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by
Ted Landau
June 14th, 2005
Taking it to the streets:
How best to play your iPod in your car
An iPod and a car are a gloriously perfect match. By connecting your iPod to your car's stereo system, your music listening is freed from the unpleasant constraints of radio stations (no more commercials, no more songs you dislike, no more losing a station as you progress on a trip). By loading up your iPod with audiobooks and podcasts, your iPod can even serve as a great alternative to "talk radio."
There is just one problem: How exactly to get your iPod to play through the speakers in your car. The best solutions are the most expensive (what else did you expect?) and the most affordable solutions often have significant drawbacks.
RoadTrip vs. iTrip. My personal quest for the ideal solution has led me to one that is almost perfect: the new RoadTrip+ from Newer Technology (distributed by OWC).
The device is essentially a cable. It connects to your car's cigarette lighter plug on one end and your iPod's Dock connector on the other end. That's it. There is no additional software to install. No settings to set. Nothing. Just turn on your radio, tune it to 87.9 and you are good to go.
Yes, the RoadTrip+ is a "wireless FM stereo transmitter." I know. Chances are you have a pretty low opinion of these devices. I certainly did. My previous experience with Griffin Technology's iTrip was pretty discouraging. It was awkward to use -- requiring frequent searching for a radio station that "worked" plus having to fiddle with settings on the iPod itself. Even worse, at least where I lived, the sound quality was abysmal even under the best conditions. The best quality I could get sounded like those AM stations that you barely manage to pick up while driving late at night.
In contrast, the sound quality of the RoadTrip+ is very, very good. I can't say it is excellent. I could still hear some background hiss and "warble" that should not have been there. And the bass dropped off a bit more than I would have liked. Some of this was due to the radio itself; that is, I could hear the noise regardless of whether or not the RoadTrip+ was connected. But these were relatively minor issues anyway. Under normal driving conditions, when you are dealing with typical road noise, you won't even notice them.
As a bonus, the RoadTrip+ also serves as an iPod charger. This means you'll never again have to worry about your iPod's batteries dying while you are driving along.
In contrast, devices like the iTrip attach directly to the iPod and have no cables at all. While some may prefer the iTrip approach, I would rather put up with the cable in order to have the charger. Plus, with the RoadTrip+, there is less chance that you will need to remove your iPod from its case (assuming you have a case) in order to make a connection.
A final asset of the RoadTrip+ is its price. It lists for only $27.99. There is an even cheaper model (RoadTrip, without the +) that does not include the charger, but I wouldn't bother with it. As long as you are going to need a cable connection anyway, you might as well have the benefit of the charger. Plus, the RoadTrip connects through the iPod's headphone jack, while the RoadTrip+ connects through the Dock connector's audio line out. I confess I am not certain how much this makes a difference in sound quality in what is ultimately a wireless connection, but one thing is certain: By using the Dock connector, the RoadTrip+ bypasses the volume setting of the iPod, using just the volume setting of the radio itself. This mean that, unlike with headphone jack connected devices, you don't have to worry about coordinating two volume settings to get the sound that you want.
The cassette alternative. Previously, I had been using a Sony cassette adapter for attaching my iPod to my car's stereo. This had been working well overall (and the sound quality was a bit better than with the RoadTrip+). But it had some significant drawbacks. The biggest one is that it only works in cars that have a cassette player. Most newer cars come with only a CD player, making a cassette adapter worthless. Even if you have a cassette player, another negative is that, after inserting the adapter into the cassette slot, you inevitably hear the player's mechanism whirring away as it attempts to "play" what it thinks is a cassette. Not a big deal, but I found it annoying. Plus cassette adapters have the aforementioned disadvantage of connecting through the iPod's headphone jack.
If you still want to use a cassette adapter anyway, I strongly suggest you get Griffin Technology's SmartDeck. Beyond filling the basic requirement of playing what's on your iPod, it uses your cassette player's Play, Stop, Pause, Fast Forward, and Rewind buttons to control the actions of the iPod. This is a very big plus. Trying to do these things while driving can be awkward at best and life-threateningly dangerous at worst. You still can't use these controls to select a playlist or a specific song, but it's much better than having no controls at all. The RoadTrip+, of course, falls into the "no controls at all" category.
