Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black)Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black)
Enlarge View
- Plays your iPod wirelessly through your automobile's FM stereo, on any FM station, while simultaneously charging your iPod
- RDS function will digitize song information, such as song title and artist name
- Features Aerielle wireless technology for superior audio and noise filtration, and ClearFM circuitry for richer lows
- Compatible with iPod Nano (Gen 1,2); iPod (Gen 1,2,4)
- Includes on/off switch to prevent battery drain, a unique design to fit most hard-to-reach car power outlets
This unit includes such features as Aerielle wireless technology for superior audio and noise filtration; ClearFM circuitry for richer lows, crisper highs, and better stereo separation; the utilization of your high-resolution iPod LCD screen for easy viewing of station information; and RDS FM technology. Radio Data Systems (RDS) is a sub-frequency of FM radio that gets sent along with a normal music signal, and allows text to be displayed on RDS-enabled radios. The Kensington patent-pending RDS FM Transmitter will digitize song information, such as song title and artist name, and send it via RDS to a car stereo along with the music. RDS is now available in various vehicle models offered by leading automakers, as well as many modern after-market car stereo systems.
The Kensington 33364 not only charges your iPod while it is in use, but includes an on/off switch to prevent battery drain. This transmitter has a black body and stainless-steel accents to complement your car's interior, a unique design to fit most hard-to-reach car power outlets, and easy-to-use pre-sets to lock in your favorite stations. Best of all, the unit requires no software, or cables and wires to your stereo, so playing your favorite iPod tunes in your car is as easy as 1-2-3.
Made for all iPods with a 30-pin dock connector except 3G iPods--including first- and second-generation iPod nanos as well as first-, second-, and fourth-generation iPods--the Kensington FM transmitter is backed by Kensington's 2-year warranty. User's should note the RDS feature requires the iPod nano or iPod video in order to function properly, although the FM transmitter will work with any of the above iPods.
What's in the Box
Kensington 33364 RDS FM transmitter and auto charger, a user's manual and warranty information.
- Electronics: 0 pages (2006-08-01)
- Publisher: Kensington
- Label: Kensington
- Format: CD
- Studio: Kensington
- Average Customer Review: based on 29 reviews
Setup was not too hard, but the usability of the frequency switch button is not so great. It's basically one teeter-totter switch for three frequencies. It's sometimes hard to hit the middle position.
Now to the really bad part: I have a Nano 3G. When I connect it to the transmitter, the Nano almost always locks up requiring a reset. Once reset, it works - until the next time you connect it. Now this doesn't happen with the 2G, so it could be a problem on Apple's end as well. But since this unit claims to work with the 3G, there's really no excuse on Kensington's part.
The other really annoying thing that affects all iPods is that it will just start playing from wherever in your music list (after having owned this for a year I still do not understand the logic). So if you want to pick up the play-list or podcast from where you left off, you will have to go searching for it. Every time!
This may be as good as it gets for a FM transmitter. I don't know since this is the only one I own, and I will probably never buy another one. If you have ANY other method of connecting, pick that first.
A few highlights:
* iPod connector does not fit if your iPod is in ANY kind of skin, case, etc., because the plug is too wide.
* if the fancy-shmanzy display of the FM frequency in your iPod display does not work because you have the "wrong" model (as, apparently are both of my two different iPods), then you will NOT be able to adjust the frequency at all, not even blindly.
* the step-by-step instructions in the manual fail to mention that there is a power switch that needs to be turned "on" (okay, that's only a minor issue, but the lost time is really annoying).