Customer Reviews

Macally PodFM Transmitter for iPod (White)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After using the Belkin transmitter for 6 months this transmitter works so much better I am mad I once wasted my money on another brand. I had many issues with the Belkin model including very poor reception and it cutting out for no reason until one day just six months later it quit working all together. It also was costing me quite a bit in batteries which it would go through at rate of at least 6 a day. The Macally transmitter uses power and you actually have to turn it off so if the music stops it doesn't shut itself off leaving the most annoying static playing at high volumes. The Macally also gets a lot better reception, at one point when using it my car I found out after turning it off that is was playing over a radio station, that never happened with the Belkin. At home the signal seems so much stronger I can even get in on my clock radio and I don't have to move it around everywhere to get good reception. The accessories it came with are nice especially the IPod charger for the car. Does it have more wires than other brands? Absolutely but I would rather have wires than a product that barely works and my conscience feels a lot better about not throwing a dozen batteries away a week.

Indeed, this unit overpowers local radio stations. I've had iTrip, and airPlay and iRiver FM units, but Macally beats them all.

I've had an interesting experience with this transmitter. It worked wonderfully for about four months. The sound quality was good, and there was hardly ever any interference. Overall, a very clean, static free sound. I also really like the fact that it will charge my iPod. I was enjoying it immensely until all of a sudden the sound crapped out. I thought the audio cable was broken ( because it has to be bent akwardly to fit in the ciggerate lighter: one of the cons of this device )so I replaced it, to no avail. It seems the headphone jack in the transmitter is broken. With some jiggling I could get it to play intermittently.

I got a Griffin iTrip for Christmas to replace it, thinking it would be higher quality becasue it's more expensive and has digital connection through the iPod dock. Well, the reception was AWFUL. There was lots of static and hissing in the background always. I then replaced that with a DLO transpod - supposedly the "best on the market" and twice the price. Again, LOTS of static and constant interference, a real let-down overall.

I tried my Macally again, jimmying it into a odd position so that it would stay working most of the time, and was impressed all over again by the decent sound quality and how little interference there is. I just wish it was designed a little sturdier so the jack didn't break. I also wished I had kept the receipt and warranty info.

My final decision is just to replace it with another Macally because it seems to be the best transmitter out there in terms of broadcasting strength. I have little faith, however, that the new one won't break after a few months also. But this time I'll keep the receipt.

I bought the Macally FM Transmitter and Charger iPod about 5 months ago. It worked beautifully throughout Southern California (Los Angeles/Ventura/San Diego). I had to do some station swapping between 88.1, 107.7, and 107.9, but the signal was *much* stronger than the popular iTrip (which I had tossed out). For the casual user, this is a great, inexpensive FM Transmitter. However, it could not stand the abuse of daily use.

Gripes:
They need to use higher quality cables! (1) Within 1 month of extending and retracting, the headphone reel broke, I went to Walmart and bought my own headphone cable; (2) iPod charger cable plug no longer makes good contact with FM Transmitter -does not charge anymore! The iPod charging cable sticks out of the side of the device. Over time, this cable begins to permanently sag, thus ruining the inner cable wire and flexing the metal contacts within the FM Transmitter. I have to fiddle with this part and *hold* it in place to charge my iPod; safety issue if I'm driving!

Additionally, like mentioned in other reviews, they need to integrate the headphone and charging cable into 1 dock connector. You'll get a cleaner signal and have less clutter.

This definitely has the best features for the price. I've had mine 6 months and the cable just started messing up. It stopped working in the right speaker. At first if you wiggled it, it would play in both speakers and now it doesn't work at all. I'm not rough with it or anything.

So, don't be surprised if it wears out.

This thing is great, I have it set up at the office so anyone can tune into my ipod. It has great range, mine is on a desktop and it broadcasts about 80 feet in any direction through walls with a lot of electronics around. It's very clean and clear and can power over any other station. The only complaint I have is that it doesn't have a battery powered option so I can't keep it in my pocket. But over-all, it works perfectly and hasn't failed me yet!

I purchased the Macally PodFM transmitter for use with my iPod mini and it has worked great. I use it regularly on my commutes to and from work, extended road trips, and even enjoy using it with our home stereo system. I find it easy to use and just a great product. I have yet to experience any negatives with this product.