This Is It!!!! (RF modulator solution)

Good idea Eagle One,

And that led me on a basic search for FM Modulators.
This particular model looks like it's tunable through the entire FM entertainment radio FM spectrum.

I am not sure how high Garmin units will tune within that spectrum.

URL: http://www.calcellular.com/car-songbird-2.html

disclaimer: I am not associated with this business I just goggled FM modulator.

More stuff to hang out of the power plug or just use the batteries.
Price is right if it works as advertised. But since I do not have a Nuvi 750 yet I will have to wait for others reports.

Chuck

I should have mentioned that the FMM-100 transmits directly to the car radio through the antenna cable. It does not transmit through the air.

That's why it works so well. If you could direct the Nuvi's FM Transmitter's RF output directly into the vehicle's radio system, it would do equally well.

The best solution I've found is an audio system with an AUX input. And a device from http://www.mixitproducts.com makes it possible to have multiple audio sources share the AUX input to the vehicle radio very nicely.

I've been looking for one of these for years. I had a "SparkoMatic" unit as a teenager in my camaro that connected directly. None of the "FM" transmitters made today that go over the air are as good.

This is an excellent find! I'll be getting one of these right away - I have a lot of uses; from the DVD audio for the kids, to my MP3 player, or even my phone output for GPS or other audio.

Did I mention that this is a great find?

Thanks!

I use the exact same unit for my Sirius satellite radio.

The satellite radio does have its own FM modulator built in, but because the Audiovox FMM-100 connects directly to the radio, I don't have problems with extremely strong signals bleeding through when I travel.

This modulator is very strong too.. I have two cars and when I park the cars side by side, I can hear the modulator clearly in both cars.

Although my '05 Honda Odyssey did not have an input jack, it did have an extra button on the head unit, for an add-on CD changer. I bought a Metra/Axxess unit from circuit city, and it plugged directly into the back of my OE Honda stereo. A 3.5mm wire runs from my adaptor to the Garmin. MP3s, directions, and bluetooth telephone calls, all coming through my factory system. (and nobody else's)

I bought the AIPHD03ID for less than $50.
http://www.axxessinterface.com/

Q

Soooooo.... you installed this yourself? Wouldn't one need to remove the radio from the dash in order to access the connections to get this installed?

I don't see any On/Off function for this. Does it allow the radio to work normally and only interrupt it when tuned to a specific station or what?

I'm stuck driving my wife's car due to the cost of my commute and the old cassette player in it rejects the adapter. There's no aux input and no extra inputs on the back of the radio so this looks like it might be just the ticket for me.

Any further installation and usage information you can give would be great.

It's not hard to install. It really looks worse than it is. I installed mine in my truck in about 15 min. You simply need to tap into a 12v power source. Connect the radion antenna to it, and it to the radio. The radio can be taken out with a u-shaped tool that can probably be found at Radio Shack. It does have an off/on switch. But you'll need to make a small hole for it. I just turned it on and stuffed it behind the dash because my gps is also my XM radio. Since I don't listen to FM or AM radio, this wasn't an issue.

I checked out the FM Modulator but at $75 ($60 + $15 shipping) its at the point where it would be better to just purchase a new stereo with an auxiliary input on the front. They can be purchased for less than $100, and BB/CC have the free installation offer every couple of weeks.

I looked into replacing the stereo. My wife's car has controls on the steering wheel that she doesn't want to give up. That means an adapter harness. By the time the shop had finished listing all the extra things I'd need - new faceplates/adapters for the radio to fit the opening, wiring harness for the install and so that the steering wheel buttons would still work, etc. and then the labor it was going to cost waaaaaaay too much to be an option.

what is make/model/year of your wife's car?

'98 Buick Century -- Bleh...

It looks like most of the devices I came across don't go back that far.

Have you considered Crutchfield? They often include harness and dash adapter kits with the purchase. Of course you'll need to DIY the install...

In my NUVI 780 there is a way to increase the power ofthe FM transmitter. Go to the maintenance area and scroll through the menus to find it. I am unable to provide specifics at this time due to work.I increased my poer out and it works great.

Virgo

Would have been nice to have that feature on my 660. The signal is just not strong enough for solid reception and audio quality.

I just replaced my aftermarket CD receiver with another featuring a front panel aux. input. The direct connection makes MP3s sound great!

Sorry to have to tell you this, but that setting doesn't work in the US. You can change the settings but as soon as you start driving the settings go back to the default. Here's a discussion on a different forum
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=116577...

EagleOne - Thanks for passing the information on to us. I, for one, will be looking to adding one to my 1999 VW Eurovan.

I'm looking at getting a wired FM modulator now. I'm probably going to get the Scosche FMMOD02.
http://tinyurl.com/pz7gtt

But there is also a cheaper one made by PYLE. Actually they make several, but the one I'm considering is the model PLMD3.
http://tinyurl.com/q5m8gf

I've seen it for sale here:
http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=983505

Anyone used the PYLE FM Modulators?