IPOD Question-help out the bubblehead blonde

Winkfish · Apr 7, 2011

I think, but am not sure, that you'd actually be better off. The ipod sends it's normal signal through a wired connection to the little transmitter, which then transmits it's signal to your radio. With no other signals on or near that frequency, you should have great reception. The problem comes when other stations are broadcasting to your radio on the same or close frequencies. The ipod transmitter has trouble competing.

SailArkansas · Apr 7, 2011

Winkfish said:
I think, but am not sure, that you'd actually be better off. The ipod sends it's normal signal through a wired connection to the little transmitter, which then transmits it's signal to your radio. With no other signals on or near that frequency, you should have great reception. The problem comes when other stations are broadcasting to your radio on the same or close frequencies. The ipod transmitter has trouble competing.

The fact that you can't receive a regular FM radio signal is of no consequence. The FM transmitter will first scan all frequencies to see what traffic it can find. Then it will pick an FM frequency that is unused and display that frequency. Then you tune your receiver to that same frequency. The fact that you have no broadcast traffic just makes it easier for your transmitter to find an available frequency. Winkfish is absolutely correct. Enjoy your Ipod. I have a playlist on mine called 'sailing songs'. Any song I could find to do with sailing is in that playlist. Its pretty amazing how many there are that relate.

Bill Roosa · Apr 7, 2011

OK Princissofthelake is not the only blond here. Just so I understand, are we trying to play music stored on an Ipod over the boat FM radio?
Don't they have AUX input or a USB for that already?
Or am I blond?
I know that I can take a USB geekstick, load music on it and stick it into my radio and it plays all day on one stick.

Tim R. · Apr 7, 2011

I believe your ipod has the ability to send audio via bluetooth A2DP. So instead of buying an FM transmitter and using your radio, you could also use a bluetooth receiver like the Belkin F8Z492 and a headphone jack to your stereo. You could also plug directly to your stereo.

I use the Belkin because I can easily listen to music from my iPad, laptop or either of our Droid phones. And the Belkin has better audio quality than any FM transmitter I have ever heard.

And I am also blonde!

Bill Roosa · Apr 7, 2011

On a related note, is there an app that will get our congress off their collective rears and pass a budget? I'd buy an Ipod just to press that button. Course congress probably has the redtooth version wired up their butts and it only works with some obscure propriatery transmitter only avalable from China.

Forrest15112 · Apr 7, 2011

The FM transmitter should be the last resort if possible. The audio quality and performance even in remote areas is so-so at best. I have an 8 year old stereo and it has an aux input. I have always used an mp3 player on that with excellent results. It's the most efficient way as well. No extra receivers to keep powered and you can use it with any mp3 player that has a standard headphone jack. Usually, all you need is an adapter cable. Mine has the 3.5mm stereo headphone jack on one end and standard RCA jacks on the other. RCA jacks are those red and white plugs that were used to hook up VCR's and stereo components. A lot of TV's and stereos can still use them. The cable can be picked up at a Radio Shack.

Another option that my kids use is a small battery powered dock that the iPod plugs into. It has a built in amplifier and speakers and sounds pretty good. It won't rattle the hatchboards across the marina but is pretty loud and will charge the iPod if externally powered. There are lots of these in many sizes and some reasonably priced at places like Best Buy.

arknoah · Apr 7, 2011

Bill Roosa said:
On a related note, is there an app that will get our congress off their collective rears and pass a budget? I'd buy an Ipod just to press that button. Course congress probably has the redtooth version wired up their butts and it only works with some obscure propriatery transmitter only avalable from China.

No, I think the proprietary transmitter is only from the most well-heeled lobbyist. My wife works at Pax River, and the whole budget debacle is really screwing with operations there. Plus, (to keep this focused on our boats) that's where my boat's going to be stored after repairs. I am not going to be happy if I can't go on base to go sailing if there is an employee shortage due to a shutdown.

Tim R. · Apr 7, 2011

PrincessoftheLake said:
LMAO. You guys are too funny. Thanks for explaining it to me. I think I get it now.

Question for you Tim-Does the Belkin Blue Tooth receiver have the ability to charge the Ipod while it's playing?

POTL, the belkin is directly connected to the stereo, not the ipod so the Belkin does not offer charging. Also be aware that it has a 110v wall plug. It only runs on 5vDC so it would be fairly easy to adapt it to a 12v cig lighter or use an inverter.

