FM transmitter

 

Does anyone have a preference on an FM transmitter? I have a Garmin Nuvi 350 which plays MP3's and audio books and I was wondering if there are any good FM transmitters that would be great for it

FM transmitter

I purchased an "iRiver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter" from Amazon and it has performed pretty well.

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Nuvi 350

Belkin TuneCast

Works OK for me, but I'm looking into a kit that would give me an input into my vehicle's built-in audio system.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

PIE CD changer interfaces

Check out this site, they make conversion boxes that take an audio input and make it look like a CD changer so you can use your vehicles audio system.

http://www.pie.net/store/index.cfm?Action=ViewCategory&Categ...

I've looked at PIE

But my vehicle is not listed on their compatibility guide, and they are not answering the e-mail(s) I've sent to ask which of their devices are compatible with my new Chevy Colorado truck, or my spam filter is nailing their replies. Perhaps I'll call them...

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

PIE adapter

I have one of their adapters in my 2001 Ford Escape, and it works excellent.

connector to iRiver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter

how did you connect aft100 to nuvi350 ?

I purchased an "iRiver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter" from Amazon and it has performed pretty well.

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Nuvi 350

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http://www.bestphotog.com

iRiver AFT 100

bestphotog wrote:

how did you connect aft100 to nuvi350 ?

The AFT100 connects directly into the headphone jack on the Nuvi 350.

See the picture on Amazon and it is obvious how it connects.

http://www.amazon.com/iRiver-AFT-100-Mobile-Transmitter/dp/B...

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Nuvi 350

Belkin TuneCast® II FM Transmitter

I picked up one of these Belkin TuneCast II units last month from Toys'R'Us on clearance for $15! It comes with a cigarette lighter adapter, and can also be used with batteries. With any luck some of you may still find some out there. It is available elsewhere for $35 - $50.

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Garmin Nüvi 265WT,Software Ver. 7.00, City Navigator North America NT 2010.30

transmitters used

jeffa62 wrote:

I purchased an "iRiver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter" from Amazon and it has performed pretty well.

I have used both the Belkin and the iRiver transmitters with success.

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Nuvi 670

FM Transmitter

My experience has shown that it is essential to find an open station to facilitate good reception.

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RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot

technically speaking

so , how actualy these units communicate with each other?

nuvi's Headphone jack in an output device , right ?

i was always under impression that nuvi would need input from FM station to divert the route.

and nuvi manual shows the fm transmitter connection to the USB port . Could someone please explain in steps how do they acually use this.

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http://www.bestphotog.com

I think you're mixing the Traffic ability of the Nuvi with audio

Output...

For Audio output, one can use the headphone jack for headphones, or, one can plug in one of the FM transmitter devices mentioned to allow you to tune your car's radio to the set frequency of the transmitter and listen to your Nuvi that way. What you are seeing in the manual in regard to FM & connecting to the USB port is for the traffic data service, where you need an FM receiver capable of stripping the data service out of an FM station's signal and displaying it on your Nuvi.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

exactly , i am looking for

thank you Keith,
exactly , i am looking for a device that could send nuvi signal about traffic report . which one shoulg i go for then?

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http://www.bestphotog.com

Look at

http://www.garmin.com/traffic/ - and compare the receiver options that are compatible with your unit, but before doing that, go to http://realtimetraffic.net/ and check the coverage and see if the area you live and/or will primarily be traveling is even covered by the service.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Nüvi 350 receivers

You can use either the Garmin GTM 10 or the Garmin GTM 12 - the difference is the GTM 10 has to connect to the vehicle antenna, and the GTM 12 has it's own. Here is more information on all the traffic receivers from Garmin, including compatibility list.

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Garmin Nüvi 265WT,Software Ver. 7.00, City Navigator North America NT 2010.30

Have a PIE GM12-AUX on order

Crutchfield's web site says it's compatible with my truck - will have it installed when I get it, and report back how well it works.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

thank you keith

thank you keith , good you replied. i would have had bought something that i really dont want.

i will create another post for GPS anteena for nuvi350 . i dont know how to create one but looking for cheaper solution to put an anteena to my nuvi350

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http://www.bestphotog.com

Antenna

If you want an external antenna to improve GPS reception, you can find those for a very reasonable price on eBay. For that matter, one can get the Traffic receivers at reasonable prices too.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Keith , traffic receiver

Keith ,

traffic receiver service isnt free for nuvi350 , right ?

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http://www.bestphotog.com

After a trial period, yeah - there's a subscription fee

bestphotog wrote:

traffic receiver service isnt free for nuvi350 , right ?

