Macally PodFM Transmitter for iPod (White)

by Macally

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 4 x 8.5 inches ; 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002R5Y5M
• Item model number: 2136-PDFM
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Macally FM transmitter lets you enjoy your iPod music through any FM radio in your car or at home. The transmitter--which is compatible with the iPod, iPod Mini, MP3 players, CD players, and other audio playing device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack--works by tuning into your radio's frequency. And users have plenty of choices, as the device offers the full 88.1 to 107.9 MHz spectrum to work with when searching for the clearest channel. The transmitter even offers a quick-switch frequency button at 88.1, 94.1, 100.1, and 106.1 MHz. The unit is powered through the car's cigarette lighter while in the car or an included AC adapter at home. It also includes a cable for charging your iPod while driving, along with a tangle-free retractable audio cable and a frequency memory that saves the last setting once the power turns off. The transmitter is rounded by out by a large backlit LCD display with easy-to-read characters.

What's in the Box
FM transmitter, holder, audio cable, cigarette lighter adapter, AC adapter, user's manual.

Product Description

Full channel Auto & Home FM Transmitter for iPod

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great deal if you don't mind the inconveniences, January 11, 2005

By 

Lost My Mind (California, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Macally PodFM Transmitter for iPod (White) (Electronics)

This accessory gives you several features for one low price. Of all the transmitters/adapters in the same price range, this is the best deal and least-disappointing. Considering I paid was able to find this for the same price as an iTrip (which has no charger), I'll live with its flaws.

Pros:
* Car Charger and FM Transmitter in one unit
* Powers and charges iPod
* FM Transmitter can be used without car charger
* Retractable audio cable
* Easy to use LCD-display for selecting frequency
* Decent quality (on par with any other FM transmitter)
* Can over power most radio stations

Cons:
* Uses headphones instead of line-out
* Transmits at a low volume (turn your radio up pretty loud)
* Must run two cables to iPod
* FM transmitter requires power (AC or Car)
* Short plug means it might not fit your lighter plug.
* Sometimes it can't overpower radio stations, even weak ones

You plug the transmitter into your cigarette lighter and then run two cables to your iPod. One goes into the Dock Connector slot and another goes into the headphones. You select a frequency, adjust your volume, and it's done.

But why could they not send the audio LINE-OUT signal through the dock connector back to the FM-Transmitter? Instead, they chose to use the dock-connector for power and a separate headphone cable for audio.

Unless you have an iPod holder (such as an iPod cupholder dock), it will be impossible to find a place to put the iPod. With a cable hanging off the top and bottom, it doesn't really fit anywhere in my car (and my cupholders won't fit a dock).

Try this test: hook up your firewwire/usb dock connector and your headphones; now try to find a place where your iPod is safe, won't slide around, and can easily be accessed. If you fail, consider upgrading to one of the more-expensive Charger/FM/Holder all-in-one accessories.

The second issue is common to most FM Transmitters (including iTrip). The PodFM hooks up through the headphone jack. This means I have to turn the iPod up to 60%-85% volume to transmit via FM (or leave it low and turn my radio up really, really high). I always forget about this and get a rude surprise the next time I use my headphones or turn on the radio. Ouch!

The cigarette lighter plug is too short so it barely fits in my cars. If you have a door/flap over your lighter, this thing probably won't fit. If your lighter is close the gear selector, it might impede you from putting your car into park or shifting into higher gears.

The FM Transmitter can be used outside of your car, but it requires an AC Adapter. There are no batteries and it cannot be powered off the iPod.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars works great, loaded w/ features, great price, December 30, 2004

By 

Tom Trails "Tom Trails" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macally PodFM Transmitter for iPod (White) (Electronics)

I bought this because it had more features than other similar products and was among the least expensive. I have been very pleased with it. I commute into Phoenix every day and had no problem using it with my car radio. Apparently some of these devices allow the background static from the unused FM frequency to mix with the sound transmitted from the device, but this product completely blocks out any radio static. When you turn it on, the radio static diasappears. When you start playing music, there is only silence in the background. The design makes it become part of your car's console, and the large readout is easily visible from the driver's seat. I like that I can choose whatever frequency works best for me, instead of only one of 5 available. I love the fact that it can run off the car's battery, or be charged in the car or from a wall outlet to be used 'unplugged'. I also love that it can charge the iPod and that the audio cord that connect the transmitter to the iPod is retractable. The other nice thing is that is works with any audio device that has a standard miniplug for headphones. I've never heard of this manufacturer, but this is one heck of a product for a very good price. I wouldn't waste time with Monster or any of the others that cost more and do less.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awkward design but excellent perfomance, February 19, 2005

By 

Woody (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Macally PodFM Transmitter for iPod (White) (Electronics)

I almost didn't try this device because of its awkward design (see below)--but I'm glad I did. I like it better than my iTrip because it is much easier to tune and far better than the AirPlay.

The MacAlly works very well and is much more convenient overall than my iTrip. The iTrip is difficult to tune on-the-fly, whereas the MacAlly is a piece of cake to tune and offers a full spectrum of channels to use (unlike the Monster FM transmitter).

The MacAlly is also clearly superior to XtremeMac's AirPlay--which has a very annoying high pitched whine in the background. In contrast, the MacAlly gives good sound quality at volumes easily audible even when driving a noisy SUV at 70-80 mph on the Interstate. (Sound quality is comparable to the iTrip, but tuning is SO much easier on the MacAlly).

Why did I say the design is awkward?


1) The MacAlly transmitter requires power, therefore it ties up your cigarette lighter.
2) Therefore, if you want to be charging your iPod while it plays you must do so through the dock connector on the FM transmitter.
3) Unfortunately, instead of drawing audio signal from the dock connector, the MacAlly requires a separate input coming from the headphone jack on your iPod.
4) As a result, you end up with an iPod that is tethered to the MacAlly both at the top (audio out via headphone jack) and at the bottom (charging via dock connector).

One workaround that helped me was to use an iGrip pad to hold the iPod in place either on top of the dash (still a bit awkward because the cables were at near full extension) or inside the storage shelf below the radio--which works very well except when I am running the heat full blast, at which time the iPod gets a little too toasty warm for my taste.

Fortunately for me, the lighter adapter fits my Subaru just perfectly.

In summary, the MacAlly ain't pretty, but it works pretty durn well.