Other alternatives. Yes, there are superior alternatives to both RoadTrip+ and SmartDeck. You can get even better sound quality by connecting your iPod to your car stereo's line-in (or other high quality audio) port. But this only works if your car stereo has such a port (and ideally on its front face panel). Providing this capability to a system that does not have one already (which is the case with my 1994 car!) can be expensive; it may even require that you buy an entirely new stereo.
For the ultimate in both sound quality and convenience features, you can't beat the iPod option for a BMW. Of course, unless you already own a BMW, you'll have to buy a new luxury car to obtain this option, moving the cost factor here to well beyond the ozone layer. Similar options will eventually be available for less expensive cars, but it's all very limited for now.
Even if you decide to spring for one of these "built-in" options, they all share one notable downside: they are not portable. When you rent a car for a vacation, for example, your BMW will not be of much help. The RoadTrip+, in contrast, works in almost every car. Of course, if you already have the BMW, it's not much of a financial stretch to get a RoadTrip+ as well!
Finally, there are some wireless/charger products that are similar to the RoadTrip+, such as one from Kensington. I have not tried them, so I can't give you rank-order ratings of these alternatives (although I can say that the Kensington unit costs almost three times as much as a RoadTrip+). But I am not really motivated to do more exploring. Others may be as good, but there does not seem much out there that can beat the RoadTrip+ for its combination of economical price, portability, charger, convenience of connection, and very good sound quality.
What you may lose by using an iPod in a car. Before I got my iPod, the car radio was my major source of getting exposed to new music. I first became aware of many of the artists whose music now populates my iTunes Library by hearing their songs on the radio. Yes, there are cable TV stations such as VH1 and MTV that serve somewhat the same role, but I don't listen to these much. They are not a substitute for driving music. So I worry that a shift to the iPod will result in me getting "stuck in time," -- where I limit myself to music I already know. The iTunes Music Store helps avoid this trap, as it lets me sample new music before I buy it. But I can't listen to the Music Store in my car. Something for me to think more about the next time I go cruising with my iPod and RoadTrip+.
[Note: Most of the products mentioned here require 3rd or 4th generation iPods. If you have an older iPod, make sure it is compatible before you buy any of these products.]
Ted Landau is the founder of MacFixit, and the author of Mac OS X Help Line, Tiger Edition and other Mac help books.
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Observer Comments
I have the Monster iCarPlay combination charger/FM transmitter. It works okay, not as good as a built-in or direct connect set-up, but good enough. Trying to find an unused FM frequency in the city is difficult, but I have 3 that are useable.
It would be nice to have an auto stereo with a line-in jack, but I would think that the industry will have more (and cheaper) offerings soon.
Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:26 pm Subject: similar experiences...
My experiences mirror Mr. Landau's. I've used the tape adaptor, and been generally happy with it. However, my new vehicle doesn't have a tape player, and there aren't any good in-dash options for this vehicle; the stereo is integrated with a comprehensive vehicle electronics system, and there is no head unit in the dash, nor is there space for one. I was not impressed with the iTrip, for the same reasons as noted in the article: lots of hiss, static, and hunting for the best station.
The RoadTrip does impress me. I have the basic RoadTrip, as I have an early iPod without the dock connector. It works very well. The slight hiss is, to my ears, about the same as the tape mechanism in my van -- maybe even a bit less. The points made here regarding the controls are accurate; it's easier to control everything through the car stereo, and probably safer as well. Unfortunately, that's not an option for me. My favorite songs are burned to CDs, but it is nice to have the iPod option.
