. It worked perfectly each time and only took seconds, so this did not bother me at all. When I came back the same way a few days later, I didn't have to change the station once.
With regard to battery life, I found that my TuneCast ran on the 2 AAA batteries for about 8 hours. When the batteries died, they died instantly and my signal was lost within seconds. I simply replaced, and was jamming again in a minute.
Possible problems people could have with this are (1) poor placement relative to your car's antenna (good in Mercury Mountaineers), (2) small signal strength of audio player - iPod (20GB, 4th gen) at 95% is pretty loud in earphones and it's possible not all players can go loud enough to eliminate much of the static in the FM broadcast, (3) trying to tune to a station that already has a radio broadcast in the area or has an FM band close to the one you're using - find one to use with some room on each side for little static, (4) songs that use intense ends of the frequency spectrum like extremely low basses or high-pitched whooshes from cymbals, etc - I found that songs with a lot of bass and crashes had some static in those spectrums (a limitation of FM in general, but not really an annoyance to me; your radio station overcomes this with special compression).
Overall, I gave this device a 4 because of the power situation. I would have liked it to come with an adapter. Things I really like are the small size, 0.1 FM resolution on the entire range, batteries optional, auto-on/off feature (works great!). This device may not work for everyone, but you need to understand the limitations of this technology before you go calling it a piece of junk. Small devices like this have Federally mandated operating powers so that they don't override your local FM stations for everyone else, otherwise I'm sure they would have a strong enough signal for anyone's car configuration (and heck, entire neighborhood for that matter).
Description of Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter for MP3 Players (White)
Now you can use your iPod, PDA,MP3, CD, cassette player, PC, or laptop to listen to your favorite tunes through any FM stereo receiver. The Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter wirelessly connects portable music players to your car or home stereo quickly and easily using FM radio waves. Just plug the TuneCast II into the headphone jack of your iPod, PDA,MP3, CD, or cassette player or connect it to your PC or laptop computer. Tune your car stereo or receiver to any clear FM frequency, and enjoy your iPod music experience with more sound and fewer wires.We add a great convenience feature with our unique Auto ON/OFF function. It frees you from having to manually toggle your TuneCast IIs ON/OFF switch by simply powering on when an audio signal is detected. If no signal is detected for a period of 60 seconds, your TuneCast II switches off. This innovation preserves battery life while making your outstanding mobile audio experience simpler to enjoy.With this handy device you can listen to your favorite tunes through any FM stereo receiver with your iPod, PDA, PC, or laptop, even an MP3, CD, or cassette player from up to 30 feet away. The Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter makes it easy to wirelessly connect portable music players to your car or home stereo FM radio. Simply plug the TuneCast II into the headphone jack of your player or connect it to your PC or laptop computer, then tune your car stereo or receiver to any clear FM frequency.
There's also an auto on/off function that lets the device simply power on whenever an audio signal is detected. If there is no signal, the TuneCast II switches off after 60 seconds, helping to preserve battery life. There's also four programmable memory slots that let you save the clearest station wherever you go. The device comes with a DC cable for optional battery-free operation, but it only works with the Belkin Mobile Power Cord for 3G iPod. Batteries are included.
iPod Compatibility
iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 4G (Clickwheel), iPod Color, iPod 5G/5.5G Video, iPod Shuffle 1G, iPod Shuffle 2G
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