I think there's a free trial of some sort. I have not bothered looking into it as closest service available to me is two hours away, and I rarely go there.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

PIE

I think you will like the PIE unit much better than an FM transmitter. It takes the pure audio and send it to the receiver as an AUX input. With the FM transmitter you loose a lot of the signal in the conversion process. I have one in the Jeep that I use for my MP3 player.

Not to mention living in

Not to mention living in populated urban areas means very few bands are clean enough for the FM transmitter to work well. If possible always go for the direct wire route.

Ended up with a PAC Aux-Box

bkollar wrote:

I think you will like the PIE unit much better than an FM transmitter. It takes the pure audio and send it to the receiver as an AUX input. With the FM transmitter you loose a lot of the signal in the conversion process. I have one in the Jeep that I use for my MP3 player.

The PIE interface was not compatible with my vehicle, even though they said it was...

At any rate - I can now play my MP3s from my Nuvi350 through my truck's audio system directly...the sound is excellent, and Karen's voice through the speakers is, well, very nice too. smile

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

FM Transmitter w/ Nuvi 360

I purchased the Belkin TuneCast® II FM Transmitter thru Amazon.com 2 weeks ago. Its okay. Not great or good, but just okay. From what I was told, is that it works best in cities or towns where theres not much fm radio stations. You need 3 to 4 open fm stations(not used)in order for the mp3 to play clear. Here in LA almost every fm band is taken. I can get 2 fm bands together thats open. Thats it! I tried the cassette tape fm transmitter before I bought the Belkin and to me, it was worse. Too much hissing and static from the plug. I think I'm gonna try the PIE or similar next. Any recommendations out there? Thanks.

Aux Inputs

dcgunman wrote:

I think I'm gonna try the PIE or similar next. Any recommendations out there?

It depends on what works with your vehicle's audio system.

Here's where to look for the PAC Aux-Box and the PIE. Both sites have application guides where you can check compatibility with your vehicle...and you might call them to double check compatibility.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

FM Transmitter

I have a Garmin Nuvi 680 and it has an FM Transmitter built right in but I don't really like it......first you need an FM station with lots of static.......try finding one of those when need them........then when you do hook up to the GPS there is a crackling sound plus you lose your radio station so when the GPS is quiet all you have left is to sing to yourself........Dave

Play MP3's

DaveK3131 wrote:

...then when you do hook up to the GPS there is a crackling sound plus you lose your radio station so when the GPS is quiet all you have left is to sing to yourself...

you could always play MP3's via the Nuvi. Then the music is paused when a direction is required.

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-Mike Nuvi 360 Samsung M520 Sprint (Bluetooth'd)

No Mp3s

I currently have no MP3s but I will keep that in mind...........I like the radio myself.........Dave

Good point....but....

Mike,
I want to play by MP3's through my Nuvi (despite less than spectacular sound). However, the volume level between my songs and the directions is different. If I turn the volume down where the songs are at a comfortable level, I can't hear the directions because they are so soft (even though the music is paused).

Is there a possible way to adjust this difference in volumes?

I'm beginning to think the FM transmitter or related ideas might be better.

Thanks
Shane

volume difference on the 350

The Nuvi600 does have the ability to adjust the mp3 audio volume separately from the voice guidance.

There is a 'hack' that does work on the 350 - you have to modify the voice files - see:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/1864

for details.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Thanks Keith

Wow! Didn't think it would be possible. You guys are great. I'll give it a try.

Thanks
Shane

Garmin Nuvi 680

My little Garmin 680 has an FM transmitter. It works great, except in the downtown area. I listen to podcasts.

Garmin Nuvi 680

My little Garmin 680 has an FM transmitter. It works great, except in the downtown area. I listen to podcasts.

Volume Differences

tshane wrote:

Wow! Didn't think it would be possible. You guys are great. I'll give it a try.

Thanks
Shane

Yup, know exactly what you mean Shane. I had the same problem and Keith showed me the way. I did the hack (easy, easy, easy) and it all sounds perfect.

I had to set my volume level to 99 (you will see what I mean when you read the hack post).

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-Mike Nuvi 360 Samsung M520 Sprint (Bluetooth'd)

In DC. It jammed with the

In DC. It jammed with the radio stations. I have no luck finding a good frequency. Can't blame the transmitter.

Bluetooth transmitter

My car stereo has a bluetooth receiver. I think this would offer much higher quality audio from a Garmin GPS audio player. Does anyone know how to use bluetooth to get audio playback to my stereo? Can't find anything at the Garmin support site.

Thx,
Jen

.

Does your nuvi have the ability to connect to a phone and a Bluetooth headset at the same time? If so, you might be able to connect your stereo as a headset. If not, then it doesn't have Bluetooth output only input.

However, the Bluetooth output (if it outputs) will probably be mono and not stereo. At least it is on the Zumo.