The "BMW Solution" is offered by Dension, in its Ice>Link Plus. It is even available in a fiber-optic tie-in version for cars such as Mercedes; see my own installation at http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=330
Not only is the sound superb, if you have a compatible radio (and many are compatible) you get ID tag info (song title, artist, album info) on the radio display. In my Mercedes I get readout (somewhat limited) on the navigation screen and instrument cluster, and my steering wheel controls function with the iPod. All the muting functions work with the cell phone and navigation instructions.
Check it out - the Dension setup is a good one; Monster makes a competing unit, the iCruze. Both would be superior to any FM setup, and the integration of functions makes them superior to a direct cable connection to an aux jack.
Sorry - should have included a title - text below
QuoteGuest wrote:
The "BMW Solution" is offered by Dension, in its Ice>Link Plus. It is even available in a fiber-optic tie-in version for cars such as Mercedes; see my own installation at http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=330
Not only is the sound superb, if you have a compatible radio (and many are compatible) you get ID tag info (song title, artist, album info) on the radio display. In my Mercedes I get readout (somewhat limited) on the navigation screen and instrument cluster, and my steering wheel controls function with the iPod. All the muting functions work with the cell phone and navigation instructions.
Check it out - the Dension setup is a good one; Monster makes a competing unit, the iCruze. Both would be superior to any FM setup, and the integration of functions makes them superior to a direct cable connection to an aux jack.
Tue Jun 14, 2005 11:00 pm Subject: Check Out AirPlay
I've been very happy with the AirPlay FM transmitter from XtremeMac. The big plus is that it has a backlit display that shows the frequency, and you use up and down buttons to tune it; no playing of a special song required. But, as pointed out, you need to be in an area where you can find a dead station...
Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:14 am Subject: Dension Ice>Link
I stumped up for one of these after getting fed up with wrestling with an iTrip for a few months.
Not a cheap piece of kit, but it does what it says on the tin - which suits me. Unfortunately my head unit doesn't support tags (although Dension are apparently working on it), but I can live with that.
iTrip has been given away...
(edit: Although the new firmware update does. Damn. Need to check for updates more regularly 
)
Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:48 am Subject: Another option
I've tried five FM transmitter: iTrip, XtremeMac AirPlay,
http://www.xtrememac.com/adapters/airplay.shtml
Sonnett PodFreq,
http://www.podfreq.com/
Belkin TuneCast II,
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201526&pcount=&Product_Id=166893
and iRock. The AirPlay is easiest to use, but I found the sound level to be maybe 10db lower (half as loud) as the iTrip and it had much more distortion. The iTrip is inconvenient to change frequencies (that is putting it mildly--it's a royal PITA to change frequencies), but it and the AirPlay are the most convenient to connect. The iTrip is the coolest looking, but the AirPlay will work on both iPods and iPod minis. (There is a separate iTrip for the mini.)
The TuneCast II uses a cable. You can get a special cable that will power both the TuneCast II and the iPod from the lighter socket, or the TuneCast II can use a battery. The iRock also uses a cable and, IMHO, is a piece of junk. You might be able to find one really cheap, however.
The PodFreq is a bit different.
http://www.podfreq.com/
Unlike the others I've used, it uses the line out connection via the dock connector. That gives better sound quality and the iPod's volume control isn't involved. The PodFreq also provides a sort of "case" for the iPod. However, it is much more expensive and I keep my iPod in a Vaja iVolution case. I also think that the PodFreq is a bit ugly.
The Belkin TuneCast II and the iRock can be used with other devices--cassette player, CD player, even the audio output of some GPS devices. I use the TuneCast II to listen to audiobooks on tape, as my car doesn't have a cassette deck.
All that I've used, except the iRock, can tune to any frequency in the FM band. Some are restricted to four (or fewer) frequencies. Many use 87.9, which is technically below the broadcast FM band. However, if there is a local station at 88.1 (lots of public stations and college stations are in the lowest part of the band), it can cause interference with most of these.
For any of these, you'll also need a charging cable. There are several options. Some plug into the lighter and have an iPod dock connector on the other end, but I prefer devices that have a FireWire or USB connector, so I can use a retractable iPod cable--a much neater system.
