FM transmitter shortcomings-an answer for some

 

If there is anyone who is disappointed with the built in FM trans on the GPS system (I have the 660) then I might have an answer for you. I just had a AXXESS iPOD Auxiliary input module installed in my Tundra truck. I got it at Circuit City for $49 and they installed it for $50. It has the wide connector to plug into an Apple iPOD but it also has a 3.5mm mini audio jack (same as earphones on the MP3 player). I bought a "male to male" mini audio cable and plugged one end into the jack on the module and the other end into my Nuvi 660. Now my directions and my MP3's come over my 6 speaker car speakers. Also my bluetooth phone comes over the car speakers. Not all cars have a module yet, so you have to be careful to get the correct one. If your car stereo has a built in 6 CD changer, it won't work in you car because it plugs into the jack on the back of the radio for an external CD changer. NO MORE STATION CHANGING !

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Smokey...smokey115@gmail.com...Garmin 660

Using the audio cable

The audio cable is the way to go. Absolutely! No more static as the FM stations signal strength from your radio goes in and out.

Another Option

I have the 370 and I had purchased a Belkin transmitter (similar to this one: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_I...) for use with my iPod. Tried it out with my Nuvi. Works fine as well; my only challenge is that I only have one 15v outlet. When my Nuvi is dismounted, that's no issue, but for plugging in my Traffic receiver, I will need to purchase a power splitter.

Mio, wired for life

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Wherever you go, there you are. -Garmin Nuvi 370

This is what I did

That's why I returned my nuvi660 and got the 650 instead. The price difference between the two more than paid for my aux input module and rca cables. The result is way better sound.

Nuvi650 - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD

This is what I used to add an aux input to my factory stereo:

http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/P_I_E_GM12_AUXv2_Auxiliary_...

aux in

this is exactly what i want to do with the 660 i am getting ready to purchase! i've got a question about it though: if i have it plugged into my stereo through the aux in, will nav directions still come through the speakers while i am listening to the radio? or...if i am listening to the radio and my phone rings (through bluetooth) i'll need to switch modes on my radio to hear the phone through the speakers?

Thanks!

Good post!
I was looking for this feature but never could find good technical specifications that answered my questions! Crutchfield did a good job on the writeup!

~

chriss wrote:

this is exactly what i want to do with the 660 i am getting ready to purchase! i've got a question about it though: if i have it plugged into my stereo through the aux in, will nav directions still come through the speakers while i am listening to the radio? or...if i am listening to the radio and my phone rings (through bluetooth) i'll need to switch modes on my radio to hear the phone through the speakers?

If you plug your GPSr into the aux input, you only get what comes out of it...phone calls in Bluetooth capable models...MP3/audio books if your unit does that, and the navigation instructions...you will not be able to listen to the radio receiver portion of your vehicle audio system while using the aux input.

If you want to listen to another audio source and also get your navigation instructions, you can obtain a mixer that will allow you to combine two audio sources into one signal to feed into the vehicle's aux input. http://www.mixitproducts.com/ has one such product that you could plug in an XM/Sirius receiver, iPod, or whatever into one input on the mixer, and your GPSr into another, and it will work such that the GPSr going off will cause the primary audio source to fade, allowing you to hear the navigation instructions, and then fade the primary source back up again when the navigation instructions are done.

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

Bekin is a FM transmitter

Miosa wrote:

I have the 370 and I had purchased a Belkin transmitter (similar to this one: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_I...) for use with my iPod. Tried it out with my Nuvi. Works fine as well; my only challenge is that I only have one 15v outlet. When my Nuvi is dismounted, that's no issue, but for plugging in my Traffic receiver, I will need to purchase a power splitter.

Mio, wired for life

Mio
Even though the Bekin works, it still is an FM transmitter subject to interference from local FM stations. These other products bypass this and go directly into the radio
Smokey

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Smokey...smokey115@gmail.com...Garmin 660

Another Source

Chriss
You can also find the PIE adapter on E-Bay at
http://stores.ebay.com/Integration-Solutions. Although the Axxess adapter from Circuit City is almost half the cost of the PIE adapter, it is not compatible with all cars. I was able to buy the Axxess for my Tundra truck, but my 2005 Ford Mustang has a 6 CD internal changer so I had to go for the PIE adapter. In both cases, I had the installers at Circuit City do the installation.

Smokey

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Smokey...smokey115@gmail.com...Garmin 660

another solution

I used to have a CB a while back and i had a mini external speaker hooked up. You could also use one of these so that you could hear TTS or just get a cassette adapter (if you have a cassette) and pipe it through your radio. I have tried the FM transmitter and around here it is pretty useless. I would imagine that it would be better in a more rural area.

Doh!

Huh, what a blatantly obvious good idea! I actually have an Ipod adapter already in my Subaru and never put 2 and 2 together. Thanks!