We have a CD player on Grasshopper II (H-26) - but I was thinking of joining the 21st century and migrating to an I-Pod and/or some other type of MP3 player. Has anyone else done this? Were you able to 'pipe' it through your existing Stereo System? If so - how? (I've heard you can buy an FM transmitter that will play an I-Pod thru the stereo - is this a good way to go?) Any problems? Thanks, Tom Grass Grasshopper II H-26 #174
Music
- Thread starter tgrass462
- Start date
- Status
FM transmitters are a poor choice
FM Transmitters work but they have limitations, they need to be close to the receiver they fade out from radio interference and you will need power for both the transmitter and the IPOD. If your CD player has an audio in jack that would be the easiest way to conect to an IPOD. There does not seem to be any marine quality IPOD docking stations (where you just drop the Ipod into it, so adapting a land based rig short term seems to be the only answer. There are a few car style units that may do the trick? If you are happy with the quality of the sound and the features on your current unit (and it is built in) then stick with the CD's for another season. Burning your own CD's at home maybe a better way to get the music you like when you like it
Phil...
FM Transmitters work but they have limitations, they need to be close to the receiver they fade out from radio interference and you will need power for both the transmitter and the IPOD. If your CD player has an audio in jack that would be the easiest way to conect to an IPOD. There does not seem to be any marine quality IPOD docking stations (where you just drop the Ipod into it, so adapting a land based rig short term seems to be the only answer. There are a few car style units that may do the trick? If you are happy with the quality of the sound and the features on your current unit (and it is built in) then stick with the CD's for another season. Burning your own CD's at home maybe a better way to get the music you like when you like it
Phil...FM transmitter
the FM transmitter/IPOD routine is what we do when we charter. Even though the boat has a CD player, it's alot easier to pack the IPOD and little transmitter (about half the size of the IPOD). The whole thing can be zipped into a ziploc bag and set somewhere close to the radio antenna, and it will work fine. Even works well when the radio antenna has been run up the mast. Only problem is when we're in an anchorage where someone else has the same strategy. In that case, make sure you have a completely tunable FM transmitter so you can find a frequency the other guy isn't using.
the FM transmitter/IPOD routine is what we do when we charter. Even though the boat has a CD player, it's alot easier to pack the IPOD and little transmitter (about half the size of the IPOD). The whole thing can be zipped into a ziploc bag and set somewhere close to the radio antenna, and it will work fine. Even works well when the radio antenna has been run up the mast. Only problem is when we're in an anchorage where someone else has the same strategy. In that case, make sure you have a completely tunable FM transmitter so you can find a frequency the other guy isn't using.
We have XM satellite radio
with the FM transmitter and like it alot. You can use it in the car and just move it to the boat for the weekend. Never had a problem with it. When we go to mexico for a month in the spring it is indespensible. News, sports, weather right there. The radio stations in Mexico will make you crazy in short order.
with the FM transmitter and like it alot. You can use it in the car and just move it to the boat for the weekend. Never had a problem with it. When we go to mexico for a month in the spring it is indespensible. News, sports, weather right there. The radio stations in Mexico will make you crazy in short order.
We use an Ipod
and an FM transmitter to an old boom box. I broke the antenna off the boom box by accident, and now it works much better since the radio cannot receive any stations except the FM modulator. No interference now. Also since the Ipod is connected to the FM modulator with a 4 foot cord, I can leave the Ipod in the cockpit and change playlists as needed. I like the IPOD better than the sat radio, since every song on the IPOD is a song I like.
and an FM transmitter to an old boom box. I broke the antenna off the boom box by accident, and now it works much better since the radio cannot receive any stations except the FM modulator. No interference now. Also since the Ipod is connected to the FM modulator with a 4 foot cord, I can leave the Ipod in the cockpit and change playlists as needed. I like the IPOD better than the sat radio, since every song on the IPOD is a song I like.
- Status