Customer Reviews

DLO TransDock Micro FM Transmitter for iPod (Black)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I purchased the DLO TransDock Micro in order to be able to listen to my 60 GB Video Ipod as I drive around in my vehicle. After using this device for about a month now, I am extremely pleased with its performance. The audio coming through my vehicle's radio using this device with my Ipod is outstanding, with no hiss or other interferences. I prefer this device over other FM transmitters/chargers because it allows you to place your Ipod just about anywhere in your vehicle where it is convenient, due to the long cord on the device. The use of the cord on this device, as compared to other FM transmitters which require you to place your Ipod in/on the device, also allows me to keep the protective case on my Ipod at all times. The DLO TransDock Micro is a great addition to any compatible Ipod.

I was pleasantly surprised by DLO TransDoc Micro. If I could, I would give it 4.5 stars, but not 5, and this is why. The 4 station presets are adequate. I ran through my local stations and tried to find some good open frequencies. This was surprisingly difficult. I live in a large metro area, and I never knew the level of audio "garbage" is being broadcast. Anyway, the presets allow for easily moving to another "clear" station. Program the Micro, set these as presets on your car stereo, and your good to go. If you find you are having interference issues, a quick press on the Micro, and a corresponding press on your stereo preset, and things are clear again. It is true that the output on the transmitter is strong enough to block out some low power stations, but only some, and you may get some interference. Overall, I would say this is a worthwhile purchase if you don't want to go the expense of installing a new stereo with an AUX port or an iPod interface, or if you need the portability (switching between cars). One cool addition is the AUX Input on the Micro. I am able to plug out portable DVD player into the Micro and have the DVD audio play over the car stereo. It works well.

The reason the Micro does not get 5 stars:

1. The "stem" that plugs into your Power Port in your car (cigarette lighter) is too long, and presents issues in my car. It interferes with shifting (5-speed manual Toyota Matix). You may have a different experience in your vehicle, but be aware that the stem makes it stick out much farther from your dashboard than you would expect.

2. While the blue color on the LCD is cool, it is very bright at night, to the point of being distracting, especially if your car's dash lights are not blue.

3. I don't know if this is the Micro's issue, or my car's, but frequently you can hear interference/noise from the iPod itself being transmitted over the Micro when the iPod is accessing it's hard drive (I use the 30g 5G iPod Video). I assume anyone using a Nano (no hard drive) would not have this issue, however for me, since I don't have a Nano, this is a slight mark against the product.

4. Some car stereos can tune to the 87.5 - 87.9 range, and in most areas this part of the FM range is very clean (no radio broadcasts). While other products like the Micro can transmit in this range, the Micro itself can not, which is another minor mark against the product.

5. Don't expect great bass response. While the the human ear hears sounds down to 20hz, the Micro only broadcast down to 50hz. Therefore bass response is somewhat flat. Of course, this is fully dependent on the source audio. However, don't expect the same quality of sound as you would get from a CD being played on your car stereo.

Bottom line, the product is good, and a worthwhile purchase. It gives you an above average interface to your iPod music without huge expense or modifications to your vehicle. It allows for portability. It recharges your iPod while in your vehicle. It works! Check it out!

I went with the Transdock Micro since I had previously used a first generation DLO Transpod and was very happy with its performance but it was breaking down and needed to be replaced. The sound quality on the Transdock Micro is terrible compared to my Transpod and the signal is quite weak. On my Transpod, I could broadcast on virtually any frequency in the NYC/NJ area. Empty stations would yield better quality but you could still hear the music on any station. The Transdock Micro is completely inaudible on any frequency that picks up any sort of broadcast.

I also tested the Transdock Micro driving from Miami to Key West through the Florida Keys, which is far less concentrated than NYC and I always had a significant amount of static in the background and the sound quality was fair at best. I tried the Transdock Micro in a 2003 Toyota Corolla and a relatively new Sienna Minivan and both vehicles yielded the same poor results. I will try to return this product because it is useless near cities and in rural areas it is adequate at best.