Bluetooth

on the Garmin GPSr is for connecting to a compatible phone - it won't connect to your car stereo.

If you want to connect your GPSr to your car stereo, it needs to be via FM Transmitter - either a built-in like on a Nuvi660, or external & plugged into the unit's headphone port; or connected via a cable from the GPSr to an input connector on your car stereo if it is equipped with one.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

FM Transmitter Update

Just wondering if anyone has had any new products they might want to recommend. I live in DC where there aren't many open channels for the standard 660 transmitter. I was hoping I might be able to purchase something that is a bit more powerful, so I'm not required to search for a new channel every couple of miles while listening to audio books.

I found a great site that

I found a great site that finds unused FM frequencies in an area, click

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/vacant

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~~~~_/)~~~~ Norm, Nuvi 660

Great site

Thanks - that is a useful site for traveling.

I haven't been able to find

I haven't been able to find a transmitter that doesn't make any sound (actually, I think it is the station, not the transmitter) while there is no voice prompts, which drives me crazy hearing static while driving.

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Charley - Nuvi 350 - Bel STI Driver - Cobra 29 w/ wilson 1000 - AIM: asianfire -

FM transmitter

Any1 tried the cassette tape to audio output. That is what i use and it works great. It's a better option if you have a cassette tape player in your car. And you can find it anywhere for $10. just put the tape in and connect the pin to the earphone jack and you will hear everything thru the car audio.

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gamecock bred, tarheel by marraige. when i leave earth i want to be known as a tarcock.

If you are easily irritated

If you are easily irritated with white noises, I'd suggest you not spend any of your money to any FM transmitter. Go for either cassete adapter or audio system with AV in.

FM Transmitter

My vehicle has a rear mounted bee sting type radio aerial mounted on the rear of the roof and to that end the inbuilt FM transmitter in the Nuvi 670 sucks.
Using it my friend's car with a front mounted aerial it works fine.
I have gone the route of a FM transmitter jacked into the headphone jack which works ok-ish as some wash out still occurs on the odd occasion and one can hear the mobile phone handover happening as towers are switched or a call is about to be incoming.

In the Garmin manual it states that vehicles with rear mount aerials will most likely encounter problems with reception.

When I have the cash I am going to buy a top notch best in the west FM transmitter in the hope of a clear and strong signal.

Just a few points I have noted using FM transmitters.

1) If you use the bluetooth through the Nuvi and are pushing the sound through the car audio system the person on the other end of the line has a strong chance of getting a lot of echo.

2) Having done a bit of reading on these units they they recommend that, when setting the FM transmitter to a station, that you find one as low as possible on the FM scale that has clear and constant static/ white noise.

3) This one is a wierdy but I only discovered it by switching between my new and old FM transmitter. As my FM transmitter is plugged into the secondary cigarette lighter which is always on (even if the vehicle is switched off) I found that I could only lock/ unlock the car keylessly if I was standing right at the window and waving the thing around.
With the old FM transmitter I could unlock the car from about 10m away if I wanted to.
So be prepared for some interference from some FM transmitters.

Hope this info is helpful to some.

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Nuvi 715 (Sucks), Nuvi 670 (dead)& Garmin GPS 72. South African living Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Great Site

I'll give the stations it recommends a try tomorrow and go from there.

Not so good...

Well needless to say things didn't work out as good as I had hoped and I'm back to square one and looking for a good FM transmitter.

.

If you are in an area with lots of radio stations, the problem is likely not with the FM transmitter but rather with the lack of an open FM frequency.

If you haven't already, you could try the Belkin Tunecast II. Or you might look into a cassette adapter. Or even more drastic a PIE Adapter.

PIE Adapter drastic?

It's not that drastic - in the hands of qualified installation personnel, it's quick, and the results are better than any transmitter solution.

And for not much more than the price of the PIE adapter, one can get a new car radio with a built-in port to plug a GPSr's speaker/line output into.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Unfortunately for me I don't

Unfortunately for me I don't have a cassette player in my vehicle so old reliable is out of the question. You are correct in the lack of truly open frequencies that are available is my real problem, but didn't the first generation CD changers use a transmitter placed in the trunk or something like that?

So I'm not completely convinced that even in a crowded region a good transmitter won't work. The problem is finding a good one and unless the Tunecast has changed something that isn't it, because I have a grey one lying around here somewhere that is useless.

The good news is that if worst comes to worst I can always plug into the DVD player in the back, but that requires the TV be one and I can't see needing to power that all the time just to listen to sound. The downside is that the TV system is taking up the extra output my radio had available so short of splicing into that I think I'm stuck.

I do however need to look into this PIE Adapter you mentioned as I've never heard of it before.

Thanks to all for the ideas.