An FM transmitter for iPhone that actually works!

FM transmitters that connect an MP3 player to a car stereo are notoriously unreliable, subject to lots of interference in urban areas and sub-FM-quality sound. My own experience with these devices was so bad, I paid about $200 to get an FM modulator hooked into the internal FM receiver in my car stereo. That means I can hook any MP3 player's headphone output directly into an FM frequency on my car stereo. (I couldn't just buy a new car stereo with a direct input because I drive a 2006 Subaru Outback...more on this issue here.)

The i-Kit worked great with my iPhone 3G--no interference, no fade-outs.

(Credit: MediaGate)

So when I received a review unit of MediaGate's i-Kit on Monday, I was skeptical. The poorly translated instruction sheet didn't help matters, but it's straightforward enough that I didn't need it--you plug the i-Kit into the cigarette lighter, plug your iPhone or iPod into the charging connection on the i-Kit, adjust the rubberized grip to make sure your device is secure, and set the i-Kit's FM tuner to an unused frequency. In my case, I used my new iPhone 3G and tuned it to 89.1, the same frequency I use for the FM modulator. (I had to turn the modulator off to avoid interference.)

Amazingly, it was listenable! It sounded a little bit thinner than plugging the iPhone directly into the FM modulator, particularly on the low-end, but I got no bursts of static, no fade outs, no wavering musical signal, no need to turn the volume all the way up...none of the headaches I experienced with other FM tuners. With the iPhone, it can even serve like a hands-free phone, delivering the speaker's voice through the car stereo system. It works with other MP3 players as well, but doesn't charge them up, and you have to use the included audio connector to hook the MP3 player's headphone-out to the i-Kit's input. One weirdness: every few minutes, I heard a single high beep through the speakers. I don't know why, and the included instruction sheet was no help explaining whether I might have set something up wrong.

I'm still glad I have the higher-quality FM modulator--and a direct aux-in to the car stereo would be even better--but for $50, this is a surprisingly good solution.

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[Eagle2904]

Does it work with the iphone 3G? The phone in the picture is a first generation iphone.

[MattRosoff]

Yes, I have a 3G.

[SLASHHendrix]

yes, it does work with 3G edition as perfect as first generation.

[sanjayb]

I bought a Monster cable FM transmitter 2 years ago. It works great for me.

[sajmani1]

Does this work with Iphone 3G. Thanks,

[drukenhard]

I had a Kensington FM transmitter that was perfect for my iPod but sadly doesn't work with the iPhone, it had 3 presets for storing your best 3 frequencies (which I never had to change as it would overpower the radio stations).

I ride a motorbike now so don't listen music on the road but will definitely look for another Kensington transmitter soon (to use in friend's cars)

[shootdraxxus]

$200 for an in line FM modulator sounds like someone didn?t do enough research. I paid $30 for mine by Scosche (http://www.scosche.com/products/productID/417). I know it says $39.99 but I got it for $30 at Wal-mart. I didn?t want to say Wal-mart because I?m sure most people are thinking low quality. This thing never gave me any problems. It had a mountable on and off switch, and about 4 radio stations to choose from; you know the ones that are never used like 88.1, 88.3, etc... It overpowered the radio stations like the $200 you?ve got. It was a mini phono jack so it wasn?t apple specific. Instillation was easy enough to do with your eyes closed. I installed my own, but a friend of mine paid a mere $25 to get his installed by a shop. It?s not vehicle specific either. You may have to get an adapter for certain vehicles (ford!) that have a different shaped antenna input in the back of the radio. I?ve driven through different states with it, and still never had any interference or static. The only thing it didn?t do was charge my MP3 player, but like I said it wasn?t specific to any one player. On really long road trips, my buddies hooked up their laptop to it and watched movies with the audio coming out of the car speakers. It?s a reliable cheap solution. Alas, I sold my Civic Si that it was in. That reminds me, another benefit to it is you can enjoy your tunes with a stock head unit. My point being, you don?t have to have a fancy radio or docking charger that screams ?Hey! Rob me!?, just don?t forget to hide your MP3 player or take it with you!

[SLASHHendrix]

i have the same experience with the beeping situation as the statement above, which sounds like a very weak beeping sound happens about every couple seconds. however, when i turn up the music to the level that i usually do (not in crazy way), i can't hear it. it's like the music cover it up. i did call the customer service to find out whether it's the set up issue. they told me it just the original setting by the manufacturer for the security matter(something like to notice user that the FM transmitter is still on). they also told me that they had removed the sound for the next coming batches. anyway, this new product is still the best solution i've ever seen in the market so far.

[candice4ever]

Many people don't know this but the "allkit" and the "mediagate" are fakes, clones of the original one called the iPhone COMPLETE. Its available at this website www.canadadrivesafe.com and just click on the iphone handsfree/fm section.

The Canada Drive Safe original version DOES NOT BEEP, they also explained to me that the "mediagate" and the "allkit" had not been properly FCC approved (basically did not pay for something) and thats why it beeps, they can tell you more if you ask....

But i bought this kit from them around Christmas time for my husband & he loves the thing to death, I'm getting rid of my LG and getting an iphone so i will probably get one of these also.

anyhow, it costs about the same price (their prices are in CAD, but you can change to USD for about $60 or so and i think they have a coupon code also, i used one for like $10 off but cant remmeber what it is right now.

anyways, choi for now
C.

[candice4ever]

Many people don't know this but the "allkit" and the "mediagate" are fakes, clones of the original one called the iPhone COMPLETE. Its available at this website www.canadadrivesafe.com and just click on the iphone handsfree/fm section.

The Canada Drive Safe original version DOES NOT BEEP, they also explained to me that the "mediagate" and the "allkit" had not been properly FCC approved (basically did not pay for something) and thats why it beeps, they can tell you more if you ask....

But i bought this kit from them around Christmas time for my husband & he loves the thing to death, I'm getting rid of my LG and getting an iphone so i will probably get one of these also.

anyhow, it costs about the same price (their prices are in CAD, but you can change to USD for about $60 or so and i think they have a coupon code also, i used one for like $10 off but cant remmeber what it is right now.

anyways, choi for now
C.

[DAfshar]

I bought a version of this in Japan and it crapped out on me after only 1 month. Granted... for the one month it did operate, it certainly operated well. Now, I'm torn between buying the Canadian version or waiting for Belkin's new version.

[duke848]

I'm in Sydney Australia and I picked up an AllKit for $50AU from www.clickstore.com.au.

Ive been using it for about 3 months now and it works great. I read that other people on here are hearing some sort of beeping sounds every few minutes...no such problem for me. In fact im getting nearly cd quality without any interference at all. I've got my AllKit tuned to 106.00FM and I rarely get any interference driving around in sydney.

5 out of 5 for me considering price. Ive seen other brands advertising the same sort of feature for double the price i payed. So for me this has been a great buy :)

Cheers!