The transdock micro worked perfectly for me from the beginning. The default station 88.5 fm worked well and there was a minimum of work to get it going. I am using my shuffle with the transdock. The only reason why I did not give it 5 stars is because you need to remove it from the lighter socket when you turn off the auto. It is not recommended that you leave it in the socket. Also, it is recommended that you need to increase the volume on the ipod first before than using the volume knob on your car radio.

Personally, I am satisfied with the performance of this little unit. In my local area, I had no problem in identifying frequencies in the lower range where clear signal transmission is consistent. However, on a trip across several states, interference was pretty common whenever I was traveling through more congested urban areas, requiring frequent seeks and searches for available frequencies minimally impacted by stronger broadcast signals from surrounding stations. However, separation is a function of the underlying audio system rather than the Transdock. If sensitivity was marginal to start with, this unit is not designed to improve it.

I didn't perceive a significant level of harmonic distortion between the micro unit and the car radio, but the rather modest volume range will disappoint anyone who likes to rattle the car windows. Overall, I found the unit easy to use and quite convenient. The hinge for angular adaptation allowed me to place the unit in positions where other car console controls were fully accessible and the interface cord to the iPod is long enough to place the iPod nearly anywhere most users would prefer. If acquired in the 30-40 dollar range, it is certainly worth the price and it eliminates the need for a separate charging device while traveling.

The Transdock Micro is a good choice to consider for FM transmitters. It transmits a strong, clear signal that doesn't dissapoint. Like all FM tansmitters, it succumbs to interference at some point but quickly recovers as you drive away from the source of interference or quickly retune the Micro to a new station. Users will also find that the Micro is also similar to other FM transmitters in that you have to turn your radio volume higher than you would for a regular radio station. To me, the Micro seems to fit REALLY tight into the cigarette lighters or auxillary power jacks in vehicles. You have to be careful to grab the collar on the Micro when you pull it out so as not to damage it. I used to carry an Ipod charger and transmitter with me on road trips but now my Micro does both. Overall, I am satisfied with my Micro and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quality FM transmitter.

I picked up one of these (at Best Buy) for use with a supported iPod model and an iPhone. Worked fine with the iPhone (aside from needing to go into airplane mode, which was expected) but locked the iPod up starting about 30 seconds after being plugged in and ending about 5 seconds after being unplugged.

I contacted the company, they promptly replied, saying that it sounded like a bug and I should return or exchange it where I bought it. I did a return, then placed an order from Amazon. That one had the same problem with the iPod, AND was not recognized by the iPhone. It would allow charging, but no audio came through. From bad to worse :(

Input through the aux jack works fine, so I can still connect any device to it and play tunes in my radio-only car, but that involves more cables (and a cumbersome adapter, for the iPhone) and is a less than ideal solution.

My recommendation: Make sure you get it from a place that's easy to do returns, and test it right off the bat. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, it's a pain.

Although the manufacturer says on their website that this transmitter plays iPhone music, mine didn't. I tried everything they suggest and more. Was able to have it working with a regular iPod, but it only charges my iPhone. Nothing else. The accessory recognition message didn't ever popup. It doesn't matter what I do and how many times I plug/unplug it.
Plus, their support is terrible. It took a week to have my questions answered stupidly.

After reading several reviews, I thought I was making the right choice of picking the DLO TransDoc Micro for my daughter. She has a 2001 Dodge Stratus and wanted to play her new IPOD in it. Well, the reception was very poor--a lot of static.

I thought it might just be the car, so I tried it in my wife's 2002 Saturn station wagon. That was no better. I did the next best thing: I returned it. Oh well.

I started looking for a mobile Ipod charger, but this DLO micro promised so much more functionality, I decided to try it. Unlike most mobile units, it also permits easy use of both my "Shuffle" and 30g Ipod.

It took a little experimenting with FM frequency to find the clearest channel, but that is the case with any similar device. This works great and I use it every day with either the "Shuffle" for music or the other Ipod for larger files.