Coby CA-745 Wireless FM Car Transmitter with Digital Display and DC Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter
by Coby
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List Price: Our Price: $13.65 You Save: $4.34 (24%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Car Audio or Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Coby CA-745 Wireless FM Car Transmitter with Digital Display and DC Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Customer Review: Blows Fuses
Summary: 1 Stars
Based on reviews, I purchased this FM transmitter to be used with my Garmin 760 GPS (note- the GPS has a built-in FM transmitter, but it's way too weak) since I had loaded my music collection on an SD card that I have in the Garmin.
It worked great for the first few weeks. Only real issue was that I have the GPS mounted on the left side of my windshield (so it doesn't obstruct my view) and the Coby comes with a coiled cable so it needed to be streatched out a little.
Recently, it stopped working and I discovered that it had blown the little fuse inside (easy to replace). I took it to Radio Shack and bought a 4-pack of replacement fuses ($2). Then, over the next 2 weeks, it blew 2 more fuses. At first I thought it was because I had the stereo plug touching something metal but the 2nd time it was just laying on the passenger seat. (I share the GPS with my wife so it's not always in my car).
I now have two options. If I return it to Coby, I have to pay shipping both ways. Amazon has a great exchange policy. However, problem is that they are out of stock and is only for sale by one of their vendors for $58!!!!! So, I guess I'll just get a refund from Amazon and look for another FM transmitter.
One final note- Be careful if your car is the type where the cigarette lighter is always powered (for example, my wife's Pontiac) because there is no on-off switch. In this case, DON'T LEAVE IT PLUGGED IN!
Customer Review: Works Great So Far!
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this transmitter after researching several online reviews and also buying and having to return a couple of much more expensive makes which were supposed to work "perfectly" with my Zune. At under $20 I must admit I was sceptical and expecting to be returning it too. Surprise surprise it actually works and works well!
I have a stock Ford stereo with no mp3 input and have been reluctant to spend a couple hundred dollars minimum to change out the entire stereo system as it still works really well. The Coby transmitter was my last resort before I finally gave up.
I used the unit this morning on the way to work for the first time....plugged it in and didnt even have to change the channel from the default. It worked all the way to work without losing the signal once unlike my previous returned Griffin unit which never picked up anything except hissing and static! Sound quality is great and so far only encountered a very faint hiss when I drove through a known problem area which lasted a couple of seconds only. The real test will be when Im driving in a very built up area but so far so good.
One thing I have noticed if that you do have to turn your mp3 volume up quite high but after also using a cassette mp3 adapter in my other car and having to do the same thing that doesnt bother me at all. For under $20 this is definitely one of the best units out there for us non-Ipod users!
Customer Review: Excellent sound quality, worrisome design
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm really impressed with the sound quality of this product. It delivers a strong signal, and can even over-power some of the FM stations on the dial, allowing me to select a frequency that is next to an actual broadcast station. There is very little signal drift, and the sound quality is the same as "FM" radio quality. In other words, don't expect "CD-quality" or "mp3-quality" through your FM radio.
Being able to pick any frequency across the FM dial is great, instead of being limited to a few frequencies at the lower-end of the dial.
Technically, the device is perfect. However, the design worries me. The device is "hinged", and it will be interesting to see how long the hinge lasts and whether the components within the hinge survive constant use. The piggy-back socket is an added convenience, though, so you can still plug in another device, if needed. The controls are easy to operate, but I would have preferred an on/off switch instead of having to unplug the unit. The display is back-lit, which can be useful in the dark, although I don't recommend trying to change the frequency while driving.
It's a good product at a great price. It feels sturdy, but I'm curious whether it will withstand constant daily use. Regardless, I'd recommend this over higher-priced transmitters, especially if you're careful with your electronics and accessories.
Customer Review: This one actually works. You should get it.
Summary: 4 Stars
I was very disappointed and annoyed with an FM transmitter made by Belkin that I previously bought, which was relatively expensive and extremely poor at providing a static-free signal. It also had a tendency to turn itself off frequently. I was skeptical about anything made by Coby, a brand that I usually associate with low-end electronics, but I went ahead and bought this unit based on positive reviews that I read. Surprisingly enough, it is attractive and high-quality in appearance, though the glow of the blue display is a little too bright. Functionally, it does an very good job of taking over the FM frequency that it is tuned to, even when there is an actual radio station broadcasting on that frequency. Also very nice is how you can change the frequency in tiny increments in either direction. The Belkin unit had only a limited number of frequencies that it transmitted on. In addition, a rubber cover at the top opens, allowing you to plug in an additional cigarette-type device, so that this unit causes no net loss of cigarette-type outlets. At under $20 (making in order with Amazon that qualified for free shipping), this item is quite a good buy. Highly recommended. I took off a star for the overly bright display. Also, you sometimes have to switch frequencies to get a completely static-free signal. Nothing's perfect, I guess.Customer Review: Works excellent in big trucks; I'm sure cars as well....
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best fm transmitter I've ever used. The price 18 on amazon.com was perfect. I've paid upwards of $40 for crap and they only had 4 or 8 channel changeability. This one has the entire radio FM spectrum to choose from. It even rounds it up to the nearest .1 FM station 88.1, 88.2, 88.3, 88.4, etc. So those in other countries who can use even number fm stations are equally okay. And the signal was so strong, you RARELY had to change radio stations. Very good for a truck traveling interstate.
Have tried several other FM Transmitters and this one was one of the most intuitive, quickest to setup, and strong/clear transmission signals.
It broke because I put too large of an inverter in the 12v socket. The directions didn't come with a maximum rating. So perhaps something smaller like a cell phone car charger would have worked just fine.
But I'm returning it to AMAZON.com for an exchange. I was going to order another one so that I had 2, but that's the way it goes.
Cons: You cannot shut it off with a switch. But it is quiet anyway, but just mute out your stereo or unplug. A fuse could have been built into it so that you could get a new fuse instead of having to return the product.
I challenge u to find a better deal for the price.