Best FM Transmitter for Car?

coffeeinstance on 02/11/2019 - 22:29

Hello

I have an old car. Old enough to not have bluetooth or even an AUX cable in it to play music. I still write MP3 CDs in order to play music in my car, and I drive quite a lot so need some music.

However, I am tired of finding stuff and writing a new one after I had enough of a CD which is quite often considering how much I drive. I also have a spotify subscription so I wanted to use it in the car, but all the FM transmitters I have tried are not great and have some background noise.

Can I ask if anyone is in the same situation as me and can suggest a method to listen to music in my car. I can only think of FM transmitters so if anyone can suggest the one they use and works great, please let me know. Any other suggestions also welcome.

Please dont suggest to buy a new car.

Thank you!

Automotive FM Transmitter

Comments

  • Hybroid on 02/11/2019 - 22:32
    +2

    Have you considered replacing the radio head unit itself with something more modern instead?

    I used to have a Belkin FM transmitter back in the iPod days before the iPhone, worked a treat.

    • coffeeinstance on 02/11/2019 - 22:38
      +1

      Yes i have considered it, but the cost of the unit and labour totalled about $200 which I wasnt prepared to spend (Im not that tech savvy to install myself).

      • fossilfuel on 02/11/2019 - 23:57

        What about getting a unit from a similar year/same model but higher grade vehicle? e.g the current top of the range Corollas have more stereo features (GPS, WiFI? etc) than the base model.

        The stereo unit for your vehicle model (top grade) might have bluetooth or aux? You could source one from a car that's been written off (scrapyard/smash repairer) for dirt cheap and attempt installing it yourself. It'll be easier/more straightforward than installing a custom unit.

        We did it for our 2009 family car and now it has bluetooth and a USB slot.

      • crentist on 03/11/2019 - 05:26

        That seems pretty good actually? Depends on the unit maybe, but I usually go for something like a Sony Bluetooth CD radio for around $150. You can get super dirt cheap (eg $20) crappy units, but for something half decent I'd expect over $100 for the unit alone.

        I've installed a few myself, but usually wish I hadn't bothered about halfway through.

        But a decent radio makes a big difference. I've always bought old crappy cars, and a new radio is almost enough to make them feel like they aren't missing a single thing from a newer model.

    • Kandrew on 03/11/2019 - 17:02

      I bought a Belkin unit, too, for my wife (before she was my wife) and, yes, I agree that it worked a treat.

      I think that we still have it. Somewhere. And it certainly isn't being used.

  • Stewardo on 02/11/2019 - 22:40

    Get a UE boom 2 and plug it into the cigarette lighter then Bluetooth to that.

    • coffeeinstance on 02/11/2019 - 22:41

      That doesnt use the car speakers or does it?

      • Stewardo on 02/11/2019 - 22:47

        No it’s a speaker

  • nahkk on 02/11/2019 - 22:49

    When I researched, my perfect match was [KM29] (https://www.amazon.com.au/Upgraded-Landscape-Bluetooth-Trans…). It has 2 fast charging ports as well, one of which is QC3. Since most FM transmier goes into lighter place, you wont be able to charge phones hence the need of charging ports.

    You can connect your phone to it via bluetooth or can use a micro SD Card. Calls can be received and mic is good so far in my experience. I would highly recommend it.

  • Euphemistic on 03/11/2019 - 08:26

    Skirting around the issue by buying an adaptor that isn’t all that effective. Just get a new head unit.

    • HardlyCharly on 03/11/2019 - 13:52

      My aux to fm adaptor is incredibly good, and no different to CD quality on the old mid-00's speaker system.

  • tabz on 03/11/2019 - 08:33

    Using a Xiaomi RoidMi FM Transmitter in my car which is working well.

  • HardlyCharly on 03/11/2019 - 13:59

    I got this AUX to FM transmitter two years ago. My car uses optical audio for whatever reason, it's absurd, so I can't just put in an aftermarket unit. The quality is fantastic and we have had no issues, sounds no different to CD on the old mid-00's speakers.

  • Shaunf on 03/11/2019 - 14:10

    Search for VicTsing, they are pretty good

  • ZachBlasphemy on 04/11/2019 - 08:55

    If you're still looking, Kmart has a new model out that's been great, should be $14.

    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/handsfree-bluetooth-fm-tran…

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