Best iPod FM Transmitters

The iPod is one of the year's hottest items. New ones are constantly coming onto the market and we are finding more and more ways to integrate them into our normal lives. One way that is quickly catching on, is listening to your iPod in the car. If you have children, you may have an iPod folder set aside with the Wiggles or Barney. Teenagers are likely to have their own iPods full of music that they want to listen to on the way to school. Adults on the other hand, well, we have a smorgasbord of everything!

So now you are in the car, what do you do with the iPod. Well, quite simply, hook it up to an FM transmitter and send your tunes straight into you car speakers! Its quick, painless and best of all, you don't have to listen to radio commercials.

Take a look at some of the most requested and popular transmitters and then decide which one you think will work for you.

Belkin TuneBase FM with ClearScan

Features:

ClearScan technology quickly scans and finds the best FM frequency.

Line-out feature allows for use with car-stereo inputs or cassette adapters.

Flexible neck for easy repositioning

Multiple cradles for any docking iPod

Compatible with iPod nano 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th generation, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod video and iPod color.

Can currently be found in stock on Amazon.com, eBay, Belkin.com, and Target and Walmart Stores.

Depending on where you purchase this FM Transmitter from, prices currently range from $62.99 to $99.90.

Griffin iTrip SmartScan FM Transmitter

Features:

Bright display is easier to read in any light

Three-stage light ring changes color to indicate the charging status of your iPod battery

SmartScan scans the radio dial for the three best frequencies then saves them automatically to 3 programmable presets buttons for easy recall later

Compatible with iPod nano 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd generation, iPod with color, iPod with video, iPod classic and iPod touch

Can currently be found at Walmart.com, Target.com and eBay. Also is currently in stock at Apple.com and Griffintechnology.com.

Prices currently range from $42.29 to $73.99.

Belkin TuneCast II FM Transmitter

Features:

Transmits on FM channels 88.1MHz-107.9MHz

Automatic On/Off

Features low-battery LED indicator

Includes DC cable for optional battery-free operation (Note: This does not charge the battery).

Compatible with iPod 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod shuffle

Can currently be found in stock at RadioShack.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, WolfCamera.com, and stores like Kohls's and ToysRUs. Also available on eBay and Belkin.com

Prices currently range from $24.99 to $49.99.

Kensington Quickseek FM Transmitter

Features:

Quickseek technology helps to find the best FM signal to play you iPod music through

ClearFM technology reduces noise and enhances audio

Your iPod is charged while you listen through the transmitter

Comes with a detachable car charger that can charge other USB powered devices

Bright display

Three pre-set buttons

Comes with detachable spacer

Compatible with all click wheel iPods including iPod with video and iPod nano.

You can currently find this in stock at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, RadioShack.com, Target.com, Kensington.com

Prices currently range from $41.99 to $89.99.

Griffin iTrip Nano

Features:

Uses the nano's own screen to display tuning and setup information.

SmartDisplay technology seamlessly integrates all functions and features

SmartSense volume control adjusts the iPod's volume level for optimal audio quality

The nano slides into iTrip and securely connects via the iPod's dock and headphone connectors

Mono or stereo mode

Allows your iPod to charge while you listen to it

Compatible with 2^nd generation iPod nano

Can currently be purchased from Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, Overstock.com and eBay.

Prices range from $24.99 to $42.74.

After doing research, I think that it is important to know that not all transmitters work the same. Some has specific radio channels that you must choose from and others have a range. Also, you may find that there are more problems in large metropolitan areas. The frequencies may become clogged and you may hear static.

Also, I have found that the best are not always the most expensive. Of the friends that I spoke with when getting recommendations on what they found to be the best FM transmitters, many noted that they found off brand transmitters on sites such as eBay.com and Amazon.com and have thus far had no issues.

It is very important that you do thorough research when trying to decide which FM transmitter will work best for you.