Belkin Tunecast Auto Universal with Clearscan

 (15 customer reviews)

Well, it's tough to review a product when the entire category is, by definition, mediocre. FM Transmitters will never sound good. FM itself is a lower quality than most of the MP3s people will be plugging into this. Next up, in many areas, the spaces between FM stations are tight, and there's interference from adjacent channels and/or distant stations on channel. And finally, transmission power is low, due to their FCC status as unlicensed transmitters. So does this unit have static? Yes. Does the audio sound compressed and lacking in frequency range? Yes. Does volume fluctuate and signal drop out as you drive around? Yes. And do you have to find a new station every 50-100 miles on a road trip? Yes.

But these units serve a purpose. Basically, if you have any better way to pump your audio into your stereo, you should use it. USB port, iPod adapter, Aux input, and arguably even a tape deck adapter would all qualify as better. But if you're in a car that has...Read more

This actually works pretty well. How well it works for you is highly dependent on your car, and your car's FM radio. It's important to have reasonable expectations for this -- if you want to hook up your MP3 player to your car stereo, the best way is through an Aux input jack. Now, if your car stereo doesn't have an Aux input jack, that's where this product comes in handy. (Another way to hook up your MP3 player is using a cassette adaptor, if your car stereo can play cassette tapes. These also work pretty well, if you can deal with a wire hanging out from the slot where you insert tape cassettes.)

This unit is smaller than I expected, and hangs out of your cigarette lighter with a cord that plugs into your MP3 player. The reception quality over your FM radio depends quite a bit on the position of the unit and the wire. I've found it works best to position the unit somewhere that works, like in the ashtray, or wedged between the seats, rather than let it dangle. If you let...Read more

The Belkin FM Transmitter is incredibly easy to use with fantastic digital display. Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's get to the crux of the problem. This FM transmitter, at least with my car, is not powerful enough to produce satisfactory volume.

Now, while I do like my music VERY loud sometimes, I usually listen to my music and public radio podcasts at what I consider to be a normal, if not low, volume. I had my MP3 player turned all the way up and the car stereo turned all the way up and the volume was still so low it was difficult to hear over the car engine.
Completely unacceptable. I have not had this problem with all FM tranmitters, just this one.

Needless to say, it's being returned today.