Sonnet PodFreq FM Transmitter for iPod Photo

Other products by Sonnet Technologies

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00074O53C
• Item model number: FMT-IPOD-PH
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 15, 2004

Product Description

Product Description

Cut the wires - Sonnet's PodFreq wirelessly broadcasts your iPod's tunes to any nearby FM radio. Find a frequency on the FM dial with no station, select the same frequency on the PodFreq, and play your music - it's that simple. How does it sound? Superb. PodFreq's advanced audio design ensures superior music quality.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars PodFreq Problems are Recurring!, October 12, 2005

By	Gasman45 (Sydney Australia) - See all my reviews

I have now had problems with all three Sonnet PodFreq FM transmitters for iPod that I have had. The problem is basically after working OK for a month or so the output power appears to progressively decline, until I literally have to have the aerials touching before there is any reception on the FM radio.

I bought my first PodFreq in August 2004. I had had a Griffin iTrip previously and a Belkin unit which only had a choice of 4 frequencies. I saw the Podfreq on the Net and thought it would be a good alternative. I use the Podfreq to play background music, transmitting it from my iPod to a variety of FM radio/CD players in use at the time. (Sony, Akai, Philips, etc.). I generally leave it connected to the Apple iPod charger via the Firewire port while it is playing.

The PodFreq worked well for a month or two then I noticed a progressive loss of transmitting range, requiring me to place the unit closer and closer to the FM receiver, until it would only transmit a few centimeters. I tried it on several frequencies and with both aerials fully extended. Eventually I returned it to the supplier who sent it off for replacement under warranty. The replacement unit similarly worked well for a couple of months then the same progressive deterioration occurred. I returned this unit in May this year and again it was replaced under warranty.

I have only had my current PodFreq for a few months and again the same loss of transmission range has occurred. Again I have tried it on several FM receivers all with the same result. The 12 month warranty has now expired and I am wondering why this keeps happening? Is there a basic design flaw that Sonnet (and the Public!) need to be made aware of? I can believe that one bad unit is bad luck, and two may be a very bad coincidence, but three????

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mine has worked great. My brother's had to be replaced, April 26, 2006

By	A. B. Lopez (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased a Podfreq for my brother and was really impressed with the quality of the sound it produced and the overall design of it. I was using the Belkin Tunecast II and the Griffin iTrip.

The Belkin Tunecast was worthless and I never got a good signal from it. It also was a pain to have this little device hanging from the headphone jack, and I had to replace batteries often (not powered from the iPod).

The Griffin iTrip had better sound quality and was great for how compact it was, but only worked well in certain vehicles. I ended up selling it to a friend (which worked well in her Tacoma). Didn't work well in my Integra.

So, I decided to get a Podfreq. I've been using mine for over a year now and I haven't had any problems what-so-ever. The stand built into the base is a nice touch and makes it great for setting on a desk or a countertop. This also makes it so the antenna is sticking straight up, giving the best signal. I use it regularly on drives of 5-6 hours (with or without the power adapter). It fits nicely in the cup holder and changing stations is simple to do. since it has a mini usb and firewire connection built in I usually don't even carry the iPod cable. You can use the wall adapter with a regular usb cable to charge your iPod (one less cable to carry around).

Well, my brother's decided to slowly die similar to other people's on here. He called up Sonnets and they had him return it for repair. He got it back and it's working fine now. I am curious about other people having the same problem. Sonnets told him it was because he left it out in the cold, but I've left mine in the cold various times and have had no ill effects (knock on wood).

Some of the things that could use improvement:
No backlight, making it hard to use in low light or at night.
Using the car adapter makes it hard to fit in the cup holder (but if your cup holder has the slot for a mug handle it should fit perfectly).

Overall, a very good transmitter with better sound quality than any of the transmitters that use the headphone jack. Excellent features and design. Acts as a nice protective case.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Packed up after 6 days, October 19, 2005

By	chyke "mac guy" (Jamaica, New York United States) - See all my reviews

I used my PodFreq for the iPod Photo for 6 days and then it stopped working. Thought it was the line out on my iPod first, but tested with a Monster iCarPlay and that worked fine. Also found out that the product from the Monster iCarPlay was better.

Would be returning my PodFreq