Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black)

by Kensington

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 63.4 x 63.4 x 17.7 inches ; 6.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FIP7DC
• Item model number: 33364
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

You've never heard sound this great from an FM transmitter this small before. The Kensington 33364 RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPods plays your iPod wirelessly through your automobile's FM stereo, on any FM station, while simultaneously charging your iPod, making it ideal for listeners who want to enjoy their favorite songs with the quality of their vehicle stereos while driving.

This unit includes such features as Aerielle wireless technology for superior audio and noise filtration; ClearFM circuitry for richer lows, crisper highs, and better stereo separation; the utilization of your high-resolution iPod LCD screen for easy viewing of station information; and RDS FM technology. Radio Data Systems (RDS) is a sub-frequency of FM radio that gets sent along with a normal music signal, and allows text to be displayed on RDS-enabled radios. The Kensington patent-pending RDS FM Transmitter will digitize song information, such as song title and artist name, and send it via RDS to a car stereo along with the music. RDS is now available in various vehicle models offered by leading automakers, as well as many modern after-market car stereo systems.

The Kensington 33364 not only charges your iPod while it is in use, but includes an on/off switch to prevent battery drain. This transmitter has a black body and stainless-steel accents to complement your car's interior, a unique design to fit most hard-to-reach car power outlets, and easy-to-use pre-sets to lock in your favorite stations. Best of all, the unit requires no software, or cables and wires to your stereo, so playing your favorite iPod tunes in your car is as easy as 1-2-3.

Made for all iPods with a 30-pin dock connector except 3G iPods--including first- and second-generation iPod nanos as well as first-, second-, and fourth-generation iPods--the Kensington FM transmitter is backed by Kensington's 2-year warranty. User's should note the RDS feature requires the iPod nano or iPod video in order to function properly, although the FM transmitter will work with any of the above iPods.

What's in the Box
Kensington 33364 RDS FM transmitter and auto charger, a user's manual and warranty information.

Product Description

Play iPod tunes through your car stereo...while charging your iPod battery. While listening to your iPod®, see the song and artist's name displayed on car stereo using our patent-pending RDS FM Transmitter/Car Charger. Made for all iPod® models with 30-pin dock connector except 3G iPods. Special RDS feature works with iPod Nano or iPod with video and requires an RDS enabled stereo. RDS is available in various vehicle models offered by leading automakers.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm 95% happy with it!, January 6, 2007

By 

Clifford R. Hong - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black) (Electronics)

I also live in Northern California like another reviewer of this product. I live in the North Bay and work in Oakland, so there is high density traffic on the radio. However, I found a couple stations that worked ok, and one that works terrifically (93.1)!

This product was easy to set up in my Prius, the plug holds just fine, and yes, it does give you the band and song information on the car's built-in screen. I didn't expect that, so that was a nice surprise.

The reason why it's 95% satisfaction and not a 100% is that I'm not getting CD quality. There is some static, but it's that very minimal static that you got from a cassette tape that had been used for a year or so. You immediately forget about it, though, because the sound is really great anyhow, and you're so happy that you don't have to deal with crappy radio music and commercials. But I don't know, maybe there's a better station that I haven't found yet that eliminates the static completely.

One other thing - the volume control on my iPod nano does not work when it's plugged into the car. You have to manipulate the volume through the car stereo only. And the volume on the radio stations come out louder than your iPod music, so you'll have to adjust as you switch between the two.

Enjoy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mine broke, but i really like it, August 25, 2006

By 

ladyluck5785 (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black) (Electronics)

I read the other users' comments, and I didn't experience any of those other problems. In fact, I think the sound on this is better than most radio transmitters by a long shot. The only thing so far that worked better was a tape adapter (old skool, huh).

My problem was that the stainless steel part with the ipod dock fell off within a few days of purchase, then the back plastic part fell off too so now it's just a little green computer chip thingy. Still works though. I was on a road trip when I bought it and my local best buy here in New Orleans doesn't carry a replacement. So other than that, I think it's a darn good product. I love the presets on the charger part, I love the sleek modest design, and I love the on/off switch so it doesn't screw up my other plugged in things when I'm not using it. I also used it recently in Northern California and I found it works just fine. If only you can find a blank radio station...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love the RDS, January 3, 2007

By 

S. Hume (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kensington RDS FM Transmitter/Auto Charger for iPod (Black) (Electronics)

This little FM transmitter works great for me. I love the RDS feature that puts the band and song name on my car stereo. I am terrible at remembering names like these. So that feature is perfect for me.

I like the on screen transmitter frequency control. I get great reception in my area. When going to bigger metro areas, I have to change channels and the three select buttons plus the ability to adjust with a simple click makes it easy to find a clear space.

The only problem is the lighter socket of my truck was a little shallow for the Kensington and it didn't want to hold a connection. I use a power splitter to be able to connect a phone charger and never have issues.

This is my first iPod transmitter and I have been super pleased with it.