Du4salr! · Apr 7, 2011

I too sail in the Apostle area... Schooner Bay is the marina I keep my boat at. I just bought (on ebay) for a very good price the 'Belkin F8Z176 TuneBase FM Transmitter iPod Touch'. Works great and will search for the best channel/frequency available.

DB

Rick Sylvester · Apr 7, 2011

If you're going to replace the radio

just get one with a USB input. Then you can plug your Touch into it directly and it'll keep it charged at the same time. You can get them pretty cheap now.

Forrest is right. FM transmitters have a pretty narrow bandwidth so the music won't sound too good. Even Bluetooth is compromised because audio signals are compressed a bit and therefore loose some fidelity.

The aux input will sound fine but won't keep your Touch charged. The USB connection will solve that.

nateman · Apr 7, 2011

Use this! If you have a tape deck in the boat. They are cheap and you'll get far better sound than with the lame transmitters. I use one of these in my truck with my ipod.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...shop:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=if&biw=1561&bih=794

Merlin Clark · Apr 7, 2011

Bill Roosa said:
On a related note, is there an app that will get our congress off their collective rears and pass a budget? I'd buy an Ipod just to press that button. Course congress probably has the redtooth version wired up their butts and it only works with some obscure propriatery transmitter only avalable from China.

I think thier running 8 track tapes Bill. If you play one backwards it'll spew forth a workable budget.

Ron20324 · Apr 7, 2011

My FM transmitter lets you select the frequency it uses. First, find a no-station frequency on the radio, then tune the Xmitter to it. You could save the freq on your stereo for future easy use. Having said that, I just changed out my fairly new Sony stereo for a newer Sony one with the aux input. Both units were Sony, and they fit the same mounting bracket- accessed from the panel front, so no wires to deal with other than swapping the rear plug and antenna!

inarathree · Apr 7, 2011

Agreed, the FM transmitter should be the last option on your list. The first and best option is (if your radio has one) an AUX input. This is a jack that goes from where you plug your iPod head phones in, to your radio. If you have RCA jacks on the back of your radio, you can go from your head phone jack to those. Direct connection will give you the clearest sound. Second, would be the cassette tape option listed above. Thats what i put in my wife's car. Sound is pretty good on that. Last would be the FM transmitter. They sell them for the car, one end plugs into the cig lighter (for power) and transmits to the radio. I can never get a consistently good sound out of one.

As for power goes... On the boat, I use a power adaptor that plugs into the 12V lighter looking hole - when i need it. When sailing, I use my iPhone for my music. I turn off the phone and WIFI receiver to conserve power, and have no problems. There are several REALLY good solar iDevice chargers out there most are under $100. Thats what I am saving for.

Captnkev25 · Apr 7, 2011

If you are replacing your head unit then I recommend the Sony DSX-M60. The face actually flips down and you can plug your iPod in an internal tray. This charges the iPod as well as connects it to the unit. Your songs are displayed on the screen of the unit. I find this helpful as it's self contained and I don't have my iPod rattling around the cabin.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...hanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=765055

Dave D · Apr 7, 2011

Captnkev25 said:
If you are replacing your head unit then I recommend the Sony DSX-M60. The face actually flips down and you can plug your iPod in an internal tray. This charges the iPod as well as connects it to the unit. Your songs are displayed on the screen of the unit. I find this helpful as it's self contained and I don't have my iPod rattling around the cabin.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...hanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=765055

Same radio on eBay. Save $35. Do the upgrade, you won't be disappointed. (IMHO! This opinion does not reflect the views or opinions of SBO and it's affiliates. Offer void in Iran)
http://compare.ebay.com/like/220758...dfa863f&itemid=220758252947&ff4=263602_309572

Tim R. · Apr 7, 2011

I agree that direct connect sounds best but does limit your mobility. I love to sit in the cockpit or salon and listen to Pandora while reading the bios and have the ability to control the music/volume. I can move around without interruption. My Droid or iPad will last all day while praying music.

My belkin receiver is connected directly to a set of decent PC speakers with subwoofer. I also connect it to the aux input of the boat's stereo. This gives me 5 speakers and sounds great in the cabin. The same PC speakers are used for our 20" flat screen TV for great sound. Thought about going surround but the cabin is too small for such an elaborate system not to mention rare/expensive on 12v.

My next challenge is to find decent small speakers for the cockpit that are surface mount. No cutting holes in the new girl.