Customer Reviews

Accessory Power Advanced Car Mount System FM Transmitter and Charger for Microsoft Zune and Zune HD MP3 Players

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I am an avid Zune user, and I have to say that I'm envious over the breath of accessories that is offered by companies supporting the iPod family of products.

This product, when I read the description, was exactly what I was looking for, FM transmitter, holds my player, done! So, when I got the dock and opened the package, I was very disappointed to so that this wasn't a Zune specific product. It just comes with a shorter Zune USB connection. I guess this is good news if you want to use, say a Samsung player....but I don't.

1) The facts, the arm is too long to support the weight of a Zune120. I just flops over like you shot and killed the thing.
2) The FM transmitter, is ok...but it still is the worst possible connection you can use with a digital device. I was traveling, and had to constantly play with the radio settings. Hint, not something that should be done at 65 miles and hour.
3) Very disappointed that the Zune connection wasn't built into the base of the holder. Instead you have to hook-up the USN connection to keep charged (only way screen will stay lit) and you have to connect a ear phone plug to the player that goes to the FM transmitter. Wires everywhere!

The bottom line, I got this unit to give me a clean solution for my beloved Zune120. What I got was a pole of wires banging all over my dash.

I would love to say that this is the Zune accessory to own, but it is clearly not. Can someone please get Belkin and Griffen back in the Zune accessory business! I'm going to hope, and pray, that the ZuneHD bring some of the manufactures back.

So, here's a tip: this thing works for any audio device with a headphone jack, not just a Zune! I got mine this week, and it got its first test run today on a 2-hour trip to visit family. My Zune's on the fritz, so I experimented with plugging in my smaller Sansa e250, and it worked like a charm!

If you look around, you'll find lots of people noting that FM transmitters never have sound as flawless as a CD. Now, if you're like me, you might've wondered just what the heck that means. What standards are they going by? Well, I'm not an audio snob. I just want to be able to hear my music clearly. I don't care if it sounds crystal-clear to a trained ear, and in a car there's always some ambient noise so as far as I'm concerned there's no sense worrying whether it's perfect anyway. I'm told that in major metropolitan areas where the airwaves are crowded, FM transmitters don't necessarily work very well, but I live in a rural/suburban area (central Pennsylvania), and for the majority of my trip, my music was clear as a bell. Circling a couple of more urban areas, I got a hint of static around the edges--nothing major, but a bit of spitting. I might've been able to find a channel with less interference, but I didn't bother trying to adjust to a clearer channel, since it never got very bad and I knew it wasn't going to last very long anyway.

I've tried a couple of other FM transmitters, and this one is powerful and clear by comparison, even though one of the others wasn't too bad. They're not all created equal. The problem with this device, and the reason I edited this review down to give it 4 stars instead of 5, is the rubber flange around the plug that goes into the power socket. It tore apart on the prongs in my car's socket and ended up damaging the socket so it no longer works. This isn't a tremendous problem if you know it exists: you can just trim the flange with a pair of scissors to prevent it from happening to your car.

After using this Transmitter for the first couple of days, I have definitely noticed a difference in quality between the previous unit I owned.

The Zune fits pretty snugg in the transmitter, and the sound is good as well.

I also like the usb cable that came with the unit, saved my blackberry from dying a few times.

I was really excited about the idea of powering my zune with this as a display, and sending cleaner audio than my cassette adapter through my car's sound system... all in one package!! I still love the idea, and this does do everything it says it should, so that much is good. I dinged it a star because (a) the sound quality is good in terms of reproduction, but there is a minor static when you crank up the volume, which is probably true of all FM transmitter based car products like this... it's just radio noise... not significant really, but enough that I did notice it between tracks playing. ...and (b) because, and here is the fatal flaw... the plug is VERY, VERY sturdy, too sturdy, which is good because you don't want it falling down... BUT... there IS NO POWER SWITCH!! If you don't want it to be "on", you have to pull it out of the cigarette lighter, which is a pain in the butt (since it's so sturdy, fits in realllly tight)... I don't want to leave it on to drain my car battery, so I HAVE to pull it out... it would have been a nice simply and inexpensive feature to put an on/off switch on the thing. I may make one myself (I'm into tinkering like that anyhow), but still, kind of an oversight. Aside from that... works great... powers my zune, holds it up (which is SOOO much nicer than having to grab it and look at it when driving!!) and gives reasonably good FM quality sound. For the price, it's great. Just not 5 stars great. :D

This works pretty well with the new Zune HD's. The charging feature is nice incase I forget to charge overnight. It is pretty stable in my car and easy to use.

This is probably the best sounding FM transmitter out there, although that is still hurting in quality when compared to CD's.

Good deal, can't go wrong!

The description sounded perfect but I should have known it was to good to be true. As others mentioned its not a zune specific device. You have to hook up another cable to charge it. I wasn't expecting cords everywhere. The sound is also horrible. I cannot get it to a decent volume. If I turn the radio and zune volume all the way you can hear aggravating static. I wasn't expecting perfect but was expecting radio quality at least. This is definitely not worth the price.

Any MP3 player compatible as it uses the players headphone jack for audio input, the only thing that might be an issue with other players besides Zunes is that the stand might not hold them tightly, but the kit comes with inserts to adjust to your MP3 player size. Has a USB port allowing you to charge any MP3 player; however, it comes with a shorter USB cable designed for the Zune. Sound quality is pretty good, but like most FM transmitters you aren't going to get low and heavy bass out of it. Has a FM channel selector, allowing you to use hundreds of stations rather than a few that are preset.

the only thing my girlfriend really has an issue with is that the flexible arm that supports the player isn't long enough(for her car at least), and it has difficulty supporting the weight of her Zune 80gb. I think that if the outlet wasn't in such an awkward position on her car, then it would be fine.

overall its pretty good.

It charges, comes with two USB cables (one for Zune and one mini-USB for charging other items like a GPS), and has a radio transmitter. Thus far, all the functionalities work just fine. My only complaint is that the arm could be a little sturdier- but it's just as durable as the majority of other items like this. Radio transmitter works great, best I've had so far. My only WISH is that this thing came with a remote, like some of the items for ipod do..but can't have everything I suppose :).

I was going to wait a few months to review this to see if there is a down side but so far it has out performed every FM tuner I have owned. Well worth the money.

This is a wonderful gift I bought my boyfriend. He loves it. The neck is long enough if the adapter is tucked in. It is fairly strong and sturdy. And the device always stays within the arms that hold it. the light on it is orange which is awesome. It has many stations to use. All around it is perfect.