Belkin F8V7097 TuneBase FM for iPod mini

by Belkin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 2 x 7.5 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00070FHXS
• Item model number: F8V7097
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

By seamlessly integrating an FM transmitter with the versatility of a car power adapter, the Belkin F8Z049 TuneBase FM for iPods offers the outstanding convenience of an all-in-one solution on the road. Its improved FM transmission delivers crisp, clean audio performance for an unsurpassed listening experience in your car.

The TuneBase's built-in FM transmitter wirelessly connects to your car stereo on any FM channel from 88.1 MHz to 107.9 MHz, so you can be assured you will find one that is free from interference. This unit features four single-touch, programmable memory presets that let you quickly jump to your favorite frequencies, as well as toggle among them for the best possible performance. The Belkin TuneBase utilizes your iPod's large LCD display for FM tuning. It is constructed with a holder and custom-designed swivel cradle that secures your iPod atop an innovative, flexible-steel neck, allowing for easy repositioning to the best viewing angle. The TuneBase utilizes your car's DC outlet to simultaneously power itself and charge your iPod, and comes with interchangeable tray adapters to fit various iPod models.

Compatible with many iPods with a dock connectors via the tray adapters--including the iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 4G (Click Wheel), iPod color, and iPod 5G/5.5G Video--the Belkin TuneBase FM is backed by a manufacturer's 3-year warranty.

What's in the Box
Belkin F8Z049 TuneBase FM transmitter, interchangeable tray adapters, user's manual, and warranty information.

Product Description

TuneBase FM offers an elegant way to use your iPod mini on the road. The holder secures the device and features an innovative, flexible-steel neck for easy repositioning of your iPod mini in your car. While mounted, your iPod mini charges and plays FM audio simultaneously. It works from any cigarette-lighter outlet. A built-in FM transmitter wirelessly connects to your car stereo and operates on multiple FM channels from 88.1MHz-107.9MHz. This lets you listen to your iPod mini on the best available frequency. Four programmable memory slots let you easily find the clearest frequency, and toggle among them for best performance.The TuneBase FM makes sure your music plays-wherever you go.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good News, Bad News, April 19, 2005

By 

Paul Bressie (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin F8V7097 TuneBase FM for iPod mini (Electronics)

I had the opportunity to test this on a drive there and back from San Francisco to Tahoe this past weekend (~3.5 hours each way).

First the bad news: This product is not perfect. There are reception problems (signal overlap) in busy areas. There are also problems with the mp3 format in general, and while not really relevant here, the audio limitations of mp3's are compounded by the fact that this is an FM reception of an mp3. CD's sound way better. So, sound quality is an issue.

Usability is limited in that you have to select the reception frequency on the car radio (one that isn't currently used by another station) then tune the Belkin to broadcast on that frequency. There are four presets on the Belkin :), but do you really want to use up four presets on your car radio to hold place for dead air space :(? More importantly, as you're driving, things change. Which means, what was once dead air, may not be for very long. We found that we were changing the broadcasting and receiving frequencies pretty often. So, that is a pretty big inconvenience.

Now for the good news: This is a pretty slick product. Works as a charger, which is very helpful. The metal arm is adjustable but stays put once you let go. Stands up and stays out of the way. (Also has different size rings in case your cigarette adapter is a different size.) Display is clear, and choosing and setting a frequency and/or preset is pretty easy. But, realistically scrolling through the iPod menus while driving takes more attention than one should probably devote to it. (Better if you have a copilot/deejay.)

On the whole, I recommend this product. Sound quality isn't the best, and there are some signal issues, but the product works well (much better out of cities), and it's really handy having access to all the music on your iPod. Not too expensive either. More good things than bad things - so, go for it.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works Well, June 5, 2005

By 

Rae Atkinson (Carrboro, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belkin F8V7097 TuneBase FM for iPod mini (Electronics)

I bought this at the Apple store so I could listen to music on my iPod mini in my car. I also purchased it because it will charge my iPod in the car, which meant one less accessory to buy. I have found this product works pretty well and the holder it clicks into keeps the iPod from rolling all over the car. I also like the gooseneck feature because I can read the songs on my iPod while I am driving.

I have found it to be a pain in the neck trying to find empty stations in different areas while driving. It seems redundant to have to change radio stations and the station setting on the TuneBase set. It has four buttons to save empty station settings on. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and comes with extra bands for older model cars that had wider holes to help it fit.

The sound quality is not, obviously, near as nice as a CD. Sometimes music sounds a bit tinny and hollow. But, for the price and the convenience, to me its a small price to pay. It still beats carrying around a large book of CD's with me everywhere I go. This product charges your iPod while its clicked into the slot. It seems to charge faster than when connected to my laptop. I find this a nice asset. So, overall, I find it to be a pretty good product that has worked as advertised.

**************UPDATE******************
Ok, This thing worked well for five days exactly. In the middle of playing a song, it up and died. The green light on the piece that connects to the cigarette lighter was on, so it was getting power. The interface piece where you click your iPod into would not work. I returned it to the Apple store and bought an AirPlay FM transmitter (which is wireless) by XTremeMac. This thing was much cheaper and works much better. I Do not recommend the Belkin TuneBase.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mine is EXCELLENT, January 8, 2006

By 

M. Rowlen "Meri" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin F8V7097 TuneBase FM for iPod mini (Electronics)

This was a Smart Purchase for us. We tried the IGriffen and I found I was holding my ipod WHILE DRIVING trying to point it to my antenna to get a better reception.. Which ultimately meant I rarely used my ipod. I got this and the search for perfection was over.

I LOVE the fact that you can preset stations.. Pretty much EVERWHERE I go within an hour from my house and all around town I am on One station.. however when I branch out about 2 hours away I have to change but since I go there once a month I just set the station and it works fine. When we traveled to Disney this summer I had to find a new station about three times, and it took us 12 hours to get there. Once when I took the ipod out the station came in and it was a pretty strong station..people talking etc, not just static, so this device works WELL!!!

I LOVE the fact there is no interference.. We listen to comedy shows and podcasts and there is no static or interference.. the music sound excellent as well as any other sound files we have downloaded.

I LOVE the fact that it Charges your mini. Now I never have to worry about my battery going dead and I never use my at home charger. SO had I have bought this first it would have saved me a lot, a home as well as a car charger.

I LOVE the metal Arm.. it is not your standard arm mounting system this one is shapable and reshapable and DOES NOT MOVE on it own.. PRICELESS!! When you take the corner it stays right where it is. Mine is in an excellent location I can hit the next button to skip songs without bending or my eyes leaving the road.. It is real easy to pull out and use in another car too. My husband borrows mine a lot and it works just as good in his car.

This is really an EXCELLENT Product. I highly reccommend making this purchase. The way I look it is you invest so much into the ipod then into the songs, you have to have an EXCELLENT way of listening to your music in the car.