Customer Reviews

8-in-1 FM Transmitter for Apple iPhone (1G & 3G) & iPod Nano Video Touch Classic with LED Display + HandsFree + Charger + Remote Control

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I bought this item primarily to play music off my iPhone 3G through my radio but the transmitter is extremely weak. I live and work in the Los Angeles/Orange County area so the frequencies are pretty jammed packed.

Pros:
- iPhone fits nice and snug
- Easy to set up and plug in
- I drive an older BMW and the location of where this cradle sits is perfect
- Navigation with remote is fast and easy

Cons:
- Weak transmitter, at best, I heard about 5 seconds of music/slight static before it went completely out of range and back again
- I can definitely see myself using this while traveling since I believe once I'm in the open, the frequencies will open up more, but definitely not for city use
- Static/transmitter doesn't improve in airplane mode either

I would definitely keep this if only the transmitter was stronger but alas, I will be returning this item and search for a new FM transmitter for my phone.

For the last 1 month I have been trying out different car FM transmitters and other audio devices for my ipod so I can listen to it in my car without wearing headphones. I tried itrip and some others from my local stores but I had to return all of them because of too much static or low volume or some other issue. I also ordered the product listed above, and I have found this one to be working the best for me. I have been able to get clear transmission at 88.7 and 99.5 FM frequencies on my radio, even in hilly areas. I also like that this one holds my ipod in place, so my ipod isn't lying around near my driver's seat or in my lap. And the remote is a bonus. I think I'll buy one for my wife as well.

It fits my iphone 3g very well, even with a slim case on it, because the adjustable arms tightly hug the phone. Also I like that my gps can be charged at the same time w/ usb port.
The transmitter is strong. Good quality product.

Ok, pro's first:
-It holds my iphone 3g snugly so that I can see it without crashing the car
-I can make calls using the speakerphone for hands-free compliance
-It is fairly good at charging the iphone

Con's:
-The FM radio transmitter is horrible; plus, when I connect my auxillary audio cable to the headphone jack of the iphone and then connect the charging/accessory cable to the bottom I either get this high-pitched whining or the audio turns off and on randomly. It's like I have to connect them in a certain order and pause and play a couple times before getting any audio
-The remote control didn't work for me
-It is annoying to get that "This accessory is not made for the iphone 3g" warning everytime

Overall: I have to agree with the iphone's warning message, this accessory is made more for an iphone touch; for me it is impractical to use with the iphone.

I purchased this product recently for my new iphone. I had some difficulty setting it up coz I'm not the most tech-savvy guy (operating an iPhone is hard enough for me). The Blue Harbor folks were amazingly patient and efficient with their customer service. Every single email was replied to promptly and they helped me set this up perfectly.

The transmitter is good for iPod functions of the phone. Handsfree call quality could be better, but it gets the job done. In a nutshell, this product serves my needs and I will be purchasing another unit for my wife soon. Thank you!

I ordered this because my old DLO FM transmitter I was using with my ipod touch would not work with my new iphone (would play but not charge). This transmitter works wonderfully (playing and charging). When you plug it in the phone asks if you want to switch to airplane mode, I choose "no" since you can not receive calls in airplane mode. Airplane mode shuts off cellular and wi-fi that can cause interference with FM transmission, I had to turn wi-fi off using my DLO because of this problem but have not had to with this one. On one hand the "clamp" holder with the wire connector is nice, my phone fits without taking it out of its case. On the other hand this setup is not as convenient as just setting the phone in a "dock".

Pro's:
It is the only FM transmitter I've seen so far that charges the 3G iPhone (Charges over the USB line instead of the Firewire line).

Cons:
Very weak transmitter compared to others. Even my 10 year old was complaining of the sound quality.
Doesn't fit in either of my cars (Honda, Jeep) without tilting it to an unviewable angle, or flipping it upside down.
Choosing songs on iPhone and iPod seems a lot slower (5 second response time after button press) both directly and through remote.

Note: I didn't use the transmitter feature of this product, but used it as just a car charger for my iPhone 3G. This and all other FM transmitters just are not as good as a tape adapter.

The mount held pretty well for a couple months. I like the grip of the two edge pieces that click into place.

However, it promptly began falling apart in a number of ways. The hinge between the base and the cigarette adapter simply came loose and just flops around. Also the foam pieces that hold the iPhone/iPod into place came off. Poor craftsmanship.

As the previous reviewer noted, the cigarette lighter plugin has a tendency to come off if you plug and unplug in more than 20 times. Mine exploded into 4 pieces one of which I can't find. They give you 2 cigarette lighter plugins which is nice. This would doubles the life expectancy (to 2 road trips), only the other one didn't work right off the bat (no power).

HARDWARE:
-3G Iphone - latest firmware

PROS:
-Great concept. I was really enjoying this thing before it broke.
-I like the way the device grips the Iphone. The way it's designed, it will fit no matter how big your case is.

CONS:
-One cigarette lighter plugin doesn't seem to work
-The one that did work is very long, and every time I turned the whole thing would swivel upside down, possibly slamming the passengers leg in the process. Plus it exploded after a few hours of use.
-I couldn't get the hands free set feature working. Instead of broadcasting it over the speakers, it just output it through the phone in nonspeaker mode. It's possible this is a compatibility issue with the new 3G Iphone.

Neat little device. iPod fits snug in the cradle, sound quality is good, easy to set up. What's not to like? Might get another one for my girlfriend. Recommended product.