Valentine's Day Looming

[Michigan Muskie]

For those of you with significant others, you have three days (two really) to get off your butt and buy a gift.

My wife wants to be able to play her iPod through the stereo of our Trailblazer. It doesn't have an AUX jack so I can't just get a monster cable and plug it in.

I know there are car adapters out there. The one that seems to get the highest reviews is the Harmen Drive and Play.

Anyone have an iPod (or mp3) adapter for your car and would care to share your opinion?

[Kahns Krazy]

I have a Kensignton FM transmitter thingy that is iPod specific, meaning it charges the iPod as well. It works fine. Not awesome, just fine. My music listening in the car isn't all that intense.

Do not leave it plugged in when you leave your car anywhere. These things are practically billboards for "Please steal my iPod."

Some kid in the East End got my first one for Christmas.

[Kahns Krazy]

Mine is similar to this...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3431525&CatId=2569

[boozehound]

I have personally had bad luck with the transmitters. I have heard that they work well in some cars, but poorly in others. If she has a tape deck, you could try one of those tape adapter thingys that plugs the Ipod into the tape deck.

[ballyhoohoo]

have fun buying v-day gifts you guys. I am newly un engaged and think I will be having anti valentines day festivities

[Michigan Muskie]

have fun buying v-day gifts you guys. I am newly un engaged and think I will be having anti valentines day festivities

Very sorry to hear that. Don't do anything you may regret later - there are many more Valentine's Days ahead.

[Smails]

I have also had very bad luck with transmitters. If you are interested in high quality sound, the FM transmitter is not the way to go. If you are interested in the best sound quality then the good old fasioned tape adapter is the way to go. Perfect sound. It's not as pretty as an FM tuner, but it definitely sounds the best. My car is an 04' and has a tape deck/cd player combo. Some of the newer models don't have a tape deck anymore....so you might not have a choice. I've heard that itrip is a decent option

[xu2006]

The iTrip has been terrible in my experiences... my sister and I both got them one year for Christmas, I think. They have both been relegated to the dumpster. My sister has some success with her Monster FM transmitter. I've reverted to the tape-deck adapter. That's the best way to go unless you are going to install some serious hardward into the car.

Crutchfield has a lot of options:
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Category/GroupMenu.aspx?g=770&tp=15&cm_re=topnav*prodmenu3*spg_770

[ballyhoohoo]

Very sorry to hear that. Don't do anything you may regret later - there are many more Valentine's Days ahead.

We were at differant points in our lifes where if we stayed together it would have ended in both of us getting hurt, so this was a good mutual as pain free as it can be break up. I have all the money for the reception still, so i bougth a new Les Paul! For those of you who have loved ones, have fun and treat them right, I am not against love, just frusterated. Good luck everyone

[Michigan Muskie]

Thanks for your insight. For sound quality, I am going to consider the Metra iPod adapter for GM vehicles. It requires some installation, but once that is complete, I understand the sound quality is great. If only I knew anything about installing things like this...

I also hope it doesn't require the removal/replacement of the OEM radio or in-dash changer. I'd have to find an alternate gift.

[joebba]

Go out to Crutchfield.com. They will show you specific options for your vehicle. Your best bet is a cable that plus into a cd changer plug on the back of your head unit. It will cost $30-40. You will have a cable to rout to the back of your head unit and it will plug into the data port of the apple (it will give you the best sound becase it stays in the digital domain into your head unit) and it will charge your i-pod as well. I have my cable routed into my globe box. Big deal so I sit my I pod on the passenger seat when I use it. It is fine this way. Cruthcfiled provides great instructions for do it yourself installation and you can talk to a live person via 800 number if you want.

[XUglow]

We were at differant points in our lifes where if we stayed together it would have ended in both of us getting hurt, so this was a good mutual as pain free as it can be break up. I have all the money for the reception still, so i bougth a new Les Paul! For those of you who have loved ones, have fun and treat them right, I am not against love, just frusterated. Good luck everyone

Old joke: "I am sure you will get over it. It hardly bothered me at all."

Seriously though, the world is full of warm, wonderful people that need someone. Don't fret too much about lost love.

[Michigan Muskie]

Go out to Crutchfield.com. They will show you specific options for your vehicle. Your best bet is a cable that plus into a cd changer plug on the back of your head unit. It will cost $30-40. You will have a cable to rout to the back of your head unit and it will plug into the data port of the apple (it will give you the best sound becase it stays in the digital domain into your head unit) and it will charge your i-pod as well. I have my cable routed into my globe box. Big deal so I sit my I pod on the passenger seat when I use it. It is fine this way. Cruthcfiled provides great instructions for do it yourself installation and you can talk to a live person via 800 number if you want.

This sounds like a winner. I'll take a look at that - thanks.

[X-band '01]

What is this Valentine's Day that everyone speaks of?

Signed,
Virgin X Band Class of 2001 from Reynoldsburg Ohio and all the other people not padding the wallets of ProFlowers, PajamaGrams, Vermont Teddy Bears, Kay Jewelers, Jared Galleria, Osterman Jewelers, and Hallmark

[Cheesehead]

Tape deck adapter: $9.99 at evil Walmart.