I have one device that plugs into the lighter and has both USB and FireWire connections. I can use it to simultaneously power an iPod (FireWire) and charge my Palm Tungsten C.
There is a third option: an adaptor to connect your iPod to your car's stereo system. I know of two: the iPod2Car
http://peripheralelectronics.com/2002/ipod2car.asp
and Monster's iCruze:
http://www.monstercable.com/iCruze/default.asp
I have the iPod2Car in my 2004 Toyota Prius. I didn't have a choice, as the iCruze still isn't available for the Prius. (The websites have lists of the models of original equipment stereos that will work.) It works pretty well, taking the place of a CD changer. (The built-in CD player still works.) The controls on the stereo and the steering wheel can change the song and volume. It is supposed to be able to change the playlist by selecting a "disc," but that doesn't seem to work correctly.
This system has several major advantage over any of the others:
- Sound quality is much better, as it comes from the line out connection (the dock connector) and doesn't go through the FM radio but directly into the amplifier.
- Much more convenient controls.
- The iPod turns on & off with the stereo power button, the mode control (AM, FM, CD), and the car's power switch. With all the other systems, I would have to remember to turn off the iPod or it would keep playing and run down the batteries. (Also, I listen to audiobooks a lot, so I would lose my place.)
- The cable is powered all the time. If you use the lighter outlet, it may be turned off when the ignition is off. Older cars may keep it live, but modern cars turn it off so that stuff plugged into the socket--they usually call it an "electrical accessory socket," as they don't include the lighter part--won't run down the car's battery.
Disadvantages:
- COST!! These babies run about $300 installed.
- There's a white cable somewhere. Now, you can put the iPod in the glove compartment or console and have the cable routed there. I have it out in the open, however, as I bring it in every evening.
- The on/off function doesn't always work correctly with my 3G iPod, so I have to manually check that it turned off. (Easy to do--look for the charging symbol on the screen.) I don't know if this is a problem with my iPod--it may need to have the OS reinstalled--or with the iPod2Car system. If it does this, I can turn it on and off manually, which rather defeats part of the purpose of having the iPod2Car, or reboot the iPod, which loses my place if I've been listening to an audiobook.
- It's not portable.
Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:40 pm Subject: Beware!!! The RoadTrip Plus Fried my iPod Mini :-(
I have found that the best soundquality comes from the direct connect adapters that go in place of your cd changer (if you have one). The product I choose to use is the iPod2car by peripheralelectronics (www.peripheralelectronics.com). It gives me cd quality sound, while charging my iPod, and it lets me control it from mt factory radio and steering wheel controls! It was pretty affordable as well, I bought mine for $190 and installed it myself in about an hour. I highly recommend the iPod2car if you are truely serious about the quality of your music and the convenience of your iPod.
Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:01 am Subject: Re: Beware!!! The RoadTrip Plus Fried my iPod Mini :-(
Thu Jul 07, 2005 2:29 am Subject: Re: Beware!!! The RoadTrip Plus Fried my iPod Mini :-(
hi, i live in los angeles, and am looking for ways to play my ipod on my stereo (doesn't have a cable jack) . . . i've been told that there are no empty fm frequencies in the city, and these sorts of devices don't work. is that true? has anyone tried one in l.a. with good result?
another question: when you play an ipod over a car stereo either through a cable attached to the stereo or an fm transmitter, does it have the same volume (ie - are you able to turn the sound up as loud as you would if you were just playing the stereo)?
thanks for any info
Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:03 pm Subject: do these work in l.a.? (i've heard no empty fm frequencies)
hi, i live in los angeles, and am looking for ways to play my ipod on my stereo (doesn't have a cable jack) . . . i've been told that there are no empty fm frequencies in the city, and these sorts of devices don't work. is that true? has anyone tried one in l.a. with good result?
another question: when you play an ipod over a car stereo either through a cable attached to the stereo or an fm transmitter, does it have the same volume (ie - are you able to turn the sound up as loud as you would if you were just playing the stereo)?
thanks for any information
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